Introduction
The Canterbury Tales
Introduction
Whan that Aprill, with his shoures soote
The droghte of March hath perced to the roote
And bathed every veyne in swich licour,
Of which vertu engendred is the flour;
Whan Zephirus eek with his sweete breeth
Inspired hath in every holt and heeth
The tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne
Hath in the Ram his halfe cours yronne,
And smale foweles maken melodye,
That slepen al the nyght with open eye(So priketh hem Nature in hir corages);
Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages
And palmeres for to seken straunge strondes
To ferne halwes, kowthe in sondry londes;
And specially from every shires ende
Of Engelond, to Caunterbury they wende,
The hooly blisful martir for to seke
That hem hath holpen, whan that they were seeke.
Bifil that in that seson, on a day,
In Southwerk at the Tabard as I lay
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10
15
20
When in April the sweet showers fall
That pierce March's drought to the root and all
And bathed every vein in liquor that has power
To generate therein and sire the flower;
When Zephyr also has with his sweet breath,
Filled again, in every holt and heath,
The tender shoots and leaves, and the young sun
His half-course in the sign of the Ram has run,
And many little birds make melody
That sleep through all the night with open eye
(So Nature pricks them on to ramp and rage)
Then folk do long to go on pilgrimage,
And palmers to go seeking out strange strands,
To distant shrines well known in distant lands.
And specially from every shire's end
Of England they to Canterbury went,
The holy blessed martyr there to seek
Who helped them when they lay so ill and weak
It happened that, in that season, on a day
In Southwark, at the Tabard, as I lay
Glossary
bifil
bifel, bifil
verb
blisful
blisful
adj.
corages
corages
noun, pl.
croppes
croppes
noun
droghte
droghte
noun
eek
eek, eke
adv.
ferne halwes
ferne halwes
noun
foweles
foweles
noun, pl.
hem
hem
pro.
hooly
hooly
verb
kowthe
kowthe
verb
palmeres
palmeres
noun
priketh
priketh
verb, 3rd prs. sg.
seeke
seeke, sike
adj.
seke
seke
verb
seson
seson, sesoun
noun
shoures soote
shoures soote
smale
smale
adj.
sondry londes
sondry londes
noun
sonne
sonne
noun
straunge strondesstraunge strondes
swich
swich
pro.
veyne
veyne
noun
Zephirus
Zephirus
noun
6
(it) happened
blessed
spirits, feelings
shoots, new leaves
dryness
also
distant shrines
birds
them
blessed
known
professional pilgrims who had been to the Holy Land
pierces
sick
1. visit; 2. examine, look for
season
sweet showers, rain
small
various countries
sun
foreign shores
such
vein (of the plant)
the west wind that blows in Spring
Introduction
The Canterbury Tales
Redy to wenden on my pilgrymage
To Caunterbury with ful devout corage,
At nyght was come into that hostelrye
Wel nyne and twenty in a compaignye
Of sondry folk, by aventure yfalle
In felaweshipe, and pilgrimes were they alle,
That toward Caunterbury wolden ryde.
The chambres and the stables weren wyde,
And wel we weren esed atte beste;
And shortly, whan the sonne was to reste,
So hadde I spoken with hem everichon
That I was of hir felaweshipe anon,
And made forward erly for to ryse
To take our wey, ther as I yow devyse.
But nathelees, whil I have tyme and space,
Er that I ferther in this tale pace,
Me thynketh it acordaunt to resoun
To telle yow al the condicioun
Of ech of hem, so as it semed me,
And whiche they weren, and of what degree,
And eek in what array that they were inne;
And at a knyght than wol I first bigynne.
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40
Ready to go on pilgrimage and start
To Canterbury, full devout at heart,
There came at nightfall to that hostelry
Some nine and twenty in a company
Of sundry persons who had chanced to fall
In fellowship, and pilgrims were they all
That toward Canterbury town would ride.
The rooms and stables spacious were and wide,
And well we there were eased, and of the best.
And briefly, when the sun had gone to rest,
So had I spoken with them, every one,
That I was of their fellowship anon,
And made agreement that we'd early rise
To take the road, as I will to you apprise.
But none the less, whilst I have time and space,
Before yet further in this tale I pace,
It seems to me in accord with reason
To describe to you the state of every one
Of each of them, as it appeared to me,
And who they were, and what was their degree,
And even what clothes they were dressed in;
And with a knight thus will I first begin.
Glossary
anon
array
by aventure
chambres
corage
devyse
anon, anoon
array
by aventure
chambres
corage
devyse
adv.
noun
ech
eek
er
everichon
ech
eek, eke
er
everichon,
everichoon,
everychon
forward, foreward
ful
hem
hostelrie,
hostelrye
knyght
nathelees,
natheles,
natheless
pace
to reste
sondry folk
sonne
space
wolden
pro.
adv.
adv.
pro.
straightway, at once, immediately
1. equipment; 2. dress, clothes
by chance
bedrooms
1. heart, feeling; 2. (sexual) desire, ardor
1. tell, narrate; 2. look upon, inspect; 3. instruct,
command
each (one)
also
before, formerly; before; before
everyone
noun
adv.
pro.
noun
agreement, promise
1. very; 2. fully, completely
them
inn, lodging
noun
adv.
knight
nevertheless, none the less
verb
verb
noun
noun
noun
verb, pst.pl.
proceed, go
(gone) to rest
various sorts of people
sun
1. time; 2. opportunity
intended to, desired
forward
ful
hem
hostelrye
knyght
nathelees
pace
reste
sondry folk
sonne
space
wolden
Introduction
noun, pl.
noun, sg.
verb
7
The Canterbury Tales
The Knight
A KNYGHT ther was, and that a worthy man,
That fro the tyme that he first bigan
To riden out, he loved chivalrie,
Trouthe and honour, fredom and curteisie.
Ful worthy was he in his lordes werre,
And therto hadde he riden, no man ferre,
As wel in cristendom as in hethenesse,
And evere honoured for his worthynesse.
At Alisaundre he was, whan it was wonne.
Ful ofte tyme he hadde the bord bigonne
Aboven alle nacions in Pruce;
In Lettow hadde he reysed, and in Ruce,
No Cristen man so ofte of his degree.
In Gernade at the seege eek hadde he be
Of Algezir, and riden in Belmarye.
At Lyeys was he and at Satalye,
Whan they were wonne; and in the Grete See
At many a noble armee hadde he be.
At mortal batailles hadde he been fiftene,
And foughten for oure feith at Tramyssene
In lystes thries, and ay slayn his foo.
This ilke worthy knyght hadde been also
Somtyme with the lord of Palatye
Agayn another hethen in Turkye.
And everemoore he hadde a sovereyn prys;
And though that he were worthy, he was wys,
And of his port as meeke as is a mayde.
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A KNIGHT there was, and what a gentleman,
Who, from the moment that he first began
To ride about the world, loved chivalry,
Truth, honour, freedom and all courtesy.
Full worthy was he in his sovereign's war,
And therein had he ridden, no man more,
As well in Christendom as heathenesse,
And honoured everywhere for worthiness.
At Alexandria, in the winning battle he was there;
Often put in the place of honour, a chair.
Above all nations' knights in Prussia.
In Latvia raided he, and Russia,
No christened man so oft of his degree.
In far Granada at the siege was he
Of Algeciras, and in Belmarie.
At Ayas was he and at Satalye
When they were won; and on the Middle Sea
At many a noble meeting chanced to be.
Of mortal battles he had fought fifteen,
And he'd fought for our faith at Tramissene
Three times in duels, always killed his foe.
This self-same worthy knight had been also
At one time with the lord of Palatye
Against another heathen in Turkey:
And always won he widespread fame for prize.
Though so strong and brave, he was very wise
And of temper as meekly as a maid.
Glossary
armee
ay
bataille
bord bigonne
curteisie
armee
ay
bataille
bord bigonne
curteisie
noun
adv.
noun
eek
ferre
fredom
ful
ful oft
Grete See
hethenesse
ilke
lettow
mayde
port
riden out
ruce
seege
sovereyn prys
trouthe
werre
worthy
eek, eke
ferre
fredom
ful
ful oft, ofte
Grete See
hethenesse
ilke
Lettow
mayde, mayden
port
to riden out
Ruce
seege
sovereyn prys
trouthe
werre
worthy
adv.
adj.
noun
adv.
8
noun
noun
noun
adj.
noun
noun
verb
noun
noun
noun
noun
adj.
military expedition
always
battle
sat in the place of honor
gracious and considerate conduct, refinement of
manners
also
farther
liberality, generosity of spirit
1. very; 2. fully, completely
very often
Mediterranean
heathendom, the non-Christian world
same
Lithuania
1. virgin; 2. girl
bearing, manner
to go campaigning
Russia
siege, a military operation
outstanding reputation
1. fidelity, loyalty; 2. pledge, promise
war
respectable, eminent
Introduction
The Canterbury Tales
He nevere yet no vileynye ne sayde
In al his lyf unto no maner wight.
He was a verray, parfit gentil knyght.
But, for to tellen yow of his array,
His hors were goode, but he was nat gay.
Of fustian he wered a gypon
Al bismotered with his habergeoun,
For he was late ycome from his viage,
And wente for to doon his pilgrymage.
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He never yet had any vileness said,
In all his life, to whatsoever wight.
He was a truly perfect, noble knight.
But now, to tell you all of his array,
His steeds were good, but he was not gaily dressed.
A tunic of simple cloth he possesed
Discoloured and stained by his habergeon;
For he had lately returned from his voyage
And now was going on this pilgrimage.
The Squire
With hym ther was his sone, a yong SQUIER,
A lovyere and a lusty bacheler;
With lokkes crulle, as they were leyd in presse.
Of twenty yeer of age he was, I gesse.
Of his stature he was of evene lengthe,
And wonderly delyvere, and of greet strengthe.
And he hadde been somtyme in chyvachie
In Flaundres, in Artoys, and Pycardie,
And born hym weel, as of so litel space,
In hope to stonden in his lady grace.
Embrouded was he, as it were a meede,
Al ful of fresshe floures, whyte and reede;
Syngynge he was, or floytynge, al the day,
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With him there was his son, a young SQUIRE,
A lover and a lively bachelor,
With locks well curled, as if they'd laid in press.
Some twenty years of age he was, I guess.
In stature he was of average length,
Wondrously active, agile, and great of strength.
He'd ridden sometime with the cavalry
In Flanders, in Artois, and Picardy,
And conducted well within that little space
In hope to win thereby his lady's grace.
Embroidered he was, as if he were a meadow bright,
All full of fresh-cut flowers red and white.
Singing he was, or whistling, all the day;
Glossary
array
bacheler
delyvere
embrouded
evene lengthe
floytynge
gentil
gesse
gypon
in chyvachie
lusty
lyf
meede
parfit
reed
squier
syngynge
verray
viage
vileynye
weel
wight
yeer
array
noun
bacheler, bachiler noun
delyvere
adj.
embrouded
adj.
evene lengthe
floytynge
verb, prs. prtcpl.
gentil
adj.
gesse
verb
gypon, gypoun
noun
in chyvachie
lusty
adj.
lif, lyf
noun
mede, meede
noun
parfit, parfyt, perfitadj.
rede, reed, reede adj.
squier
noun
syngynge
verb
verray
adj.
viage
noun
vileynye
noun
weel, wel
adv.
wight, wyght
noun
yeer
noun
Introduction
1. equipment; 2. dress, clothes
young man, unmarried man, young knight
agile, active, nimble
embroidered
medium height
whistling
1. noble (in character); 2. refined, excellent
suppose, estimate
tunic, surcoat worn over the armor
on a cavalry expedition
lively, pleasing, lusty
life
meadow, a piece of grassland
perfect, complete
red
squire, a young knight in the service of another knight
singing
true
journey
1. evil, rudeness, shame, dishonor; 2. injury
well
person, creature, being
years
9
The Canterbury Tales
He was as fressh as is the monthe of May.
Short was his gowne, with sleves longe and wyde.
Wel koude he sitte on hors, and faire ryde.
He koude songes make, and wel endite,
95
Juste, and eek daunce, and weel purtreye and write.
So hoote he lovede, that by nyghtertale
He slepte namoore than dooth a nyghtyngale.
Curteis he was, lowely, and servysable,
And carf biforn his fader at the table.
100
He was as fresh as is the month of May.
Short was his gown, with sleeves both long and
wide.
Well could he sit on horse, and fairly ride.
He could make songs and words thereto indite,
Joust, and dance too, as well as sketch and write.
So hot he loved that, while night told her tale,
He slept no more than does a nightingale.
Courteous he, and humble, willing and able,
And carved before his father at the table.
The Yeoman
A YEMAN hadde he and servantz namo
At that tyme, for hym liste ride soo;
And he was clad in cote and hood of grene.
A sheef of pecok arwes, bright and kene
Under his belt he bar ful thriftily,
(Wel koude he dresse his takel yemanly:
Hise arwes drouped noght with fetheres lowe)
And in his hand he baar a myghty bowe.
A not heed hadde he, with a broun visage,
Of woodecraft wel koude he al the usage.
Upon his arm he baar a gay bracer,
And by his syde a swerd and a bokeler,
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A YEOMAN had he at his side,
No more servants, for he chose so to ride;
And he was clothed in coat and hood of green.
A sheaf of peacock arrows bright and keen
Under his belt he bore very carefully
(Well could he keep his gear yeomanly:
His arrows had no drooped feathers low),
And in his hand he bore a mighty bow.
A cropped head had he and a sun-browned face.
Of woodcraft he knew all the useful ways.
Upon his arm he bore a bright bracer,
And at one side a sword and a buckler,
Glossary
arwes
baar
bokeler
clad
dooth
arwes
baar
bokeler, bokeleer
clad
dooth
eek
endite
eek, eke
endite, enditen,
endyte
ful
gay
hoote
hym liste
koude
lowely
namo
not heed
nyghtertale
purtreye
servysable
swerd
thriftily
visage
weel, wel
yeman
ful
gay
hoote
hym liste
koude
lowely
namo
not heed
nyghtertale
purtreye
servysable
swerd
thriftily
visage
weel
yeman
10
noun, pl.
verb
noun
verb, pst. prtcpl.
verb, 3rd prs. sg.
prsnt.
adv.
verb
arrows
carried
buckler, small shield
clothed
do, does
adv.
adj.
adv.
1. very; 2. fully, completely
bright
passionately; passionate, hot
he preferred to, he chose to
knew how to
modest, humble
no more, no others; no more, never again
close-cropped head
night
draw
willing to serve, attentive
sword
carefully, properly
face
well
yeoman, freeborn servant
verb
adj.
adj.
noun
adj.
verb
adj.
noun
adv.
noun
adv.
noun
also
write, describe in writing
Introduction
The Canterbury Tales
And on that oother syde a gay daggere
Harneised wel and sharpe as point of spere.
A Cristopher on his brest of silver sheene.
An horn he bar, the bawdryk was of grene;
A forster was he, soothly, as I gesse.
115
And at the other side a dagger bright,
Well sheathed and sharp as a spear's point in the
light;
A Christopher medal on his breast of silver sheen.
He bore a horn, the baldric all of green;
A forester he truly was, I guess.
The Prioress
Ther was also a Nonne, a PRIORESSE,
That of hir smylyng was ful symple and coy;
Hir gretteste ooth was but by Seinte Loy;
And she was cleped Madame Eglentyne.
Ful weel she soong the service dyvyne,
Entuned in hir nose ful semely,
And Frenssh she spak ful faire and fetisly,
After the scole of Stratford-atte-Bowe,
For Frenssh of Parys was to hir unknowe.
At mete wel ytaught was she with alle:
She leet no morsel from hir lippes falle,
Ne wette hir fyngres in hir sauce depe;
Wel koude she carie a morsel, and wel kepe
That no drope ne fille upon hir brist.
In curteisie was set ful muche hir list.
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There was also a nun, a PRIORESS,
Who, in her smiling, modest was and coy;
Her greatest oath was but "By Saint Eloy!"
And she was called Madam Eglantine.
Very well she sang the service divine,
Intoning through her nose, becomingly;
And she spoke French fairly and fluently,
After the school of Stratford-at-the-Bow,
For French of Paris style she didn't know.
At table her manners were well taught withall,
And never let morsels from her lips fall,
Nor dipped her fingers deep in sauce, but ate
With so much care the food upon her plate
That no drop could fall upon her breast.
In courtesy she had delight and zest.
Glossary
bawdryk
bawdryk
cleped
curteisie
cleped (ycleped) pst.
curteisie
noun
depe
entuned
fetisly
forster
ful
ful semely
depe
entuned
fetisly
forster
ful
ful semely,
semyly
gesse
harneised
kepe
koude
leet
list, liste
mete
ooth
oother
Seinte Loy
sheene, shene
soong, song
soothly
symple and coy
weel, wel
gesse
harneised
kepe
koude
leet
list
mete
ooth
oother
Seinte Loy
sheene
soong
soothly
symple and coy
weel
Introduction
noun
adv.
adj.
adv.
noun
adv.
verb
verb
verb
verb
verb
verb, prsnt. sg.
noun
noun
adv.
adj.
verb, pst. sg.
adv.
adj.
adv.
baldric, shoulder strap, a belt for a sword, bugle, etc.
hung from the shoulder across the body to the opposite
hip
called
gracious and considerate conduct, refinement of
manners
deeply
intoned
elegantly
forester, game-keeper
1. very; 2. fully, completely
in a very seemly manner
suppose, estimate
ornamented
keep, take care after, preserve
knew how to
1. allowed; 2. left
please, pleases
food, dinner
oath
other; either
St. Eligius
bright, beautiful
sang
truly
unaffected and quiet, modest
well
11
The Canterbury Tales
Hire over-lippe wyped she so clene
That in hir coppe ther was no ferthyng sene
Of grece, whan she dronken hadde hir draughte.
Ful semely after hir mete she raughte.
And sikerly, she was of greet desport,
And ful plesaunt, and amyable of port,
And peyned hir to countrefete cheere
Of court, and been estatlich of manere,
And to ben holden digne of reverence.
But, for to speken of hir conscience,
She was so charitable and so pitous
She wolde wepe, if that she saugh a mous
Kaught in a trappe, if it were deed or bledde.
Of smale houndes hadde she, that she fedde
With rosted flessh, or milk and wastel-breed.
But soore weep she if oon of hem were deed,
Or if men smoot it with a yerde smerte;
And al was conscience, and tendre herte.
Ful semyly hir wympul pynched was,
Hire nose tretys, hir eyen greye as glas,
Hir mouth ful smal, and therto softe and reed;
But sikerly she hadde a fair forheed;
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Her upper lip was always wiped so clean
That on her cup no speck or spot was seen
Of grease, when she had drunk her draught of wine.
Graciously she reached for food to dine.
And certainly delighting in good sport,
She was very pleasant, amiable - in short.
She was in pains to imitate the cheer
Of courtliness, and stately manners here,
And would be held worthy of reverence.
But, to speak about her moral sense,
She was so charitable and solicitous
That she would weep if she but saw a mouse
Caught in a trap, whether it were dead or bled.
She had some little dogs, that she fed
On roasted flesh, or milk and fine white bread.
But sorely she wept if one of them were dead,
Or if men smote it with a stick to smart:
Then pity ruled her, and her tender heart.
Very seemly her pleated wimple was;
Her nose was fine; her eyes were grey as glass;
Her mouth was small and therewith soft and red;
But certainly her forehead was fairly spread;
Glossary
cheere
conscience
coppe
countrefete
deed
digne of
reverence
estatlich
fair
ferthyng
cheere, chere
conscience
coppe
countrefete
dede, deed
digne of
reverence
estatlich
fair
ferthyng
ful semely
ful semely,
semyly
grece
greet desport
hem
herte
mete
oon
port
pynched
raughte
rede, reed, reede
saugh
sikerly, sekirly
smale
soor, soore
therto
wastel-breed
wympul
grece
greet desport
hem
herte
mete
oon
port
pynched
raughte
reed
saugh
sikerly
smale
soore
therto
wastel-breed
wympul
12
noun
noun
noun
verb
adj.
adj.
1. manners, behaviour; 2. facial expression, look
moral sense and solicitude
cup
imitate
dead
worthy of respect
adj.
adj.
noun
dignified
pleasing, handsome, fine, morally good
1. speck, spot; 2. farthing (a coin worth one-fourth of a
penny), something of little value
in a very seemly manner
noun
grease
excellent deportment
them
heart
food, dinner
one
bearing, manner
pleated
reached
red
saw
certainly, truly
small
sorely, bitterly; painful, sore; misery, pain
moreover
expensive fine white bread
wimple, a head dress that covers all but the face
pro.
noun
noun
num.
noun
adj.
verb
adj.
verb, pst. sg.
adv.
adj.
adv.
adv.
noun
noun
Introduction
The Canterbury Tales
It was almoost a spanne brood, I trowe;
For, hardily, she was nat undergrowe.
Ful fetys was hir cloke, as I was war;
Of smal coral aboute hir arm she bar
A peire of bedes, gauded al with grene,
An theron heng a brooch of gold ful sheene,
On which ther was first write a crowned A,
And after Amor vincit omnia .
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It was almost a full span broad, I own,
To tell the truth, she was not undergrown.
Her cloak, as I was well aware, had a graceful charm
She wore a small coral trinket on her arm
A string of beads and gauded all with green;
And therefrom hung a brooch of golden sheen
Whereon there was engraved a crowned "A,"
And under, Amor vincit omnia.
The Second Nun and Three Priests
Another NONNE with hir hadde she,
That was hire chapeleyne, and preestes thre.
Another NUN with her had she,
Who was her chaplain; and priests, she had three.
The Monk
A MONK ther was, a fair for the maistrie,
An outridere, that lovede venerie,
A manly man, to been an abbot able.
Ful many a deyntee hors hadde he in stable,
And whan he rood, men myghte his brydel heere
Gynglen in a whistlynge wynd als cleere
And eek as loude, as dooth the chapel belle.
Ther as this lord was keper of the celle,
The reule of Seint Maure, or of Seint Beneit,
By cause that it was old and somdel streit
This ilke Monk leet olde thynges pace,
And heeld after the newe world the space.
165
170
175
A MONK there was, one of the finest sort,
An outrider; hunting was his sport;
A manly man, to be an abbot able.
Very many excellent horses had he in stable:
And when he rode men might his bridle hear
Jingling in the whistling wind as clear,
Also, and as loud as does the chapel bell
Where this monk was governour of the cell.
The rule of Maurus or Saint Benedict,
By reason it was somewhat old and strict,
This same monk let such old things slowly pace
And followed new-world manners in their place.
Glossary
als cleere
bede
celle
chapeleyne
deyntee
dooth
eek
ful fetys
gynglen
hardily
ilke
outridere
sheene
somdel
streit
trowe
venerie
war
als cleere
bede
as clearly
bead, a small usually rounded and perforated piece of
glass or stone for threading with others to make jewellery
celle
noun
a subordinate monastery
chapeleyne
noun
a nun serving as a secretary to a prioress
deyntee
noun, sg.
delicacy; fine, valuable, excellent
dooth
verb, 3rd prs. sg. do, does
prsnt.
eek, eke
adv.
also
ful fetys
very elegant
gynglen
verb
jingle
hardily
adv.
certainly
ilke
adj.
same
outridere
noun
a monk who rode out to supervise the estates of a
monastry
sheene, shene
adj.
bright, beautiful
somdel, somdeel adv.
somewhat, partly
streit
adj.
narrow, small
trowe
verb
think, suppose
venerie
verbal noun
hunting
war
adj
1. aware; 2. prudent
Introduction
adv.
noun
13
The Canterbury Tales
He yaf nat of that text a pulled hen,
That seith that hunters beth nat hooly men,
Ne that a monk, whan he is recchelees,
Is likned til a fissh that is waterlees,This is to seyn, a monk out of his cloystre
But thilke text heeld he nat worth an oystre;
And I seyde his opinioun was good.
What sholde he studie, and make hymselven wood,
Upon a book in cloystre alwey to poure,
Or swynken with his handes and laboure,
As Austyn bit? How shal the world be served?
Lat Austyn have his swynk to him reserved!
Therfore he was a prikasour aright:
Grehoundes he hadde, as swift as fowel in flight;
Of prikyng and of huntyng for the hare
Was al his lust, for no cost wolde he spare.
I seigh his sleves purfiled at the hond
With grys, and that the fyneste of a lond;
And, for to festne his hood under his chyn,
He hadde of gold ywroght a curious pyn;
A love-knotte in the gretter ende ther was.
His heed was balled, that shoon as any glas,
And eek his face, as it hadde been enoynt.
He was a lord ful fat and in good poynt,
Hise eyen stepe, and rollynge in his heed,
That stemed as a forneys of a leed;
His bootes souple, his hors in greet estaat.
180
185
190
195
200
He gave for that text not a plucked hen
Which holds that hunters are not holy men;
Nor that a monk, when he is cloisterless,
Is like unto a fish that's waterless;
That is to say, a monk out of his cloister.
But this same text he held not worth an oyster;
And I said his opinion was good.
Why should he study as a madman would
Poring a book in a cloister cell? Or yet
Go labour with his hands and work and sweat,
As Austin bids? How shall the world be served?
Let Austin have his toil to him reserved.
Therefore he was a rider day and night;
Greyhounds he had, as fast as a bird in flight.
Since riding and the hunting of the hare
Were all his love, for no cost would he spare.
I saw his sleeves were made with fur at the hand
With fine grey fur, the finest in the land;
Also, to fasten his hood under his chin,
He had made of wrought-gold a curious pin:
A love-knot in the larger end there was.
His head was bald and shone like any glass,
And smooth as one anointed was his face.
Fat was this lord, he stood in goodly case.
His bulging eyes he rolled about, and hot
They gleamed and red, like fire beneath a pot;
His boots were soft; his horse of great estate.
Glossary
aright
balled
curious
eek
enoynt
forneys
fowel
greet estaat
gretter
heed
hen
prikasour
prikyng
pulled
purfiled
recchelees
swynk
swynken
thilke
wood
yaf
14
aright
balled
curious
eek, eke
enoynt
forneys
fowel
greet estaat
gretter
heed, heede
hen
prikasour
prikyng
pulled
purfiled
recchelees
swynk
swynke, swynken
thilke
wood
yaf
adv.
adj.
adj.
adv.
adj.
noun
noun
comparative
noun, sg.
noun
noun
verbal noun
adj.
adj.
adj.
verb
verb, prsnt.
demonstr. adj.
adj.
verb, pst.
certainly
bald
skillful, skillfully made
also
anointed, rubbed with oil
cauldron
noun, sg. bird
excellent condition
larger
head
chicken
horseman, hunter on horseback
tracking
plucked
lined with fur
careless, negligent, heedless of rules
noun work, toil
work, toil
that (same)
crazy, mad, insane
gave
Introduction
The Canterbury Tales
Now certeinly he was a fair prelaat;
He was nat pale as a forpyned goost.
A fat swan loved he best of any roost.
His palfrey was as broun as is a berye,
205
Now certainly he was a fine prelate:
He was not pale as some tormented ghost.
A fat swan he loved best of any roast.
His palfrey was as brown as is a berry.
The Friar
A FRERE ther was, a wantowne and a merye,
A lymytour, a ful solempne man.
In alle the ordres foure is noon that kan
So muchel of daliaunce and fair langage.
He hadde maad ful many a mariage
Of yonge wommen at his owene cost.
Unto his ordre he was a noble post,
And wel biloved and famulier was he
With frankeleyns overal in his contree,
And eek with worthy wommen of the toun;
For he hadde power of confessioun,
As seyde hymself, moore than a curat,
For of his ordre he was licenciat.
Ful swetely herde he confessioun,
And plesaunt was his absolucioun:
He was an esy man to yeve penaunce,
Ther as he wiste to have a good pitaunce.
For unto a povre ordre for to yive
Is signe that a man is wel yshryve;
210
215
220
225
A FRIAR there was, a wanton and a merry,
A limiter, a very festive man.
In all the Four Orders is no one that can
Equal his gossip and well-spoken speech.
He had arranged many a marriage, giving each
Of young women, and this at his own cost.
For his order he was a noble post.
Highly liked by all and intimate was he
With franklins everywhere in his country,
And with the worthy women living in the city:
For his power of confession met no equality
That's what he said, in the confession to a curate,
For his order he was a licentiate.
He heard confession gently, it was said,
Gently absolved too, leaving no dread.
He was an easy man in penance-giving
He knew how to gain a fair living;
For to a begging friar, money given
Is sign that any man has been well shriven.
Glossary
contree
curat
daliaunce
eek
fair
forpyned goost
frankeleyn
frere
ful
kan
licenciat
lymytour
muchel
post
povre
prelaat
solempne
toun
wantowne
wiste
yeve
yshryve
contree
curaat, curat
daliance,
daliaunce
eek, eke
fair
forpyned goost
frankeleyn
frere
ful
kan
licenciat
lymytour
muchel
post
poure, povre
prelaat
solempne
toun
wantowne
wiste
yeve, yif
yshryve
Introduction
noun
noun
noun
district, country
parish priest
1. flirtation; 2. sociability, gossip
adv.
adj.
noun
noun
noun
adv.
verb, 3rd prs. sg.
also
pleasing, handsome, fine, morally good
tormented spririt
landowner of the gentry class
friar, a member of any certain religious orders of men
1. very; 2. fully, completely
knows
licensed to hear confessions
friar licensed (by his order) to beg in a specific district
much
pillar, supporter
poor, impoverished
ecclesiastical dignitary
dignified, important
town
pleasure-loving, jovial
knew;
give
confessed, penitent, shriven
noun
adj.
noun
adj.
noun
adj.
noun
adj.
verb, pst. sg.
verb, prsnt.
verb
15
The Canterbury Tales
For, if he yaf, he dorste make avaunt,
He wiste that a man was repentaunt;
For many a man so harde is of his herte,
He may nat wepe, al thogh hym soore smerte;
Therfore in stede of wepynge and preyeres
Men moote yeve silver to the povre freres.
His typet was ay farsed ful of knyves
And pynnes, for to yeven yonge wyves.
And certeinly he hadde a murye note:
Wel koude he synge, and pleyen on a rote;
Of yeddynges he baar outrely the pris.
His nekke whit was as the flour-de-lys;
Therto he strong was as a champioun.
He knew the tavernes wel in every toun
And everich hostiler and tappestere
Bet than a lazar or a beggestere;
For unto swich a worthy man as he
Acorded nat, as by his facultee,
To have with sike lazars aqueyntaunce.
It is nat honeste, it may nat avaunce,
For to deelen with no swich poraille,
But al with riche and selleres of vitaille.
230
235
240
245
For if one gave, he dared to boast bluntly,
He took the man's repentance not lightly.
For many a man there is so hard of heart
He cannot weep however pains may smart.
Therefore, instead of weeping and of prayers,
Men should give silver to the poor friars.
His tippet was always stuffed with pocket-knives
And pins, to give to young and pleasing wives.
And certainly he possesed a merry note:
Well could he sing and play upon the rote.
At ballad contests, he bore the prize away.
His throat was white as the lily flower I say;
Yet strong he was as every champion.
In towns he knew the taverns, every one,
And every good host and each barmaid too Better than needy lepers and beggars, these he
knew.
For unto no such a worthy man as he
It's unsuitable, as far as he could see,
To have sick lepers for acquaintances.
There is no honest advantageousness
In dealing with such poor beggars;
It's with the rich victual-buyers and sellers.
Glossary
baar
beggestere
dorste
everich
farsed
flour-de-lys
herte
hostiler
koude
lazar
may nat avaunce
murye
outrely
povre
rote
sike
smerte
soore
swich
swich poraille
tappestere
toun
vitaille
wiste
yaf
yeve
16
baar
beggestere
dorste
everich, everych
farsed
flour-de-lys
herte
hostileer, hostiler
koude
lazar
may nat avaunce
murye note
outrely
poure, povre
rote
sik, sike, seeke
smerte
soor, soore
swich
swich poraille
tappestere
toun
vitaille
wiste
yaf
yeve, yif
verb
noun
verb, pst.
adj.
adj.
noun
noun
noun
verb
noun
noun
adv.
adj.
noun
adj.
verb
adv.
pro.
noun
noun
noun
verb, pst. sg.
verb, pst.
verb, prsnt.
carried
beggar-woman
dared
every (one), each (one)
stuffed
lily
heart
innkeeper
knew how to
leper
cannot be profitable
pleasant voice
plainly, utterly
poor, impoverished
stringed instrument
sick
suffers
sorely, bitterly; painful, sore; misery, pain
such
such poor people
barmaid
town
victuals, provisions, stock of food
knew;
gave
give
Introduction
The Canterbury Tales
And over al, ther as profit sholde arise,
Curteis he was, and lowely of servyse.
Ther nas no man nowher so vertuous.
He was the beste beggere in his hous;
(And yaf a certeyn ferme for the graunt
Noon of his brethren cam ther in his haunt;)
For thogh a wydwe hadde noght a sho,
So plesaunt was his "In principio"
Yet wolde he have a ferthyng, er he wente;
His purchas was wel bettre than his rente.
And rage he koude, as it were right a whelp.
In love-dayes ther koude he muchel help,
For there he was nat lyk a cloysterer
With a thredbare cope, as is a povre scoler,
But he was lyk a maister or a pope;
Of double worstede was his semycope,
That rounded as a belle out of the presse.
Somwhat he lipsed for his wantownesse
To make his Englissh sweete upon his tonge;
And in his harpyng, whan that he hadde songe,
Hise eyen twynkled in his heed aryght
As doon the sterres in the frosty nyght.
This worthy lymytour was cleped Huberd.
250
255
260
265
270
And generally, wherever profit might arise,
Courteous he was and servicable in men's eyes.
There was no other man so virtuous.
He was the finest beggar of his house;
(And gave a certain fee for his begging rights,
None of his brethren dared approach his hights;)
For though a widow had no shoes to show,
So pleasant was his "In principio",
He always got a farthing before he went.
His revenue exceeded his costs, it is evident.
And he could flirt as well as any pup.
He could help resolve disputes that were brought up.
In this he was not like a cloisterer,
With threadbare cope like the poor scholar,
But he was like a lord or like a pope.
Of double cloth was his semi-cope,
That rounded like a bell, as if straight from the press.
He lisped a little, out of wantonness,
To make his English soft upon his tongue;
And in his harping, when he had sung,
His two eyes twinkled in his head as bright
As do the stars within the frosty night.
This worthy friar was named Hubert.
The Merchant
A MARCHANT was ther with a forked berd,
In mottelee, and hye on horse he sat;
Upon his heed a Flaundryssh bever hat,
His bootes clasped faire and fetisly.
275
There was a MERCHANT with forked beard
In motley gown, and high on horse he sat,
Upon his head a Flemish beaver hat;
His boots were fastened neatly and elegantly.
Glossary
cleped
ferthyng
cleped (ycleped) pst.
ferthyng
noun
fetisly
flaundryssh
heed
koude
lowely
lymytour
marchant
mottelee
povre
semycope
sho
songe
wantownesse
whelp
wydwe
yaf
fetisly
Flaundryssh
heed, heede
koude
lowely
lymytour
marchant
mottelee
poure, povre
semycope
sho
songe
wantownesse
whelp
wydwe
yaf
Introduction
adv.
adj.
noun, sg.
verb
adj.
noun
noun
noun
adj.
noun
noun
verb
noun
noun
noun
verb, pst.
called
1. speck, spot; 2. farthing (a coin worth one-fourth of a
penny), something of little value
elegantly
Flemish
head
knew how to
modest, humble
friar licensed (by his order) to beg in a specific district
merchant
parti-colored cloth
poor, impoverished
short cloak
shoe
sung
affectation
dog, pup
widow
gave
17
The Canterbury Tales
His resons he spak ful solempnely,
Sownynge alway th'encrees of his wynnyng.
He wolde the see were kept for any thyng
Bitwixe Middelburgh and Orewelle.
Wel koude he in eschaunge sheeldes selle.
This worthy man ful wel his wit bisette;
Ther wiste no wight that he was in dette,
So estatly was he of his governaunce
With his bargaynes and with his chevyssaunce.
For sothe, he was a worthy man with-alle,
But, sooth to seyn, I noot how men hym calle.
280
285
He spoke out his opinions very solemnly,
Stressing the times when he had won, not lost.
He wanted the sea were guarded at any cost
Between Middleburgh and the town of Orwel.
He knew how to deal foreign currencies, buy and
sell.
This worthy man kept all his wits well set;
There was no person that knew he was in debt,
So well he managed all his trade affairs
With bargains and with borrowings and with shares.
Indeed, he was a worthy man withall,
But, to tell the truth, his name I can't recall.
The Clerk
A CLERK ther was of Oxenford also,
That unto logyk hadde longe ygo.
As leene was his hors as is a rake,
And he nas nat right fat, I undertake,
But looked holwe and therto sobrely.
Ful thredbare was his overeste courtepy;
For he hadde geten hym yet no benefice,
Ne was so worldly for to have office.
For hym was levere have at his beddes heed
290
295
A CLERK from Oxford was there also,
Who'd studied philosophy, long ago.
As lean was his horse as is a rake,
And he too was not fat, that I take,
But he looked emaciated, moreover, abstemiously.
Very worn off was his overcoat; for he
Had got him yet no churchly benefice,
Nor he was worldly to accept secular office.
For he would rather have at his bed's head
Glossary
bargaynes
beddes heed
benefice
bitwix
chevyssaunce
clerk
courtepy
dette
estatly
governaunce
his wit bisette
holwe
hym was levere
koude
noot
office
resons
see
sobrely
solempnely
sooth
undertake
wight
wiste
wynnyng
18
bargaynes
noun
beddes heed
noun
benefice
noun
bitwix, bitwixe,
prep.
bitwixen, bitwyxen
chevyssaunce
noun
clerk
noun
courtepy
noun
dette
noun
estatly
adj.
governance,
noun
governaunce
his wit bisette
holwe
verb
hym was levere
koude
verb
noot
verb
office
noun
resons
noun, pl.
see
noun
sobrely
adv.
solempnely
adv.
sooth, soothe,
noun
soth, sothe
undertake
verb
wight, wyght
noun
wiste
verb, pst. sg.
wynnyng
noun
bargains, buying and selling
head of the bed
ecclesiastical living
between
financial arrangements
1. university student; 2. scholar
short coat, jacket
debt, obligation
dignified
1. behaviour; 2. control, management
used his wits
emaciated
he would rather
knew how to
do not know, does not know
secular employment, function
remarks, opinions
sea
seriously, gravely
ceremoniously, solemnly
truth
affirm, declare
person, creature, being
knew;
profit
Introduction
The Canterbury Tales
Twenty bookes, clad in blak or reed,
Of Aristotle and his philosophie,
Than robes riche, or fithele, or gay sautrie.
But al be that he was a philosophre,
Yet hadde he but litel gold in cofre;
But al that he myghte of his freendes hente,
On bookes and on lernynge he it spente,
And bisily gan for the soules preye
Of hem that yaf hym wherwith to scoleye.
Of studie took he moost cure and moost heede.
Noght o word spak he moore than was neede,
And that was seyd in forme and reverence,
And short and quyk, and ful of hy sentence;
Sownynge in moral vertu was his speche,
And gladly wolde he lerne, and gladly teche.
300
305
310
Some twenty books, all bound in black or red,
Of Aristotle and his philosophy
Than rich robes, fiddle, or gay psaltery.
Yet, and for all he was philosopher in base,
He had but little gold within his suitcase;
But all that he might borrow from a friend
On books and learning he would swiftly spend,
And then he'd pray diligently for the souls
Of those who gave him resources to attend schools.
He took utmost care and heed for his study.
Not one word spoke he more than was necessary;
And that was said with due formality and dignity
And short and lively, and full of high morality.
Filled with moral virtue was his speech;
And gladly would he learn and gladly teach.
The Sergeant of the Law
A SERGEANT OF THE LAWE, war and wys,
That often hadde been at the Parvys,
Ther was also, ful riche of excellence.
Discreet he was, and of greet reverence>
He semed swich, hise wordes weren so wise.
Justice he was ful often in assise,
By patente, and by pleyn commissioun.
For his science, and for his heigh renoun,
Of fees and robes hadde he many oon.
So greet a purchasour was nowher noon:
315
320
A SERGEANT OF THE LAW, keen and wise,
Who'd often been at St. Paul's Porch, to advise,
There was also, rich of superior quality
Disinterested he was, and of great dignity;
At least it seemed so, his words were so wise.
Often he was a judge in court, in assize,
By royal assignment or commission giving
jurisdiction;
Because of his knowledge and high reputation,
He took large fees, had robes more than one.
So great a land-buyer there was none.
Glossary
assise
fithele
justice
neede
parvys
patente
pleyn
commissioun
purchasour
quyk
renoun
reverence
sautrie
science
scoleye
sentence
sergeant of the
lawe
assise
fithele
justise, justice
nede, neede
Parvys
patente
pleyn
commissioun
purchasour
quike, quyk,
quyke
renoun
reverence
sautrie, sawtrie
science
scoleye
sentence
sergeant of the
lawe
swich
war
yaf
swich
war
yaf
Introduction
noun
noun
noun
adv.
noun
noun
the court of assizes
fiddle
judge
necessary, necessarily
the porch of St. Paul's Cathedral
letter of appointment from the king
full jurisdiction
noun
adj.
land-buyer
alive, lively, vivid
noun
noun
noun
noun
verb
noun
noun
fame
dignity, respect
psaltry (a harp-like instrument)
knowledge
study, attend the schools of the university
1. meaning, saying; 2. decision, command
a lawyer who belonged to the highest order in his
profession (from this group of legal officers the judges of
the King's courts were chosen)
such
1. aware; 2. prudent
gave
pro.
adj
verb, pst.
19
The Canterbury Tales
Al was fee symple to hym in effect,
His purchasyng myghte nat been infect.
Nowher so bisy a man as he ther nas,
And yet he semed bisier than he was.
In termes hadde he caas and doomes alle
That from the tyme of Kyng William were falle.
Therto he koude endite and make a thyng,
Ther koude no wight pynche at his writyng;
And every statut koude he pleyn by rote.
He rood but hoomly in a medlee cote
Girt with a ceint of silk, with barres smale;
Of his array telle I no lenger tale.
325
330
All was fee simple to him, in effect,
Wherefore his claims could never be suspect.
Nowhere a man so busy of his class,
And yet he seemed much busier than he was.
He knew all convictions, common and crime
Recorded since King William's time.
And he could write a contract so explicit
Not any man could trace a fault in it;
And every law he knew entirely by rote.
He rode but simply in a medley coat,
Girded with a belt of silk, with little bars,
But of his outfit no more particulars.
The Franklin
A FRANKELEYN was in his compaignye.
Whit was his berd as is a dayesye;
Of his complexioun he was sangwyn.
Wel loved he by the morwe a sope in wyn,;
To lyven in delit was evere his wone,
For he was Epicurus owene sone,
That heeld opinioun that pleyn delit
Was verray felicitee parfit.
An housholdere, and that a greet, was he;
Seint Julian was he in his contree.
His breed, his ale, was alweys after oon,
335
340
There was a FRANKLIN in his company;
White was his beard as is the white daisy.
Of sanguine temperament by every sign,
He loved to dip his morning bread in wine.
A pleasing live was the custom he'd won,
For he was Epicurus' very son,
That held opinion that plain and pure delight
Was true happiness, perfect and right.
A householder, and that a great, was he;
Saint Julian he was in his own country.
His bread, his ale were always good and fine;
Glossary
array
by rote
ceint
complexioun
contree
dayesye
array
by rote
ceint, ceynt
complexioun
contree
dayesye
delit
endite
delit, delyt
noun, sg.
endite, enditen, verb
endyte
fee symple
noun
frankeleyn
noun
girt
adj.
infect
adj.
koude
verb
medlee
adj.
parfit, parfyt, perfitadj.
pynche at
verb
sawnyng,
adj.
sangwyn
Seint Julian
verray
adj.
wight, wyght
noun
wone
noun
fee symple
frankeleyn
girt
infect
koude
medlee
parfit
pynche at
sawnyng
seint Julian
verray
wight
wone
20
noun
noun
noun
noun
noun
1. equipment; 2. dress, clothes
by heart
belt
temperament, balance of the body's fluids
district, country
daisy, a small plant bearing flowers each with a yellow
disc and white rays, usually found in meadows
delight, pleasure, desire
write, describe in writing
unrestricted possession, absolute possession
landowner of the gentry class
encircled
invalidated
knew how to
motley, parti-colored
perfect, complete
find a flaw in
1. red, ruddy; 2. florid, bright, ruddy
patron saint of hospitality
true
person, creature, being
practice, custom
Introduction
The Canterbury Tales
A bettre envyned man was nowher noon.
Withoute bake mete was nevere his hous
Of fissh and flessh, and that so plentevous,
It snewed in his hous of mete and drynke,
Of alle deyntees that men koude thynke.
After the sondry sesons of the yeer,
So chaunged he his mete and his soper.
Ful many a fat partrich hadde he in muwe,
And many a breem and many a luce in stuwe.
Wo was his cook, but if his sauce were
Poynaunt and sharp, and redy al his geere.
His table dormant in his halle alway
Stood redy covered al the longe day.
At sessiouns ther was he lord and sire;
Ful ofte tyme he was knyght of the shire.
An anlaas and a gipser al of silk
Heeng at his girdel, whit as morne milk.
A shirreve hadde he been, and a countour.
Was nowher swich a worthy vavasour.
345
350
355
360
No man had cellars better stocked with wine.
His house was never short of food and pies
Of fish and flesh, and these in large supplies
It seemed to snow therein both food and drink
Of every dainty that a man could think.
According to the various seasons of the year
He changed lunch and changed his supper.
Very many fattened partridges he kept in a mew,
And many a bream and pike in fish-pond too.
Woe to his cook, unless the sauces were
Poignant and sharp, and ready all his gear.
His dining table, waiting in his hall, I say,
Stood ready covered throughout the whole day.
At county sessions he was lord and sire,
And often acted as a knight of shire.
A dagger and a purse all of silk
Hung at his belt, white as morning milk.
He had been sheriff and been tax auditor;
There was nowhere such a worthy vavasor.
The Haberdasher, Carpenter, Arras-maker, Dyer and Weaver
An HABERDASSHERE and a CARPENTER,
A WEBBE, a DYERE, and a TAPYCER,And they were clothed alle in o lyveree
365
A HABERDASHER and a CARPENTER,
An ARRAS-MAKER, DYER, and WEAVER
Were with us, clothed in the same livery,
Glossary
anlaas
contour
deyntees
envyned
ful oft
geere
girdle
haberdasshere
luce
mete
muwe
plentevous
poynaunt
shirreve
sondry
soper
stuwe
swich
table dormant
anlaas
countour
(contour)
deyntees
envyned
ful oft, ofte
geere
girdel, girdle
haberdasshere
luce
mete
muwe
plentevous
poynaunt
shirreve
sondry
soper
stuwe
swich
table dormant
noun
noun
noun
noun
noun
noun
adj.
adj.
noun
adj.
noun
noun
pro.
noun
tapycer
vavasour
webbe
tapycer
vavasour
webbe
noun
noun
noun
Introduction
noun
noun
broad two-edged dagger
auditor
noun, pl.
adj.
fine food and drinks, delicacies
stocked with wine
very often
equipment, outfit
belt
a dealer in hats or small wares
pike
food, dinner
mew, bird cage, usually for hawks
plenteous
spicy, piquant, piercing
sheriff
various, different
dinner
fishpond
such
table fixed in its place, as distinct from one taken down
between meals
tapestry-maker, weaver of tapestries, rugs, etc.
feudal landholder, landowner
weaver
21
The Canterbury Tales
Of a solempne and a greet fraternitee.
Ful fressh and newe hir geere apiked was;
Hir knyves were chaped noght with bras,
But al with silver; wroght ful clene and weel,
Hire girdles and hir pouches everydeel.
Wel semed ech of hem a fair burgeys
To sitten in a yeldehalle on a deys.
Everich, for the wisdom that he kan,
Was shaply for to been an alderman.
For catel hadde they ynogh and rente,
And eek hir wyves wolde it wel assente;
And elles certeyn, were they to blame.
It is ful fair to been ycleped "madame,"
And goon to vigilies al bifore,
And have a mantel roialliche ybore.
370
375
380
All of one solemn, great fraternity.
Freshly and new their gear, and well adorned it was;
Their weapons were not cheaply shaped with brass,
But all with silver; neatly made and well
Their belt and their purses too, I tell.
Each man of them appeared a proper citizen
To sit in guildhall on a dais, he can
And each of them, for wisdom he could span,
Was suitable to serve as an alderman;
For property they'd enough, and income too;
Besides their wives declared it was their due,
Or else for certain they had been to blame.
It's good to hear "Madam" before one's name,
And go to church when all the world may see,
Having one's gown carried right royally.
The Cook
A COOK they hadde with hem for the nones
To boille the chiknes with the marybones,
A COOK they had with them, just for once,
To boil the chickens with the marrow-bones,
Glossary
al bifore
apiked
assente
burgeys
catel
chaped
chiknes
clene
deys
ech
eek
everydeel
fair
fraternitee
geere
girdle
hem
kan
marybones
nones
pouche
rente
roialliche ybore
solempne
vigilies
al bifore
apiked
assente
burgeys
catel
chaped
chiknes
clene
deys
ech
eek, eke
everideel,
everydeel, every
deel
fair
fraternitee
geere
girdel, girdle
hem
kan
marybones
nones
pouche
rente
roialliche ybore
solempne
vigilies
ycleped
ynogh
ycleped (cleped) verb, pst. sg.
ynogh, ynough
adj. and noun
22
adv.
verb
verb, prsnt.
noun
noun
verb
noun, pl.
adv.
noun
pro.
adv.
adv.
first, before everyone else, heading the procession
adorned, trimmed
consent, agree;
citizen of a city (tradesman)
property, possessions
mounted
chickens
neatly
dais (stage, raised platform)
each (one)
also
completely, in all respects, in every detail; everything
adj.
noun
noun
noun
pro.
verb, 3rd prs. sg.
noun
noun
noun
noun
adj.
adj.
noun, pl.
pleasing, handsome, fine, morally good
religious guild, fraternity
equipment, outfit
belt
them
knows
marrow bones
occasion
1. purse; 2. pocket
income
royally carried
dignified, important
vigils, feasts/services held on the eve of a religious
festival
called
enough
Introduction
The Canterbury Tales
And poudre-marchant tart, and galyngale.
Wel koude he knowe a draughte of London ale.
He koude rooste, and sethe, and broille, and frye,
Maken mortreux, and wel bake a pye.
But greet harm was it, as it thoughte me,
That on his shyne a mormal hadde he.
For blankmanger, that made he with the beste.
385
And poudre-marchant tart and galingale.
He knew how to recognize a draught of London ale.
And he could roast and boil and broil and fry,
And prepare a stew, and bake a tasty pie.
But a pity it was, it seemed to me,
That on his shin an open sore had he;
For sweet blanc-mange, he made it with the best.
The Shipman
A SHIPMAN was ther, wonynge fer by weste;
For aught I woot, he was of Dertemouthe.
He rood upon a rouncy, as he kouthe,
In a gowne of faldyng to the knee.
A daggere hangynge on a laas hadde he
Aboute his nekke, under his arm adoun.
The hoote somer hadde maad his hewe al broun,
And certeinly he was a good felawe.
Ful many a draughte of wyn had he ydrawe
Fro Burdeux-ward, whil that the chapman sleep.
Of nyce conscience took he no keep.
If that he faught, and hadde the hyer hond,
By water he sente hem hoom to every lond.
But of his craft, to rekene wel his tydes,
His stremes, and his daungers hym bisides,
His herberwe and his moone, his lodemenage,
Ther nas noon swich from Hulle to Cartage.
390
395
400
405
There was a SAILOR, living far out west;
For all I know, he was of Dartmouth town.
He sadly rode a carthorse, in a gown,
Of thick woolen cloth that reached unto the knee.
A dagger hanging on a cord had he
About his neck, under his arm, and down.
The hot summer had burned his face all brown;
And certainly he was a person fine.
Very often he took a draught of wine,
Of Bordeaux vintage, while the trader slept.
Nice conscience was a thing he never kept.
And if he fought and got the upper hand,
By water he sent them home to every land.
But as for craft, to calculate his tides,
His currents and the dangerous watersides,
His harbours, and his moon, his pilotage,
There was none such from Hull to far Carthage.
Glossary
chapman
conscience
faldyng
galyngale
harm
hem
herberwe
hewe
hoom
hyer hond
knowe
koude
laas
lodemenage
mormal
nyce
rekene
rouncy
stremes
swich
woot
chapman
conscience
faldyng
galyngale
harm
hem
herberwe
hewe
hoom
hyer hond
knowe
koude
laas
lodemenage
mormal
nyce
rekene
rouncy
stremes
swich
woot
Introduction
noun
noun
noun
noun
noun
pro.
noun
noun
noun
noun
verb
verb
noun
noun
noun
adj.
verb
noun
nou, pl.
pro.
verb, 1st and 3rd
pers. prsnt. sg.
merchant
moral sense and solicitude
coarse woolen coat
sweet spice prepared from the root of sweet cyperus
pity, suffering, misfortune
them
inn, lodging; astrological house
hue, appearance
home homeward
upper hand
recognize
knew how to
cord
skill in navigation
ulcer, sore
foolish, scrupulous
enumerate, calculate, consider, take account of, count
carthorse, nag
currents
such
know, knows
23
The Canterbury Tales
Hardy he was, and wys to undertake;
With many a tempest hadde his berd been shake.
He knew alle the havenes as they were,
From Gootlond to the Cape of Fynystere,
And every cryke in Britaigne and in Spayne.
His barge ycleped was the Maudelayne.
410
Hardy and wise in all things undertaken,
By many tempests had his beard been shaken.
He knew well all the havens, how they were,
From Gottland to the Cape of Finisterre,
And every creek in Brittany and Spain;
His vessel had been called the Madeleine.
The Physician
With us ther was a DOCTOUR OF PHISIK;
In al this world ne was ther noon hym lik,
To speke of phisik and of surgerye,
For he was grounded in astronomye.
He kepte his pacient a ful greet deel
In houres, by his magyk natureel.
Wel koude he fortunen the ascendent
Of his ymages for his pacient.
He knew the cause of everich maladye,
Were it of hoot, or coold, or moyste, or drye,
And where they engendred, and of what humour.
He was a verray parfit praktisour:
The cause yknowe, and of his harm the roote,
Anon he yaf the sike man his boote.
Ful redy hadde he hise apothecaries
To sende him drogges and his letuaries,
For ech of hem made oother for to wynneHir frendshipe nas nat newe to bigynne.
Wel knew he the olde Esculapius,
And Deyscorides and eek Rufus,
Olde Ypocras, Haly, and Galyen,
Serapioun, Razis, and Avycen,
Averrois, Damascien, and Constantyn,
415
420
425
430
435
With us there was a DOCTOR OF MEDICINE;
In all this world there was none like him
To speak of medicine and surgery;
For he was instructed in astronomy.
He cared for and saved a patient many times
By natural science and studying astrological signs.
Well could he calculate the planetary position
To improve the state his patient is in.
He knew the cause of every sickness,
Whether it brings heat or cold, moisture or dryness,
And where engendered, and of what humour;
He was a very good practitioner.
The cause being known, the root of the malady,
At once he gave to the sick man his remedy.
Prepared he was, with his apothecaries,
To send him drugs and all electuaries;
By mutual aid much gold they'd always wonTheir friendship was a thing not new begun.
Well he knew the old Esculapius,
And Deiscorides, and also Rufus,
Old Hippocrates, Hali, and Galen,
Serapion, Rhazes, and Avicen,
Averroes, Gilbertus, and Constantine,
Glossary
anon
boote
eek
everich
fortunen the
ascendent
grounded
koude
letuaries
magyk natureel
parfit
phisik
undertake
verray
yaf
ycleped
24
anon, anoon
adv.
boote
noun
eek, eke
adv.
everich, everych adj.
fortunen the
ascendent
grounded
verb
koude
verb
letuaries
noun
magyk natureel noun
parfit, parfyt, perfitadj.
phisik
adj. and noun
undertake
verb
verray
adj.
yaf
verb, pst.
ycleped (cleped) verb, pst. sg.
straightway, at once, immediately
remedy
also
every (one), each (one)
calculate the planetary position
instructed
knew how to
medical mixtures, electuaries
natural science
perfect, complete
medicine
affirm, declare
true
gave
called
Introduction
The Canterbury Tales
Bernard, and Gatesden, and Gilbertyn.
Of his diete mesurable was he,
For it was of no superfluitee,
But of greet norissyng, and digestible.
His studie was but litel on the Bible.
In sangwyn and in pers he clad was al,
Lyned with taffata and with sendal;
And yet he was but esy of dispence;
He kepte that he wan in pestilence.
For gold in phisik is a cordial,
Therfore he lovede gold in special.
440
445
Bernard and Gatisden, and John Damascene.
In diet he was modest as could be,
No one could blame him of superfluity,
But greatly nourishin and digestible.
His study was but little on the Bible.
Blue and scarlet his clothes were therewithal,
Lined with taffeta and with sendal;
And yet he was right careful of expense;
He kept the gold he gained from pestilence.
Since gold in physic is a cordial,
Therefore he loved his gold exceeding all.
The Wife of Bath
A good WIF was ther, OF biside BATHE,
But she was somdel deef, and that was scathe.
Of clooth-makyng she hadde swich an haunt,
She passed hem of Ypres and of Gaunt.
In al the parisshe wif ne was ther noon
That to the offrynge bifore hire sholde goon;
And if ther dide, certeyn so wrooth was she,
That she was out of alle charitee.
Hir coverchiefs ful fyne weren of ground;
I dorste swere they weyeden ten pound
That on a Sonday weren upon hir heed.
Hir hosen weren of fyn scarlet reed,
Ful streite yteyd, and shoes ful moyste and newe.
Boold was hir face, and fair, and reed of hewe.
She was a worthy womman al hir lyve:
Housbondes at chirche dore she hadde fyve,
450
455
460
There was a WIFE of BATH, or a near city,
Who was somewhat deaf, it is a pity.
At making clothes she had a skillful hand
She bettered those of Ypres and of Ghent.
In all the parish there was no wife to go
And proceed her in offering, it is so;
And if one did, indeed, so angry was she
It put her out of all her charity.
Her head-dresses were of finest weave and ground;
I dare swear that they weighed about ten pound
Which, on a Sunday, she wore on her head.
Her stockings were of the finest scarlet red,
Tightly fastened, and her shoes were soft and new.
Bold was her face, and fair, and red of hue.
She'd been respectable throughout her life,
Married in church, husbands she had five,
Glossary
chirche dore
cordial
coverchiefs
deef
dispence
haunt
heed
hewe
hosen
mesurable
pers
reed
sawnyng
scathe
somdel
streite yteyd
swich
wrooth
chirche dore
cordial
coverchiefs
deef
dispence
haunt
heed, heede
hewe
hosen, hoses
mesurable
pers
rede, reed, reede
sawnyng,
sangwyn
scathe
somdel, somdeel
streite yteyd
swich
wrooth, wroth(e)
Introduction
noun
noun, pl.
adj.
noun
noun
noun, sg.
noun
noun
adj.
adj.
adj.
adj.
door of the church
medicine of the heart
head-dresses
deaf
expenditure(s)
skill
head
hue, appearance
stockings
moderate, temperate
blue, bluish gray
red
1. red, ruddy; 2. florid, bright, ruddy
noun
adv.
adj.
pro.
adj.
a pity
somewhat, partly
tightly fastened
such
angry
25
The Canterbury Tales
Withouthen oother compaignye in youthe, But therof nedeth nat to speke as nowthe.
And thries hadde she been at Jerusalem;
She hadde passed many a straunge strem;
At Rome she hadde been, and at Boloigne,
In Galice at Seint-Jame, and at Coloigne.
She koude muchel of wandrynge by the weye.
Gat-tothed was she, soothly for to seye.
Upon an amblere esily she sat,
Ywympled wel, and on hir heed an hat
As brood as is a bokeler or a targe;
A foot-mantel aboute hir hipes large,
And on hir feet a paire of spores sharpe.
In felaweshipe wel koude she laughe and carpe.
Of remedies of love she knew per chaunce,
For she koude of that art the olde daunce.
465
470
475
Not counting other company in youth;
But thereof there's no need to speak, in truth.
Three times she'd travelled to Jerusalem;
And many a foreign stream she'd had to stem;
At Rome she'd been, and she'd been in Boulogne,
In Spain at Santiago, and at Cologne.
She could tell much of wandering by the way:
Gap-toothed was she, it is the truth I say.
Upon a pacing horse easily she sat,
Wearing a large wimple, and over all a hat
As broad as is a buckler or a targe;
An overskirt was tucked around her buttocks large,
And her feet spurred sharply under that.
In company well could she laugh and chat.
The remedies of love she knew, perchance,
For of that art she'd learned the old, old dance.
The Parson
A good man was ther of religioun,
And was a povre PERSOUN OF A TOUN,
But riche he was of hooly thoght and werk.
He was also a lerned man, a clerk,
That Cristes gospel trewely wolde preche;
His parisshens devoutly wolde he teche.
Benynge he was, and wonder diligent,
And in adversitee ful pacient,
And swich he was ypreved ofte sithes.
Ful looth were hym to cursen for his tithes,
But rather wolde he yeven, out of doute,
Unto his povre parisshens aboute
480
485
490
A good man was there of religion,
He was a poor COUNTRY PARSON,
But rich he was in holy thought and work.
He was a learned man also, a clerk,
Who Christ's own gospel truly sought to preach;
Devoutly his parishioners would he teach.
Gracious he was and wondrously diligent,
Patient in adversity and well content,
Many times thus proven had he
He excommunicated not to force a fee,
But rather would he give, there is no doubt,
Unto his poor parishioners about,
Glossary
amblere
benygne
clerk
ful
gat-tothed
heed
koude
ofte sithes
parisshens
persoun
povre
soothly
straunge strem
swich
yeven
ypreved
26
amblere
benigne,
benygne,
benyngne
clerk
ful
gat-tothed
heed, heede
koude
ofte sithes
parisshens
person, persoun
poure, povre
soothly
straunge strem
swich
yeve, yeven
ypreved
noun
adj.
pacing horse
1. kind, good; 2. gracious
noun
adv.
adj.
noun, sg.
verb
adj.
noun
noun
adj.
adv.
1. university student; 2. scholar
1. very; 2. fully, completely
gap-toothed
head
knew how to
many times
parishioners
parson, parish priest
poor, impoverished
truly
foreign river
such
give, given
proved
pro.
verb
verb
Introduction
The Canterbury Tales
Of his offryng and eek of his substaunce.
He koude in litel thyng have suffisaunce.
Wyd was his parisshe, and houses fer asonder,
But he ne lefte nat, for reyn ne thonder,
In siknesse nor in meschief to visite
The ferreste in his parisshe, muche and lite,
Upon his feet, and in his hand a staf.
This noble ensample to his sheep he yaf,
That first he wroghte, and afterward he taughte.
Out of the gosple he tho wordes caughte,
And this figure he added eek therto,
That if gold ruste, what shal iren do?
For if a preest be foul, on whom we truste,
No wonder is a lewed man to ruste;
And shame it is, if a prest take keep,
A shiten shepherde and a clene sheep.
Wel oghte a preest ensample for to yive,
By his clennesse, how that his sheep sholde lyve.
He sette nat his benefice to hyre
And leet his sheep encombred in the myre
And ran to Londoun unto Seinte Poules
To seken hym a chaunterie for soules,
Or with a bretherhed to been witholde;
But dwelt at hoom, and kepte wel his folde,
So that the wolf ne made it nat myscarie;
He was a shepherde and noght a mercenarie.
And though he hooly were and vertuous,
495
500
505
510
515
Some of his income, even of his property.
He could in little find sufficiency.
Wide was his parish, houses far asunder,
But never did he fail, for rain or thunder,
In sickness, or in sin, or any state,
To visit the farthest, regardless their financial state,
Going by foot, and in his hand, a stave.
This fine example to his flock he gave,
That first he wrought and afterwards he taught;
Out of the gospel then that text he caught,
And this metaphor he added thereunto That, if gold would rust, what shall iron do?
For if the priest be foul, in whom we trust,
No wonder that a layman thinks of lust?
And shame it is, if priest take thought for keep,
A shitty shepherd, looking after clean sheep.
A trully good example a priest should give,
Is his own chastity, how his flock should live.
He never let his benefice for hire,
And leave his sheep encumbered in the mire,
And ran to London, up to old Saint Paul's
To get himself a chantry there for souls,
Nor in some fraternity did he withhold;
But dwelt at home and kept so well the fold
That never wolf could make his plans miscarry;
He was a shepherd and not mercenary.
And holy though he was, and virtuous,
Glossary
asonder
bretherhed
chaunterie
asonder
bretherhed
chaunterie
adv.
noun
noun
clennesse
eek
encombred
ensample
ferreste
figure
foul
hoom
leet
lewed man
meschief
clennesse
eek, eke
encombred
ensample
ferreste
figure
foul
hoom
leet
lewed man
mescheef,
meschief
much and lite
myre
noun
noun
much and lite
myre
myscarie
seint poules
shiten
substance
yaf
myscarie
Seinte Poules
shiten
substance,
substaunce
yaf
Introduction
apart
guild, fraternity
appointment as a chantry priest, an endowment for a
priest to serve in a chapel for the soul of its patron
noun
purity, chastity
adv.
also
verb, pst. prtcpl. 1. stuck; 2. burdened, encumbered (by)
noun
1. example, model; 2. illustrative story
adv. superlative farthest, those farthest away
noun
methaphor (figure of speech)
adj.
1. ugly, dirty; 2. vicious, evil
noun
home homeward
verb
1. allowed; 2. left
noun
uneducated man, layman
noun
mischief, misfortune, adversity, trouble
verb
adj.
noun
verb, pst.
great and small, everyone
1. mire, a stretch of swampy or boggy ground; 2. mud,
durt; in difficulties
go wrong
St. Paul's Cathedral (in London)
dirty, defiled
1. majority, (essential) quality; 2. (fixed) income,
possessions
gave
27
The Canterbury Tales
He was to synful men nat despitous,
Ne of his speche daungerous ne digne,
But in his techyng discreet and benygne;
To drawen folk to hevene by fairnesse,
By good ensample, this was his bisynesse.
But it were any persone obstinat,
What so he were, of heigh or lough estat,
Hym wolde he snybben sharply for the nonys.
A bettre preest I trowe, that nowher noon ys.
He waited after no pompe and reverence,
Ne maked him a spiced conscience,
But Cristes loore, and Hise apostles twelve
He taughte, but first he folwed it hymselve.
520
525
530
To sinners he was not impiteous,
Nor haughty in his speech, nor too divine,
But in all teaching courteous and benign.
To lead folk into Heaven by means of gentleness
By good example was his business.
But if some sinful one proved obstinate,
Whoever, of high or low financial state,
He put to sharp rebuke, to say the least.
I think there never was a better priest.
He had no thirst for pomp or ceremony,
Nor spiced his conscience and morality,
But Christ's own law, and His apostles' twelve
He taught, but first he followed it himselve.
The Plowman
With hym ther was a PLOWMAN, was his
brother,
That hadde ylad of dong ful many a fother;
A trewe swynkere and a good was he,
Lyvynge in pees and parfit charitee.
God loved he best with al his hoole herte
At alle tymes, thogh him gamed or smerte,
And thanne his neighebor right as hym-selve.
He wolde thresshe, and therto dyke and delve,
For Cristes sake, for every povre wight
Withouten hire, if it lay in his myght.
With him there was a PLOWMAN, his brother,
535
540
That loaded many carts with dung, and many other
Had transported; a true worker was he,
Living in peace and perfect charity.
He loved God most, and that with his whole heart
At all times, whether it was easy or hard,
And next, his neighbour, even as himself.
He'd thresh and dig, and never thought of wealth,
For Christ's own sake, for every person poor,
Without payment, if his power could assure.
Glossary
benygne
conscience
dangerous
delve
despitous
dyke
ensample
estaat
fairnesse
herte
hevene
hire
myght
parfit
pees
povre
reverence
snybben
swynkere
trowe
wight
28
benigne,
adj.
benygne,
benyngne
conscience
noun
dangerous,
adj.
daungerous
delve
verb
despitous
adj.
dyke
noun
ensample
noun
estaat, estat
noun
fairnesse
noun
herte
noun
hevene
noun
hire
noun
myght
noun
parfit, parfyt, perfitadj.
pees
noun
poure, povre
adj.
reverence
noun
snybben
verb
swynkere
noun
trowe
verb
wight, wyght
noun
1. kind, good; 2. gracious
moral sense and solicitude
domineering, arrogant, fastidious, hard to please,
grudging
dig
scornful
ditch
1. example, model; 2. illustrative story
1. state, condition; 2. rank, social standing
graciousness, kindness
heart
heaven
wages, payment
power
perfect, complete
peace
poor, impoverished
dignity, respect
rebuke
labourer, worker
think, suppose
person, creature, being
Introduction
The Canterbury Tales
Hise tithes payed he ful faire and wel,
Bothe of his propre swynk and his catel.
In a tabard he rood, upon a mere.
He paid his taxes, fully, when it was due,
Both by his toil and possessions he'd sell too.
In a tabard he rode upon a mare.
The Miller
Ther was also a REVE and a MILLERE,
A SOMNOUR and a PARDONER also,
A MAUNCIPLE, and myself - ther were namo.
The MILLERE was a stout carl for the nones;
Ful byg he was of brawn and eek of bonesThat proved wel, for over al ther he cam
At wrastlynge he wolde have alwey the ram.
He was short-sholdred, brood, a thikke knarre,
Ther was no dore that he nolde heve of harre,
Or breke it at a rennyng with his heed.
His berd as any sowe or fox was reed,
And therto brood, as though it were a spade.
Upon the cop right of his nose he hade
A werte, and thereon stood a toft of herys,
Reed as the brustles of a sowes erys;
Hise nosethirles blake were and wyde.
A swerd and bokeler bar he by his syde.
545
550
555
560
A REEVE and a MILLER were also there;
A SUMMONER, MANCIPLE and PARDONER,
All these, beside myself, there were no more.
The MILLER was a strong fellow, be it known,
Hardy, big of brawn and big of bone;
Which was well proved, for wherever a festive day
At wrestling, he always took the prize away.
He was stoutly built, broad and heavy;
He lifted each door from its hinges, that easy,
Or break it through, by running, with his head.
His beard, as any sow or fox, was red,
And broad it was as if it were a spade.
Upon his nose right on the top he had
A wart, and thereon stood a tuft of hairs,
Red as the bristles in an old sow's ears;
His nostrils they were black and wide.
A sword and buckler he carried by his side.
Glossary
bokeler
brawn
brood
byg
carl
catel
cop
eek
eeris
ful
heed
heve of harre
maunciple
bokeler, bokeleer
brawen, brawn
brood
byg
carl
catel
cop
eek, eke
eeris, eres, erys
ful
heed, heede
heve of harre
maunciple
noun
noun, sg.
adj.
adj.
noun
noun
noun
adv.
noun, pl.
adv.
noun, sg.
verb
noun
millere
namo
nosethirles
noun
adj.
noun
adv.
noun
adj.
noun
noun
wherever
a seller of indulgences
red
reeve, manager of an estate or farm
a server of summonses for an ecclesiastical court
swerd
swynk
thikke knarre
werte
millere
namo
nosethirles,
nose-thirles
over al
pardoner
rede, reed, reede
reve
somnour,
somonour
swerd
swynk
thikke knarre
werte
buckler, small shield
1. muscle; 2. meat
broad, wide
strong
fellow
property, possessions
top
also
ears
1. very; 2. fully, completely
head
lift off its hinges
business agent, purchaser of provisions for an inn of
court (temple)
miller
no more, no others; no more, never again
nostrils
noun
verb
noun
noun
wrastlynge
wrestling
sword
noun work, toil
stout fellow
wart, a small benign growth on the skin, usually hard and
rounded, caused by a virus-induced abnormal growth of
skin cells and thickening of the epidermis
wrestling
over al
pardoner
reed
reve
somonour
Introduction
verbal noun
29
The Canterbury Tales
His mouth as greet was as a greet forneys.
He was a janglere and a goliardeys,
And that was moost of synne and harlotries.
Wel koude he stelen corn, and tollen thries;
And yet he hadde a thombe of gold, pardee.
A whit cote and a blew hood wered he.
A baggepipe wel koude he blowe and sowne,
And therwithal he broghte us out of towne.
565
His mouth was like a furnace door for size.
He was a jester and knew some poetry,
But mostly all of sin and obscenity.
He could steal corn and three times charge his fee;
And yet indeed he had a thumb of gold.
A blue hood he wore and a white coat;
A bagpipe he could blow well, up and down,
And with that same he brought us out of town.
The Manciple
A gentil MAUNCIPLE was ther of a temple,
Of which achatours myghte take exemple
For to be wise in byynge of vitaille;
For wheither that he payde or took by taille,
Algate he wayted so in his achaat
That he was ay biforn, and in good staat.
Now is nat that of God a ful fair grace,
That swich a lewed mannes wit shal pace
The wisdom of an heep of lerned men?
Of maistres hadde he mo than thries ten,
That weren of lawe expert and curious,
Of whiche ther weren a duszeyne in that hous
Worthy to been stywardes of rente and lond
Of any lord that is in Engelond,
To maken hym lyve by his propre good,
570
575
580
The MANCIPLE was from the Inner Temple,
To whom all buyers might think of as an example
To learn the art of buying victuals;
Cash or credit, he knew all the rituals,
That he knew the markets, watched them closely,
And found himself ahead, he did quit nicely.
Now is it not of God's very fair grace
That such a vulgar man has wit to pace
The wisdom of a crowd of learned men?
Of masters had he more than three times ten,
Who were in law expert and curious;
Whereof there were a dozen in that house
Fit to be stewards of both rent and land
Of any lord in England who would stand
To make him live by his own wealth and fee,
Glossary
achatours
algate
ay
blew
by taille
byynge
curious
duszeyne
fair
forneys
harlotries
janglere
koude
lewed
maunciple
achatours
algate, algates
ay
blew
by taille
byynge
curious
duszeyne
fair
forneys
harlotries
janglere
koude
lewed
maunciple
noun
adv.
adv.
adj.
pardee
propre good
rente
stelen
swich
synne
vitaille
pardee
propre good
rente
stele, stelen
swich
synne
vitaille
interj.
noun
noun
verb
pro.
noun
noun
30
verb
adj.
noun
adj.
noun
noun
noun
verb
adj.
noun
buyers
always, all the same
always
blue
on credit
purchase (buying)
skillful, skillfully made
dozen, twelve
pleasing, handsome, fine, morally good
cauldron
scurrility, deeds of harlotry, obscenities
chatterer, loud talker, teller of dirty stories
knew how to
uneducated
business agent, purchaser of provisions for an inn of
court (temple)
indeed
own wealth/income
income
steal
such
sin, misbehaviour
victuals, provisions, stock of food
Introduction
The Canterbury Tales
In honour dettelees (but if he were wood),
Or lyve as scarsly as hym list desire,
And able for to helpen al a shire
In any caas that myghte falle or happeAnd yet this Manciple sette hir aller cappe.
585
In honour, debtless (unless his head was crazy),
Or live as economically as he might desire;
These men were able to have helped a shire
In any case that ever might occur;
And yet this manciple covered their sight with blur.
The Reeve
The REVE was a sclendre colerik man.
His berd was shave as ny as ever he kan;
His heer was by his erys ful round yshorn;
His top was dokked lyk a preest biforn.
Ful longe were his legges, and ful lene,
Ylyk a staf, ther was no calf ysene.
Wel koude he kepe a gerner and a bynne;
Ther was noon auditour koude on him wynne.
Wel wiste he by the droghte and by the reyn,
The yeldynge of his seed and of his greyn.
His lordes sheep, his neet, his dayerye,
His swyn, his hors, his stoor, and his pultrye,
Was hoolly in this Reves governynge,
And by his covenant yaf the rekenynge,
Syn that his lord was twenty yeer of age,
Ther koude no man brynge hym in arrerage.
Ther nas baillif, ne hierde, nor oother hyne,
That he ne knew his sleighte and his covyne;
590
595
600
605
The REEVE was a slender choleric man
Who shaved his beard as close as ever he can.
His hair was closely cropped around his ears;
His head, the top was cut alike a pulpiteer's.
Long were his legs, and they were very lean,
And like a staff, with no calf to be seen.
Well could he manage granary and bin;
No auditor could ever find anything.
He could foretell, by drought and by the rain,
The yielding of his seed and of his grain.
His lord's sheep and his cattle and his dairy cows,
His swine and horses, his stores, his poultry house,
Were wholly in the Reve his managing;
And, by agreement, he'd gave reckoning
Since his young lord of age was twenty years;
Yet no man ever found him in arrears.
There was no agent, herd, or servant who'd cheat;
He knew too well their cunning and deceit;
Glossary
bailly
baillif, bailly
noun
caas
covenant
covyne
dettelees
dokked
droghte
eeris
ful
gerner
heer
caas
covenant
covyne
dettelees
dokked
droghte
eeris, eres, erys
ful
gerner
heer, heeres,
heeris, heris,
herys
kepe
koude
neet
reve
sclendre
sleighte
syn
wiste
wood
yaf
ylyk
ysene
noun
noun
noun
kepe
koude
neet
reve
sclendre
sleighte
syn
wiste
wood
yaf
ylyk
ysene
Introduction
verb
noun
noun, pl.
adv.
noun
noun
bailiff, an agent for a lord's estate who administered
justice and collected revenues
case, circumstances
agreement, contract
treachery
without debts
cut short
dryness
ears
1. very; 2. fully, completely
granary
hair
verb
verb
noun
noun
adj.
noun
conj. and prep.
verb, pst. sg.
adj.
verb, pst.
adj.
adj.
keep, take care after, preserve
knew how to
cattle
reeve, manager of an estate or farm
lean, feeble
trick, trickery
since
knew;
crazy, mad, insane
gave
alike, equal, like
visible
31
The Canterbury Tales
They were adrad of hym as of the deeth.
His wonyng was ful faire upon an heeth;
With grene trees shadwed was his place.
He koude bettre than his lord purchace.
Ful riche he was astored pryvely:
His lord wel koude he plesen subtilly,
To yeve and lene hym of his owene good,
And have a thank, and yet a cote and hood.
In youthe he hadde lerned a good myster;
He was a wel good wrighte, a carpenter.
This Reve sat upon a ful good stot,
That was al pomely grey, and highte Scot.
A long surcote of pers upon he hade,
And by his syde he baar a rusty blade.
Of Northfolk was this Reve, of which I telle,
Bisyde a toun men clepen Baldeswelle.
Tukked he was as is a frere aboute,
And evere he rood the hyndreste of oure route.
610
615
620
They were afraid of him as of the death.
His cottage was a good one, on a heath;
By green trees shaded was his dwelling-place.
Much better than his lord could he purchase.
Very rich and well he was provided all secretly,
He knew well how to please his lord subtly,
By giving him, or lending, of his own goods,
And so got thanked - but yet got coats and hoods.
In youth he'd learned a good trade, and had been
A carpenter, good skillful and keen.
This Reve sat on a horse that could well trot,
And was all dapple grey, and was named Scot.
A long surcoat of blue did he parade,
And at his side he bore a rusty blade.
Of Norfolk was this Reeve of whom I tell,
From near a town that men call Badeswell.
His coat was like a friar's tightly closed,
From our company he rode always hindmost.
The Summoner
A SOMONOUR was ther with us in that place,
That hadde a fyr-reed cherubynnes face,
For saucefleem he was, with eyen narwe.
As hoot he was and lecherous as a sparwe,
With scalled browes blake, and piled berd,
Of his visage children were aferd.
625
630
A SUMMONER was with us in that place,
Who had a fiery-red, cherubic face,
All pimpled it was; his eyes were narrow
As hot he was, and lecherous, as a sparrow;
With black and scabby brows and scanty beard;
He had a face that little children feared.
Glossary
adrad
afered
astored
baar
deeth
eyen narwe
fyr-reed
heeth
adrad
afered, aferd
astored
baar
deeth
eyen narwe
fyr-reed
heeth
adj.
adj.
verb
verb
noun
highte
hyndreste
koude
pers
pryvely
route
saucefleem
somonour
hight, highte
hyndreste
koude
pers
prively, pryvely
route
saucefleem
somnour,
somonour
stot
surcote
toun
visage
wonyng
yeve, yif
verb
adj. superlative
verb
adj.
adv.
noun
adj.
noun
afraid
afraid
provided
carried
death
swollen eyelids
fire-red
heath, an area of open uncultivated land with coarse
grasses
was called, was named
last
knew how to
blue, bluish gray
secretly, discreetly, stealthily
company, group of people
pimpled
a server of summonses for an ecclesiastical court
noun
noun
noun
noun
noun
verb, prsnt.
horse
outer coat
town
face
dwelling
give
stot
surcote
toun
visage
wonyng
yeve
32
adj.
noun
Introduction
The Canterbury Tales
Ther nas quyk-silver, lytarge, ne brymstoon,
Boras, ceruce, ne oille of tartre noon,
Ne oynement, that wolde clense and byte,
That hym myghte helpen of his whelkes white,
Nor of the knobbes sittynge on his chekes.
Wel loved he garleek, oynons, and eek lekes,
And for to drynken strong wyn, reed as blood;
Thanne wolde he speke and crie as he were wood.
And whan that he wel dronken hadde the wyn,
Than wolde he speke no word but Latyn.
A fewe termes hadde he, two or thre,
That he had lerned out of som decree>
No wonder is, he herde it al the day,
And eek ye knowen wel how that a jay
Kan clepen "Watte" as wel as kan the pope.
But whoso koude in oother thyng hym grope,
Thanne hadde he spent al his philosophie;
Ay "Questio quid iuris" wolde he crie.
He was a gentil harlot and a kynde;
A bettre felawe sholde men noght fynde;
He wolde suffre, for a quart of wyn,
A good felawe to have his concubyn
A twelf-monthe, and excuse hym atte fulle;
Ful prively a fynch eek koude he pulle.
And if he foond owher a good felawe,
He wolde techen him to have noon awe,
In swich caas, of the ercedekenes curs,
635
640
645
650
655
There was no mercury, sulphur, or litharge,
No borax, ceruse, tartar, could discharge,
Nor ointment that could cleanse enough, or bite,
To free him of his boils and pimples white,
Nor of the knobs located on his cheeks.
Well loved he garlic, onions, and also leeks,
And drink strong blood red wine untill dizzy.
Then would he talk and shout as if he's crazy.
And when a deal of wine he'd taken in,
Then would he utter no word except Latin.
Some phrases had he learned, say two or three,
Which he had learned out of some decree;
No wonder, he had heard it all the day;
And all you know right well that even a jay
Can call out "Walter" better than the Pope.
But if, to try his wits in him you'd grope,
'Twas found he'd spent his whole philosophy;
Always "Questio quid juris" would he cry.
He was a noble rascal, and a kind;
A better comrade would be hard to find.
Why, he would suffer, for a quart of wine,
Some good fellow to have his concubine
A twelve-month, and excuse him to the full
(Secretly, though he knew how a trick to pull).
And if he found somewhere a good fellow,
He would instruct him never to have awe,
In such a case, of the archdeacon's curse,
Glossary
ay
ay
adv.
byte
byte
verb
caas
caas
noun
decree
decree
noun
eek
eek, eke
adv.
ercedekenes curs ercedekenes curs noun
garleek
gentil
grope
harlot
knobbes
koude
lekes
oother
owher
oynons
pryvely
reed
swich
thre
whelkes
wood
garleek
gentil
grope
harlot
knobbes
koude
lekes
oother
owher
oynons
prively, pryvely
rede, reed, reede
swich
thre
whelkes
wood
Introduction
noun
adj.
verb
noun
noun
verb
verb
adv.
adv.
noun, pl.
adv.
adj.
pro.
num.
noun
adj.
always
burn
case, circumstances
text of ecclesiastical law
also
excommunication, the official exclusion of a person from
participation in the sacraments or formal communion with
the Church
garlic
1. noble (in character); 2. refined, excellent
examine
rascal, buffoon, jester; servant
swellings
knew how to
leeks
other; either
anywhere
onions
secretly, discreetly, stealthily
red
such
three
pimples, pustules
crazy, mad, insane
33
The Canterbury Tales
But if a mannes soule were in his purs;
For in his purs he sholde ypunysshed be.
"Purs is the erchedekenes helle," seyde he.
But wel I woot he lyed right in dede;
Of cursyng oghte ech gilty man him drede,
For curs wol slee, right as assoillyng savith,
And also war him of a Significavit .
In daunger hadde he at his owene gise
The yonge girles of the diocise,
And knew hir conseil, and was al hir reed.
A gerland hadde he set upon his heed
As greet as it were for an ale-stake;
A bokeleer hadde he maad him of a cake.
660
665
670
Unless a man's soul were within his purse;
For in his purse the man should punished be.
"The purse is the archdeacon's hell," said he.
But well I know he lied in what he said;
A curse ought every guilty man to dread
(For curse can kill, as absolution save),
And also be aware of Significavit.
In his own power had he, and at ease,
Young people of the entire diocese,
And knew their secrets, they did what he said.
A garland had he set upon his head,
Large as a tavern's road sign on a stake;
He'd made himself a buckler from a cake.
The Pardoner
With hym ther rood a gentil PARDONER
Of Rouncivale, his freend and his compeer,
That streight was comen fro the court of Rome.
Ful loude he soong "Com hider, love, to me!"
This Somonour bar to hym a stif burdoun;
Was nevere trompe of half so greet a soun.
This Pardoner hadde heer as yelow as wex,
But smothe it heeng as dooth a strike of flex;
By ounces henge his lokkes that he hadde,
675
With him there rode a noble PARDONER
Of Rouncival, his friend and his compeer;
Straight from the court of Rome had journeyed he.
Loudly he sang "Come hither, love, to me,"
The summoner added a strong bass to his song;
No horn ever sounded half so strong.
This pardoner had hair as yellow as wax,
But smooth it hung as does a strike of flax;
In driplets hung his locks behind his head,
Glossary
assoillyng
bokeler
burdoun
cake
conseil
cursyng
dooth
assoillyng
bokeler, bokeleer
burdoun
cake
conseil
cursyng
dooth
drede
ech
freend
gentil
girles
heed
heer
pardoner
reed
sle
soun
stif
trompe
woot
drede
ech
freend
gentil
girles
heed, heede
heer, heeres,
heeris, heris,
herys
pardoner
rede, reed, reede
sle, slee
soun
stif
trompe
woot
ypunysshed
ypunysshed
34
noun
noun
noun
noun
noun
noun
verb, 3rd prs. sg.
prsnt.
noun
pro.
noun
adj.
noun
noun, sg.
noun
absolution
buckler, small shield
bass (part in a song)
loaf of bread
1. opinion, decision, advice; 2. council, adviser
archdeacon's curse, excommunication
do, does
noun
adj.
verb
noun
adj.
noun
verb, 1st and 3rd
pers. prsnt. sg.
verb
a seller of indulgences
red
kill, slay
sound
strong, powerful
trumpet
know, knows
fear; be afraid
each (one)
friend
1. noble (in character); 2. refined, excellent
young women, young people
head
hair
punished
Introduction
The Canterbury Tales
And therwith he hise shuldres overspradde;
But thynne it lay by colpons oon and oon.
But hood, for jolitee, wered he noon,
For it was trussed up in his walet.
Hym thoughte he rood al of the newe jet;
Dischevelee, save his cappe, he rood al bare.
Swiche glarynge eyen hadde he as an hare.
A vernycle hadde he sowed upon his cappe.
His walet lay biforn hym in his lappe
Bretful of pardoun come from Rome al hoot.
A voys he hadde as smal as hath a goot,
No berd hadde he, ne nevere sholde have;
As smothe it was as it were late shave,
I trowe he were a geldyng or a mare.
But of his craft, from Berwyk into Ware,
Ne was ther swich another pardoner;
For in his male he hadde a pilwe-beer,
Which that he seyde was Oure Lady veyl:
He seyde he hadde a gobet of the seyl
That Seint Peter hadde, whan that he wente
Upon the see, til Jesu Crist hym hente.
He hadde a croys of latoun ful of stones,
And in a glas he hadde pigges bones.
But with thise relikes, whan that he fond
A povre persoun dwellyng upon lond,
Upon a day he gat hym moore moneye
Than that the person gat in monthes tweye;
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Down to his shoulders which they overspread;
But thin they dropped, these strings, all one by one.
He had no hood, it was for sport and fun,
Though it was packed in knapsack all the while.
It seemed to him he rode in latest style,
With unbound hair, except his cap, head all bare.
As shiny eyes he had as has a hare.
He had a fine Veronica sewed to his cap.
His knapsack lay before him in his lap,
Stuffed full with pardons brought from Rome all hot.
A voice he had that sounded like a goat.
No beard had he, nor ever should he have,
For smooth his face as he'd just had a shave;
I think he was a gelding or a mare.
But in his craft, from Berwick unto Ware,
Was no such pardoner of equal grace.
For in his bag he had a pillow-case
Of which he said, it was Our True Lady's veil:
He said he had a piece of the very sail
That good Saint Peter had, on time he sailed
Upon the sea, till Jesus him had hailed.
He had a latten cross set full of stones,
And in a bottle had he some pig's bones.
But with these relics, when he found on ride
Some simple parson dwelling in the countryside,
In that one day gathered more money
Than the parson in two months, that easy.
Glossary
bretful
croys
geldyng
gobet
goot
latoun
male
mare
bretful, bret-ful
croys
geldyng
gobet
goot
latoun
male
mare
adj.
noun
noun
noun
noun
noun
noun
noun
pardoun
pilwe-beer
povre
save
see
smal
swich
trowe
trussed
tweye
upon lond
vernycle
pardoun
pilwe-beer
poure, povre
save
see
smal
swich
trowe
trussed
tweye
upon lond
vernycle
noun
noun
adj.
prep.
noun
noun
pro.
verb
verb
num.
adj.
noun
walet
wered
walet
wered
noun
verb
Introduction
brimful
cross
eunuch
piece
goat
a brass-like alloy
pouch, bag
1. the female of any equine animal, especially the horse;
2. (figuratively) homosexual
1. papal indulgences; 2. forgiveness
pillow-case
poor, impoverished
except (that)
sea
1. little, slender; 2. high (of voice)
such
think, suppose
packed
two
in the countryside
miniature reproduction of St. Veronica's sacred cloth,
bearing the imprint of Jesus' features
pouch, knapsack
wore
35
The Canterbury Tales
And thus, with feyned flaterye and japes,
He made the persoun and the peple his apes.
But trewely to tellen atte laste,
He was in chirche a noble ecclesiaste.
Wel koude he rede a lessoun or a storie,
But alderbest he song an offertorie;
For wel he wiste, whan that song was songe,
He moste preche, and wel affile his tonge
To wynne silver, as he ful wel koude;
Therfore he song the murierly and loude.
710
715
And thus, with flattery and equal japes,
He made the parson and the rest his apes.
But yet, to tell the whole truth at the last,
He was, in church, a fine ecclesiast.
Well could he read a lesson or a story,
But best of all he sang an offertory;
For he knew well that when that song was sung,
Then must he preach, and all with smoothened
tongue.
To gain some silver, preferably from the crowd;
Therefore he sang so merrily and so loud.
The proposal of the Host
Now have I toold you shortly in a clause,
Th'estaat, th'array, the nombre, and eek the cause
Why that assembled was this compaignye
In Southwerk, at this gentil hostelrye
That highte the Tabard, faste by the Belle.
But now is tyme to yow for to telle
How that we baren us that ilke nyght,
Whan we were in that hostelrie alyght;
And after wol I telle of our viage
And all the remenaunt of oure pilgrimage.
But first I pray yow, of youre curteisye,
That ye n'arette it nat my vileynye,
Thogh that I pleynly speke in this mateere,
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Now have I told you briefly, in a clause,
The state, the array, the number, and the cause
Of the assembling of this company
In Southwark, at this noble hostelry
Known as the Tabard Inn, closely to the Bell.
But now the time has come wherein to tell
How we conducted ourselves that very night
When at the hostelry we did alight.
And afterward the story I begin
To tell you of our pilgrimage we're in.
But first, I beg, address your courtesy,
You'll not ascribe it to vulgarity
Though I speak plainly of this matter here,
Glossary
alderbest
alyght
ape
array
chirche
eek
estaat
gentil
highte
hostelrye
ilke
in a clause
japes
koude
nombre
songe
soong
trewely
viage
vileynye
wiste
36
alderbest
alyght
ape
array
chirche
eek, eke
estaat, estat
gentil
hight, highte
hostelrie,
hostelrye
ilke
in a clause
japes
koude
nombre
songe
soong, song
trewely
viage
vileynye
wiste
verb
noun
noun
noun
adv.
noun
adj.
verb
noun
adj.
noun, pl.
verb
noun
verb
verb, pst. sg.
adv.
noun
noun
verb, pst. sg.
best of all
arrived
1. fool, dupe; 2. monkey
1. equipment; 2. dress, clothes
church
also
1. state, condition; 2. rank, social standing
1. noble (in character); 2. refined, excellent
was called, was named
inn, lodging
same
briefly, in a few words
tricks, jokes
knew how to
number
sung
sang
truly
journey
1. evil, rudeness, shame, dishonor; 2. injury
knew;
Introduction
The Canterbury Tales
To telle yow hir wordes and hir cheere,
Ne thogh I speke hir wordes proprely.
For this ye knowen also wel as I,
Whoso shal telle a tale after a man,
He moot reherce as ny as evere he kan
Everich a word, if it be in his charge,
Al speke he never so rudeliche or large,
Or ellis he moot telle his tale untrewe,
Or feyne thyng, or fynde wordes newe.
He may nat spare, al thogh he were his brother;
He moot as wel seye o word as another.
Crist spak hymself ful brode in hooly writ,
And, wel ye woot, no vileynye is it.
Eek Plato seith, whoso kan hym rede,
The wordes moote be cosyn to the dede.
Also I prey yow to foryeve it me,
Al have I nat set folk in hir degree
Heere in this tale, as that they sholde stonde.
My wit is short, ye may wel understonde.
Greet chiere made oure Hoost us everichon,
And to the soper sette he us anon.
He served us with vitaille at the beste;
Strong was the wyn, and wel to drynke us leste.
A semely man OURE HOOSTE was withalle
For to been a marchal in an halle.
A large man he was, with eyen stepe A fairer burgeys was ther noon in Chepe -
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Explain to you their words and means of cheer;
Nor though I use their very terms, nor lie.
For this thing do you know as well as I:
When one repeats a tale told by a man,
He must report, as closely as he can,
Every single word, as he remembers it,
How vulgar it be, or how unfit;
Or else he may be telling what's untrue,
Embellishing, even making up things too.
He may not spare, although it were his brother;
He must as well say one word as another.
Christ spoke very plainly, in holy writ,
And, you know well, there's nothing rude in it.
And Plato says, to those able to read:
"The word should be the cousin to the deed."
Also, I beg that you'll forgive it me
If I have not set folk, in their degree
Here in this tale, by rank as they should stand.
My wit is short, as you'll well understand.
Great fun our host provided, every one,
Was set and the supper straightway begun;
And served us then with victuals of the best.
Strong was the wine and pleasant to each guest.
A seemly man our good host was, withal,
And fit to be a marshal in a hall;
A large man he was, with piercing eyes,
As fine a burgher as in Cheapside lies;
Glossary
al speke he
anon
brode
burgeys
cheere
eek
everichon
foryeve
ful
hooly writ
large
marchal
moot
ny
reherce
rudeliche
untrewe
vileynye
vitaille
wit
withalle
woot
al speke he
anon, anoon
adv.
brode
adv.
burgeys
noun
cheere, chere
noun
eek, eke
adv.
everichon,
pro.
everichoon,
everychon
foryeve
verb
ful
adv.
hooly writ
noun
large
adv.
marchal
noun
moot
verb
ny
prep.
reherce, rehercen verb
rudeliche
noun
untrewe
adj.
vileynye
noun
vitaille
noun
wit
noun
withalle
adv.
woot
verb, 1st and 3rd
pers. prsnt. sg.
Introduction
although he may speak
straightway, at once, immediately
plainly
citizen of a city (tradesman)
1. manners, behaviour; 2. facial expression, look
also
everyone
forgive
1. very; 2. fully, completely
the Bible
1. freely, generously; 2. free-spending, extravagant
master of ceremonies
must
close
repeat
crudely, ignorantly
1. inaccurately; 2. unfaithful
1. evil, rudeness, shame, dishonor; 2. injury
victuals, provisions, stock of food
intelligence, mind, judgement
indeed, moreover
know, knows
37
The Canterbury Tales
Boold of his speche, and wys, and well ytaught,
And of manhod hym lakkede right naught.
Eek therto he was right a myrie man,
And after soper pleyen he bigan,
And spak of myrthe amonges othere thynges,
Whan that we hadde maad our rekenynges,
And seyde thus: "Now lordynges, trewely,
Ye been to me right welcome hertely;
For by my trouthe, if that I shal nat lye,
I saugh nat this yeer so myrie a compaignye
Atones in this herberwe, as is now.
Fayn wolde I doon yow myrthe, wiste I how.
And of a myrthe I am right now bythoght,
To doon yow ese, and it shal coste noght.
Ye goon to Caunterbury - God yow speede,
The blisful martir quite yow youre meede!
And wel I woot, as ye goon by the weye,
Ye shapen yow to talen and to pleye,
For trewely, confort ne myrthe is noon
To ride by the weye doumb as stoon;
And therfore wol I maken yow disport,
As I seyde erst, and doon yow som confort.
And if yow liketh alle by oon assent
For to stonden at my juggement,
And for to werken as I shal yow seye,
To-morwe, whan ye riden by the weye,
Now, by my fader soule that is deed,
But ye be myrie, I wol yeve yow myn heed!
Hoold up youre hond, withouten moore speche."
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775
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785
Bold in his speech, and wise, and fairly taught,
And as to manhood, lacking there was not.
Moreover, he's a very merry man,
And after dinner, with playing he began,
And spoke of mirth among some other things,
When all of us had paid our reckonings;
And saying thus: "Now my lords, truly
You are all welcome here, and heartily:
On my word, I'm telling you no lie,
I have not seen, this year, a company
Here in this inn, fitter for sport than now.
Fain I'd make you happy, if I'd knew how.
And of a game have I this moment thought
To give you joy, and it shall cost you not.
"You go to Canterbury; may God speed
And the blest martyr listens to your need.
And well I know, as you go on your way,
You'll tell good tales and shape yourselves to play;
For truly there's no mirth nor comfort, none,
Riding the roads as dumb as is a stone;
And therefore I provide to you a sport,
As I just said, to give you some comfort.
And if you like it all, unanimously,
Accept my judgement, submit yourselves, agree
And will so do as I'll proceed to say,
Tomorrow, when you ride upon your way,
Then, by my father's spirit, who is dead,
If you're not merry, I will give you my head.
Hold up your hands, nor more about it speak."
Glossary
atones
blisful
by oon assent
deed
desport
eek
erst
ese
fayn
heed
herberwe
hertely
lordynges
saugh
trewely
trouthe
wiste
woot
atones
blisful
by oon assent
dede, deed
desport, disport
eek, eke
erst
ese
fayn
heed, heede
herberwe
hertely
lordynges
saugh
trewely
trouthe
wiste
woot
yeve
yeve, yif
38
adv.
adj.
1. at once, immediately; 2. at one time, at the same time
blessed
unanimously, all together
adj.
dead
noun
amusement, pleasure
adv.
also
adj. superlative before, earlier, previously
noun
pleasure, refreshment
adj.
glad, happy, pleased; gladly, happily
noun, sg.
head
noun
inn, lodging; astrological house
adv.
really, sincerely
noun, pl.
sirs, gentlemen, my lords
verb, pst. sg.
saw
adv.
truly
noun
1. fidelity, loyalty; 2. pledge, promise
verb, pst. sg.
knew;
verb, 1st and 3rd know, knows
pers. prsnt. sg.
verb, prsnt.
give
Introduction
The Canterbury Tales
The rules of the game
Oure conseil was nat longe for to seche.
Us thoughte it was noght worth to make it wys,
And graunted hym, withouten moore avys,
And bad him seye his voirdit, as hym leste.
"Lordynges," quod he, "now herkneth for the beste;
But taak it nought, I prey yow, in desdeyn.
This is the poynt, to speken short and pleyn,
That ech of yow, to shorte with oure weye,
In this viage shal telle tales tweye
To Caunterbury-ward I mene it so,
And homward he shal tellen othere two,
Of aventures that whilom han bifalle.
And which of yow that bereth hym best of alle,
That is to seyn, that telleth in this caas
Tales of best sentence and moost solaas,
Shal have a soper at oure aller cost
Heere in this place, sittynge by this post,
Whan that we come agayn fro Caunterbury.
And for to make yow the moore mury,
I wol myselven goodly with yow ryde
Right at myn owene cost, and be youre gyde;
And who so wole my juggement withseye
Shal paye al that we spenden by the weye.
And if ye vouche sauf that it be so,
Tel me anon, withouten wordes mo,
And I wol erly shape me therfore."
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795
800
805
810
Our decision was not so far to seek;
We thought there was no reason to debate,
And granted him his way at any rate,
And asked him tell his verdict just and wise,
"Masters," said he, "listen to my advice;
But take it not, I pray you, in disdain;
This is the point, to put it short and plain,
That each of you, as if to shorten the day,
Shall tell two stories as you wend your way
To Canterbury town; and each of you
On coming home, shall tell another two,
About adventures that happened in the past.
And he who plays his part of all the best,
That is to say, who tells upon the road
Tales of best sense, in most amusing mode,
Shall have a supper at all others' cost
Here in this room and sitting by this post,
When we come back again from Canterbury.
And now, the more to make sure you'll be merry,
I will myself, and gladly, with you ride
At my own cost, and I will be your guide.
But whosoever will and tries to disobey
Shall pay for all that's bought along the way.
And if you grant, agree it will be so,
Tell me at once, or if not, tell me no,
And I will get ready early. No more."
Glossary
anon
avys
bereth
conseil
ech
goodly
gyde
herkneth
lordynges
quod
seche
sentence
soper
tweye
viage
voirdit
vouche-sauf
whilom
anon, anoon
avys
bereth
conseil
ech
goodly
gyde
herkneth
lordynges
quod
seche
sentence
soper
tweye
viage
voirdit
vouche-sauf,
vouche sauf
whilom
Introduction
adv.
noun
verb
noun
pro.
adv.
noun and verb
verb, 3rd prs. sg.
noun, pl.
verb
verb
noun
noun
num.
noun
noun
verb
straightway, at once, immediately
1. discussion; 2. opinion
acquits
1. opinion, decision, advice; 2. council, adviser
each (one)
gladly
guide
hears, listens to
sirs, gentlemen, my lords
said
seek, search
1. meaning, saying; 2. decision, command
dinner
two
journey
verdict
agree, grant
adv.
once, formerly
39
The Canterbury Tales
The agreement
This thyng was graunted, and oure othes swore
With ful glad herte, and preyden hym also
That he wolde vouche sauf for to do so,
And that he wolde been oure governour,
815
And of our tales juge and reportour,
And sette a soper at a certeyn pris,
And we wol reuled been at his devys
In heigh and lough; and thus by oon assent
We been acorded to his juggement.
820
And therupon the wyn was fet anon;
We dronken, and to reste wente echon,
Withouten any lenger taryynge.
This thing was granted, and our oaths we swore,
With right glad hearts, and prayed of him, also,
That he would take the office, nor forgo
The place of governor of all of us,
Judging our tales; and by his wisdom thus
Arrange that supper at a certain price,
We to be ruled, each one, by his advice
In every respect; unanimously thus,
We accepted his judgment over us.
And thereupon, the wine was fetched immediately;
We drank, and went to rest ultimately,
And that without a longer tarrying.
Drawing of lots
Amorwe, whan that day bigan to sprynge,
Up roos oure Hoost, and was oure aller cok,
And gadrede us to gidre alle in a flok,
And forth we riden, a litel moore than paas
Unto the wateryng of Seint Thomas;
And there oure Hoost bigan his hors areste
And seyde, "Lordynges, herkneth if yow leste.
Ye woot youre foreward, and I it yow recorde.
If even-song and morwe-song accorde,
Lat se now who shal telle the firste tale.
As evere mote I drynke wyn or ale,
Whoso be rebel to my juggement
Shal paye for al that by the wey is spent.
Now draweth cut, er that we ferrer twynne,
825
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835
Next morning, when the day began to spring,
Up rose our host, and acting as our cock,
He gathered us together in a flock,
And forth we rode, a a little faster than pace,
Until we reached Saint Thomas' watering-place.
Our host then pulled his horse, began to ease
And said: "Now, gentleman, listen if you please.
You know what you agreed, I'll remind thee.
If even-song and morning-song agree,
Let's here decide who first shall tell a tale.
And as I hope to drink more wine and ale,
Whoso proves rebel to my very judgment
Shall pay for all that by the way is spent.
Come now, draw straws, before we further depart,
Glossary
anon
areste
by oon assent
draweth cut
er
forward
herkneth
herte
juge
oure aller cok
paas
reportour
soper
vouche-sauf
woot
40
anon, anoon
areste
by oon assent
draweth cut
er
forward, foreward
herkneth
herte
juge
oure aller cok
paas
reportour
soper
vouche-sauf,
vouche sauf
woot
adv.
verb
straightway, at once, immediately
stop, restrain
unanimously, all together
draw lots (straws)
adv.
before, formerly; before; before
noun
agreement, promise
verb, 3rd prs. sg. hears, listens to
noun
heart
noun
judge
rooster of us all (awakened us all)
adv. and noun
footpace (the slowest gait of a horse), slowly
noun
record keeper
noun
dinner
verb
agree, grant
verb, 1st and 3rd know, knows
pers. prsnt. sg.
Introduction
The Canterbury Tales
He which that hath the shorteste shal bigynne.
Sire Knyght," quod he, "my mayster and my lord,
Now draweth cut, for that is myn accord.
Cometh neer," quod he, "my lady Prioresse,
And ye, Sir Clerk, lat be youre shamefastnesse,
Ne studieth noght; ley hond to, every man!"
Anon to drawen every wight bigan,
And shortly for to tellen as it was,
Were it by aventure, or sort, or cas,
The sothe is this, the cut fil to the Knyght,
Of which ful blithe and glad was every wyght.
And telle he moste his tale, as was resoun,
By foreward and by composicioun,As ye han herd, what nedeth wordes mo?
And whan this goode man saugh that it was so,
As he that wys was and obedient
To kepe his foreward by his free assent,
He seyde, "Syn I shal bigynne the game,
What, welcome be the cut, a Goddes name!
Now lat us ryde, and herkneth what I seye."
And with that word we ryden forth oure weye,
And he bigan with right a myrie cheere
His tale anon, and seyde as ye may heere.
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850
855
860
And he that draws the shortest has to start.
Sir knight," said he, "my master and my lord,
You shall draw first as you have pledged your word.
Come near," said he, "my lady prioress:
And you, sir clerk, away with all your shyness,
Nor ponder more; out hands, draw, every man!"
At once to draw a straw each one began,
And, to shorten up the story, as it was,
By chance or luck or whatsoever cause,
The truth is, that the cut fell to the knight,
Which all the others greeted with delight.
Thus tell his story first as was agreed,
According to our promise pledged, indeed,
As you have heard. Why argue to and fro?
And when this good man saw that it was so,
Being a wise man and obedient
To pledged word, given by free assent,
He said: "Since I must then begin the game,
Why, welcome be the cut, and in God's name!
Now let us ride, and listen to what I say."
And at that word we rode forth on our way;
And he began to speak, with words of cheer,
His tale straightway, and said as you may hear.
Glossary
accord
anon
assent
cheere
forward
herkneth
kepe
quod
resoun
saugh
shamefastnesse
sothe
syn
wight
accord, acord
anon, anoon
assent
cheere, chere
forward, foreward
herkneth
kepe
quod
resoun
saugh
shamefastnesse
sothe (sooth)
syn
wight, wyght
Introduction
noun
adv.
noun
noun
noun
verb, 3rd prs. sg.
verb
verb
adj.
verb, pst. sg.
noun
noun
conj. and prep.
noun
agreement
straightway, at once, immediately
consent, will, opinion
1. manners, behaviour; 2. facial expression, look
agreement, promise
hears, listens to
keep, take care after, preserve
said
reasonable, just; reasonably
saw
modesty
truth
since
person, creature, being
41
The Canterbury Tales
42
Introduction