Chaucer's Tales and other works

The Compleinte of Chaucer to his empty purs

2011-11-30T09:34:00.000-08:00

To you, my purs, and to non other wight - Compleyne I, for ye be my lady dere! I am so sory now that ye be Hght; For certes, but ye make me hevy chere, Me were as leef be leyd up-on my bere, For which un-to you mercy thus I crye: Beth hevy ageyn, or elles mot I dye! Now voucheth sauf this day or hit be night That I of you the bhsful soun may here, Or see your colour lyk the sonne bright

Lenvoy de Chaucer a Bukton

2011-11-29T09:32:00.000-08:00

This time a letter from Chaucer to BuktonMy maister Bukton, whan of Crist our kinge Was axed what is trouthe or sothfastnesse, He nat a word answerde to that axinge. As who saith, ''No man is al trewe," I gesse. And therfore, thogh I highte to expresse The sorwe and wo that is in mariage, I dar not wryte of hit no wikkednesse Lest I my-self falle eft in swich dotage. I wol nat seyn how

Lenvoy de Chaucer a Scogan 261

2011-11-27T09:31:00.000-08:00

Another one for the real Chaucer afficionados: letter from Chaucer to Scogan no. 261Than shul we for our labour han no mede. But wel I wot thou wilt answere and seye: ''Lo! olde Grisel Hst to ryme and pleye!" Nay, Scogan, sey not so, for I mexcuse, God helpe me so! in no rym, doutelees, Ne thinke I nevere of sleep to wake my muse, That rusteth in my shethe stille in pees. Whyl I was yong,

Lenvoy de Chaucer a Scogan

2011-11-25T09:29:00.000-08:00

One for the purists: letter from Chaucer to ScoganTo-broken been the statuts hye in hevene That creat were eternally to dure, Sith that I see the brighte goddes sevene Mow wepe and wayle, and passioun endure, As may in erthe a mortal creature. Alias, fro whennes may this thing procede? Of which errour I deye almost for drede. By word eterne whylom was hit shape That fro the fif te

Meaning of 'He was a veray parfit gentil knight'

2011-03-31T11:57:00.000-07:00

The famous line from the General Prologue and something to aspire to for the rest of us.In terms of meaning 'veray' is clearly 'very', 'parfit' you can understand from the French 'parfait' for 'perfect' and 'gentil' again from the French 'gentil' for 'kind' although some translate it as 'gentle'.So, 'He was a very perfect gentle knight.'

Top Chaucer Tales of 2009

2010-01-06T08:28:00.001-08:00

It's time to look back at the year on this blog's collection of Chaucer's Tales.So, which have been the most popular and in which order:5. Staring the list at number five is The Parson's Tale.4. The ever popular Merchant's Tale is at number four.3. At number three is The Prioress's Tale.2. So near yet so far is the Pardoner's Tale at number two.1. And the Christmas number one and most popular

Full wise is he that can himselven knowe

2009-12-18T08:53:00.000-08:00

One of Chaucer's most famous quotes and yet still rings true today, showing that wisdom stands the test of time.This is from The Monk's Tale which is a collection of seventeen short stories, which centre on tragedies. The Monk claims that he has a hundred, but the knight stops him after seventeen due to their sadness.

“There's never a new fashion but it's old."

2009-10-01T01:39:00.000-07:00

After posting the Canterbury Tales, I decided to leave this blog to its own devices, bar dealing with the odd bit of comment spam. However, over time as the blog has established itself in the Google rankings, the traffic has picked up and there is now a steady stream of visitors to the site. Clearly the works of Chaucer do live on.I've been considering whether there should be a more regular

Chaucer comes to Twitter

2009-04-02T02:28:00.000-07:00

Just to prove that Chaucer can move with the times, I'm having a little fun by bringing some of Chaucer's quotes to Twitter. You can follow, ahem, the great man @chaucerstales.As there are not many of his contemporaries that have survived, I did a little search to see some of the reviews of his works by the Twitterers. Clearly Chaucer is reaching a new generation, but shall we say the jury is

When that Aprilis, with his showers swoot

2009-03-20T07:21:00.000-07:00

The sweet showers of April are not yet upon us, but the first tales have been published to the blog for your enjoyment, starting with the Prologue and those famous first lines.Blogger is not as flexible as it could be in terms of ordering the posts, but I'll put together some summary navigation pages once all the tales are up to make navigation easier. For now, use the blog archive on the right

The Canterbury Tales in blog format

2009-03-06T09:06:00.000-08:00

One of the great experiences of studying English was the chance to read, re-read, analyse, essay and quote Geoffrey Chaucer's most famous work, The Canterbury Tales.Being Public Domain works, The Canterbury Tales can be found in many places on the web, but I've yet to see each tale in blog format, a challenge I am going to undertake on this blog.Each tale will have its own post, divided only into

Preces de Chauceres (Prayer of Chaucer) - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T09:04:00.000-08:00

Now pray I to you all that hear this little treatise or read it, thatif there be anything in it that likes them, that thereof they thankour Lord Jesus Christ, of whom proceedeth all wit and allgoodness; and if there be anything that displeaseth them, I praythem also that they arette [impute] it to the default of mineunconning [unskilfulness], and not to my will, that would fainhave said better if

The Parson's Tale - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T09:01:00.000-08:00

[The Parson begins his "little treatise" -(which, if given atlength, would extend to about thirty of these pages, and whichcannot by any stretch of courtesy or fancy be said to merit thetitle of a "Tale") in these words: --]Our sweet Lord God of Heaven, that no man will perish, butwill that we come all to the knowledge of him, and to theblissful life that is perdurable [everlasting], admonishes

The Parson's Tale, The Prologue - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T09:00:00.000-08:00

By that the Manciple his tale had ended,The sunne from the south line was descendedSo lowe, that it was not to my sightDegrees nine-and-twenty as in height.Four of the clock it was then, as I guess,For eleven foot, a little more or less,My shadow was at thilke time, as there,Of such feet as my lengthe parted wereIn six feet equal of proportion.Therewith the moone's exaltation,* *rising*In meane*

The Manciple's Tale - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:58:00.000-08:00

When Phoebus dwelled here in earth adown,As olde bookes make mentioun,He was the moste lusty* bacheler *pleasantOf all this world, and eke* the best archer. *alsoHe slew Python the serpent, as he laySleeping against the sun upon a day;And many another noble worthy deedHe with his bow wrought, as men maye read.Playen he could on every minstrelsy,And singe, that it was a melodyTo hearen of his

The Manciple's Tale, The Prologue - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:56:00.000-08:00

WEET* ye not where there stands a little town, *knowWhich that y-called is Bob-up-and-down, <1>Under the Blee, in Canterbury way?There gan our Hoste for to jape and play,And saide, "Sirs, what? Dun is in the mire.<2>Is there no man, for prayer nor for hire,That will awaken our fellow behind?A thief him might full* rob and bind *easilySee how he nappeth, see, for cocke's bones,As he would falle

The Canon Yeoman's Tale - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:54:00.000-08:00

With this Canon I dwelt have seven year,And of his science am I ne'er the near* *nearerAll that I had I have lost thereby,And, God wot, so have many more than I.Where I was wont to be right fresh and gayOf clothing, and of other good arrayNow may I wear an hose upon mine head;And where my colour was both fresh and red,Now is it wan, and of a leaden hue(Whoso it useth, sore shall he it rue);And of

The Canon's Yeoman's Tale, The Prologue - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:52:00.000-08:00

WHEN ended was the life of Saint Cecile,Ere we had ridden fully five mile, <2>At Boughton-under-Blee us gan o'ertakeA man, that clothed was in clothes black,And underneath he wore a white surplice.His hackenay,* which was all pomely-gris,** *nag **dapple-graySo sweated, that it wonder was to see;It seem'd as he had pricked* miles three. *spurredThe horse eke that his yeoman rode uponSo sweated,

The Second Nun's Tale - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:46:00.000-08:00

The minister and norice* unto vices, *nurseWhich that men call in English idleness,The porter at the gate is of delices;* *delightsT'eschew, and by her contrar' her oppress, --That is to say, by lawful business,* -- *occupation, activityWell oughte we to *do our all intent* *apply ourselves*Lest that the fiend through idleness us hent.* *seizeFor he, that with his thousand cordes slyContinually

The Nun's Priest's Tale, The Epilogue - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:45:00.000-08:00

"Sir Nunne's Priest," our hoste said anon,"Y-blessed be thy breech, and every stone;This was a merry tale of Chanticleer.But by my truth, if thou wert seculere,* *a laymanThou wouldest be a treadefowl* aright; *cockFor if thou have courage as thou hast might,Thee were need of hennes, as I ween,Yea more than seven times seventeen.See, whate brawnes* hath this gentle priest, *muscles, sinewsSo

The Nun's Priest's Tale - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:43:00.001-08:00

A poor widow, *somedeal y-stept* in age, *somewhat advanced*Was whilom dwelling in a poor cottage,Beside a grove, standing in a dale.This widow, of which I telle you my tale,Since thilke day that she was last a wife,In patience led a full simple life,For little was *her chattel and her rent.* *her goods and her income*By husbandry* of such as God her sent, *thrifty managementShe found* herself,

The Nun's Priest's Tale, The Prologue - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:41:00.000-08:00

"Ho!" quoth the Knight, "good sir, no more of this;That ye have said is right enough, y-wis,* *of a suretyAnd muche more; for little heavinessIs right enough to muche folk, I guess.I say for me, it is a great disease,* *source of distress, annoyanceWhere as men have been in great wealth and ease,To hearen of their sudden fall, alas!And the contrary is joy and great solas,* *delight, comfortAs

The Monk's Tale - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:40:00.000-08:00

I will bewail, in manner of tragedy,The harm of them that stood in high degree,And felle so, that there was no remedyTo bring them out of their adversity.For, certain, when that Fortune list to flee,There may no man the course of her wheel hold:Let no man trust in blind prosperity;Beware by these examples true and old.At LUCIFER, though he an angel were,And not a man, at him I will begin.For

The Monk's Tale, The Prologue - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:38:00.000-08:00

WHEN ended was my tale of Melibee,And of Prudence and her benignity,Our Hoste said, "As I am faithful man,And by the precious corpus Madrian,<1>I had lever* than a barrel of ale, *ratherThat goode lefe* my wife had heard this tale; *dearFor she is no thing of such patienceAs was this Meliboeus' wife Prudence.By Godde's bones! when I beat my knavesShe bringeth me the greate clubbed staves,And

Tale of Melibeous - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:37:00.000-08:00

A young man called Meliboeus, mighty and rich, begat upon hiswife, that called was Prudence, a daughter which that called wasSophia. Upon a day befell, that he for his disport went into thefields him to play. His wife and eke his daughter hath he leftwithin his house, of which the doors were fast shut. Three of hisold foes have it espied, and set ladders to the walls of his house,and by the

Tale of Melibeous, The Prologue - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:35:00.000-08:00

"No more of this, for Godde's dignity!"Quoth oure Hoste; "for thou makest meSo weary of thy very lewedness,* *stupidity, ignorance <1>That, all so wisly* God my soule bless, *surelyMine eares ache for thy drafty* speech. *worthless <2>Now such a rhyme the devil I beteche:* *commend toThis may well be rhyme doggerel," quoth he."Why so?" quoth I; "why wilt thou lette* me *preventMore of my tale

Sir Thopas Tale - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:34:00.000-08:00

The First Fit* *partListen, lordings, in good intent,And I will tell you verrament* *trulyOf mirth and of solas,* *delight, solaceAll of a knight was fair and gent,* *gentleIn battle and in tournament,His name was Sir Thopas.Y-born he was in far country,In Flanders, all beyond the sea,At Popering <2> in the place;His father was a man full free,And lord he was of that country,As it was Godde's

Tale of Sir Thopas, The Prologue - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:33:00.001-08:00

WHEN said was this miracle, every manAs sober* was, that wonder was to see, *seriousTill that our Host to japen* he began, *talk lightlyAnd then *at erst* he looked upon me, *for the first time*And saide thus; "What man art thou?" quoth he;"Thou lookest as thou wouldest find an hare,For ever on the ground I see thee stare."Approache near, and look up merrily.Now ware you, Sirs, and let this man

The Prioress's Tale - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:30:00.001-08:00

O Lord our Lord! thy name how marvellousIs in this large world y-spread! <2> (quoth she)For not only thy laude* precious *praisePerformed is by men of high degree,But by the mouth of children thy bounte* *goodnessPerformed is, for on the breast suckingSometimes showe they thy herying.* <3> *gloryWherefore in laud, as I best can or mayOf thee, and of the white lily flow'rWhich that thee bare, and

The Prioress's Tale, The Prologue - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:27:00.000-08:00

"WELL said, by *corpus Domini,"* quoth our Host; *the Lord's body*"Now longe may'st thou saile by the coast,Thou gentle Master, gentle Marinere.God give the monk *a thousand last quad year!* *ever so much evil* <1>Aha! fellows, beware of such a jape.* *trickThe monk *put in the manne's hood an ape,* *fooled him*And in his wife's eke, by Saint Austin.Drawe no monkes more into your inn.But now pass

The Shipman's Tale - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:26:00.000-08:00

A Merchant whilom dwell'd at Saint Denise,That riche was, for which men held him wise.A wife he had of excellent beauty,And *companiable and revellous* was she, *fond of society andWhich is a thing that causeth more dispence merry making*Than worth is all the cheer and reverenceThat men them do at feastes and at dances.Such salutations and countenancesPassen, as doth the shadow on the wall;Put

The Shipman's Tale, The Prologue - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:25:00.001-08:00

Our Host upon his stirrups stood anon,And saide; "Good men, hearken every one,This was a thrifty* tale for the nones. *discreet, profitableSir Parish Priest," quoth he, "for Godde's bones,Tell us a tale, as was thy *forword yore:* *promise formerly*I see well that ye learned men in loreCan* muche good, by Godde's dignity." *knowThe Parson him answer'd, "Ben'dicite!What ails the man, so sinfully

The Pardoner's Tale - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:23:00.000-08:00

Lordings (quoth he), in churche when I preach,I paine me to have an hautein* speech, *take pains **loud <2>And ring it out, as round as doth a bell,For I know all by rote that I tell.My theme is always one, and ever was;Radix malorum est cupiditas.<3>First I pronounce whence that I come,And then my bulles shew I all and some;Our liege lorde's seal on my patent,That shew I first, *my body to

The Pardoner's Tale, The Prologue - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:22:00.000-08:00

OUR Hoste gan to swear as he were wood;"Harow!" quoth he, "by nailes and by blood, <1>This was a cursed thief, a false justice.As shameful death as hearte can deviseCome to these judges and their advoca's.* *advocates, counsellorsAlgate* this sely** maid is slain, alas! *nevertheless **innocentAlas! too deare bought she her beauty.Wherefore I say, that all day man may seeThat giftes of fortune

The Doctor's Tale - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:19:00.000-08:00

There was, as telleth Titus Livius, <1>A knight, that called was Virginius,Full filled of honour and worthiness,And strong of friendes, and of great richess.This knight one daughter hadde by his wife;No children had he more in all his life.Fair was this maid in excellent beautyAboven ev'ry wight that man may see:For nature had with sov'reign diligenceY-formed her in so great excellence,As though

The Doctor's Tale, The Prologue - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:18:00.001-08:00

["YEA, let that passe," quoth our Host, "as now.Sir Doctor of Physik, I praye you,Tell us a tale of some honest mattere.""It shall be done, if that ye will it hear,"Said this Doctor; and his tale gan anon."Now, good men," quoth he, "hearken everyone."]Notes to the Prologue to the Doctor's Tale1. The authenticity of the prologue is questionable. It is found inone manuscript only; other manuscripts

The Franklin's Tale - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:17:00.001-08:00

In Armoric', that called is Bretagne,There was a knight, that lov'd and *did his pain* *devoted himself,To serve a lady in his beste wise; strove*And many a labour, many a great emprise,* *enterpriseHe for his lady wrought, ere she were won:For she was one the fairest under sun,And eke thereto come of so high kindred,That *well unnethes durst this knight for dread,* *see note <1>*Tell her his woe

The Franklin's Tale, The Prologue - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:16:00.001-08:00

"IN faith, Squier, thou hast thee well acquit,And gentilly; I praise well thy wit,"Quoth the Franklin; "considering thy youtheSo feelingly thou speak'st, Sir, I aloue* thee, *allow, approve*As to my doom,* there is none that is here *so far as my judgmentOf eloquence that shall be thy peer, goes*If that thou live; God give thee goode chance,And in virtue send thee continuance,For of thy speaking

The Squire's Tale - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:13:00.000-08:00

*Pars Prima.* *First part*At Sarra, in the land of Tartary,There dwelt a king that warrayed* Russie, <2> *made war onThrough which there died many a doughty man;This noble king was called Cambuscan,<3>Which in his time was of so great renown,That there was nowhere in no regiounSo excellent a lord in alle thing:Him lacked nought that longeth to a king,As of the sect of which that he was born.He

The Squire's Tale, The Prologue - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:12:00.000-08:00

"HEY! Godde's mercy!" said our Hoste tho,* *then"Now such a wife I pray God keep me fro'.Lo, suche sleightes and subtilitiesIn women be; for aye as busy as beesAre they us silly men for to deceive,And from the soothe* will they ever weive,** *truth **swerve, departAs this Merchante's tale it proveth well.But natheless, as true as any steel,I have a wife, though that she poore be;But of her tongue

The Merchant's Tale - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:11:00.000-08:00

Whilom there was dwelling in LombardyA worthy knight, that born was at Pavie,In which he liv'd in great prosperity;And forty years a wifeless man was he,And follow'd aye his bodily delightOn women, where as was his appetite,As do these fooles that be seculeres.<2>And, when that he was passed sixty years,Were it for holiness, or for dotage,I cannot say, but such a great corage* *inclinationHadde

The Merchant's Tale, The Prologue - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:10:00.001-08:00

"Weeping and wailing, care and other sorrow,I have enough, on even and on morrow,"Quoth the Merchant, "and so have other mo',That wedded be; I trow* that it be so; *believeFor well I wot it fareth so by me.I have a wife, the worste that may be,For though the fiend to her y-coupled were,She would him overmatch, I dare well swear.Why should I you rehearse in specialHer high malice? she is *a shrew

The Clerk's Tale - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:07:00.001-08:00

*Pars Prima.* *First Part*There is, right at the west side of Itale,Down at the root of Vesulus<2> the cold,A lusty* plain, abundant of vitaille;* *pleasant **victualsThere many a town and tow'r thou may'st behold,That founded were in time of fathers old,And many another delectable sight;And Saluces this noble country hight.A marquis whilom lord was of that land,As were his worthy elders* him

The Clerk's Tale, The Prologue - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:06:00.000-08:00

"SIR Clerk of Oxenford," our Hoste said,"Ye ride as still and coy, as doth a maidThat were new spoused, sitting at the board:This day I heard not of your tongue a word.I trow ye study about some sophime:* *sophismBut Solomon saith, every thing hath time.For Godde's sake, be of *better cheer,* *livelier mien*It is no time for to study here.Tell us some merry tale, by your fay;* *faithFor what man

The Sompnour's Tale - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:04:00.000-08:00

Lordings, there is in Yorkshire, as I guess,A marshy country called Holderness,In which there went a limitour aboutTo preach, and eke to beg, it is no doubt.And so befell that on a day this frereHad preached at a church in his mannere,And specially, above every thing,Excited he the people in his preachingTo trentals, <1> and to give, for Godde's sake,Wherewith men mighte holy houses make,There as

The Sompnour's Tale, The Prologue - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:03:00.000-08:00

The Sompnour in his stirrups high he stood,Upon this Friar his hearte was so wood,* *furiousThat like an aspen leaf he quoke* for ire: *quaked, trembled"Lordings," quoth he, "but one thing I desire;I you beseech, that of your courtesy,Since ye have heard this false Friar lie,As suffer me I may my tale tellThis Friar boasteth that he knoweth hell,And, God it wot, that is but little wonder,Friars

The Friar's Tale - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:02:00.001-08:00

Whilom* there was dwelling in my country *once on a timeAn archdeacon, a man of high degree,That boldely did execution,In punishing of fornication,Of witchecraft, and eke of bawdery,Of defamation, and adultery,Of churche-reeves,* and of testaments, *churchwardensOf contracts, and of lack of sacraments,And eke of many another manner* crime, *sort ofWhich needeth not rehearsen at this time,Of usury

The Friar's Tale, The Prologue - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T08:01:00.001-08:00

This worthy limitour, this noble Frere,He made always a manner louring cheer* *countenanceUpon the Sompnour; but for honesty* *courtesyNo villain word as yet to him spake he:But at the last he said unto the Wife:"Dame," quoth he, "God give you right good life,Ye have here touched, all so may I the,* *thriveIn school matter a greate difficulty.Ye have said muche thing right well, I say;But, Dame,

The Wife of Bath's tale - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T07:59:00.001-08:00

In olde dayes of the king Arthour,Of which that Britons speake great honour,All was this land full fill'd of faerie;* *fairiesThe Elf-queen, with her jolly company,Danced full oft in many a green meadThis was the old opinion, as I read;I speak of many hundred years ago;But now can no man see none elves mo',For now the great charity and prayeresOf limitours,* and other holy freres, *begging friars

The Wife of Bath's Tale, The Prologue - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T07:57:00.000-08:00

Experience, though none authority* *authoritative textsWere in this world, is right enough for meTo speak of woe that is in marriage:For, lordings, since I twelve year was of age,(Thanked be God that *is etern on live),* *lives eternally*Husbands at the church door have I had five,<2>For I so often have y-wedded be,And all were worthy men in their degree.But me was told, not longe time gone

The Man of Law's Tale - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T07:55:00.000-08:00

O scatheful harm, condition of poverty,With thirst, with cold, with hunger so confounded;To aske help thee shameth in thine hearte;If thou none ask, so sore art thou y-wounded,That very need unwrappeth all thy wound hid.Maugre thine head thou must for indigenceOr steal, or beg, or borrow thy dispence*. *expenseThou blamest Christ, and sayst full bitterly,He misdeparteth* riches temporal; *allots

The Man of Law's Tale, The Prologue - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T07:54:00.001-08:00

Our Hoste saw well that the brighte sunTh' arc of his artificial day had runThe fourthe part, and half an houre more;And, though he were not deep expert in lore,He wist it was the eight-and-twenty dayOf April, that is messenger to May;And saw well that the shadow of every treeWas in its length of the same quantityThat was the body erect that caused it;And therefore by the shadow he took his wit*,

The Cook's Tale - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T07:39:00.000-08:00

A prentice whilom dwelt in our city,And of a craft of victuallers was he:Galliard* he was, as goldfinch in the shaw**, *lively **groveBrown as a berry, a proper short fellaw:With lockes black, combed full fetisly.* *daintilyAnd dance he could so well and jollily,That he was called Perkin Revellour.He was as full of love and paramour,As is the honeycomb of honey sweet;Well was the wenche that with

The Cook's Tale, The Prologue - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T07:36:00.000-08:00

THE Cook of London, while the Reeve thus spake,For joy he laugh'd and clapp'd him on the back:"Aha!" quoth he, "for Christes passion,This Miller had a sharp conclusion,Upon this argument of herbergage.* *lodgingWell saide Solomon in his language,Bring thou not every man into thine house,For harbouring by night is perilous.*Well ought a man avised for to be* *a man should take good heed*Whom that

The Reeve's Tale - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T07:32:00.000-08:00

At Trompington, not far from Cantebrig,* *CambridgeThere goes a brook, and over that a brig,Upon the whiche brook there stands a mill:And this is *very sooth* that I you tell. *complete truth*A miller was there dwelling many a day,As any peacock he was proud and gay:Pipen he could, and fish, and nettes bete*, *prepareAnd turne cups, and wrestle well, and shete*. *shootAye by his belt he bare a

The Reeve's Tale, The Prologue - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T07:30:00.000-08:00

WHEN folk had laughed all at this nice caseOf Absolon and Hendy Nicholas,Diverse folk diversely they said,But for the more part they laugh'd and play'd;* *were divertedAnd at this tale I saw no man him grieve,But it were only Osewold the Reeve.Because he was of carpenteres craft,A little ire is in his hearte laft*; *leftHe gan to grudge* and blamed it a lite.** *murmur **little."So the* I," quoth

The Miller's Tale - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T07:26:00.000-08:00

Whilom there was dwelling in OxenfordA riche gnof*, that *guestes held to board*, *miser *took in boarders*And of his craft he was a carpenter.With him there was dwelling a poor scholer,Had learned art, but all his fantasyWas turned for to learn astrology.He coude* a certain of conclusions *knewTo deeme* by interrogations, *determineIf that men asked him in certain hours,When that men should have

The Miller's Tale, The Prologue - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T07:23:00.000-08:00

When that the Knight had thus his tale toldIn all the rout was neither young nor old,That he not said it was a noble story,And worthy to be *drawen to memory*; *recorded*And *namely the gentles* every one. *especially the gentlefolk*Our Host then laugh'd and swore, "So may I gon,* *prosperThis goes aright; *unbuckled is the mail;* *the budget is opened*Let see now who shall tell another tale:For

The Knight's Tale - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T07:14:00.000-08:00

WHILOM*, as olde stories tellen us, *formerlyThere was a duke that highte* Theseus. *was called <2>Of Athens he was lord and governor,And in his time such a conquerorThat greater was there none under the sun.Full many a riche country had he won.What with his wisdom and his chivalry,He conquer'd all the regne of Feminie,<3>That whilom was y-cleped Scythia;And weddede the Queen HippolytaAnd brought

The Prologue - The Canterbury Tales

2009-03-06T05:34:00.000-08:00

WHEN that Aprilis, with his showers swoot*, *sweetThe drought of March hath pierced to the root,And bathed every vein in such licour,Of which virtue engender'd is the flower;When Zephyrus eke with his swoote breathInspired hath in every holt* and heath *grove, forestThe tender croppes* and the younge sun *twigs, boughsHath in the Ram <1> his halfe course y-run,And smalle fowles make melody,That