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A NORTON CRITICAL EDITION

Geoffrey Chaucer

THE CANTERBURY TALES: NINE TALES AND THE GENERAL PROLOGUE

AUTHORITATNE TEXT

SOURCES AND BACKGROUNDS

CRITICISM

Selected and Edited by

V.A.KOLVE THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT

LOS ANGELES

GLENDING OLSON CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY

W · W · NORTON & COMPANY · New York • London

The Canterbury Tales

The General Prologue

Whan that Aprill with his shoures sote0

The droghte0 of Marche hath perced to the rote, 0

And bathed every veyne0 in swich licour, 0

Of which vertu0 engendred is the flour; Whan Zephirus0 eek with his swete breeth Inspired0 hath in every holt0 and heeth0

The tendre croppes, 0 and the yonge sonne Hath in the Ram his halfe cours y-ronne; 1

And smale fowles 0 maken melodye, IO That slepen al the night with open ye0

-

So priketh hein Nature in hir corages 2-

Than longen° folk to goon° on pilgrimages, And palmeres for to seken straunge strondes, 3

To ferne halwes, 0 couthe0 in sondry londes; 15 And specially, from every shires ende

Of Engelond to Caunterbury they wende, The holy blisful martir 4 for to seke, 0

That hem hath holpen, 0 whan that they were seke. 0

Bifel0 that, in that seson on a day, 20 In Southwerk at the Tabard0 as I lay0

Redy to wenden° on my pilgrimage To Caunterbury with ful devout corage, 0

At night was come into that hostelrye0

Wei nyne and twenty in a companye 25 Of sondry folk, by aventure0 y-falle0

In felawshipe, and pilgrims were they alle, That toward Caunterbury wolden° ryde.

sweet showers

dryness I root

vein I such moisture

By power of which

the west wind

Breathed into I wood I heath

sprouts

birds

eye(s)

Then long I go

far-off shires I known

seek

helped I sick

. It befell

(an inn) I lodged

depart

heart

inn

chance I fallen

wished to

The chambres0 and the stables weren wyde, 0

And we! we weren esed0 atte beste. 0

bedrooms I spacious

made co~fortable I in the best (ways)

io And shortly, whan the sonne was to0 reste, at

I. Has run his half-course in the Ram; i.e., has passed through half the zodiacal sign of Aries (the Ram), a course completed on April 11. A rhetorically decorative way of indicating the time of year. 2. Nature so spurs them in their hearts:

3. And pilgrims to seek foreign shores. 4. Thomas Becket, archbishop of Canterbury, murdered in 1170 and canonized shortly thereafter.. The place of his martyrdom was the greatest shrine in England and much visited by pilgrims.

GEOFFREY CHAUCER

So hadde I spoken with hem everichon° That I was of hir felawshipe anon, And made forward 0 erly for to ryse, To take oure wey, ther as I yow devyse. 0

35 But natheles, 0 why] I have tyme and space, Er that I ferther in this tale pace, 0

Me thinketh it acordaunt to resoun 5

To telle yow al the condicioun 6

Of ech of hem, so as it semed me, 0

40 And whiche0 they weren, and of what degree, 0

And eek in what array0 that they were inne; And at a knight than wol 0 I first biginne.

A KNIGHT ther was, and that a worthy 111an, That fro 0 the tyme that he first bigan

45 To ryden out, 0 he loved chivalrye, Trouthe and honour, fredom and curteisye. 7

Fu! worthy was he in his lordes werre, 0

And therto0 hadde he riden, no man ferre, 0

As we! in Cristendom as in hethenesse, 0

50 And evere honoured for his worthinesse. At Alisaundre0 he was whan it was wonne;

Fu] ofte tyme he hadde the bord bigonne0

Aboven alle naciouns in Pruce. 0

In Lettow hadde he reysed and in Ruce, 8

55 No Cristen man so ofte of his degree. 0

In Gemade0at the sege0 eek hadde he be0

Of Algezir, 0 and riden in Belmarye. 0

At Lyeys0 was he and at Satalye, 0

Whan they were wonne; and in the Grete See0

60 At many a noble armee0 hadde he be. At mortal batailles 9 hadde he been fiftene, And foughten for oure feith at Tramissene0

In listes0 thryes, 0 and ay slayn his foo. 0

This ilke0 worthy knight hadde been also 65 Somtyme with the lord of Palatye, 0

Ageyn° another hethen in Turkye; And everemore he hadde a sovereyn prys. 0

And though that he were worthy, 1 he was wys, 0

And of his port0 as meke as is a mayde. 70 He nevere yet no vileinye0 ne sayde

In al his lyf, unto no maner wight. 0

He was a verray, 0 parfit, 0 gentil0 knight.

each and every one

agreement

(will) tell

nevertheless

pass on

seemed to me

what I status

clothing

will

from

ride (on expeditions)

war(s)

in such I further

in pagan lands

Alexandria

headed the table

Prussia

rank

Granada I siege I been

Algeciras I Benmarin (in Morocco)

Ayas I Adalia (both in Asia Minor)

Mediterranean

arrned expedition

Tlemcen (in Algeria)

tournaments I thrice I foe

same

Palatia

Against

reputation

prudent

deportment

rudeness

any sort of person

true I perfect I noble

5. It seems to me reasonable (proper). 6. Character, estate, condition. 7. Fidelity, honor, generosity of spirit, and courtesy (the central chivalric virtues).

8. He had been on campaigns in Lithuania and in Russia. 9. Tournaments fought to the death. I. I.e., valiant.

THE GENERAL PROLOGUE

But for to tellen yow of his array, His hors0 were gode, but he was nat gay. 0

75 Of fustian° he wered0 a gipoun° Al bismotered with0 his habergeoun, 0

For he was late y-come0 from his viage, 0

And wente for to doon° his pilgrimage. With him ther was his sone, a young SQUYER,

80 A lovyere, and a lusty bacheler, 2

With lokkes crulle, as they were leyd in presse. 3

Of twenty yeer of age he was, I gesse. Of0 his stature he was of evene lengthe, 0

And wonderly delivere, 0 and of greet strengthe. 85 And he hadde been somtyme in chivachye0

In Flaundres, 0 in Artoys, 0 and Picardye, 0

And born him we!, as of so lite! space,4 In hope to stonden° in his lady0 grace. Embrouded0 was he, as it were a mede0

90 Al ful of fresshe floures, whyte and rede. Singinge he was, or floytinge, 0 al the day; He was as fresh as is the month of May. Short was his gowne, with sieves longe and wyde. Wei coude0 he_ sitte on hors, and faire ryde.

95 He coude songes make and we! endyte, 0

Juste0

and eek daunce, and we! purtreye0 and wryte. So hote0 he lovede that by nightertale0

He sleep0 namore0 than dooth a nightingale. Curteys he was, lowly, and servisable, 5

100 And carf0 bifom ·his fader at the table. A YEMAN hadde he, and servaunts namo6

At that tyme, for him liste0 ryde so; And he was clad in cote and hood of grene. A sheef of pecok-arwes0 brighte and kene

105 Under his belt he bar0 ful thriftily. 0

Wei coude he dresse0 his takel0 yemanly: His arwes drouped noght with fetheres !owe, And in his hand he bar a mighty bowe. A not-heed0 hadde he, with a broun visage. 0

110 Of wodecraft we! coude0 he al the usage. Upon his arm he bar a gay bracer, 0

And by his syde a swerd and a bokeler, 0

And on that o'ther syde a gay daggere,

5

horses I brightly dressed

rough cloth I wore I tunic

stained by I coat of mail

recently come I expedition

make

In I average height

agile

on expeditions

Flanders I Artois I Picardy

stand I lady's

Embroidered I meadow

fluting (whistling?)

knew how·to

compose verse

foust I draw

hotly I at night

slept I no more

carved (meat)

· it pleased him to

arrows

bore I carefully

keep in order I equipment

closely-cropped head I face

knew

fine wrist-guard

shield

2. A lover, and a vigorous young man, one preparing to become a knight.

5. He was courteous, humble, and willing to be of service.

3. With locks as curly as if they'd been pressed (by a curling iron). 4. And conducted himself well, considering his inexperience.

6. He [the Knight] had a Yeoman [a servant one step above a groom in rank; this one seems to be ·a forester] with him, and no other servants.

V \....7J:!.Ufl 11 t<t!. I Vl11\ UL..J:!.l< 1 HE GENERAL t'R0L0GUE 7

Harneised0 we!, and sharp as poiri't of spere; mounted For hardily0 she was nat undergrowe. 0. certainly I undersized 115 A Cristofre0 on his brest of silver shene. 0

St. Christopher medal I bright Ful fetis0 was hir cloke, as I was war. 0 elegant I aware An horn he bar, the bawdrik0 was of grene; shoulder-strap Of smal coral 2 aboute hire arm she bar A forster0 was he, soothly, as I gesse. forester A peire of bedes, gauded al with grene; 3

Ther was also a Nonne, a PRIORESSE, 160 And theron heng a broche0 of gold ful shene, 0

ornament I bright That ofhir smyling was ful simple and coy0

- modest On which ther was first write0 a crowned A, 4 written 120 Hir gretteste oath was but by Seynte Loy0

- Eligius (Fr. Eloi) And after, Amor vincit omnia. 0 Love conquers all

And she was cleped0 madame Eglentyne. called Another NoNNE with hire hadde she, Fu! we! she song0 the service divyne, sang That was hir chapeleyne, 0 and PREESTES three. chaplain, assistant Entuned0 in hir nose fu] semely;0

Intoned I becomingly 165 A MONK ther was, a fair for the maistrye, 0 a very fine one

And Frensh she spak ful faire and fetisly, 0 elegantly An outrydere0 that lovede venerye:0

estate supervisor I hunting 125 After the scale of Stratford atte Bowe, 7 A manly man, to been an abbot able.

For Frensh of Paris was to hire unknowe. Fu] many a deyntee0 hors hadde he in stable, valuable At mete 8 we] y-taught was she with alle: And whan he rood, men mighte his brydel here0

hear She leet0 no morsel from hir lippes falle, let 170 Ginglen° in a whistling wind als0 clere Jingling I as Ne wette hir fingres in hir sauce depe. 0

(too) deeply And eek0 as loude as dooth the chapel belle, also 130 Wei coude she carie a morsel, and we] kepe 9 Ther as0 this lord was kepere of the celle. 5 Where

That no drape ne fille 0 upon hire brest. fell The reule of Seint Maure0 or of Seint Beneit, 0 Maurus I Benedict

In curteisye9 was set ful muchel0 hir lest. 0 etiquette I much I delight By cause that it was old and somdel streit, 0

somewhat strict Hir over0 -lippe wyped she so clene, upper 175 This ilke0 monk leet aide thinges pace, 0

same I pass away That in hir coppe was no ferthing0 sene0

small drop I seen And held after the newe world the space. 0 meanwhile

135 Of grece, 0 whan she dronken hadde hir draughte. grease He yaf0 nat_~f0 that text a pulled0 hen, gave I for I plucked

1\·i Fu] semely after hir mete she raughte, 0 reached That seith th~t hunters ben° nat holy men, are

And sikerly0 she was of greet disport, 0 certainly I cheerfulness Ne that a monk, whan he is reccheless, 0

negligent of his vows And ful plesaunt, and amiable of port, 0

deportment 180 Is lykned ti] 0 a fish that is waterlees0 likened to I out of water

And peyned hire0 to countrefete chere0 took pains I imitate behavior (This is to seyn, 0 a monk out of his cloistre); say

140 Of court, and to been estatlich0 of manere, stately But thilke0 text held he nat worth an oistre. 0 that same I oyster

And to hen holden digne0 of reverence. considered worthy And I seyde his opinioun was good: But, for to speken of hire conscience, 0

sensibility What0 sholde he studie, and make himselven wood, 0 Why/mad

,!,1, She was so charitable and so pitous, 0 compassionate 185 Upon a book in cloistre alwey to poure, 0

pore over /11 ! :: She wolde wepe, if that she sawe a mous0

mouse Or swinken° with his handes, and laboure, work 1,1, '

145 Caught in a trappe, if it were deed or bledde. As Austin° bit?0 How shal the world be served? Augustine I bids 1,::, /I Of1 smale houndes hadde she, that she fedde Lat Austin have his swink0 to him reserved! work

i <I With rosted flesh, or milk and wastel-breed. 0 fine white bread Therfore he was a pricasour0 aright: 0

hard rider I truly ' But sore0 wepte she if oon of hem were deed, sorely 190 Grehoundes he hadde, as swifte as fowel 0 in flight; bird

Or if men° smoot it with a yerde0 smerte;0 (some)one I stick I sharply Of priking0 and of hunting for the hare riding

150 And al was conscience and tendre herte. Was al his lust, 0 for no cost wolde he spare. pleasure Fu] semely hir wimpel0 pinched0 was, headdress I pleated I seigh0 his sieves purfiled0 at the hand saw I trimmed Hir nose tretys, 0 hir eyen° greye as glas, graceful I eyes With grys, 0 and that the fyneste of a lond;0

gray fur I land Hir mouth ful smal, and therto softe and reed. 195 And, for to festne 0 his hood under his chin, fasten But sikerly0 she hadde a fair forheed- certainly He hadde of gold y-wroght0 a ful curious pin: made

,,, 155 It was almost a spanne0 brood, I trowe0- span I believe A love-knotte 6 in the gretter0 ende ther was. larger ,,

'! I 7. 'I.e., in the English fashion, as it was spoken at 8. I.e., at table. 2. I.e., small coral beads. above it.

11

Stratford at the Bow-a suburb some two miles east 9. She knew well how to raise a portion (to her lips) 3. A string of beads (a rosary}, its groups marked off 5. A priory or dependent house. of London and home of the Benedictine nunnery of and take care. by special stones, called "gauds," of green. 6. An elaborate knot symbolizing true love.

,1 St. Leonard's. I. I.e., some. 4. The letter A with a symbolic crown fashioned

0 \..,E0FFREY L,HAUCER THE GENERAL PROLOGUE 9

His heed was balled, 0 that shoon as any glas, bald Therto0 he strong was as a champioun. Moreover And eek his face, as0 he had been anoint. 0

as if I annointed 240 He knew the tavernes we! in every toun,

200 He was a lord fol fat and in good point:0 condition And everich hostiler0 and tappestere0 innkeeper I barmaid

His eyen° stepe, 0 and rollinge in his heed, eyes I prominent Bet than a lazar or a beggestere, 5

That sterned as a forneys of a leed; 7 For unto swich0 a worthy man as he such

His bootes souple, 0 his hors in greet estat0~ supple I condition Acorded nat, as by his facultee, 6

Now certeinly he was a fair prelat. 245 To have with seke lazars0 aqueyntaunce: sick lepers

205 He was nat pale as a forpyned goost;0 tormented spirit'" It is nat honest, 0 it may nat avaunce0 respectable I be pro~table

A fat swan loved he best of any roost. For to delen with no swich poraille, 0 such poor people His palfrey0 was as broun as is a berye. 0

horse I berry But al with riche and selleres of vitaille. 0 victuals A FRERE0 ther was, a wantowne0 and a merye, Friar I gay (one) And over al, 0 ther as0 profit sholde aryse, everywhere I wherever

A limitour, 8 a fol solempne0 man. distinguished 250 Curteys he was, and lowely of0 servyse. humble in 210 In alle the ordres foure 9 is noon that can° knows Ther nas0 no man nowher so vertuous. 0 was not I capable

So muchel of daliaunce and fair langage. He was the beste beggere in his hous, He hadde maad0 fol many a mariage arranged 252a [And yaf0 a certeyn ferme0 for the graunt: gave I payment Of yonge wommen, at his owne cost. 1

252b Noon of his bretheren cam ther in his haunt. ]0 area of begging Unto his ordre he was a noble post. 0

pillar For thogh a widwe0 hadde noght a sho, 0 widow I shoe 215 Fu! we! biloved and famulier was he So plesaunt was his In principio, 0 "In the beginning"

With frankeleyns over al in his contree, 2 255 Yet wolde he have a ferthing, 0 er he wente. farthing

And eek with worthy wommen of the toun; His purchas was we! bettre than his rente. 7 ·

I For he hadde power of confessioun, And rage he coude, as it were right a whelpe; 8

,i As seyde himself, more than a curat, 0 parish priest In love-dayes~ ther coude he muchel0 helpe, legal arbitrations I much

220 For of his ordre he was licentiat. 0 licensed to hear confessions For there he was nat lyk a cloisterer, 9 •

" Fu! swetely herde he confessioun, With a thredbare cope, 0 as is a povre scoler. cape I I 260 i ~ And plesaunt was his absolucioun; But he was lyk a maister0 or a pope: Master o( Arts 11 He was an esy man to yeve0 penaunce give Of double worsted was his semi-cope, 0 half-cape 'I . ,

Ther as he wiste to have a good pitaunce. 3 That rounded as a belle out of the presse. 0 mould 'I,' I

:' I 225 For unto a povre0 ordre for to yive0

poor I give Somwhat he lipsed, for his wantownesse, 1 ,' I :, i Is signe that a man is we! y-shrive0

- shriven 265 To make his English swete upon his tonge; ! ' ir· ,, For ifhe yaf, 0 he dorste make avaunt, 0

gave I (the Friar) dared assert And in his harping, whan that he hadde songe, ', I, ,, ' He wiste0 that a man was repentaunt. knew His eyen° twinkled in his heed aright eyes ! ~ • : I For many a man so hard is of his herte, As doon° the sterres0 in the frosty night. do I stars ,' ::1 230 He inay nat wepe al-thogh hym sore smerte:0

it sorely pain him This worthy limitour was cleped0 Huberd. called Therfore, in stede of wepinge and preyeres, 270 A MARCHANT was ther with a forked herd, 0 beard Men moot0 yeve silver to the povre0 freres. may I poor In mottelee, 0 and hye 2 on horse he sat; figured cloth His tipet0 was ay farsed0 fol of knyves scarf I always stuffed Upon his heed a Flaundrish0 bever0 hat, Flemish I beaver fur And pinnes, for to yeven° faire wyves. give to His bootes clasped0 faire and fetisly. 0 tied I neatly

235 And certeinly he hadde a murye note;0 pleasant voice His resons0 he spak fol solempnely, 0 opinions I impressively

Wei coude he singe and pleyen on a rote;0 stringed instrument 275 Souninge0 alway th' encrees0 of his winning. 0 Proclaiming I increase I profit

Of yeddinges he bar outrely the prys. 4 He wolde the see were kept for any thing 3

His nekke whyt was as the flour-de-lys; 0 lily

5. Better than a leper or beggar woman. 9. A religious who knows only the enclosed life of 7. That gleamed like a furnace {a fire) under a I. Le., he gave them dowries out of his own funds, 6. It was not fitting, considering his position. the cloister. cauldron. verhaps after having first seduced them himself. 7. His profit from begging was much greater than I. He lisped a little, out of affectation. 8. One licensed to beg within a certain region or 2. With rich landholders everywhere in his region. "his regular income," or "the fee he paid for his 2. On a high saddle. limit. 3. Wherever he knew (that he could expect) to have exclusive begging rights." (Meaning uncertain.) 3. He wanted the sea to be guarded (against pirates) 9. The four orders of friars (Franciscan, Domini- a good gift in return. 8. And he knew how to play and Birt, as if he were at any cost. (His profits depended on it.) can, Carmelite, and Augustinian). 4. At narrative songs, he absolutely took the prize. a puppy.

' :j 1; ,/ I

10 GEOFFREY CHAUCER

Bitwixe Middelburgh0 and Orewelle. 0

Wei coude he in eschaunge0 sheeldes0 selle. This worthy man ful we! his wit bisette:0

2so Ther wiste no wight° that he was in dette, So estatly0 was he of his govemaunce, 0

With his bargaynes and with his chevisaunce. 0

For sothe he was a worthy man with alle, But sooth to seyn, I noot0 how men him calle.

285 A CLERK0 ther was of Oxenford0 also, That unto logik hadde longe y-go. 4

As leene0 was his hors as is a rake, And he nas0 nat right fat, I undertake, 0

But laked holwe, 0 and therto0 soberly. 290 Fu! thredbar was his overest courtepy, 0

For he hadde geten him 0 yet no benefyce, Ne was so worldly for to have offyce;0

For him was levere0 have at his beddes heed Twenty bakes, clad0 in blak or reed,

295 Of Aristotle and his philosophye, Than robes riche, or fithele, 0 or gay sautrye. 0

But al be that0 he was a philosophre, 5

Yet hadde he but lite! gold in cofre;0

But al that he mighte of his freendes hente, 0

300 On bakes and on leminge he it spente, And bisily gan for the soules preye 6

Of hem that yaf him wherwith 7 to scoleye. 0

Of studie took he most cure0 and most hede. 0

Noght 0° word spak he more than was nede, 305 And that was seyd in forme 0 and reverence, 0

And short and quik, and ful of hy sentence. 0

Souninge0 in moral vertu was his speche, And gladly wolde he leme, and gladly teche.

A SERGEANT OF THE LAWE, 0 war0 and wys, 310 That often hadde been at the Parvys, 8

Ther was also, ful riche of excellence. Discreet he was and of greet reverence:9

He semed swich, 0 his wordes weren so wyse. Justyce0 he was ful often in assyse, 0

315 By patente0 and by pleyn° commissioun; For his science0 and for his heigh renoun, Of fees and robes hadde he many oon. 0

4. Who had long since proceeded to (the study qf) 7. I.e., the means.

(in Holland) I (in England)

foreign exchange I French coins

used

· no person knew

dignified I conduct

(possibly illegal) lending

know not

student I Oxford

lean

was not I declare

hollow! also

outer short cloak

obtained for himself

secular ~mployment

he would rather

bound

fiddle I psaltery, harp

although

coffer

get

study

care I heed

Not one

properly I respectfully

serious meaning

Resounding

eminent lawyer I alert

such

fudge I local courts

letter of appointment I full

knowledge

a one

f logic in the university curriculum. · 5. With a pun on alchemist, another meaning of the word. .

8. The porch of St. Paul's Cathedral, a favorite gathering place for lawyers.

6. And busily did pray for the souls. 9. Worthy of great respect.


So greet a purchasour0 was nowher noon: 0

Al was fee simple to him in effect;1

320 His purchasing mighte nat been infect. 0

Nowher so bisy a man as he ther nas; And yet he semed bisier than he was. In termes hadde he caas and domes alle, 2

That from the tyme of King William 3 were falle. 0

325 Therto he coude endyte, 0 and make a thing;0

Ther coude no wight pinche at0 his wryting, And every statut coude0 he pleyn by rote. 0

He rood but hoomly0 in a medlee0 cote, Girt with a ceint0 of silk, with barres0 smale;

330 Of his array telle I no lenger tale. A FRANKELEYN° was in his companye.

Whyt was his herd as is the dayesye;0

Of his complexioun° he was sangwyn. 0

Wei loved he by the morwe a sop in wyn. 4

335 To liven in delyt was evere his wane, 0

For he was Epicurus 5 owene sane, That heeld opinioun that pleyn° delyt Was verray0 felicitee parfyt. 0

An housholdere, and that a greet, 0 was he; 340 Seint Julian 6 B.~ was in his contree. 0

His breed, his ale, was alweys after oon;0

A bettre envyned0 man was nowher noon. Withoute bake mete0 was nevere his hous, Of fish and flesh, 0 and that so plentevous0

345 It snewed0 in his hous of mete0 and drinke. Of alle deyntees0 that men coude thinke, After0 the sondry sesons of the yeer, So chaunged0 he his mete0 and his soper. Fu! many a fat partrich0 hadde he in mewe, 0

350 And many a breem0 and many a h.ice0 in stewe. 0

Wo 0 was his cook, but if0 his sauce were Poynaunt0 and sharp, and redy al his gere. 0

His table dormant 7 in his halle0 alway Stood redy covered0 al the longe day.

355 At sessiouns ther was he lord and sire;8

Fu] ofte tyme he.was knight of the shire. 9 •

the highest good.

11

speculator in land I none

in~alidated

had taken place

write I draw up papers

no one find fault with

knew I completely by heart

informally I figured

girdle I metal bars

wealthy landowner

daisy

temperament I sanguine

custom

complete

true I perfect

a great one

region

of uniform good quality

stocked with wine

meat pies

meat I plentiful

snowed I food

delicacies

According to

varied I dinner

partridge I coop

carp I pike I fishpond

(Made) sorry I unless

Pungent I utensils

main room

set

I. I.e., he always got unrestricted possession ("fee simple") of the property. 2. He knew the exact terms (details) of all the cases

6. The patron saint of hospitality.

and decisions. , 3. I.e., since the Norman Conquest (1066). 4. In the morning he dearly loved a sop (a piece of bread or cake) in wine. 5. A Greek philosopher who held that pleasure was

7. Most tables were made of boards laid on trestles and were taken down after each meal; this one seems to have been permanent. 8. I.e., he presided over meetings of local justices of the peace, when they gathered to hear cases. 9. Member of Parliament for his county.

12 GEOFFREY CHAUCER

An anlas0 and a gipser0 al of silk Heng0 at his girdel, whyt as morne0 milk. A shirreve0 hadde he been, and a countour;0

360 Was nowher such a worthy vavasour. 0

An HABERDASSHER and a CARPENTER, A WEBBE, 0 a DYERE, and a T APICER, 0

Were with us eek, clothed in o liveree0

Of a solempne0 and greet fraternitee. 0

365 Fu) fresh and newe hir gere0 apyked0 was; Hir knyves were chaped0 noght with bras, But al with silver; wroght ful clene and wee! Hire girdles0 and hire pouches0 everydeel. 0

Wei semed ech of hem a fair burgeys0

370 To sitten in a yeldhalle0 on a deys. 1

Everich, 0 for the wisdom that he can, 0

Was shaply0 for to been an alderman. For catel0 hadde they ynogh and rente, 0

And eek0 hir wyves wolde it wel assente;0

375 And elles0 certein were they to blame. 0

It is ful fair to been y-clept0 "Madame," 0

And goon to vigil yes al bifore, 2

And have a mantel royalliche y-bore. 0

A CooK they hadde with hem for the nones, 0

380 To boille the chiknes0 with the mary-bones0

And poudre-marchant tart and galingale. 3

Wei coude he knowe0 a draughte of London ale. He coude0 roste, and sethe, 0 and broille, and frye, Maken mortreux, 0 and wel bake a pye.

385 But greet harm 0 was it, as it thoughte0 me, That on his shine0 a mormal0 hadde he. For blankmanger, 4 that made he with the beste.

A SHIPMAN was ther, woninge fer by weste: 5

For aught I woot, 0 he was of Dertemouthe. 0

390 He rood upon a rouncy, as he couthe, 6

In a gowne of falding0 to the knee. A daggere hanginge on a laas0 hadde he Aboute his nekke, under his arm adoun. The hote somer0 hadde maad his hewe al broun;

395 And certeinly he was a good felawe. 0

Ful many a draughte of wyn had he y-drawe0

rice sauce.

dagger I purse

Hung I morning

sheriff I auditor

landholder

weaver I tapestry-maker

one livery (uniform)

distinguishecJ I (parish) guild

equipment I adorned

mounted

belts I purses I altogether

citizen, burgher

guildhall

Each one I knows

fit

property I income

also I assent to

otherwise I deserving of blame

called I "my lady"

royally carried

occasion

chickens I marrowbones

recognize.

knew how to I boil

stews

misfortune I seemed to

shin I ulcerous sore

know I Dartmouth (in Devon)

heavy wool

cord

summer

cheerful companion

drawn off

I. The dais (a raised platform) on which the mayor or alderman of a city sat. 2. And go to church vigils at the head of the proces- -sion.

5. There was a shipmaster, dwelling far off to the west.

3. Both are spices, one tart and one sweet. 4. An elaborate dish of chicken in a sweet milk-and-

6. He rode on a small sturdy horse, as (well as) he knew how. (A man more used to ships than horses.)

400

405

4IO

415

420

425

430

THE GENERAL PROLOGUE 13

Fro Burdeux-ward, why) that the chapman sleep. 7

Of nyce0 conscience took he no keep:0 scrupulous I heed

If that he faught, and hadde the hyer hond, 0 upper hand

By water he sente hem hoom 8 to every lond. But of his craft, to rekene wel his tydes, 9

His stremes0 and his daungers him bisydes, 0

,~ currents I close to him

His herberwe0 and his mone, 0 his lodemenage, 0 harbor I moon I pilotage

Ther nas noon swich0 from Hulle to Cartage. 1 such

Hardy he was, and wys to undertake;2

With many a tempest hadde his herd been shake. He knew wel alle the havenes, 0 as they were, harbors

From Gootlond to the cape of Finistere, 3

And every cryke0 in Britayne0 and in Spayne; creek I Brittany

His barge y-cleped0 was the Maudelayne. 0 called I Magdalen

With us ther was a DOCTOUR OF PHISYK;0 a physician

In al this world ne was ther noon him lyk To speke of phisik0 and of surgerye, In regard to medicine

For he was grounded in astronomye. 0 astrology

He kepte0 his pacient a ful greet dee! watched

In homes, by his magik nature!. 4

W el coude he fortunen the ascendent Of his images fo~ his pacient. 5

He knew the cause of everich maladye, Were it of hoot or cold, or. moiste, or drye, 6

And where engendred, 0 and of what hum our; originated

He was a verrey0 parfit practisour. 0 true I practitioner

The cause y-knowe, 0 and of his harm0 the roote, 0 known I malady I cause

Anon° he yaf0 the seke man his boote. 0 Quickly I gave I remedy

Ful redy hadde he his apothecaries, 7

To sende him drogges and his letuaries, 0 medicinal syrups

For ech of hem made other for to winne;0 · profit

Hir0 frendschipe nas nat newe to biginne. 0 Their I recently begun

Wei knew he the olde Esculapius, And Deiscorides, and eek Rufus, Old Ypocras, Haly, and Galien, Serapion, Razis, and Avicen, Averrois, Damascien, and Constantyn,

7. On the way from Bordeaux, while the (wine-) merchant slept.

his knowledge of natural magic (i.e., astrology).

8. I.e., drowned them. 9. But at his craft, in calculating well the tides. I. From Hull (in England) to Carthage (in northern Africa) or possibly Cartagena (in Spain). 2. Prudent in the risks he undertook. 3. From Galland (an island in the -Baltic Sea) lo Cape Finisterre (in Spain). 4. During those hours (best for treatment), through

5. He knew well how to determine the most favorable position of the stars for (making astrological) images for his patient. 6. The four fundamental qualities, which were thought to combine in pairs to form the four elements and the four humors (melancholia, cholera, phlegm, and blood); bodily health depended upon the existence of a proper equilibrium between them. 7. I.e., pharmacists.

I '

,, .I I,

" ,, 1: ,I

'I, ,I

:I.

:,· 11,

14 GEOFFREY CHAUCER

Bernard, and Gatesden, and Gilbertyn. 8

435 Of his diete mesurable0 was he, moderate.

For it was of no superfluitee, But of greet norissing0 and digestible. His studie was but lite! on the Bible. 9

. .'(~

nourishment

bloodred I blue In sangwin° and in pers0 he clad was al, 440 Lyned with taffata a~d with sendal ;1

And yet he was but·esy of dispence. 0

He kepte that he wan in pestilence, For gold in phisik is a cordial;2 Therefore he lovede gold in special. 0

slow to spend

particularly

from near Bath

somewhat I a pity.

such practiced skill

surpassed

A good WYF was ther of bisyde BA THE, 0

445 But she was somdel0 deef, and that was scathe. 0

Of clooth-making she hadde swiche an haunt, 0

She passed0 hem of Ypres and of Gaunt. 3

450

455

460

465

470

In al the parisshe wyf ne was ther noon That to the offringe0 bifore hir sholde goon;0

And if ther dide, certeyn so wrooth0 was she, That she was out of alle charitee. Hir coverchiefs0 ful fyne were of ground;0

I dorste0 swere they weyeden° ten pound That on a Sonday weren upon hir heed. Hir hosen° weren of fyn scarlet reed, Fu! streite y-teyd, 0 and shoos ful moiste0 and newe. Bold was hir face, and fair, and reed of hewe. 0

She was a worthy womman al hir lyve: Housbondes at chirche dote 4 she hadde fyve, Withouten° other companye in youtheBut therof nedeth nat to speke as nouthe0

- •

And thryes0 hadde she been at Jerusalem. She hadde passed many a straunge streem: 5

At Rome she hadde been, and at Boloigne, 0

In Galice at Seint Jame, and at Coloigne; 6

She coude0 muchel of wandringe by the weye. 0

· ·Gat-tothed0 was she, soothly for to seye. Upon an amblere0 esily0 she sat, Y-wimpled0 we!, and on hir heed an hat As brood as is a bokeler or a targe;7

offering in church I go

angry

kerchiefs I texture

would dare I weighed

hose

tightly tied I soft

hue

Not to mention

at present

thrice

Boulogne (France)

knew I along the road(s)

r Gap-toothed

saddle-horse I comfortably

Covered with a wimple·

8. A list of the best medical authorities, ancient and modern (e.g., John of Gaddesden, an Englishman, died ca. 1349).

3. Cloth-making in the Low Countries (here represented by Ypres and Ghent) was of high repute.

9. Doctors were often held to be skeptical in religious matters. I. With linings of taffeta and fine silk. 2. He kept what he had earned during time of plague, for gold in medicine is good for the heart .. (An ironic reference to aurum potabile, a liquid medicine compounded of gold and held to be a sovereign remedy for disease.)

4. The medieval marriage ceremony was customarily performed by the priest on the church porch. Afterward the company entered the church to hear Jhe nuptial mass. 5. She had crossed many a foreign river. 6. In Galicia (in Spain) at (the shrine of) St. James of Compostella, and at Cologne. 7. Both buckler and large are shields.


A foot-mantel 0 aboute hir hipes large, And on hir feet a paire of spores0 sharpe. In felawschipe.,wel coude she laughe and carpe. 0

475 Of remedye_~ oflove she kne'\'I'. per chaunce, 0

For she coude0 of that art the olde daunce. 0

A good _man_ was ther of religioun, And was a povre PERSOUN° of a toun, But riche he was of holy thoght and werk.

480 He was also a lerned man, a clerk, 0

That Cristes gospel trewely wolde preche; His parisshens0 devoutly wolde he teche. Benigne0 he was, and wonder0 diligent, And in adversitee ful pacient,

435 And swich he was y-preved ofte sythes. 8

Fu] looth0 were him to cursen° for his tithes, But rather wolde he yeven, 0 out of doute, 0

Unto his povre parisshens aboute Of0 his offring, and eek of his subsfaunce. 0

490 He coude in lit~] thing han suffisaunce. 9

Wyd was his parisshe, and houses fer asonder, But he ne lafte0 nat, for reyn ne0 thonder, In siknes nor in meschief, 0 to visyte The ferreste in his parisshe, muche and lyte, 1

495 Upon his feet, and in his hand a staf. This noble ensample0 to his sheep he yaf, 0

That first he wi:oghte, 0 and afterward he taughte. Out of the gospel he tho0 wordes caughte, 0

And this figure 0 he added eek therto, 500 That if gold ruste, what shal iren° do?

For if a preest be foul, 0 on whom we truste, No wonder is a lewed man to ruste;2

And shame it is, if a preest take keep, 0

A shiten 3 shepherde and a clene sheep. 505 Wei oghte a preest ensample for to yive, 0

By his clennesse, how that his sheep sholde live. He sette nat his benefice to hyre, 4

And leet0 his sheep encombred in the myre, And ran to London unto Seynte Poules0

510 To seken him a chaunterie for soules, Or with a bretherhed to been withholde, 5

15

outer skirt

spurs

talk

as it happened

knew I (steps of the) dance.

poor parson

scholar

parishioners

Kindly I very

loath I excommunicate

give I there is no doubt

From I income

ceased I nor

misfortune

example I gave

did (what was right)

those I took

metaphor, image

iron

corrupted

heed (it)

give

left

St. Paul's cathedral

8. And he was proved (lo be) such many times. his benefice (church appointment). 9. He knew how to have enough in ve<y little. I. The furthest (members) of his parish, great and humble. 2. It is no wonder that an unlearned· man (should go) to rust. 3. I.e., covered with excrement. 4. He did not hire out (i.e., engage a substitute for)

5. To seek for himself an appointment as a chant<ypriest singing masses for the souls of the dead, or to be retained (as a chaplain) by a guild. (Both sorts of position were relatively undemanding, and paid enough for such a priest to retain a curate at home and have money to spare.) · '

16 GEOFFREY CHAUCER

But dwelte at boom, and kepte0 we! his folde, So that the wolf ne made it nat miscarie;0

He was a shepherde and noght a mercenarie. 515 And though he holy were, and vertuous,

He was to sinful men nat despitous, 0

Ne of his speche daungerous ne digne, 0

But in his teching discreet and benigne. To drawen folk to heven by fairnesse,

520 By good ensample, this was his bisinesse;0

But it were0 any persone obstinat, What so0 he were, of heigh or lough estat, 0

Him wolde he snibben° sharply for the nones. 0

A bettre preest I trowe0 that nowher noon is. 525 He wayted after0 no pompe and reverence,

Ne maked him a spyced conscience, 6

But Cristes lore, 0 and his apostles twelve, He taughte, and first he folwed it himselve.

With him ther was a PLOWMAN, was his brother, 530 That hadde y-lad0 of dong0 fu] many a fother. 0

A trewe swinkere0 and a good was he, Livinge in pees0 and parfit charitee. God loved he best with al his hole0 herte At alle tymes, thogh him gamed or smerte, 7

535 And thanne his neighebour right as himselve. He wolde thresshe, and therto dyke0 and delve, 0

For Cristes sake, for every povre wight, 0

Withouten byre, 0 if it lay in his might. 0

His tythes0 payed he ful faire and we!, 540 Bothe of his propre swink0 and his ca tel. 0

In a tabard0 he rood upon a mere. 0

Ther was also a Reve0 and a Millere, A Somnour0 and a Pardoner also, A Maunciple, 0 and myself-ther were namo. 0

The MILLERE was a stout carl0 for the nones; 8

546 Fu! big he was of brawn, and eek of bonesThat proved we!, for over al ther he cam, At wrastling he wolde have alwey the ram. 9

He was short-sholdred, brood, a thikke knarre: 0

550 Ther nas no <lore that he nolde heve of harre, 1

Or breke it at a renning0 with his heed. His herd as any sowe or fox was reed,

took care of come to harm

scornflfl

haughty nor disdainful

endeavor

were there

Whatever I condition, class

rebuke I on such an occasion

believe

looked for

teaching

hauled I dung I cartload

worker

peace

whole

make ditches I dig

poor man

wages I power

tithes

own work I possessions

smock I mare

Reeve

Summoner

Manciple I no more

exceedingly strong man

knotty fellow

(by butting it)

6. Nor affected an overly scrupulous nature. 7. At all times, whether he was glad or in distress. 8. A tag-ending, useful to fill out the line metrically, but almost wholly devoid of meaning (cf. I. 523).

9. That (was) well proved, for everywhere he went, at wrestling contests he would always win the ram (a usual prize). I. There was no door he wasn't willing to heave off (its)hinges.


And therto brood, as though it were a spade. Upon the cop right0 of his nose he hade

555 A werte, 0 and theron stood a tuft of herys, Reed as the bristles of a sowes erys;0

His nosethirles0 blake were and wyde. A swerd and a bokeler0 bar he by his syde. His mouth as greet0 was as a greet forneys; 0

560 He was a janglere0 and a goliardeys, 0

And that was most of sinne and harlotryes. 0

Wei coude he stelen corn, and tollen thryes, 2

And yet he hadde a thombe of gold, pardee. 3

A whyt _cote and a blew hood wered0 he. 565 A baggepype we! coude he blowe and sowne, 0

And therwithal0 he broghte us out of towne. A gentil0 MAUNCIPLE was ther of a temple, 4

Of which0 achatours0 mighte take exemple For to be wyse in hying of vitaille, 0

570 For whether that he payde, or took by taille, 0

Algate he wayted so in his achat 5

That he was ay biforn° and in good stat. Now is nat that of God a ful fair grace, That swich a lewed0 mannes wit shal pace0

575 The wisdom of ar(heep oflerned men? Of maistres hadde he mo0 than thryes ten That weren of0 !awe expert and curious, 0

Of which0 ther were a .doseyn° in that hous Worthy to been stiwardes of rente0 and lond

580 Of ariy lord that is in Engelond, To make him live by his propre good 6

In honour, dettelees, 0 but0 he were wood, 0

Or live as scarsly as him list desire, 7

And 8 able for to helpen al a shire0

585 In any cas0 that mighte falle0 or happe; And yit this maunciple sette hir aller cappe. 0

The REVE was a sclendre colerik man. 9

His herd was shave as ny0 as ever he can; His heer was by his eres0 fu] round ycshorn;0

590 His top was dokked0 lyk a preest biforn. 0

6. Within his own income.

17

very top

wart

ears

nostrils

small shield

large I furnace

chatterer I_ teller of jests

vulgarities

wore

play

with it

worthy, proper

From whom I buyers

provisions

on account

always ahead

unlearned I surpas,"

more

in I skillful

Among whom I dozen

income

debtless I unless I mad

an entire county

eventuality I befall

made fools of them all

close

ears I cut off

cut short I in front

2. He knew well how to steal com and take his toll (his percentage for grinding it) three times over. 7. Or live as frugally as it pleases him to wish. 3. The proverb "An honest miller hath a golden thumb" implies there are no honest millers; 11pardee" is a weak form of "by God," perhaps best translated simply as "I swear." 4. A manciple was in charge of purchasing provisions for a college or (as_ here) for an inn of court, where law was studied. 5. He was always so watchful in his purchasing.

8. The subject is again the "doseyn" men of I. 578 worthy to be stewards. 9. A reeve was manager and accountant on an estate or manor and chosen from among the serfs. This one is choleric, i.e., dominated by the humor called choler (or yellow bile), and thus hot-tempered by nature.

, I

I I I

'' ''

I Ii, :, ,, I,

i ' I

18 GEOFFREY CHAUCER

Ful longe were his legges, and ful lene, Y-lyk0 a staf; ther was no calf y-sene. 0

Wei coude he kepe a gerner0 and a binneTher was noon auditour coude on him winne. 0

595 Wei wiste0 he by the droghte and by the reyn The yeldinge of his seed and of his greyn. His lordes sheep, his neet, 0 his dayerye, 0

His swyn, his hors, his stoor, 0 and his pultrye, 0

Was hoolly0 in this reves governinge, 600 And by his covenaunt0 yaf0 the rekeninge,

Sin that0 his lord was twenty yeer of age. Ther coude no man bringe him in arrerage. 0

Ther nas baillif, ne herde, ne other hyne, 1

605

610

615

That he ne knew his sleighte0 and his covyne;0

They were adrad 0 of him as of the deeth. 2

His woning0 was ful fair upon an heeth; With grene trees shadwed was his place. He coude bettre than his lord purchace. 3

Fu) riche he was astored prively;0

His lord wel coude he plesen subtilly, To yeve and Jene him of his owne good, And have a thank, and yet a cote and hood. 4

In youthe he hadde lerned a good mister:0

He was a wel good wrighte, 0 a carpenter. This reve sat upon a ful good stot0

That was al pomely0 grey and highte0 Scot. A long surcote0 of pers0 upon he hade, And by his syde he bar0 a rusty blade. Of Northfolk0 was this reve of which I tell,

620 Bisyde0 a toun men clepen° Baldeswelle. Tukked0 he was as is a frere0 aboute; And evere he rood the hindreste0 of oure route. 0

A SoMONOUR 5 was ther with us in that place, That hadde a fyr-reed cherubinnes face, 6

625 For sawcefleem0 he was, with eyen° narwe. As hoot0 he was and lecherous as a sparwe, 0

With scalled0 browes blake, and piled berd;0

Of his visage0 children were aferd. 0

Like I to be seen

granqry

catch him short

knew

cattle I dairy cows

livestock I poultry

wholly

contract I (he) gave

Since

arrears

cunning I deceit

afraid

dwelling

privately stocked

trade

craftsman

farm horse

dappled I named

outer coat I blue cloth

bore

. Norfolk

(From) near I call

Belted I friar

hindmost I company

pimpled I eyes

passionate I sparrow

scabby I scraggy beard

face I afraid

I. There was no overseer, nor herdsman, nor (any) other servant. 2. Death in general, or perhaps the Black Death (plague). 3. He knew, better than his lord, how to increase one's possessions.

5. A summoner w3s an officer who cited (usummoned") malefactors to appear before an ecclesiastical court: in this case, an archdeacon's, having jurisdiction over matrimonial cases, adultery, and fornication.

4. He knew well how to please his lord in sly ways, giving and lending to him from his (the lord's) own resources, and earn thanks (for it), and a coat and hood besides.

6. Cherubim, the second order of angels, were sometimes painted brilliant red ("fire-red") in medieval art. The summoner resembles them, not through beatitude, but through a skin disease.


Ther nas quik-silver, litarge, 0 ne brimstoon,

630 Boras, 0 ceruce, 0 ne oille0 of tartre noon, Ne oynement that wolde dense and byte, 0

That him mighte helpen of0 his whelkes0 whyte, Nor of the knobbes0 sittinge on his chekes. Wei loved he garleek, oynons, and eek lekes, 0

635 And for to drinken strong wyn, reed as blood. Thanne wolde he speke, and crye0 as0 he .were wood;0

And whan that he we! dronken hadde the wyn, Thanne wolde he speke no word but Latyn. 0

A fewe termes0 hadde he, two or three, 640 That he had lerned out of som decree

No wonder is, 0 he herde it al the day; And eek ye knowen we!, how that a jay0

Can clepen "Watte" as well as can the Pope. 7

But whoso coude in other thing him grope, 0

64, Thanne hadde he spent0 al his philosophye; Ay "Questio quid iuris" wolde he crye. 8

He was a gentil0 harlot0 and a kinde;0

A bettre felawe0 sholde men noght finde: He wolde suffre, 0 for a quart of wyn,

650 A good felawe to have his concubyn AO twelf-montH;' and excuse him atte fulle; 0

Fu! prively a finch eek coude he pulle. 9

And if he fond0 owher0 a good felawe, He wolde techen him to have non awe0

6,5 In swich cas of the erchedeknes curs, 1

But-if0 a mannes soule were in his purs, For in his purs he sholde y-punisshed be . "Purs is the erchedeknes helle," seyde he. But we! I woot0 he lyed right in dede:

660 Of cursing oghte ech gilty man him dredeFor curs wol slee, right as assoilling savethAnd also war him of a significavit. 2

In daunger0 hadde he at0 his owene gyse0

The yonge girles0 of the diocyse,

19

lead oxide

Borax I white lead I cream

sting

cure I pimples

lumps

leeks

shout I as if I mad

(in) Latin

technical phrases

it is

a cha tiering bird

question

exhausted

worthy I rascal I natural one

companion

allow

(For) a /fully

found I anywhere

fear

Unless

know

his power I in I way

wenches

665 And knew hir counseil, 0 and was al hir reed. 0

A gerland0 hadde he set upon his heed, their secrets I adviser to them all

As greet as it were for an ale-stake;0

A bokeler0 hadde.he maad him of a cake. 0

garland

tavern sign

shield I round bread

7. Knows how to say "Walter" as well as does the Pope. 8. He would always cry "The question is what point of law applies?" 9. He was skilled in secretly seducing girls. ("To pull a finch," i.e., to pluck a bird, was an obscene expression.)

I. Curse, the power of excommunication. 2. Every guilty man ought to be fearful of excommunication, for it will slay (the soul eternally), just as absolution (the forgiveness granted through the sacrament of penance) saves-and (he ought) also beware a signi/icavit (a writ of arrest).

I,

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20 GEOFFREY CHAUCER

With him ther rood a gentil PARDONER 3

670 Of Rouncival, 4 his freend and his compeer, 0

That streight was comen fro the court of Rome. Fu] loude he song, 0 "Com hider, 0 love, to me." This somnour bar to0 him a stif burdoun, 0

Was nevere trompe0 of half so greet a soun. 0

675 This pardoner hadde heer0 as yelow ;,is wex, 0

But smothe it heng, 0 as dooth a strike of flex; 0

By ounces0 henge his lokkes that he hadde, And therwith0 he his shuldres overspradde;0

But thinne it lay, by colpons0 oon and oon; 680 But hood, for jolitee, 0 wered0 he noon,

For it was trussed 0 up in his walet. 0

Him thoughte he rood al of the newe jet; Dischevele, save his cappe, he rood al bare. 5

Swiche glaringe eyen° hadde he as an hare. 685 A vernicle 6 hadde he sowed on his cappe.

His walet lay bifom0 him in his lappe, Bretful of pardoun comen from Rome al hoot. 7

A voys he hadde as smal as hath a goot. 0

No herd hadde he, ne nevere sholde have, 690 As smothe it was as it were late shave:0

I trowe0 he were a gelding or a mare. But of his craft, fro Berwik into Ware, 8

Ne was ther swich another pardoner. For in his male0 he hadde a pilwe-beer, 0

695 Which that he seyde was Oure Lady veyl. 0

He seyde he hadde a gobet0 of the sey]0

That seynt Peter hadde, whan that he wente0

Upon the see, ti] Jesu Crist him hente. 0

He hadde a croys0 of latoun, 0 ful of stones, 0

100 And in a glas0 he hadde pigges bones. But with thise relikes, 0 whan that he fond A povre person dwellinge upon lond, 9

Upon a0 day he gat him more moneye Than that the person gat in monthes tweye. 0

705 And thus, with feyned flaterye and japes, 0

He made the person and the peple his apes. 0

But trewely to tellen, atte laste, 0

for his cap.,

companion

sang I hither

accompanied I sturdy bass

trumpet I sound

hair/ wax

hung I bunch of flax

In thin strands

with it I covered

in small bunches

sportiveness I wore

packed I pouch

staring eyes

in front of

goat

recently shaved

believe

bag I pillowcase

Our Lady's veil

piece I sail

walked

took hold of

cross I metal I gems

glass container

relics

In one

two

tricks

fools

after all

3. A pardoner was a seller of papal i~dulgences (remissions of punishment for sin), whose proceeds were often intended to build or support a religious house. Many pardoners were fraudulent, and their abuses were much criticized.

6. A copy of the veil St. Veronica gave to Christ when He was carrying the cross, that He might wipe His brow; it received the imprint of Christ's face.

4. Near Charing Cross in London. 5. It seemed to him he rode in the ve,y latest fashion; (his hair) loose, he rode bareheaded except

7. Brimful of pardons, come all hot (fresh) from Rome. 8. I.e., from north to south. 9. A poor parson living in the country.


He was in chirche a noble ecclesiaste. 0

Wei coude he rede a lessoun or a storie, 0

710 But alderbest0 he song0 an offertorie; For we! he wiste, 0 whan that song was songe, He moste preche, and we! affyle0 his tonge To winne silver, as he ful we! coudeTherefore he song the murierly0 and loude.

715 Now have I told you soothly, in a clause, 0

Th'estaat, th'array, the nombre, and eek the cause Why that assembled was this compaignye In Southwerk, at this gentil0 hostelrye, That highte0 the Tabard, faste 0 by the Belle. 0

720 But now is tyme to yow for to telle How that we baren us0 that ilke0 night, Whan we were in that hostelrye alight;0

And after wol I telle of our viage, 0

And al the remenaunt0 of oure pilgrimage. m But first I pray yow, of youre curteisye,

That ye n'arette it nat my vileinye, 1

Thogh that0 I pleynly speke in this matere, To tell yow hir0 wordes and'hir chere, 0

Ne thogh I speke hir wordes properly. 0

730 For this ye knoWen al so we! as I: Whoso shal telle a tale after a man, 2

He moot reherce0 as ny0 as evere he can Everich a word, if it be in his charge, Al speke he never so rudeliche and large; 3

735 Or elles0 he moot0 telle his tale untrewe, Or feyne thing, 0 or finde wordes newe. He may nat spare, althogh he 4 were his brother; He moot0 as we! seye o0 word as another. Crist spak himself ful brode0 in Holy Writ,

740 And we! ye woot, 0 no vileinye0 is it. Eek Plato seith, whoso can him rede, The wordes mote be cosin° to the dede. Also I prey yow to foryeve 0 it me, AI have I nat set folk in hir degree 5

745 Here in this tale, as that they sholde stonde; My wit is short, ye may we! understonde.

Greet chere made oure Hoste us everichon, 6

And to the soper sette he us anon;0

21

preacher

religious tale

best of all I sang

knew

make smooth

more merrily

briefly

worthy

was called I close I Bell Inn

conducted ourselves I same

alighted

ioumey

remainder

Even though

their I behavior

· exactly

must repeat I closely

else I must

invent something

must I one

broadly

know I churlishness

cousin

forgive

immediately

1. That you do not attribute it to my churlishness. 4. I.e., the original teller. 2. I.e., repeals another man's sto,y. 3. Each and eve,y word, if that be the responsibility he's charged with, however roughly and broadly he (may) speak.

5. Although I haven't described (these) people in (the order of) their social rank. 6. Our host made great welcome to eve,y one of us.

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L.L. GEOFFREY l.,HAUCER

He served us with vitaille0 at the beste. 750 Strong was the wyn, and we! to drinke us leste. 0

A semely0 man oure haste was withalle For to been a marshal in an halle;7

victuals

it pleased us

suitable

A large man he was with eyen stepe0-A fairer burgeys0 was ther noon in Chepe. 0

protruding eyes

citizen I Cheapside (in London)

m Bold of his speche, and wys, and we! y-taught, And of manhod him lakkede0 right naught. Eek therto he was right0 a mery man, And after soper pleyen° he bigan, And spak of mirthe amonges othere thinges-

760 Whan that we hadde maad oure rekeninges0-

And seyde thus: "Now, lordinges, trewely, Ye been° to me right welcome hertely. 0

For by my trouthe, if that I shal nat lye, I saugh nat this yeer so mery a compaignye

765 Atones0 in this herberwe0 as is now. Fayn wolde I doon yow mirthe, wiste I how, And of a mirthe I am right now bithoght, 8

To doon yow ese, 0 and it shal caste noght. Ye goon° to Caunterbury-God yow spede;

770 The blisful martir quyte0 yow your mede. 0

And we! I woot, as ye goon by the weye, Ye shapen yow to talen and to pleye; 9

For trewely, confort0 ne mirthe is noon° To ryde by the weye doumb as a stoon;

m And therfore wol I maken yow disport, 0

As I seyde erst, 0 and doon yow som confort. And if yow lyketh0 alle, by oon° assent, Now for to stonden at0 my jugement, And for to werken° as I shal yow seye,

780 To-morwe, whan ye ryden by the weyeNow by my fader0 soule that is deed-But0 ye be merye, I wol yeve0 yow myn heed. 0

Hold up youre hondes, withouten more speche." Oure counseil0 was nat longe for to seche;0

785 Us thoughte it was noght worth to make it'wys, 1

And graunted him withouten more avys, 0

And bad him seye his voirdit0 as him leste. 0

"Lordinges," quod 0 he, "now herkneth0 for the beste, But tak it nought, I prey yow, in desdeyn. 0

790 This is the poynt, to speken short and pleyn:

fun.

he lacked

truly

to jest

paid our bills

are I heartily

At one time I inn

give you pleasure

are going

pay I reward

pleasure I (there) is none

amusemen!

before

it pleases you I one·

abide by

do

" father's

Unless I give I head

de~ision I seek

further consideration

verdict I it pleased him

said I listen

disdain

7. I.e., the officer in charge of the serving of meals and banquets in a great hall. 9. You plan to tell tales and to play. 8. I would gladly make you (some) amusement, if I knew how, and I have just now thought of some

I. It seemed to us (that) it was not worth pondering over .


That ech of yow, to shorte with0 oure weye, In this viage0 shal telle tales tweye,

0

To Caunterbury-ward, 0 I mene0 it so, And homward he shal tellen othere two, Of aventures that whylom0 han bifalle. 795 And which0 of yow that bereth0 him best of alle, That is to seyn, that telleth in this cas0

Tales of best sentence0 and most solas, 0

Shal have a soper at oure aller cost0

800 Here in this place, sittinge by this post, 0

Whan that we come agayn fro Caunterbury. And for to make yow the more mery, 0

I wol myselven goodly0 with yow ryde, Right at myn owne cost, and be youre gyde.

805 And whoso wale my jugement withseye0

Shal paye al that we spenden by the weye. And if ye vouchesauf0 that it be so,

810

Tel me anon, 0 withouten wordes mo, 0

And I wol erly shape me0 therfore." This thing was graunted, and oure othes0 swore0

With ful glad herte, and preyden° him also That he wolde vouchesauf for0 to do so, And that he w~'lde been oure govemour And of oure tales juge and reportour, 0

815 And sette a soper at a certeyn prys;0

And we wol reuled been at his devys0

In heigh and lowe;0 and thus, by oon assent, We been acorded to his jugement. And therupon the wyn was fet0 anon;0

820 We dronken, and to reste wente echon, 0

Withouten any lenger taryinge. Amorwe, 0 whan that day bigan to Springe,

Up roos oure Host and was oure aller cok, 2.

And gadrede0 us togidre, 0 alle in a flak; 825 And forth we riden, 0 a0 lite! more than pas, 0

Unto. the watering of Seint Thomas, 3

And there oure Host bigan his hors areste, 0

And seyde, "Lordinges, herkneth, if yow leste. 0

Ye woot0 youre forward, 0 and I it yow recorde. 0

830 If even-song and morwe-song0 acorde, Lat se0 now who shal telle the firste tale. As evere mote0 I drinke wyn or ale, Whoso be rebel to my jugement

2. The rooster who wakened us all.

23

with which to shorten

journey I two

toward Canterbury I intend

once upon a time

whichever I conducts

on this occasion

wisdom, instruction I delight

the expense of us all

column

merry

· gladly

oppose

grant

immediately I more

prepare myself

oaths I sworn

we begged

grant

referee(?)

price

desire, will

In all respects

fetched I at once

each one

In the morning

gathered I together

rode I at a I walking speed

stopped his horse

. it may please

know I agreement I recall

morning-song

Let us see

may

3. St. Thomas a Watering was a brook two miles from London on the Canterbury road.

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24 GEOFFREY CHAUCER

Sha) paye for al that by the weye is spent. m Now draweth cut, 0 er that we ferrer twinne;0

He which that hath the shortest shal biginne. Sire Knight," quod he, "my maister and my lord, Now draweth cut, for that is myn acord. 0

Cometh neer,"0 quod he, "my lady Prioresse; HO And ye, sire Clerk, lat be0 youre shamfastnesse, 0

Ne studieth0 noght. Ley hond to, every man!" Anon° to drawen every wight0 bigan, And shortly for to tellen as it was, • Were it by aventure, 0 or sort, 0 or cas, 0

145 The sothe0 is this, the cut fil0 to the Knight, Of which ful blythe and glad was every wight; And telle he moste0 his tale as was resoun ° By forward 0 and by composicioun, 0

'

As ye han herd. What nedeth wordes mo?0

;so And whan this gode man saugh it was so, As he that wys was and obedient To kepe his forward by his free assent, He seyde: "Sin° I shal biginne the game, What, 0 welcome be the cut, a Goddes0 name!

.55 Now lat us ryde, and herkneth what I seye." And with that word we riden° forth oure weye; And he bigan with right a mery chere 4

His tale anon, and seyde as ye may heere.

The Knight's Tale

PART ONE

Whylom, 0 as olde stories tellen us, Ther was a duk that highte0 Theseus; Of Athenes he was lord and govemour, And in his tyme swich0 a conquerour,

5 That gretter was ther noon under the sonne. Ful many a riche contree hadde he wonne· What with his wisdom and his chivalrye, 0

'

He conquered al the regne0 of Femenye, 1

That whylom was y-cleped0 Scithia, 10 And weddede the quene lpolita, 0

And broghte hire hoom with him in his contree With muchel glorie and greet solempnitee, 0

And eek hire yonge suster Emelye.

lots, cut straws I go farther

decision

nearer

leave off I shyness

deliberate

At once I person

chance I fate I fortune

truth I fell

must I right

agreement I arrangement

more

Since

Why /'in God's

rode

Once, formerly

was called

such

knightly prowess

kingdom, realm

called

Hippolyta

pomp, ceremony

4. In a very merry mood. I. The country of the Amazons.

THE KNIGHT"S lALE

And thus with victorie and with melodye

15 Lete I this noble duk to Athenes ryde, And al his hoost, in armes, him bisyde.

And certes, 0 if it nere0 to long to here, I wolde have told yow fully the manere How wonnen was the regne of Femenye

20 By Theseus, and by his chivalrye;0

And of the grete bataille for the nones0

Bitwixen Athenes and Amazones; And how asseged0 was Ipolita, The faire hardy quene of Scithia;

25 And of the feste that was at hir0 weddinge, And of the tempest at hir hoomcominge; But al that thing I moot0 as now0 forbere. I have, God woot, 0 a large feeld to ere, 0

And wayke0 been the oxen in my plough. 30 The remenant of the tale is long ynough.

I wol nat letten° eek noon of this route;0

Lat every felawe telle his-tale aboute, 0

And lat see now who shal the soper winne; And ther0 I lefte, I wol ageyn biginne.

35 This duk, of whom I make mencioun, When he was come almost unto the toun, In al his wele0 and in his moste pryde, He was war, 0 as he caste his eye asyde, Where that ther kneled in the hye weye

40 A companye of ladies, tweye and tweye, 0

Ech after other, clad in clothes blake; But swich a .cry and swich a wo they make, That in this world nis0 creature livinge, That herde swich another weymentinge;0

45 And ·of this cry they nolde0 nevere stenten, 0

Ti] they the reynes of his brydel hen ten. 0

"What folk hen ye, that at myn hoomcominge Perturben so my feste with cryinge?" Quod Theseus. "Have ye so greet envye

50 Of myn honour, that0 thus compleyne and crye? Or who hath yow misboden° or offended? And telleth me if it may been amended, And why that ye hen clothed thus in blak."

The eldeste lady of hem alle spak, 55 When she hadde swowned0 with a deedly chere0

That it was routhe0 for to seen and here. She seyde: "Lord, to whom Fortune hath yiven° Victorie, and as a conquerour to liven, Noght greveth us0 youre glorie and youre honour;

L.)

certainly I were not

host of knights

occasion, purpose

besieged

their

must I at this time

knows I harrow, plough

weak

hinder I company

in tum

. where

success, happiness

aware

two by two

(there) is not

lamenting

would not I cease

seized

that ye

insulted, harmed

fainted I deathly appearance

a pity

given

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