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"Whoa!" said the Knight, "good sire, no more of this!
2768 That ye han seyd is right ynough, ywis,
What you have said is quite enough, indeed,
2769 And muchel moore; for litel hevynesse
And much more; for a little sadness
2770 Is right ynough to muche folk, I gesse.
Is quite enough for many people, I guess.
2771 I seye for me, it is a greet disese,
I say for myself, it is a great distress,
2772 Whereas men han been in greet welthe and ese,
When men have been in great wealth and ease,
2773 To heeren of hire sodeyn fal, allas!
To hear of their sudden fall, alas!
2774 And the contrarie is joye and greet solas,
And the contrary is joy and great comfort,
2775 As whan a man hath been in povre estaat,
As when a man has been in a poor condition,
2776 And clymbeth up and wexeth fortunat,
And climbs up and becomes fortunate,
2777 And there abideth in prosperitee.
And there remains in prosperity.
2778 Swich thyng is gladsom, as it thynketh me,
Such a thing is pleasing, as it seems to me,
2779 And of swich thyng were goodly for to telle."
And of such a thing it would be good to tell."
2780 "Ye," quod oure Hooste, "by Seint Poules belle!
"Yea," said our Host, "by Saint Paul's bell! [1]
![[1]](files/St-Paul-cathedral.jpg){kind=link}
2781 Ye seye right sooth; this Monk he clappeth lowde.
You say the very truth; this Monk he chatters noisily [2].
2782 He spak how Fortune covered with a clowde
He spoke [3] of how Fortune [4] covered with a cloud
![[4]](files/lady-fortune.jpg){kind=link}
2783 I noot nevere what; and als of a tragedie
I know not what; and also of a tragedy
2784 Right now ye herde, and pardee, no remedie
Just now you heard, and by God, no remedy
2785 It is for to biwaille ne compleyne
Is it to bewail or lament
2786 That that is doon, and als it is a peyne,
That which is done, and also it is a pain,
2787 As ye han seyd, to heere of hevynesse.
As you have said, to hear of sadness.
2788 "Sire Monk, namoore of this, so God yow blesse!
"Sir Monk, no more of this, as God may you bless!
2789 Youre tale anoyeth al this compaignye.
Your tale annoys all this company.
2790 Swich talkyng is nat worth a boterflye,
Such talking is not worth a butterfly,
2791 For therinne is ther no desport ne game.
For in it there is no pleasure nor amusement.
Quick check 1 Focus question 1 vocabulary list
2792 Wherfore, sire Monk, daun Piers by youre name,
Therefore, Sir Monk, dan Piers [5] by your name,
2793 I pray yow hertely telle us somwhat elles;
I pray you earnestly tell us something else;
2794 For sikerly, nere clynkyng of youre belles
For truly, were it not for the clinking of your bells
2795 That on youre bridel hange on every syde,
That on your bridle [6] hang on every side,
2796 By hevene kyng that for us alle dyde,
By heaven's King who for us all died [7],
2797 I sholde er this han fallen doun for sleep,
I should before this have fallen down because of sleepiness,
2798 Althogh the slough had never been so deep;
Although the mud had never been so deep;
2799 Thanne hadde your tale al be toold in veyn.
Then had your tale been told all in vain.
2800 For certeinly, as that thise clerkes seyn,
For certainly, as these clerks [8] say,
2801 Whereas a man may have noon audience,
Where a man may have no hearers,
2802 Noght helpeth it to tellen his sentence.
It is no use to tell his opinion.
2803 "And wel I woot the substance is in me,
"And well I know the capacity of appreciation is in me,
2804 If any thyng shal wel reported be.
If any thing shall be well told.
2805 Sir, sey somwhat of huntyng, I yow preye."
Sir, say something about hunting, I you pray."
2806 "Nay," quod this Monk, "I have no lust to pleye.
"Nay," said this Monk, "I have no desire to play.
2807 Now lat another telle, as I have toold."
Now let another tell, as I have told."
2808 Thanne spak oure Hoost with rude speche and boold,
Then spoke our Host with rude speech and bold,
2809 And seyde unto the Nonnes Preest anon,
And said unto the Nun's Priest straightway,
2810 "Com neer, thou preest, com hyder, thou sir John!
"Come near, thou priest, come hither, thou sir John!
2811 Telle us swich thyng as may oure hertes glade.
Tell us such thing as may our hearts gladden.
2812 Be blithe, though thou ryde upon a jade.
Be happy, though thou ride upon a nag.
2813 What thogh thyn hors be bothe foul and lene?
What if thy horse be both poor and lean?
2814 If he wol serve thee, rekke nat a bene.
If he will serve thee, care not a bean.
2815 Looke that thyn herte be murie everemo."
See that thy heart be merry evermore."
2816 "Yis, sir," quod he, "yis, Hoost, so moot I go,
"Yes indeed, sir," said he, "yes indeed, Host, as I may I prosper,
2817 But I be myrie, ywis I wol be blamed."
Unless I be merry, indeed I will be blamed."
2818 And right anon his tale he hath attamed,
And right away his tale he has begun,
2819 And thus he seyde unto us everichon,
And thus he said unto us every one,
2820 This sweete preest, this goodly man sir John.
This sweet priest, this goodly man sir John.
The Nun's Priest's Tale. [9] Heere bigynneth the Nonnes Preestes Tale of the Cok and Hen,
Chauntecleer and Pertelote
2821 A povre wydwe, somdeel stape in age,
A poor widow, somewhat advanced in age,
2822 Was whilom dwellyng in a narwe cotage,
Was once dwelling in a small cottage,
2823 Biside a grove, stondynge in a dale.
Beside a grove, standing in a dale.
2824 This wydwe, of which I telle yow my tale,
This widow, of whom I tell you my tale,
2825 Syn thilke day that she was last a wyf
Since that same day that she was last a wife
2826 In pacience ladde a ful symple lyf,
In patience led a very simple life,
2827 For litel was hir catel and hir rente.
For little was her possessions and her income.
2828 By housbondrie of swich as God hire sente
By husbandry of such as God sent her
2829 She foond hirself and eek hir doghtren two.
She provided for herself and also her two daughters.
2830 Thre large sowes hadde she, and namo,
She had three large sows, and no more,
2831 Three keen, and eek a sheep that highte Malle.
Three cows, and also a sheep that is called Malle.
2832 Ful sooty was hire bour and eek hir halle,
Full sooty was her bedchamber and also her hall,
2833 In which she eet ful many a sklendre meel.
In which she ate very many a scanty meal.
2834 Of poynaunt sauce hir neded never a deel.
She needed not a bit of spicy sauce.
2835 No deyntee morsel passed thurgh hir throte;
No dainty morsel passed through her throat;
2836 Hir diete was accordant to hir cote.
Her diet was such as her farm produced.
2837 Repleccioun ne made hire nevere sik;
Overeating never made her sick;
2838 Attempree diete was al hir phisik,
Moderate diet was all her medical treatment,
2839 And exercise, and hertes suffisaunce.
And exercise, and a contented heart.
2840 The goute lette hire nothyng for to daunce,
The gout [10] not at all prevented her from dancing,
2841 N' apoplexie shente nat hir heed.
And apoplexy [11] harmed not her head.
2842 No wyn ne drank she, neither whit ne reed;
No wine she drank, neither white nor red;
2843 Hir bord was served moost with whit and blak --
Her board was provided mostly with white and black --
2844 Milk and broun breed, in which she foond no lak,
Milk and dark bread, in which she found no lack,
2845 Seynd bacoun, and somtyme an ey or tweye,
Broiled bacon, and sometimes an egg or two,
2846 For she was, as it were, a maner deye.
For she was, as it were, a sort of dairywoman.
Quick check 3 Focus question 6 Focus question 7 Vocabulary list
2847 A yeerd she hadde, enclosed al aboute
She had a yard, enclosed all around
2848 With stikkes, and a drye dych withoute,
With sticks, and a dry ditch outside it,
2849 In which she hadde a cok, hight Chauntecleer.
In which she had a cock, called Chauntecleer.
2850 In al the land, of crowyng nas his peer.
In all the land, there was not his peer in crowing.
2851 His voys was murier than the murie orgon
His voice was merrier than the merry organ
2852 On messe-dayes that in the chirche gon.
That goes in the church on mass-days.
2853 Wel sikerer was his crowyng in his logge
Well, more accurate was his crowing in his lodge
2854 Than is a clokke or an abbey orlogge.
Than is a clock or an abbey timepiece.
2855 By nature he knew ech ascencioun
By nature he knew (the hour of) each ascension
2856 Of the equynoxial in thilke toun;
Of the celestial equator in that same town; [12]
2857 For whan degrees fiftene weren ascended,
For when degrees fifteen were ascended,
2858 Thanne crew he that it myghte nat been amended.
Then he crowed so that it could not be improved.
2859 His coomb was redder than the fyn coral,
His comb was redder than the fine coral,
2860 And batailled as it were a castel wal;
And notched with battlements as if it were a castle wall;
2861 His byle was blak, and as the jeet it shoon;
His beak was black, and it shone like the jet stone;
2862 Lyk asure were his legges and his toon;
Like lapis lazuli were his legs and his toes;
2863 His nayles whitter than the lylye flour,
His nails whiter than the lily flower,
2864 And lyk the burned gold was his colour.
And like the burnished gold was his color.
2865 This gentil cok hadde in his governaunce
This gentle [13] cock had in his governance
2866 Sevene hennes for to doon al his plesaunce,
Seven hens to do all his pleasure,
2867 Whiche were his sustres and his paramours,
Which were his sisters and his concubines,
2868 And wonder lyk to hym, as of colours;
And wonderfully like him, in their colors;
2869 Of whiche the faireste hewed on hir throte
Of which the fairest colored on her throat
2870 Was cleped faire damoysele Pertelote.
Was called fair demoiselle Pertelote.
2871 Curteys she was, discreet, and debonaire,
Courteous she was, discreet, and gracious,
2872 And compaignable, and bar hyrself so faire
And companionable, and bore herself so fair
2873 Syn thilke day that she was seven nyght oold
Since that same day that she was seven nights old
2874 That trewely she hath the herte in hoold
That truly she has in possession the heart
2875 Of Chauntecleer, loken in every lith;
Of Chauntecleer, locked in her every limb (completely);
2876 He loved hire so that wel was hym therwith.
He loved her so that he was happy because of that.
2877 But swich a joye was it to here hem synge,
But such a joy it was to hear them sing,
2878 Whan that the brighte sonne gan to sprynge,
When the bright sun began to spring,
2879 In sweete accord, "My lief is faren in londe!" --
In sweet harmony, "My love has gone to the country!" [14]
2880 For thilke tyme, as I have understonde,
For in that same time, as I have understood,
2881 Beestes and briddes koude speke and synge.
Beasts and birds could speak and sing [15].
2882 And so bifel that in a dawenynge,
And so befell that in a dawning,
2883 As Chauntecleer among his wyves alle
As Chauntecleer among all his wives
2884 Sat on his perche, that was in the halle,
Sat on his perch, that was in the hall,
2885 And next hym sat this faire Pertelote,
And next to him sat this fair Pertelote,
2886 This Chauntecleer gan gronen in his throte,
This Chauntecleer began to groan in his throat,
2887 As man that in his dreem is drecched soore.
As one that in his dream is deeply troubled.
2888 And whan that Pertelote thus herde hym roore,
And when Pertelote thus heard him roar,
2889 She was agast and seyde, "Herte deere,
She was aghast and said, "Dear heart,
2890 What eyleth yow, to grone in this manere?
What ails you, to groan in this manner?
2891 Ye been a verray sleper; fy, for shame!"
You are a true (sound) sleeper; fie, for shame!"
2892 And he answerde, and seyde thus: "Madame,
And he answered, and said thus: "Madame,
2893 I pray yow that ye take it nat agrief.
I pray you that you take it not amiss.
2894 By God, me mette I was in swich meschief
By God, I dreamed I was in such mischief
2895 Right now that yet myn herte is soore afright.
Right now that yet my heart is grievously frightened.
2896 Now God," quod he, "my swevene recche aright,
Now God," said he, "interpret my dream correctly [16],
2897 And kepe my body out of foul prisoun!
And keep my body out of foul prison!
2898 Me mette how that I romed up and doun
I dreamed how I roamed up and down
2899 Withinne our yeerd, wheer as I saugh a beest
Within our yard, where I saw a beast
2900 Was lyk an hound, and wolde han maad areest
Was like a hound, and would have seized
2901 Upon my body, and wolde han had me deed.
Upon my body, and would have had me dead.
2902 His colour was bitwixe yelow and reed,
His color was between yellow and red,
2903 And tipped was his tayl and bothe his eeris
And tipped was his tail and both his ears
2904 With blak, unlyk the remenant of his heeris;
With black, unlike the rest of his hair;
2905 His snowte smal, with glowynge eyen tweye.
His snout small, with two glowing eyes.
2906 Yet of his look for feere almoost I deye;
Yet for fear of his look I almost die;
2907 This caused me my gronyng, doutelees."
This caused my groaning, doubtless."
2908 "Avoy!" quod she, "fy on yow, hertelees!
"Shame!" said she, "fie on you, coward!
2909 Allas," quod she, "for, by that God above,
Alas," said she, "for, by that God above,
2910 Now han ye lost myn herte and al my love!
Now have you lost my heart and all my love!
2911 I kan nat love a coward, by my feith!
I can not love a coward, by my faith!
2912 For certes, what so any womman seith,
For certainly, whatever any woman says,
2913 We alle desiren, if it myghte bee,
We all desire, if it might be,
2914 To han housbondes hardy, wise, and free,
To have husbands hardy, wise, and generous,
2915 And secree -- and no nygard, ne no fool,
And secret -- and no miser, nor no fool,
2916 Ne hym that is agast of every tool,
Nor him who is afraid of every weapon,
2917 Ne noon avauntour, by that God above!
Nor any boaster [17], by that God above!
2918 How dorste ye seyn, for shame, unto youre love
How dare you say, for shame, unto your love
2919 That any thyng myghte make yow aferd?
That any thing might make you afraid?
2920 Have ye no mannes herte, and han a berd?
Have you no man's heart, and have a beard?
2921 Allas! And konne ye been agast of swevenys?
Alas! And can you be frightened of dreams?
2922 Nothyng, God woot, but vanitee in sweven is.
Nothing, God knows, but foolishness is in dreams.
2923 Swevenes engendren of replecciouns,
Dreams are produced by overeating,
2924 And ofte of fume and of complecciouns,
And often by stomach vapors [18] and by the mixture of bodily humors,
2925 Whan humours been to habundant in a wight.
When humors are too abundant in a person.
2926 Certes this dreem, which ye han met to-nyght,
Certainly this dream, which you have dreamed to-night,
2927 Cometh of the greete superfluytee
Comes of the great superfluity
2928 Of youre rede colera, pardee,
Of your red choleric humor [19], indeed,
2929 Which causeth folk to dreden in hir dremes
Which causes folk in their dreams to be afraid
2930 Of arwes, and of fyr with rede lemes,
Of arrows, and of fire with red flames,
2931 Of rede beestes, that they wol hem byte,
Of red beasts, (fearing) that they will bite them,
2932 Of contek, and of whelpes, grete and lyte;
Of strife, and of dogs, big and little;
2933 Right as the humour of malencolie
Right as the humor of melancholy
2934 Causeth ful many a man in sleep to crie
Causes very many a man in sleep to cry
2935 For feere of blake beres, or boles blake,
For fear of black bears, or black bulls,
2936 Or elles blake develes wole hem take.
Or else black devils will take them.
2937 Of othere humours koude I telle also
Of other humors could I tell also
2938 That werken many a man sleep ful wo;
That cause many a man much woe (in) sleep;
2939 But I wol passe as lightly as I kan.
But I will pass over as lightly as I can.
Quick Check Focus question 11 Vocabulary list
2940 "Lo Catoun, which that was so wys a man,
"Lo Cato, who was so wise a man,
2941 Seyde he nat thus, `Ne do no fors of dremes'?
Said he not thus, `Attach no importance to dreams'? [20]
2942 "Now sire," quod she, "whan we flee fro the bemes,
"Now sir," said she, "when we fly from the beams,
2943 For Goddes love, as taak som laxatyf.
For God's love, take some laxative.
2944 Up peril of my soule and of my lyf,
Upon peril of my soul and of my life,
2945 I conseille yow the beste -- I wol nat lye --
I counsel you the best -- I will not lie --
2946 That bothe of colere and of malencolye
That both of choler and of melancholy
2947 Ye purge yow; and for ye shal nat tarie,
You purge yourself; and so that you shall not delay,
2948 Though in this toun is noon apothecarie,
Though in this town is no apothecary,
2949 I shal myself to herbes techen yow
I shall myself guide you to herbs
2950 That shul been for youre hele and for youre prow;
That shall be for your health and for your benefit;
2951 And in oure yeerd tho herbes shal I fynde
And in our yard I shall find those herbs
2952 The whiche han of hire propretee by kynde
The which by nature have the power
2953 To purge yow bynethe and eek above.
To purge you beneath and also above.
2954 Foryet nat this, for Goddes owene love!
Forget not this, for God's own love!
2955 Ye been ful coleryk of compleccioun;
You are dominated by the choleric humor;
2956 Ware the sonne in his ascencioun
Beware the sun when it is high in the sky
2957 Ne fynde yow nat repleet of humours hoote.
And do not find yourself with an excess of hot humors.
2958 And if it do, I dar wel leye a grote,
And if there be an excess, I dare well bet four pence,
2959 That ye shul have a fevere terciane,
That you shall have a fever recurring every three days,
2960 Or an agu that may be youre bane.
Or an ague that may be your death.
2961 A day or two ye shul have digestyves
A day or two you shall have digestives
2962 Of wormes, er ye take youre laxatyves
Of worms, before you take your laxatives
2963 Of lawriol, centaure, and fumetere,
Of spurge laurel, centaury, and fumitory,
2964 Or elles of ellebor, that groweth there,
Or else of hellebore, that grows there,
2965 Of katapuce, or of gaitrys beryis,
Of caper-spurge, or of rhamnus,
2966 Of herbe yve, growyng in oure yeerd, ther mery is;
Of ground ivy, growing in our yard, where it is pleasant;
2967 Pekke hem up right as they growe and ete hem yn.
Peck them up right as they grow and eat them in.
2968 Be myrie, housbonde, for youre fader kyn!
Be merry, husband, for your father's kin!
2969 Dredeth no dreem; I kan sey yow namoore."
Dread no dream; I can say you no more."
Quick check Focus question 12 Focus question 13 Focus question 14
HERE ENDS THE DIGITAL STUDY EDITION. TO BE CONTINUED.
2792 Wherfore, sire Monk, daun Piers by youre name,
Therefore, Sir Monk, dan Piers [5] by your name,
2793 I pray yow hertely telle us somwhat elles;
I pray you earnestly tell us something else;
2794 For sikerly, nere clynkyng of youre belles
For truly, were it not for the clinking of your bells
2795 That on youre bridel hange on every syde,
That on your bridle [6] hang on every side,
![[6]](files/bridle.jpg){kind=link}
2796 By hevene kyng that for us alle dyde,
By heaven's King who for us all died [7],
![[7]](files/jesus.jpg){kind=link}
2797 I sholde er this han fallen doun for sleep,
I should before this have fallen down because of sleepiness,
2798 Althogh the slough had never been so deep;
Although the mud had never been so deep;
2799 Thanne hadde your tale al be toold in veyn.
Then had your tale been told all in vain.
2800 For certeinly, as that thise clerkes seyn,
For certainly, as these clerks [8] say,
2801 Whereas a man may have noon audience,
Where a man may have no hearers,
2802 Noght helpeth it to tellen his sentence.
It is no use to tell his opinion.
2803 "And wel I woot the substance is in me,
"And well I know the capacity of appreciation is in me,
2804 If any thyng shal wel reported be.
If any thing shall be well told.
2805 Sir, sey somwhat of huntyng, I yow preye."
Sir, say something about hunting, I you pray."
2806 "Nay," quod this Monk, "I have no lust to pleye.
"Nay," said this Monk, "I have no desire to play.
2807 Now lat another telle, as I have toold."
Now let another tell, as I have told."
2808 Thanne spak oure Hoost with rude speche and boold,
Then spoke our Host with rude speech and bold,
2809 And seyde unto the Nonnes Preest anon,
And said unto the Nun's Priest straightway,
2810 "Com neer, thou preest, com hyder, thou sir John!
"Come near, thou priest, come hither, thou sir John!
2811 Telle us swich thyng as may oure hertes glade.
Tell us such thing as may our hearts gladden.
2812 Be blithe, though thou ryde upon a jade.
Be happy, though thou ride upon a nag.
2813 What thogh thyn hors be bothe foul and lene?
What if thy horse be both poor and lean?
2814 If he wol serve thee, rekke nat a bene.
If he will serve thee, care not a bean.
2815 Looke that thyn herte be murie everemo."
See that thy heart be merry evermore."
2816 "Yis, sir," quod he, "yis, Hoost, so moot I go,
"Yes indeed, sir," said he, "yes indeed, Host, as I may I prosper,
2817 But I be myrie, ywis I wol be blamed."
Unless I be merry, indeed I will be blamed."
2818 And right anon his tale he hath attamed,
And right away his tale he has begun,
2819 And thus he seyde unto us everichon,
And thus he said unto us every one,
2820 This sweete preest, this goodly man sir John.
This sweet priest, this goodly man sir John.
![[9]](files/The-Nun-s-Priest.gif){kind=link}
Chauntecleer and Pertelote
A poor widow, somewhat advanced in age,
2822 Was whilom dwellyng in a narwe cotage,
Was once dwelling in a small cottage,
2823 Biside a grove, stondynge in a dale.
Beside a grove, standing in a dale.
2824 This wydwe, of which I telle yow my tale,
This widow, of whom I tell you my tale,
2825 Syn thilke day that she was last a wyf
Since that same day that she was last a wife
2826 In pacience ladde a ful symple lyf,
In patience led a very simple life,
2827 For litel was hir catel and hir rente.
For little was her possessions and her income.
2828 By housbondrie of swich as God hire sente
By husbandry of such as God sent her
2829 She foond hirself and eek hir doghtren two.
She provided for herself and also her two daughters.
2830 Thre large sowes hadde she, and namo,
She had three large sows, and no more,
2831 Three keen, and eek a sheep that highte Malle.
Three cows, and also a sheep that is called Malle.
2832 Ful sooty was hire bour and eek hir halle,
Full sooty was her bedchamber and also her hall,
2833 In which she eet ful many a sklendre meel.
In which she ate very many a scanty meal.
2834 Of poynaunt sauce hir neded never a deel.
She needed not a bit of spicy sauce.
2835 No deyntee morsel passed thurgh hir throte;
No dainty morsel passed through her throat;
2836 Hir diete was accordant to hir cote.
Her diet was such as her farm produced.
2837 Repleccioun ne made hire nevere sik;
Overeating never made her sick;
2838 Attempree diete was al hir phisik,
Moderate diet was all her medical treatment,
2839 And exercise, and hertes suffisaunce.
And exercise, and a contented heart.
2840 The goute lette hire nothyng for to daunce,
The gout [10] not at all prevented her from dancing,
2841 N' apoplexie shente nat hir heed.
And apoplexy [11] harmed not her head.
2842 No wyn ne drank she, neither whit ne reed;
No wine she drank, neither white nor red;
2843 Hir bord was served moost with whit and blak --
Her board was provided mostly with white and black --
2844 Milk and broun breed, in which she foond no lak,
Milk and dark bread, in which she found no lack,
2845 Seynd bacoun, and somtyme an ey or tweye,
Broiled bacon, and sometimes an egg or two,
2846 For she was, as it were, a maner deye.
For she was, as it were, a sort of dairywoman.
Quick check 3 Focus question 6 Focus question 7 Vocabulary list
2847 A yeerd she hadde, enclosed al aboute
She had a yard, enclosed all around
2848 With stikkes, and a drye dych withoute,
With sticks, and a dry ditch outside it,
2849 In which she hadde a cok, hight Chauntecleer.
In which she had a cock, called Chauntecleer.
2850 In al the land, of crowyng nas his peer.
In all the land, there was not his peer in crowing.
2851 His voys was murier than the murie orgon
His voice was merrier than the merry organ
2852 On messe-dayes that in the chirche gon.
That goes in the church on mass-days.
2853 Wel sikerer was his crowyng in his logge
Well, more accurate was his crowing in his lodge
2854 Than is a clokke or an abbey orlogge.
Than is a clock or an abbey timepiece.
2855 By nature he knew ech ascencioun
By nature he knew (the hour of) each ascension
2856 Of the equynoxial in thilke toun;
Of the celestial equator in that same town; [12]
2857 For whan degrees fiftene weren ascended,
For when degrees fifteen were ascended,
2858 Thanne crew he that it myghte nat been amended.
Then he crowed so that it could not be improved.
2859 His coomb was redder than the fyn coral,
His comb was redder than the fine coral,
2860 And batailled as it were a castel wal;
And notched with battlements as if it were a castle wall;
2861 His byle was blak, and as the jeet it shoon;
His beak was black, and it shone like the jet stone;
2862 Lyk asure were his legges and his toon;
Like lapis lazuli were his legs and his toes;
2863 His nayles whitter than the lylye flour,
His nails whiter than the lily flower,
2864 And lyk the burned gold was his colour.
And like the burnished gold was his color.
2865 This gentil cok hadde in his governaunce
This gentle [13] cock had in his governance
2866 Sevene hennes for to doon al his plesaunce,
Seven hens to do all his pleasure,
2867 Whiche were his sustres and his paramours,
Which were his sisters and his concubines,
2868 And wonder lyk to hym, as of colours;
And wonderfully like him, in their colors;
2869 Of whiche the faireste hewed on hir throte
Of which the fairest colored on her throat
2870 Was cleped faire damoysele Pertelote.
Was called fair demoiselle Pertelote.
2871 Curteys she was, discreet, and debonaire,
Courteous she was, discreet, and gracious,
2872 And compaignable, and bar hyrself so faire
And companionable, and bore herself so fair
2873 Syn thilke day that she was seven nyght oold
Since that same day that she was seven nights old
2874 That trewely she hath the herte in hoold
That truly she has in possession the heart
2875 Of Chauntecleer, loken in every lith;
Of Chauntecleer, locked in her every limb (completely);
2876 He loved hire so that wel was hym therwith.
He loved her so that he was happy because of that.
2877 But swich a joye was it to here hem synge,
But such a joy it was to hear them sing,
2878 Whan that the brighte sonne gan to sprynge,
When the bright sun began to spring,
2879 In sweete accord, "My lief is faren in londe!" --
In sweet harmony, "My love has gone to the country!" [14]
2880 For thilke tyme, as I have understonde,
For in that same time, as I have understood,
2881 Beestes and briddes koude speke and synge.
Beasts and birds could speak and sing [15].
2882 And so bifel that in a dawenynge,
And so befell that in a dawning,
2883 As Chauntecleer among his wyves alle
As Chauntecleer among all his wives
2884 Sat on his perche, that was in the halle,
Sat on his perch, that was in the hall,
2885 And next hym sat this faire Pertelote,
And next to him sat this fair Pertelote,
2886 This Chauntecleer gan gronen in his throte,
This Chauntecleer began to groan in his throat,
2887 As man that in his dreem is drecched soore.
As one that in his dream is deeply troubled.
2888 And whan that Pertelote thus herde hym roore,
And when Pertelote thus heard him roar,
2889 She was agast and seyde, "Herte deere,
She was aghast and said, "Dear heart,
2890 What eyleth yow, to grone in this manere?
What ails you, to groan in this manner?
2891 Ye been a verray sleper; fy, for shame!"
You are a true (sound) sleeper; fie, for shame!"
2892 And he answerde, and seyde thus: "Madame,
And he answered, and said thus: "Madame,
2893 I pray yow that ye take it nat agrief.
I pray you that you take it not amiss.
2894 By God, me mette I was in swich meschief
By God, I dreamed I was in such mischief
2895 Right now that yet myn herte is soore afright.
Right now that yet my heart is grievously frightened.
2896 Now God," quod he, "my swevene recche aright,
Now God," said he, "interpret my dream correctly [16],
2897 And kepe my body out of foul prisoun!
And keep my body out of foul prison!
2898 Me mette how that I romed up and doun
I dreamed how I roamed up and down
2899 Withinne our yeerd, wheer as I saugh a beest
Within our yard, where I saw a beast
2900 Was lyk an hound, and wolde han maad areest
Was like a hound, and would have seized
2901 Upon my body, and wolde han had me deed.
Upon my body, and would have had me dead.
2902 His colour was bitwixe yelow and reed,
His color was between yellow and red,
2903 And tipped was his tayl and bothe his eeris
And tipped was his tail and both his ears
2904 With blak, unlyk the remenant of his heeris;
With black, unlike the rest of his hair;
2905 His snowte smal, with glowynge eyen tweye.
His snout small, with two glowing eyes.
2906 Yet of his look for feere almoost I deye;
Yet for fear of his look I almost die;
2907 This caused me my gronyng, doutelees."
This caused my groaning, doubtless."
2908 "Avoy!" quod she, "fy on yow, hertelees!
"Shame!" said she, "fie on you, coward!
2909 Allas," quod she, "for, by that God above,
Alas," said she, "for, by that God above,
2910 Now han ye lost myn herte and al my love!
Now have you lost my heart and all my love!
2911 I kan nat love a coward, by my feith!
I can not love a coward, by my faith!
2912 For certes, what so any womman seith,
For certainly, whatever any woman says,
2913 We alle desiren, if it myghte bee,
We all desire, if it might be,
2914 To han housbondes hardy, wise, and free,
To have husbands hardy, wise, and generous,
2915 And secree -- and no nygard, ne no fool,
And secret -- and no miser, nor no fool,
2916 Ne hym that is agast of every tool,
Nor him who is afraid of every weapon,
2917 Ne noon avauntour, by that God above!
Nor any boaster [17], by that God above!
2918 How dorste ye seyn, for shame, unto youre love
How dare you say, for shame, unto your love
2919 That any thyng myghte make yow aferd?
That any thing might make you afraid?
2920 Have ye no mannes herte, and han a berd?
Have you no man's heart, and have a beard?
2921 Allas! And konne ye been agast of swevenys?
Alas! And can you be frightened of dreams?
2922 Nothyng, God woot, but vanitee in sweven is.
Nothing, God knows, but foolishness is in dreams.
2923 Swevenes engendren of replecciouns,
Dreams are produced by overeating,
2924 And ofte of fume and of complecciouns,
And often by stomach vapors [18] and by the mixture of bodily humors,
2925 Whan humours been to habundant in a wight.
When humors are too abundant in a person.
2926 Certes this dreem, which ye han met to-nyght,
Certainly this dream, which you have dreamed to-night,
2927 Cometh of the greete superfluytee
Comes of the great superfluity
2928 Of youre rede colera, pardee,
Of your red choleric humor [19], indeed,
2929 Which causeth folk to dreden in hir dremes
Which causes folk in their dreams to be afraid
2930 Of arwes, and of fyr with rede lemes,
Of arrows, and of fire with red flames,
2931 Of rede beestes, that they wol hem byte,
Of red beasts, (fearing) that they will bite them,
2932 Of contek, and of whelpes, grete and lyte;
Of strife, and of dogs, big and little;
2933 Right as the humour of malencolie
Right as the humor of melancholy
2934 Causeth ful many a man in sleep to crie
Causes very many a man in sleep to cry
2935 For feere of blake beres, or boles blake,
For fear of black bears, or black bulls,
2936 Or elles blake develes wole hem take.
Or else black devils will take them.
2937 Of othere humours koude I telle also
Of other humors could I tell also
2938 That werken many a man sleep ful wo;
That cause many a man much woe (in) sleep;
2939 But I wol passe as lightly as I kan.
But I will pass over as lightly as I can.
Quick Check Focus question 11 Vocabulary list
2940 "Lo Catoun, which that was so wys a man,
"Lo Cato, who was so wise a man,
2941 Seyde he nat thus, `Ne do no fors of dremes'?
Said he not thus, `Attach no importance to dreams'? [20]
2942 "Now sire," quod she, "whan we flee fro the bemes,
"Now sir," said she, "when we fly from the beams,
2943 For Goddes love, as taak som laxatyf.
For God's love, take some laxative.
2944 Up peril of my soule and of my lyf,
Upon peril of my soul and of my life,
2945 I conseille yow the beste -- I wol nat lye --
I counsel you the best -- I will not lie --
2946 That bothe of colere and of malencolye
That both of choler and of melancholy
2947 Ye purge yow; and for ye shal nat tarie,
You purge yourself; and so that you shall not delay,
2948 Though in this toun is noon apothecarie,
Though in this town is no apothecary,
2949 I shal myself to herbes techen yow
I shall myself guide you to herbs
2950 That shul been for youre hele and for youre prow;
That shall be for your health and for your benefit;
2951 And in oure yeerd tho herbes shal I fynde
And in our yard I shall find those herbs
2952 The whiche han of hire propretee by kynde
The which by nature have the power
2953 To purge yow bynethe and eek above.
To purge you beneath and also above.
2954 Foryet nat this, for Goddes owene love!
Forget not this, for God's own love!
2955 Ye been ful coleryk of compleccioun;
You are dominated by the choleric humor;
2956 Ware the sonne in his ascencioun
Beware the sun when it is high in the sky
2957 Ne fynde yow nat repleet of humours hoote.
And do not find yourself with an excess of hot humors.
2958 And if it do, I dar wel leye a grote,
And if there be an excess, I dare well bet four pence,
2959 That ye shul have a fevere terciane,
That you shall have a fever recurring every three days,
2960 Or an agu that may be youre bane.
Or an ague that may be your death.
2961 A day or two ye shul have digestyves
A day or two you shall have digestives
2962 Of wormes, er ye take youre laxatyves
Of worms, before you take your laxatives
2963 Of lawriol, centaure, and fumetere,
Of spurge laurel, centaury, and fumitory,
2964 Or elles of ellebor, that groweth there,
Or else of hellebore, that grows there,
2965 Of katapuce, or of gaitrys beryis,
Of caper-spurge, or of rhamnus,
2966 Of herbe yve, growyng in oure yeerd, ther mery is;
Of ground ivy, growing in our yard, where it is pleasant;
2967 Pekke hem up right as they growe and ete hem yn.
Peck them up right as they grow and eat them in.
2968 Be myrie, housbonde, for youre fader kyn!
Be merry, husband, for your father's kin!
2969 Dredeth no dreem; I kan sey yow namoore."
Dread no dream; I can say you no more."
Quick check Focus question 12 Focus question 13 Focus question 14
HERE ENDS THE DIGITAL STUDY EDITION. TO BE CONTINUED.