General prologue to the Canterbury Tales by Jeffrey Chaucer reading in Modern English when April with his showers sweet with fruit the drought of March has pierced under the root and barfed each vein with liquor that has power to generate daring and sire the flower when Zephyr also has
With his sweet Breath quickened Again in every Halt and Heath the tender shoots and Buds and the young son into the Ram one half his course has run and many little birds make Melody that sleep through all the night with open eye so nature Pricks them onto ramp and rage then
Do folk long to go on pilgrimage and Palmers to go seeking out strange strands to distant shrines well known in Sundry lands and especially from every shire’s end of England data Canterbury wind the holy blessed Marta there to seek who helped them when they lay so ill and weak
But felt that in that season on a day in sadak at the tabag As I Lay ready to start upon my pilgrimage to Canterbury full of devout homage there came at nightfall to that hostility some 9 and 20 in a company of sundry persons who had chance to fall in fellowship and
Pilgrims were they all that toward Canterbury town would ride the rooms and stable spaces were unwide and while we there were eased and of the best and briefly when the sun had gone to rest so had I spoken with them everyone that I was of their Fellowship Anon and
Made agreement that would early rise to take the road as UI will apprise but nonetheless whilst I have time and space before yet father in this tale I Pace it seems to me according with reason to inform you of the state of every one of all of these as it appeared
To me and who they were and what was their degree and even how arrayed there I’d be in and with a night thus will I first begin a night there was and he a worthy man who from the moment that he first began to write about the world love chivalry
Truth honor freedom and all courtesy full worthy was he in his liege Lord’s war and therein had he ridden none more far as well in Christ them as hedonists and honored everywhere for worthiness at Alexandria he when it was one full off the table’s roster he’d begun Above All Nations nights in Prussia
In Latvia rated he and Russia no christened man so offered his degree in Far Granada at The Siege was he of Al jesaras and in bellmarie Matias was here at Satellite when they were one and on the Middle Sea at many a noble meeting chance to be
Of mortal battles he had fought 15 and he’d fought for our faith at tramacine three times in lists and each time slain his foe this self-same worthy Knight had been also at one time with the Lord of palatai against another Heathen in turkey and always one he suffering Fame for prize
Though so illustrious he was very wise and bore himself as meekly as a maid he never yet had any violence said in all his life to whatsoever White he was a truly perfect gentle Knight but now to tell you all of his array his deeds were good but yet he was not gay
A simple fastian War here Dupont sadly discolored by his habogan for he had lately come from his voyage and now was going on this pilgrimage with him there was his son youthful Squire a lover and a Lusty Bachelor with loxwell curled as if they’d laid in press
Some 20 years of age he was I guess in static he was of an average length wondrously active eye and great of strength he’d ridden some time with the cavalry in Flanders in Artois and picardi and born him well within that little space in hope to win there by his lady’s Grace
Print out he was as if he were a mead all full of fresh-cut flowers white and red singing he was all fluting all the day he was as fresh as is the month of May short was his gown with sleeves long and wide well could be sit on horse and fairly ride
He could make songs and words there too indict joust and dance too as well as sketch and write so hot he loved that while Knight told her tail he slept no more than does a nightingale courteous he and humble willing and able and carved before his father at the table
A human had he no more servants no at that time for he chose to travel so and he was cladding coat and hood of green a chief of peacock arrows bright and Keen under his belt he bore right carefully well could he keep his tackle yeomanly his arrows had no draggled feathers low
And in his hand he bore a mighty bow a cropped head had he and a sun-browned face of Woodcraft knew he all the useful ways upon his arm he bore a brace again and at one side a sword and buckler yeah and at the other side a daggerbright while
Sheet and sharper spear point in the light on brester Christopher of silver sheen he bore a horn in Baldrick wall of green a Forester he truly was I guess there was also a nun a priors who in her smiling modest was ankoi her greatest oath was but by saying to Eloy
And she was known as madame eglentine full while she sang the service is divine in toning through her nose becomingly unfair she spoke her French and fluently after the school of Stratford at the bow for French of Paris was not hers to know a table she had been well taught with
All and never from her lips let morsels fall nor her fingers deep in Source but ate with so much care the food upon her plate that never driblet fell upon her breast in courtesy she had delight and zest her upper lip was always wiped so clean that
In her cup was no Iota scene of Greece when she had drunk her draft of wine becomingly she reached for me to die and certainly delighting in good sport she was right Pleasant amiable in short she was at pains to counterfeit the look of courtliness and stately manners took
And would be held worthy of reverence but to say something of her moral sense she was so charitable and piteous that she would weep if she but saw a mouse caught in a trap though it were dead or bled she had some little dogs too but she fed
On roasted flesh or milk and fine white bread but so she’d weep if one of them were dead or if men smote it with a rod to smart for pity ruled her and her tender heart right Decker as her pleated wimple was her nose was fine her eyes were blue as
Glass her mouth was small and thou with soft and red but certainly she had a fair forehead it was almost a full span board I own four truth to tell she was not undergrown neat was her cloak as I was well aware of Carl small about her arm she’d bear a
String of beads and gordol with green a national hung a brooch of golden Sheen whereon there was first written a crown a and under a more vincidonia foreign who was her chaplain and a priest sheet three among there was one made for Mastery an outrider who loved his venary a manly
Man to be an habitable for many a blooded horse had he in stable and when he rode men might his Bridle hear a jingling in the whistling wind as clear eye and as loud as does the chapel Bell where this Brave monk was of the cell
The rule of Morris or Saint Benedict by reason it was old and somewhat strict this said monk let such old things slowly pace and followed new world manners in their place he cared not for that text to clean plugged hen which holds that Hunters are
Not holy men nor that a monk when he is cloisterless is like unto a fish that’s waterless that is to say a monk out of his Cloister but this same text he held not worth an oyster and I said his opinion was right good what
Should he study as a Madman would upon a book in Cloister cell or yet go labor with his hands and swing and sweat as Austin bids how shall the world be served let Austin have his toil to him reserved therefore he was a writer day and night
Greyhounds he had as Swift as bird in flight since riding in the hunting of the hair were all his love for no cost would he spare I saw his sleeves were purpled at the hand with fur of gray the finest in the land also to fasten Hood beneath his
Chin he had a good walk go to curious pin a love not in the larger end there was his head was bald and Shone like any glass and smooth as one anointed was his face fat was this Lord he stood in goodly case his bulging eyes he rolled about and
Hopped they gleaned and red like fire beneath a pot his boots were soft his horse of Great Estate now certainly he was a fine pellet he was not pale as some poor wasted ghost a fat Swan loved he best of any roast his poultry was as brown as is a berry
A friar there was a wonton Anna Mary a limiter a very festive man in all the orders four is none that can equal his gossip and his fair language he had arranged full many a marriage of women young and this at his own cost under his order he was a noble post
Well liked by all and intimate was he with Franklin’s everywhere in his country and with the worthy women of the town for a confessing he’d more power in gown as he himself said than it could cure it for of his order he was licensured he heard confession gently it was said
Gently absolved too leaving Lord of dread he was an easy man to give Penance when knowing he should gain a good pittance for to a begging Friar money given his sign that any man has been well shriven for if one gave he dared to boast of this he took the man’s repentance not
Amiss for many a man there is so hard at heart he cannot weep however pains may smart therefore instead of weeping and a prayer men should give Silva to poor Friars all bear his tippet was stuck always full of knives and pins to give to Young and pleasing wives
And certainly he kept a merry note well could he sing and play upon the road a balladri he bore the prize away his throat was white as Lily of the May yet strong he was as ever champion in towns he knew the taverns everyone and every good host and each bar made
Two better than begging lepers these he knew for under no such solid man as he accorded it as far as he could see to have sick lepers for acquaintances there is no honest advantageousness in dealing with such poverty-stricken curse it’s with the rich and with big fittlers and so wherever Prophet might arise
Courteous he was unhumble in men’s eyes there was no other man so virtuous he was the finest beggar of his house a certain District being farmed to him none of his Brethren dead approach its room for though a widow had no shoes to show so pleasant was his imprincipio he
Always got a farbbing air he went he lived by pickings it is evident and he could romp as well as any welp on love days could he be of nickel help for there he was not like a Cloister with Fred Bear cope as is the poor
Scholar but he was like a lord or like a pope a double wasted was his semi-cope that rounded like a bell as you may guess he lisped a little out of wantonness to make his English soft upon his tongue and in his harping after he had sung his
Two eyes twinkled in his head as bright as do the stars within the frosty night this worthy limiter was named Hubert there was a merchant with forked beard and gertin Motley gown and high on horse he sat upon his head a Flemish beaver hat his boots were fastened rather elegantly
He spoke his Notions outright pompously stressing the times when he had won not lost he would the sea were held at any cost across from middelburg to Orwell town at money changing he could make a crown this worthy man kept all his wits well
Set there was no one could say he was in debt so while he governed all his trade affairs with Bargains and with borrowings and with shares indeed he was a worthy man with all but soon to say his name I can’t recall a cloud from Oxford was with us also
Who turned to getting knowledge long ago as Mega was his horse as is a rake nor he himself too fat I’ll undertake but he looked Hollow and went soberly right fredbear was his Overcoat for he had got him yet no churchilly benefits nor was so worldly as to gain office
For he would rather have at his bed’s head some 20 books all bound in black and red of Aristotle and his philosophy than Rich robes fiddle or gay sultury yet and for all he was philosopher he had but little gold within his Coffer but all that he might borrow from a
Friend on books and learning he would swiftly spend and then he’d pray right busily for The Souls of those who gave him wherewithal for schools a study took he utmost care and heed not one word spoke he more than was his need and that was said in fullest
Reverence and short and quick and full of high good sense pregnant of moral virtue was his speech and gladly would he learn and gladly teach a sergeant of the law wary and wise who’d often gone to Paul’s walk to advise there was also compactive excellence discreet he was and of great reverence
At least he seemed so his words were so wise often he sat as Justice inner size by Patent or commissioned from the crown because of learning and his high Renown he took large fees and many robes could own so greater purchaser was never known all was fee simple to him in effect
Wherefore his claims could never be suspect no way a man so busy of his class and yet he seemed much busier than he was all cases and all judgments could he cite that from King William’s time were opposite and he could draw a contract so explicit
Not any man could fault her from illicit and every statute he’d verbat him quote he wrote but badly in a medley coat belted in a silken sash with little bars but of his dress no more particulars there was a Franklin in his company white was his beard as is the white daisy
Of sanguine temperament by every sign he loved right while his morning sock in wine delightful living was the goal he’d won for he was a picurus fairy son that held opinion that a full Delight was true Felicity perfect and right a householder and that a great was he
Saint Julian he was in his own country his bread and Ale were always right well done a man with better sellers there was none baked meat was never wanting in his house a fish and flesh and that’s so plenteous it seemed to snow there in both food and drink of every dainty that
A man could think according to the season of the year he changed his diet and his means of cheer ful many a fat and Partridge did he knew and many abreem and Pike in fishpond too woe to his cook except the sauces were poignant and sharp and ready all his
Gear his table waiting in his Hall all week stood ready covered through the lifelong day at County sessions was he Lord and sire and often acted as a knight of Shire a dagger and a trinket bag of silk hung from his girdle white as morning milk he had been sheriff and being auditor
And nowhere was a worthy of avisol a haberdasher and a carpenter an Arris maker Dyer and Weaver were with us cloaked in similar Livery all of One sober great fraternity that girl was new and well adorned it was their weapons were not cheaply trimmed with brass but all with silver
Chastely made and well their girdles and their pouches too I tell each man of them appeared a proper bugs to sit in Guild Hall on a high dais and each of them for wisdom he could span was fitted to have been an alderman four chattels they’d enough and two of
Rent to which their good wives gave a free Ascent or else for certain they had been to blame it’s good to hear Madame before one’s name and go to church when all the world may see having one’s Mantle born right royally foreign with them just for the nonce to boil the
Chickens with the marrow bones and flavor tightly and with gallingale well could he tell a draft of London ale and he could roast and seed and boil and Fry and make a good thick soup and bake a pie but very ill it was it seemed to me that
On his shin a deadly sore had he for sweet blank mange he made it with the best there was a sailor living far out west for ought I know he was of Dartmouth town he sadly rode a Hackney in a gown a thick rough cloth falling to the knee
A dagger hanging on a cord had he about his neck an underarm and down the Summers heat had burned his visit Brown and certainly he was a good fellow full media draft of wine he’d drawn I throw a Bordeaux vintage while the trader slept nice conscience was a thing he never kept
If that he fought and got the upper hand by water he sent them home to every land but as for craft to reckon well his Tides his currents and the dangerous water sites his harbors and his Moon his pilotage there was none such from Hull to far Carthage Hardy
And wise in all things undertaken by many a tempest had his beard been shaken he knew well all the Havens as they were from gotland to the Cape of finister and every Creek in Brittany and Spain his vessel had been christened Madeleine with us there was a doctor of physic in
All this world was none like interpic for talk of medicine and surgery for he was grounded in astronomy he often kept a patient from the poor by horoscopes and Magic natural well could he tell the fortune ascendant within the houses for his sick patient he knew the cause of every malady
Words of hot or cold of moist or dry and where engendered and of what humor he was a very good practitioner the cause being known down to the deepest route a non he gave to the sick man his boot ready he was with his apothecaries to
Send him drugs and all the lecturies by Mutual Aid much gold they’d always won their friendship was a thing not new begun while red was he ineschylapius and diascarites and in Rufus Hippocrates and Halle and Galen sarapian raises and Avison avaros Gilbert and Constantine Bernadine gattiston and John damascin
In diet he was measured as could be including north of superfluti but nourishing and easy it’s now liable to say he read but little in the Bible in blue and Scarlet he went clad with all lined with a tater and with Sendel and yet he was right charity of expense
He kept the gold he gained from pestilence for gold in physic is a fine cordial and therefore loved he gold exceeding all there was a housewife come from bath or near who sad to say was deaf in either ear at making cloth she had so great a bent
She bettered those vipers and even of Ghent in all the parish there was no good why should offering make before her on my life and if one did indeed so what was she it put her out of all her charity her kerchiefs were of finest weave and
Ground I dare swear that they weighed a full 10 pound Witch of a Sunday she wore on her head her hoes were of the choices Scarlet Red close-guarded and her shoes were soft and new bold was her face and fair and read a few being respectable throughout her life
With five churched husbands bringing joy and strife not counting other company in youth but thereof there’s no need to speak in truth three times she journeyed to Jerusalem and many a foreign stream she’d had to stem at Rome she’d been and she’d been in boulon in Spain at Santiago and at cologne
She could tell much of wandering by the way captured was she it is no lie to say upon an Ambler easily she said well whimpled I and over all a hat as broad as is a buckler or a Taj a rug was tucked around her buttocks large and on
Her feet a pair of sharpened Spurs in company while could she laughed her slurs the remedies of love she knew by chance four of that art she’d learned the old old dance there was a good man of religion too a country person or I warned you but which
He was in holy thought and work he was a learned man also a clerk who Christ’s own Gospel truly sought to preach devoutly his parishioners would he teach benign he was an wondrous diligent patient in adverse times and well content as he was off times proven
Always blight he was right low to curse to get a type but rather would he give in case of Doubt unto those poor parishioners about part of his income even of his Goods enough with little colored all his moods wide was his Parish how’s his father
Sunder but never did he fail for rain or thunder in sickness or in sin or any state to visit to the farthest small and great going afoot and in his hand a Stave this fine example to his flock he gave that first he wrought and afterwards he
Taught out of the Gospel then that text he caught and this figure he added there unto that if gold rust what shall poor iron do for if the priest befoul in whom we trust what wonder if a Layman yield to lust and shame it is if priests take fault
For keep a shitty Shepherd shepherding clean sheep while the priest example good to give by his own cleanness how his flock should live he never let his benefits for hire leaving his flock to flounder in the Maya and ran to London up to Old Saint Paul’s to get him
Self a Chantry there for Souls nor in some Brotherhood did he withhold but dwelt at home and kept so well the fold that neverwolf could make his plans miscarry he was a shepherd and not mercenary and holy though he was and virtuous to sin as he was not impitious nor haughty
In his speech nor too Divine but in all teaching prudent and benign to lead folk into heaven but by stress of good example was his business but if some sinful one proved obstinate be who it might of high or low estate him he reproved and sharply as I know
There is no way a better priest I throw he had no thirst for pomp or reverence nor made himself a special spiced conscience but Christ’s own law and his Apostles 12 he taught but first he followed it himself with him there was a Plowman was his
Brother that many a load have done and many another had scattered for a good true toilet he living in peace and perfect charity he loved God most and that with his whole heart at all times though he played or applied his art and next his neighbor even as himself
He thresh and dig with never thought of Health for Christ’s own sake for every poor white or without pay if it lay in his might he paid his taxes fully fairly well both by his own toil and by stuff he’d sell in a tabard he rode upon a mare
There were also a Riven Miller there a Summoner mantipal and partner and these beside myself made all there were foreign Hardy and bigger born and bigger bone which was well proved for when he went on lamb at wrestling never failed he at the ram he was a chunky fellow broader build he heave a door from hinges if he willed or break it through by running with his head
His beard has any sour or Fox was red and bored it was as if it were a spade laughs upon the coping of his nose he had a wart and neuron stood a tuft of hairs red as the bristles in an old sow’s ears his nostrils they were black and very wide
A sword and Butler bore he by his side his mouth was like a furnace door for size he was a Jester and could poetize but mostly all of sin and rebel trees he could steal call and full Thrice charge his fees and yet he had a thumb of gold but God
A white coat and blue Hood he wore this lad a bagpipe he could blow well be it known and with that saying he brought us out of town there was a mansible from an inn of court to whom all buyers might quite well resort to learn the art of buying
Food and drink for whether he paid cash or not I think that he so knew the markets when to buy he never found himself left high and dry now is it not a god of full fair grace that such a vulgar man has went to Pace
The wisdom of a crowd of learned men of Masters had he more than three times ten who were in law expert and curious whereof there were a dozen in that house fit to be stewards of both rent and land of any Lord in England who would stand
Upon his own and live in Manor good in honor deadless save his head were wood or live as frugally as he might desire these men were able to have helped a shire in any case that ever might before and yet dismantle outguessed them all The Reef he was a slender choleric man
Who shaved his beard as close as razor can his hair was cut round even with his ears his talk was tonsilled like a pulpeteers long were his legs and they were very lean and like a staff with no calf to be seen well could he manage Granary and Bin no
Auditor could ever on him win he could foretell by drought and by the rain the yielding of his seed and of his grain his lordship and his oxen and his Dairy his wine and horses all his stores his poultry were wholly in this stewards managing and by agreement he’d made
Reckoning since his young Lord of age was 20 years yet no man ever found him in arrears there was no agent hind or heard who cheat but he knew well his cunning and deceit they were afraid of him as of the death his Cottage was a good one on a heath by
Green trees shaded with this Dwelling Place much better than his Lord could he purchase right which he was in his own private right seeing he’d pleased his Lord by day or night by giving him or lending of his goods and so got thanked but yet got coats and hoods
In youth he’d learned a good trade and had been a carpenter as fine as could be seen this Steward sat a horse that well could Trot and was all Dapple Gray and was named Scott a long Circuit of blue did he parade and at his side he bore a rusty blade
Of Norfolk was this Reeve of whom I tell from near a town that men call badswell bundled he was like Friar from chin to croup and ever he rode High most of our troop a Summoner was with us in that place who had a fiery red cherubic face for eczema
He had his eyes were narrow as hot he was and lecherous as a sparrow with black and scabby brows and scanty beard he had a face that little children feared there was no Mercury sulfur or letharge no Borax so Russ tartar could discharge no ointment that could cleanse enough or
Bite to free him of his boils and pimples white nor of the bosses resting on his cheeks well-loved heat garlic onions eye and leeks and drinking of strong wine is red as blood then would he talk and shout as madman would and when a deal of wine he poured within then would
He utter no word save Latin some phrases had he learned say two or three which he had garnered out of some decree no wonder for he’d heard it all the day and all you know right well that even a j can call out what as well as can the Pope
But when for all Tales into him you’d grope twas found he’d spent his whole philosophy just question would he cry he was a noble Rascal and a kind a better comrade would be hard to find why he would suffer for a quart of wine some good fellow to have his concubine a
12 month and excuse him to the full between ourselves though he could pluck a gull and if he chanced upon a good fellow he would instruct him never to have or in such a case but the archdeacon’s curse except a man’s Soul lie within his purse
For in his purse the man should punished be the purse is the archdeacon’s hell said he but while I know he lied in what he said a curse ORD every guilty man to dread for curse can kill as Absolution safe and where significant of it to the Grave
In his own power had he and at ease the boys and girls of all the diocese and knew their secrets and by Council lead a Garland had he set upon his head large as a tavern’s wine Bush on a stake a Butler had he made of bread they bake
With him there wrote a gentle partner of Round Table his friend and his conqueror straight from the court of Rome had journeyed he loudly he sang come hither love to me the Summoner joining with a Bergen round was never Hall at half so great a sound
This partner had hair as yellow as wax but blanket hungers does a strike of flax in wisps hung down such locks as he’d on head and with them he his shoulders overspread but then they dropped and stringy one by one but as the hood for sport of it he’d
None though it was packed in wallet all the while it seemed to him he went in latest style disheveled saved for cap his head all bare as shiny eyes he had as has a hair he had a fine Veronica soap to cap his wallet lay before him in his lap
Stuff full of Pardons brought from Rome all hot a voice he had that pleated like a goat no beard had he nor ever should he have for smooth his face as he just had a shave I think he was a gelding or a mare but in his craft from bowick underwear
Was no such partner in any place for in his bag he had a pillowcase the witch he said was our true lady’s Veil he said he had a piece of the very sale that good Saint Peter had what time he went upon the sea till Jesus changed his bent
He had a Latin cross set full of stones and in a bottle had he sung Pig’s bones but with these relics when he came upon some simple person then this Paragon Indiana that one day more money stood to gain than the poor Duke in two months could Attain
And thus with flattery and such like James he made the Parson and the rest his Apes but yet to tell the whole truth at the last he was in church a fine ecclesiast well could he read a lesson or a story but best of all he sang an offertory for
Well he knew that when that song was sung then might he preach an all with polished tongue to win some silver as he right well could therefore he sang so merrily and so loud now have I told you briefly in a clause the state the array the number and the
Cause of the assembling of this company in southwark at this Noble hostel renowned as the tabardin hard by the Bell but now the time is come wearing to tell how all we bore ourselves that very Nightwing at the hostility we did a light and afterward the story I engaged to
Tell you of our common pilgrimage but first I pray you of your courtesy you will not ascribe it to vulgarity though I speak plainly of this matter here retailing you their words and means of cheer and although I use their very terms nor lie
For this thing do you know as well as I when one repeats a tale told by a man you must report as nearly as he can every least word if he remember it however rude it be or how unfit or else he may be telling what’s untrue embellishing and fictionizing too
He may not spare although it were his brother he must as well say one word as another Christ spoke right broadly out in holy wit and you know well there’s nothing low in it and Plato says to those able to read the word should be the cousin to the deed
Also I pray that you’ll forgive me if I have not said folk in their degree here in this tale by rank as they should stand my wits are not the best you’ll understand great cheer our host gave to us everyone and to the supper set us all and on and
Served us then with vittles of the best strong was the wine and pleasant to each guest a seemingly man our good host was with all fit to have been a marshal in some Hall he was a large man with protruding eyes as fire Burger as in cheap sight
Lies bold in his speech and wise and right well taught and as to manhood lacking their Inn naught also he was a very merry man and after meat a playing he began speaking of Mirth among some other things when all of us had paid our reckonings and saying
Thus now Masters barely you are all welcome here and heartily for by my truth and telling you no lie I have not seen this year a company here in this in fitter for sport than now Fame would I make you happy you I how another game have I this moment thought
To give you Joy and it shall cost you naught you go to Canterbury may God speed and the Blessed martyr soon required your Mead and while I know as you go on your way you’ll tell good tales and Shake yourselves to play for truly there’s no mirth nor Comfort none riding the roads
As dumb as is a stone and therefore will I furnish you a sport as I just said to give you some comfort and if you like it all by one ascent and will be ruled by me of my judgment and also do as I’ll proceed to say
Tomorrow when you ride upon your way then by my father’s Spirit who is dead if you’re not gay I’ll give you up my head hold up your hands know more about it speak our full ascending was not far to seek we thought there was no reason to think
Twice and granted him his way without advice and back until his verdict just unwise here now is my advice but take it not I pray you in disdain this is the point to put it short and plain that each of you beguiling the long day shall tell two
Stories as you went your way to Canterbury town and each of you on coming home shall tell another two all of Adventures he has known before and he who plays his part the best of all that is to say who tells upon the road Tales of best sense in most amusing
Mode shall have a supper at the others cost here in this room and sitting by this post when we come back again from Canterbury and now the mortar warrant you’ll be merry I will myself and gladly with you ride at my own cost and I will be your guide
But whosoever shall my rule gang say shall pay for all that’s bought along the way and if you agree that it’d be so tell me at once or if not tell me no and I will act accordingly no more this thing was granted and our oats we
Swore with right glad hearts and prayed of him also that he would take the office nor forgo the place of governor of all of us judging our tales and by his wisdom thus arranged that supper at a certain price we to be ruled each one by his advice in things both great and
Small by one Ascent we stood committed to his government and thereupon the wine was fetched and on we drank and then to rest went everyone and that without a longer tarrying next morning when the day began to Spring foreign host and acting as our he gathered
Us together in a flop and fourth we rode jog chop being the pace until we reached Saint Thomas Watering Place and there are host pulled horse up to a walk and said now Masters listen while I talk you know what you agreed it said of Sunday
If even song and morning song I won let’s here decide who first shall tell a tale and as I hope to drink more wine and Ale who so proves Rebel to my government shall pay for all that by the way is spent come now door Cuts before we fire the
Wing and he that draws the shortest shall begin tonight said he my master and my Lord you shall draw first as you have pledged your word come near quothy my lady pirates and you sir Clark put by your bashfulness nor Ponder more our hands flow every man
At once to draw a cut each one began and to make short the matter as it was whether by chance or whatsoever cause the truth is that the cut fell to the night at which ride happy then was every White thus that his story first of all he’d
Tell according to the compact it befell as you have heard Why argue to and fro and when this good man saw that it was so being a wise man an obedient to plighted word given by free Ascent he said since I must then begin the game
Why welcome be the cut and in God’s name now let us ride and how can what I say and at that word we rode forth on our way and he began to speak with right good cheer his tail and on as it is written here foreign
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