The General Prologue
Folio 8v
16 of 23 folios
Algate he wayted so in his acate
That he was ay biforn and in good state
575
Now is not þat of god a ful fair grace
That such a lewed mannes wit schal pace
The wisdom of an heep of lernede men
Of maystres hadde moo þan þries ten
That were of lawe expert and curious
580
Of which þer were a doseyn in an hous
Worthi to be stiwardz of Rente and lond
Of any lord þat is in Engelond
To make him lyue by his propre good
In honour detteles but if he were wood
585
Of lyue as scarsly as he can desire
And able for to helpen al a schire
In any caas þat mighte falle or happe
And ȝit þis maunciple sette here aller cappe
The Reeue was a sklendre colerik man
590
His berd was schaue as neigh as euer he can
His heer was by his Eres neigh I schorn
His top was dockud lyk a preest biforn
Ful longe wern his leggus and ful lene
Al like a staff ther was no calf y sene
595
Wel cowde he kepe a gerner and a bynne
Ther was non auditour cowde on him wynne
Wel wiste he by þe drougħt and by þe Reyn
The ȝeeldyng of his seed and of his greyn
His lordes scheep his neet his dayerie
600
His swyn his hors his stoor and his pultrie
Was holly in þis Reeues gouernynge
And by his couenaūt ȝaf þe Rekenynge
Syn þat his lord was .xx i. ȝeer of age
Ther couthe noman bringe him in arrerage
605
Ther nas baillif ne herde ne oþer hyne
That þey ne knewe his sleigħt and his couyne
They were adrad of him as of þe deth
His wonyng was ful fair vpon an heth
Wiþ grene trees I schadewed was his place
610
He cowde bettre þan his lord purchace Ful riche