The Prioress' Tale
Folio 163r
1 of 6 folios
Mi connyng is to weik .o. blisful quene
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For to declare thi gret worthinesse
That I ne may nat my wit sustene
But as child of twelue moneth olde or lesse
That can vnnethes eny word expersse
Right so fare I and ther fore I yow preye
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Endityth my song that I shal of yow seye
Ther was in Asy in a gret Citee
Among cristen folk a Iewerye
Susteyned bi a lord of that contree
For foul vserye and lucre of vileynye
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Hatful to crist and to his compaignye
And thurgh the strete men myght ride or wende
For it was fre and open at euery ende
A litel scole of cristen folk ther stood
Doun at the ferther ende in which ther wer
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Children an heep I come of cristes blood
That lered in that scole yer bi yer
Such maner doctine as men vsed ther
This is to sey to singe and to rede
As smale children doon in hir childhede
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Among this children was a widow son
A litel clergioun that .vij. yer was of age
That day bi day to scole was his won
And ek also wher so he sagh themage
Of cristes moder had he in vsage
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As him was taught to knele adoun and sey
His Aue mary as he goth bi the wey
Thus hath this widow hir litel child taught
Our blisful lady cristes moder dere
To worship ay and he forgate it naght
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For cely child wil alwey sone lere
But ay whan I remebre of this matere
Seint Nicholas stant euyr in my persence
For he so yong to crist ded reuerence