The Summoner's Tale
Folio 80v
14 of 16 folios
470
That in this world ther nys that pore page
That he nold haue abhomynacioun
Of that I haue receyued in your toun
And ne greueth me no thing so soore
As that this olde cherle wyth lokkes hoore
475
Blasphemed hath our holy couent eke
¶ Now Maister quod this lord I yow beseke
¶ No maister syr quod he but seruytour
Though I haue had in scole that honour
God liketh nat that Raby men vs calle
480
Neither in Market ne in your large halle
¶ No force quod he telle me al your greef
¶ Syr quod this frere an odiouse mischeef
This day bityd is to myn ordre and me
And so per consequens to eche degre
485
Of holy cherche god amende it sone
Syr quod the lord ye wot what is to done
Distempre yow nought ye be my confessour
Ye ben the salt of the erthe and the sauour
For goddes loue your paciens ye hold
490
Telle me your grief and he anon him told
As ye han herd biforn ye wot wel what
¶ The lady of the hous ay styl sat
Til she had herd what the frere seyde
Ey goddes moder quod she blisful mayde
495
Is ther aught elles telle me feythfully
¶ Madame quod he how thinketh you therby
¶ How that me thynketh quod she so god me spede
I sey a cherle hath doon a cherles dede
What shold I sey god late him neuer the
500
His syk heed is ful of vanyte
I holde him in a maner frenasye
¶ Madame quod he bi god I shal nat lye
But I on other wyse may be wreke
I shal defame him ouer al ther I speke
505
This fals blasphemur that charged me
To depart that wol nought departed be
To euery man I lyche wyth myschaunce
The lord sat stille as he were in a traunce