The Multitext Edition > Oxford, Corpus Christi College MS. 198
The Friar's Prologue
Folio 115(b)r
2 of 2 folios
¶ here bygynneþ þe prologe of þe Frere /
This worþy lymytour þis noble Frere
He made alway lowrynge cheere /
Vpon þe somnour but for honeste /
No vyleynes word as ȝit spak he /
5
But atte laste he seyde vnto þe wijf
Dame goode god ȝif ȝou right good lijf
Ȝe han touched heer al so mote I þe
In scole matier gret difficulte
Ȝe han seid mochel þing right wel I seye
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But dame heere as we ryden by þe weye
Vs nedeþ nat to speken but of game
And late auctoritees a goddes name
To perching & to scole eek of clergie /
But if it like vnto þis companye
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I wol ȝou of a somnour telle a game
Parde ȝe may wel knowe by þe name
That of no somnor may no good be sayd
I pray þat non of ȝou be yuele payd
A somnour is a romere vp and doun
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Wiþ amendement of fornicacioū