The Multitext Edition > Oxford, Corpus Christi College MS. 198
The Prologue to the Tale of Sir Thopas
Folio 215r/214r
1 of 2 folios
Thou lokest as þou woldest fynde an hare /
For euer vpon þe ground I se þe stare
Approche ner and loke meryly
Now ware ȝou sires and let þis man han place
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He in þe waste is schapen as wel as I
This were a popet in armes to embrace
For any wōman smal and fair of face
He semeþ eluysscħ by his contynaunce
For vnto no wight doþ he dalyaunce
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Say now somwhat seþins oþer folk han sayd
Telle vs a tale of merþe and þat anon
Oste quod I ne be nougħt yuel a payde
For oþer tale certes can I non
But of a Ryme I lerned longe agon
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Ȝe þat is good quod he schuln we here
Som deynte þing me þinkeþ by his cheer