Introduction to the Man of Law's Tale
Folio 74r
3 of 4 folios
And þough he were nought deepe expert in lore
5
He wist it was þe xviijõ . day
Of Apriƚƚ þat is messager to May
And saugh wel þat þe schadwe of euery tree
Was as in lengþe þe same quantite
That was þe body erect þat caused it
10
And þerfore by þe schadewe he took his wit
That Phebus which þat schon so cler and bright
Degrees was xlv clombe on hight
And for þat day as in þat latitude
It was ten atte clokke he gan conclude
15
And sodeinly he pligħt his hors aboute
Lordynges qd he I warne ȝou aƚƚ þis route
The ferþe party of þis day is gon
Now for þe loue of god and of seint Ioħn
Leseþ no tyme as ferforth as ye may
20
Lordinges þe time it wasteþ night and day
And steleþ from vs what priuely slepyng
And what þurgh necligence in oure waking
As doth þe streem þat turneþ neuer agayn
Descendyng from þe mountayn in to playn
25
Wel can senek and many a Philosophre
Biweilen tyme more þan gold in cophre
For los of cateƚƚ may recouered be
But los of tyme schendeþ vs quod he
It wil nougħt come agayn wiþouten drede
30
Namore þan wile Malkyns maydenhede
Whan sche haþ lost it in hir wantounesse
Lat vs nought mowlen þus in ydelnesse
Sire Man of lawe qd he saue ȝe blis
Tel vs a tale anon as forward is
35
Ye be submitted þurgħ your free assent
To stonde in þis cas of my Iuggement
Aquiteþ ȝow now of ȝoure beheste
Thanne haue ye doon your deuer atte leste
Oost qd he deperdeux ich assente