The Multitext Edition > Cambridge University Library MS. Gg.4.2.7
The Manciple's Tale
Folio 395r
1 of 8 folios
Here begȳnyth the Manciple his tale
Whā phebus dwellede heere ī this erthea doū
As olde bokys makȳ mēcioū
He was the moste lusti bacheleere
In al this world & ek the beste archer
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He slow Phitoū the serpent as he lay
Slepȳge ageyn the sūne vp on aday
And manye a nothir noble worthi dede
He with his bowe wroughte as ȝe may rede
Pleeyen he coude on euery menstrelsye
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And sȳgyn that it was a melodye
To heryn of his cleere voys the soun
Sertis the kyng of thebes Amphioun
That wt his sȳgyng wallede that cete
Koude neuere sȳgȳ half so wel as he
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Therto he was the semylyeste man
That is or was sithe that the world be gan
What nedith it hise feturis to discryue
For in this world was non so fayr on lyue
He was therwith fulfyld of gentylesse
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Of honour & of parfyt worthynesse