The Friar's Tale
Folio 104v
4 of 11 folios
Sayde þis ȝiman wiltow fer to day
This sompnour answerd and sayde nay
Her faste by quod he is myn entent
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To ryden for to reysen vp a rent
That longith to my lordes duete
Artow þan a bayely quod he /
He durste not for verray filth and schame
Sayn þat he was a sompnor for þe name
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De par dieux quod þe ȝeman lieue broþer
Thou art a bayly and I am anotherer
I am vnknowen as in þis contre
Of þin acqueintance I wol praye þe
And eek of broþerheed it ȝow lest
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I haue gold and siluer in my chest
If þat þe happe come in to oure schire
Al schal be þin right as þou wolt desire
Gaunt mercy quod þis sompnour by my faith
Euerich in otheres hond his trouthe laith
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For to be sworne breþeren til þay deyen
In daliaunce forþ þay ride and pleyen
This Sompnour which þat was as ful of iangles
As ful of venym ben þese wery angles
And euer enquering vpon euery þing /
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Broþer quod he wher now is ȝour duellyng
Anoþer day if þat I schulde ȝow seeche
This ȝiman him answerd in softe speche
Broþer quod he fer in þe norþ contre
Wher as I hope somtyme I schal þe se
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Er we depart I schal þe so wel wisse
That of myn hous ne schaltow neuer misse
Now broþer quod þis sompnor I ȝow pray
Teche me whil þat we ryden by þe way
Syn þat ȝe ben a baily as am I
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Som subtilte as tel me faithfully
In myn office . how þat I may wynne .
And spare not for consciens or for synne
But as my broþer tel me how do ȝe
Now by my trouthe brothir myn sayd he /