The Summoner's Tale
Folio 85r
12 of 15 folios
And down his hand / he launcheth to the clifte
In hope / for to fynde there a yifte
And whan this sike man / felte this frere
440
Aboute his tuwel / grope there and heere
Amydde his hand / he leet the frere a fart
Ther is no capul / drawyng in a Cart
That myghte han late a fart of swich a sown
¶ The frere vp stirte / as dooth a wood leoun
445
A false cherl quod he / for goddes bones
This hastow for despit doon for the nones
Thow shalt abye this fart if þt I may
His meynee / which that herden this affray
Cam lepyng In / and chaced out the frere
450
And forth he gooth / with a ful angry cheere
And fette his felawe / ther as lay his stoor
He looked / as he were a wilde boor
He grynt with his teeth / so was he wrooth
A sturdy paas / doun to the court he gooth
455
Wher as ther woned / a man of greet honour
To whom / that he was alwey confessour
This worthy man / was lord of that village
This frere cam / as he were in a rage
Where as this lord / sat etyng at his boord
460
Vnnethe / myghte the frere speke a woord
Til atte laste / he seyde / god yow see
¶ This lord gan looke / and seyde benedicitee
What frere Ioħn / what manere world is this
I se wel / that som thyng ther is amys
465
Ye looken / as the wode were ful of theuys
Sit doun anon / and tel me what youre grief is
And it shal been amended / if I may
¶ I haue quod he / had a despit to day
God yelde yow / adown in youre village
470
That in this world / ther nys so poure a page
That he nolde haue / abhomynacioun
Of that I haue receyued in youre toun
And yet ne greueth me / no thyng so soore
As that this olde cherl / with lokkes hoore
475
Blasphemed hath / oure hooly Couent eke
¶ Now maister quod this lord / I yow biseke