The Monk's Prologue
Folio 206v
2 of 4 folios
And if þat any neigheboruhe of myne
Wil nouht in cherche to my wif encline
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Or be so hardy to hire to trespas
Whan sche cōmeþ home sche rumpeþ in my face
And crieþ false cowarde wreke þine wife
By corpus bones ; I. wil haue þi knyf
And þou schalt haue myn distaf & go spynne
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Fro day to nyht riht þus wil sche be ginne
Alas sche seiþe þat euery was schape
To wedde a mylkesoppe or a coward apee
Þat wil be ouereladde wiþ euery wight
Þou darst nouȝt stonde be þi wif a riht
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Þis is my lyf bot þat .I. wold fiht
And oute att þe dore anone .I. mot me diht
Or elles .I. am lost bot if þat .I.
Bue like a wilde lione foole hardye
.I. wote wele sche wil do me sle sum daie
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Some neihbor ; & þan go my waie
For .I. am perilous wt knyf on honde
Albeit þat .I. dar hir nouȝt wiþ stonde
For sche is bigge in armes be my feiþe
Þat schal he finde þat hir misdoþe or seiþe
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Bot lat vs passe a weie fro þis matiere
My lorde sir monke he seiþe be þe merye of chere
For ȝe schal tel a tale trewly
Lo Rouchester stant her fast by
Ride forþe myne owen lorde breke nouht oure game
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Bot be my trouþe .I. knowe nouȝt ȝoure name
Wheþer .I. schal cal ȝowe my lorde doune Ioħn
Or dan Thomas or dan albon
Oþere of whatt house be ȝe be ȝoure fader kinne
.I. vowe to good þou hast a ful faire skynne
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It is a gentil pasture þere þou goste
Þou ert nouht like a penant or a goste
Vpon my feiþ þou ert sum officiere
Sōme worþe sexteyne eyþere sum celerere
Fo be my fader soule as to my dome
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Þou ert a maister whan þou ert att home
No pouer cloistrer ne no pouer novise
Bot a gouernoure a wilye & wise
And þere wiþ al of braunes & of bones
A wele faringe persone for þe nones