The Shipman's Tale
Folio 181v
3 of 12 folios
Fre was dan Iohñ & namely of dispense
As in þat hous & ful of diligence
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To do plasance & also grete Costage
He nouht forȝate to ȝeue þe lest page
In al þat hous bot after here degre
He ȝaf þe lorde & seþen al þe meyne
Whan þat he cam sum maner honest þinge
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For whiche þei were algladd of his cōynge
As foule is feine whan sonne vpriseþ
No more of þis as now for it suffiseþ
Bot so be fel þis marchant vpon a daie
Schope him to make rede his araie
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To warde þe toune of Brugges for to fare
To byen þer a porcion of ware
For whiche he haþe to perische sent anone
A messagier & preide haþe Dan Ioħn
Thas he scholde come to seinte Denys & pleye
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Wiþ him & wiþ his wif a dai or tweye
Are he to brugges wente in al wise
Þis noble monke of whiche .I. ȝowe deuise
Haþ of his Abbot as him lust lycence
Be cause he was aman of hihe pudence
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And eke an Oficer oute for to ride
To se here graunges & her bernes wide
And vnto seint Denys he comeþ anone
Who was so welcom as my lorde dan Iohñe
Oure dere Cosyn ful of Curtasye
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W him brouht a Iubbe of Maluese
And eke anoþer ful of goode vernage
And volatile as aie was his vsage
And þus .I. lete hem ete & dringe & pleie
Þis marchant & his monke a daie or tweie
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The þreddaie þis Marchant vp he riseþ
And on his nedes sadly him a viseþ
And vp in to his counte hous goþe he
To reken wiþ him self wel maie be
Of þilke ȝere howe þat wiþ him stode
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And howe þat he despended had his goode
And if þat he encresed were or none
His bokes & his bagges many one
He ley þe be for him on his counteing borde
Ful riche was his tresore & his horde