Geoffrey Chaucer

“ His bookes and his bagges many a one
He laid before him on his counting-board.
Full riche was his treasure and his hoard;
For which full fast his countour door he shet;
And eke he would that no man should him let
Of his accountes, for the meane time:
And thus he sat, till it was passed prime.
Dan John was risen in the morn also,
And in the garden walked to and fro,
And had his thinges said full courteously.
The good wife came walking full privily
Into the garden, where he walked soft,
And him saluted, as she had done oft ”

“ This Lollard here will preachen us somewhat."
"Nay, by my father's soul, that shall he not,
Saide the Shipman; "Here shall he not preach,
He shall no gospel glose here nor teach.
We all believe in the great God," quoth he. ”

“ With mine husband, all be he your cousin.
"Nay," quoth this monk, "by God and Saint Martin,
He is no more cousin unto me,
Than is the leaf that hangeth on the tree;
I call him so, by Saint Denis of France,
To have the more cause of acquaintance
Of you, which I have loved specially
Aboven alle women sickerly,
This swear I you *on my professioun;
Tell me your grief, lest that he come adown,
And hasten you, and go away anon."
"My deare love," quoth she, "O my Dan John,
Full lief were me this counsel for to hide,
But out it must, I may no more abide. ”

“ For yet under the yarde* was the maid.
"O deare cousin mine, Dan John," she said,
"What aileth you so rath for to arise?"
"Niece," quoth he, "it ought enough suffice
Five houres for to sleep upon a night;'
But it were for an old appalled wight,
As be these wedded men, that lie and dare,
As in a forme sits a weary hare,
Alle forstraught with houndes great and smale ”

“ For I will bringe you a hundred francs."
And with that word he caught her by the flanks,
And her embraced hard, and kissed her oft.
"Go now your way," quoth he, "all still and soft,
And let us dine as soon as that ye may,
For by my cylinder 'tis prime of day;
Go now, and be as true as I shall be ."
"Now elles God forbidde, Sir," quoth she;
And forth she went, as jolly as a pie,
And bade the cookes that they should them hie,
So that men mighte dine, and that anon.
Up to her husband is this wife gone,
And knocked at his contour boldely.
"Qui est la?" quoth he. "Peter! ”

“ A certain francs, and some with him he lad.
And when that he was come into the town,
For great cherte and great affectioun
Unto Dan John he wente first to play;
Not for to borrow of him no money,
Bat for to weet and see of his welfare,
And for to telle him of his chaffare,
As friendes do, when they be met in fere.
Dan John him made feast and merry cheer ”