|
This worthy lymytour, this noble Frere, |
| He made alwey a maner louryng chiere |
| Upon the Somonour, but for honestee |
| No vileyns word as yet to hym spak he. |
| 5 | But atte laste he seyde unto the wyf, |
| "Dame," quod he, "God yeve yow right good lyf! |
| Ye han heer touched, also moot I thee, |
| In scole-matere greet difficultee. |
| Ye han seyd muche thyng right wel, I seye; |
| 10 | But, dame, heere as we ryde by the weye, |
| Us nedeth nat to speken but of game, |
| And lete auctoritees, on Goddes name, |
| To prechyng and to scole eek of clergye. |
| But if it lyke to this compaignye, |
| 15 | I wol yow of a somonour telle a game. |
| Pardee, ye may wel knowe by the name |
| That of a somonour may no good be sayd; |
| I praye that noon of you be yvele apayd. |
| A somonour is a rennere up and doun |
| 20 | With mandementz for fornicacioun, |
| And is ybet at every townes ende." |
|
|
This worthy limiter, this noble friar, |
| He turned always a lowering face, and dire, |
| Upon the summoner, but for courtesy |
| No rude and insolent word as yet spoke he. |
| 5 | But at the last he said unto the wife: |
| "Lady," said he, "God grant you a good life! |
| You have here touched, as I may prosperous be, |
| Upon school matters of great difficulty; |
| You have said many things right well, I say; |
| 10 | But, lady, as we ride along our way, |
| We need but talk to carry on our game, |
| And leave authorities, in good God's name, |
| To preachers and to schools for clergymen. |
| But if it pleases all this company, then, |
| 15 | I'll tell you of a summoner, to make game. |
| By God, you could surmise it by the name |
| That of a summoner may no good be said; |
| I pray that no one will be angry made. |
| A summoner is a runner up and down |
| 20 | With summonses for fornication known, |
| And he is beaten well at each town's end." |
|
