|
Oure Hoost tho spak, "A, sire, ye sholde be hende |
| And curteys, as a man of youre estaat; |
| In compaignye we wol have no debaat. |
| 25 | Telleth youre tale, and lat the somonour be." |
| "Nay," quod the Somonour, "lat hym seye to me |
| What so hym list; whan it comth to me lot, |
| By God, I shal hym quiten every grot. |
| I shal hym tellen which a greet honour |
| 30 | It is to be a flaterynge lymytour; |
| And eek of many another manere cryme |
| Which nedeth nat rehercen at this tyme; |
| And his office I shal hym telle, ywis." |
|
|
Our host then spoke: "O sir, you should attend |
| To courtesy, like man of your estate; |
| In company here we will have no debate. |
| 25 | Tell forth your tale and let the summoner be." |
| "Nay," said the summoner, "let him say to me |
| What pleases him; when it falls to my lot, |
| By God I'll then repay him, every jot. |
| I'll then make plain to him what great honour |
| 30 | It is to be a flattering limiter; |
| And also of many other ways of crime |
| Which do not have to be repeated at this time |
| I'll certainly tell him what his business is." |
|
