| 45 |
Whan that oure Hoost hadde herd this sermonyng, |
| He gan to speke as lordly as a kyng, |
| He seide, "What amounteth al this wit? |
| What shul we speke alday of hooly writ? |
| The devel made a reve for to preche, |
| 50 | And of a soutere a shipman, or a leche. |
| Sey forth thy tale, and tarie nat the tyme. |
| Lo Depeford, and it is half-wey pryme. |
| Lo Grenewych, ther many a shrewe is inne! |
| It were al tyme thy tale to bigynne." |
| 55 | "Now sires," quod this Osewold the Reve, |
| "I pray yow alle, that ye nat yow greve, |
| Thogh I answere, and somdeel sette his howve, |
| For leveful is with force force of-showve. |
|
| 45 | Now when our host had heard this sermoning, |
| Then did he speak as lordly as a king; |
| He said: "To what amounts, now, all this wit? |
| Why should we talk all day of holy writ? |
| The devil made a preacher of a reeve, |
| 50 | And of a cobbler, a sailor or doctor I believe. |
| Tell, forth your tale, and do not waste the time. |
| Here's Deptford! And it is half way to prime. |
| There's Greenwich town that many a scoundrel's in; |
| It is quite time your story should begin." |
| 55 | "Now, sirs," then Oswald the Reeve replied |
| "I pray you all, that none will be dissatisfied |
| Though I reply and somewhat make a fool of him; |
| It's lawful to meet force with force therein." |
|
