| 435 |
"Wel seyd, by corpus dominus," quod our Hoost, |
| "Now longe moote thou saille by the cost, |
| Sir gentil maister, gentil maryneer. |
| God yeve this monk a thousand last quade yeer! |
| A ha! felawes, beth ware of swich a jape. |
| 440 | The monk putte in the mannes hood an ape, |
| And in his wyves eek, by Seint Austyn; |
| Draweth no monkes moore unto your in. |
| But now passe over, and lat us seke aboute |
| Who shal now telle first of al this route |
| 445 | Another tale?" and with that word he sayde, |
| As curteisly as it had ben a mayde, |
| "My lady Prioresse, by youre leve, |
| So that I wiste I sholde yow nat greve, |
| I wolde demen that ye tellen sholde |
| 450 | A tale next, if so were that ye wolde. |
| Now wol ye vouche sauf, my lady deere?" |
| "Gladly," quod she, and seyde as ye shal heere. |
|
| 435 |
Well said, by corpus dominus," said our host, |
| "Now long time may you sail along the coast, |
| Sir gentle master, gentle mariner! |
| God give this monk a thousand years bitter! |
| Aha, comrades, beware of such a jape! |
| 440 | The monk put into that man's hood an ape, |
| And in the wife's too, by Saint Augustine! |
| Invite no more monks to your house or inn. |
| "But let that pass, and let us look about |
| To see who shall be next, of all this rout, |
| 445 | To tell a tale." And after that he said, |
| As courteously as it had been a maid: |
| "My lady prioress, and by your leave, |
| So that I knew I should in no way grieve, |
| I would opine that tell a tale you should, |
| 450 | The one that follows next if you but would. |
| Now will you please vouchsafe it, lady dear?" |
| "Gladly," said she, and spoke as you shall hear. |
|
