Somewhat he lisped for his wantonness, To make his English sweet upon his tongue; And in his harping, when that he had sung, His eyen twinkled in his head aright, As do the starrës in a frosty night. This worthy limitour was call’d Hubérd.
A Merchant was there with a forked beard, In motley, and high on his horse he sat, Upon his head a Flandrish beaver hat. His bootës clasped fair and fetisly. His reasons aye spake he full solemnly, Sounding alway th’ increase of his winning. He would the sea were kept for any thing Betwixtë Middleburg and Orëwell. Well could he in exchangë shieldës sell. This worthy man full well his wit beset; There wistë no wight that he was in debt, So estately was he of governance With his bargáins, and with his chevisance. For sooth he was a worthy man withal, But sooth to say, I n’ot how men him call.
A Clerk there was of Oxenford also, That unto logic haddë long y-go. As leanë was his horse as is a rake, And he was not right fat, I undertake; But looked hollow, and thereto soberly. Full threadbare was his overest courtepy, For he had gotten him yet no benefice, Ne was not worldly, to have an office. For him was lever have at his bed’s head Twenty bookës, clothed in black or red, Of Aristotle, and his philosophy, Than robës rich, or fiddle, or psalt’ry. But all be that he was a philosópher, Yet haddë he but little gold in coffer, But all that he might of his friendës hent, On bookës and on learning he it spent, And busily gan for the soulës pray Of them that gave him wherewith to scholay. Of study took he mostë care and heed. Not one word spake he morë than was need; And that was said in form and reverence, And short and quick, and full of high senténce. Sounding in moral virtue was his speech, And gladly would he learn, and gladly teach.
A Sergeant of the Law , wary and wise, That often had y-been at the Parvis, There was also, full rich of excellence. Discreet he was, and of great reverence: He seemed such, his wordës were so wise, Justice he was