full often in assize, By patent, and by plein commission; For his sciénce, and for his high renown, Of fees and robës had he many one. So great a purchaser was nowhere none. All was fee simple to him, in effect His purchasing might not be in suspect. Nowhere so busy a man as he there was, And yet he seemed busier than he was. In termës had he case’ and doomës all, That from the time of King Will. werë fall. Thereto he could indite, and make a thing, There couldë no wight pinch at his writing. And every statute coud he plain by rote. He rode but homely in a medley coat, Girt with a seint of silk, with barrës small; Of his array tell I no longer tale.
A Frankëlin was in this company; White was his beard, as is the daïsy. Of his complexión he was sanguíne. Well lov’d he in the morn a sop in wine. To liven in delight was ever his won, For he was Epicurus’ owen son, That held opinion, that plein delight Was verily felicity perfíte. An householder, and that a great, was he; Saint Julian he was in his countrý. His bread, his ale, was alway after one; A better envined man was nowhere none; Withouten bake-meat never was his house, Of fish and flesh, and that so plentëous, It snowed in his house of meat and drink, Of allë dainties that men couldë think. After the sundry seasons of the year, So changed he his meat and his soupére. Full many a fat partridge had he in mew, And many a bream, and many a luce in stew. Woe was his cook, but if his saucë were Poignant and sharp, and ready all his gear. His table dormant in his hall alway Stood ready cover’d all the longë day. At sessions there was he lord and sire. Full often time he was knight of the shire. An anlace, and a gipciere all of silk, Hung at his girdle, white as morning milk. A sheriff had he been, and a countour. Was nowhere such a worthy vavasour.
An Haberdasher , and a Carpenter , A Webbe , a Dyer , and a Tapiser , Were with us eke, cloth’d in one livery, Of a solémn and great fraternity. Full fresh and new their gear y-picked was. Their knivës were y-chaped not with brass, But all with silver wrought full clean and well, Their