and to stoop. “Heit now,” quoth he; “there, Jesus Christ you bless, And all his handiwork, both more and less! That was well twight, mine owen liart, boy, I pray God save thy body, and Saint Loy! Now is my cart out of the slough, pardie.” “Lo, brother,” quoth the fiend, “what told I thee? Here may ye see, mine owen dearë brother, The churl spake one thing, but he thought another. Let us go forth abouten our voyáge; Here win I nothing upon this carriáge.”
When that they came somewhat out of the town, This Sompnour to his brother gan to rown; “Brother,” quoth he, “here wons an old rebeck, That had almost as lief to lose her neck. As for to give a penny of her good. I will have twelvepence, though that she be wood, Or I will summon her to our offíce; And yet, God wot, of her know I no vice. But for thou canst not, as in this countrý, Winnë thy cost, take here example of me.” This Sompnour clapped at the widow’s gate: “Come out,” he said, “thou oldë very trate; I trow thou hast some friar or priest with thee.” “Who clappeth?” said this wife; “ ben’dicite , God save you, Sir, what is your sweetë will?” “I have,” quoth he, “of summons here a bill. Up pain of cursing, lookë that thou be To-morrow before our archdeacon’s knee, To answer to the court of certain things.” “Now Lord,” quoth she, “Christ Jesus, king of kings, So wis1y helpë me, as I not may. I have been sick, and that full many a day. I may not go so far,” quoth she, “nor ride, But I be dead, so pricketh it my side. May I not ask a libel, Sir Sompnoúr, And answer there by my procúratoúr To such thing as men would apposë me?” “Yes,” quoth this Sompnour, “pay anon, let see, Twelvepence to me, and I will thee acquit. I shall no profit have thereby but lit: My master hath the profit and not I. Come off, and let me ridë hastily; Give me twelvepence, I may no longer tarry.”
“Twelvepence!” quoth she; “now lady Saintë Mary So wisly help me out of care and sin, This widë world though that I should it win, Ne have I not twelvepence within my hold. Ye know full well that I am poor and old; Kithë your almës upon me poor wretch.” “Nay then,” quoth he,