“Nay, there thou liest, thou Sompnour,” quoth the Frere. “Peace,” quoth our Host, “for Christë’s mother dear; Tell forth thy tale, and spare it not at all.” “So thrive I,” quoth this Sompnour, “so I shall.”—
So long he went from house to house, till he Came to a house, where he was wont to be Refreshed more than in a hundred places. Sick lay the husband man, whose that the place is, Bedrid upon a couchë low he lay: “ Deus hic ,” quoth he; “O Thomas friend, good day,” Said this friár, all courteously and soft. “Thomas,” quoth he, “God yield it you, full oft Have I upon this bench fared full well, Here have I eaten many a merry meal.” And from the bench he drove away the cat, And laid adown his potent and his hat, And eke his scrip, and sat himself adown: His fellow was y-walked into town Forth with his knave, into that hostelry Where as he shopë him that night to lie.
“O dearë master,” quoth this sickë man, “How have ye fared since that March began? I saw you not this fortënight and more.” “God wot,” quoth he, “laboúr’d have I full sore; And specially for thy salvatión Have I said many a precious orison, And for mine other friendës, God them bless. I have this day been at your church at mess, And said sermón after my simple wit, Not all after the text of Holy Writ; For it is hard to you, as I suppose, And therefore will I teach you aye the glose. Glosing is a full glorious thing certáin, For letter slayeth, as we clerkës sayn. There have I taught them to be charitable, And spend their good where it is reasonable. And there I saw our damë; where is she?” “Yonder I trow that in the yard she be,” Saidë this man; “and she will come anon.” “Hey master, welcome be ye by Saint John,” Saidë this wife; “how fare ye heartily?”
This friar riseth up full courteously, And her embraceth in his armës narrow, And kiss’th her sweet, and chirketh as a sparrow With his lippës: “Damë,” quoth he, “right well, As he that is your servant every deal. Thanked be God, that gave you soul and life, Yet saw I not this day so fair