and wide. A sword and buckler bare he by his side. His mouth as widë was as a furnáce. He was a jangler, and a goliardais, And that was most of sin and harlotries. Well could he stealë corn, and tollë thrice. And yet he had a thumb of gold, pardie. A white coat and a blue hood weared he. A baggëpipe well could he blow and soun’, And therewithal he brought us out of town.
A gentle Manciple was there of a temple, Of which achatours mightë take ensample For to be wise in buying of vitaille. For whether that he paid, or took by taile, Algate he waited so in his achate, That he was aye before in good estate. Now is not that of God a full fair grace That such a lewëd mannë’s wit shall pace The wisdom of an heap of learned men? Of masters had he more than thriës ten, That were of law expert and curious: Of which there was a dozen in that house, Worthy to be stewárds of rent and land Of any lord that is in Engleland, To makë him live by his proper good, In honour debtless, but if he were wood, Or live as scarcely as him list desire; And able for to helpen all a shire In any case that mightë fall or hap; And yet this Manciple set their allër cap.