A good man there was of religión, That was a poorë Parson of a town: But rich he was of holy thought and werk: 167 He was also a learned man, a clerk, That Christë’s gospel truly wouldë preach. His parishens devoutly would he teach. Benign he was, and wonder diligent, And in adversity full patient: And such he was y-proved often sithes. 168 Full loth were him to cursë for his tithes, But rather would he given out of doubt, Unto his poorë parishens about, Of his off’ring, and eke of his substánce. He could in little thing have suffisance. 169 Wide was his parish, and houses far asunder, But he ne left not, for no rain nor thunder, In sickness and in mischief to visit The farthest in his parish, much and lit, 170