The Tale

Lordings, there is in Yorkshire, as I guess, A marshy country callëd Holderness, In which there went a limitour about To preach, and eke to beg, it is no doubt. And so befell that on a day this frere Had preached at a church in his mannére, And speciálly, above every thing, Excited he the people in his preaching To trentals, 2259 and to give, for Goddë’s sake, Wherewith men mightë holy houses make, There as divinë service is honoúr’d, Not there as it is wasted and devoúr’d, Nor where it needeth not for to be given, As to possessioners, 2260 that may liven, Thanked be God, in wealth and abundánce. “Trentals,” said he, “deliver from penánce Their friendës’ soulës, as well old as young, Yea, when that they be hastily y-sung⁠— Not for to hold a priest jolly and gay, He singeth not but one mass in a day.