A sturdy harlot 2275 went them aye behind, That was their hostë’s man, and bare a sack, And what men gave them, laid it on his back. And when that he was out at door, anon He planed away the namës every one, That he before had written in his tables: He served them with nifles 2276 and with fables.⁠—

“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.”⁠—