The Tale 3505

Lordings (quoth he), in churchë when I preach, I painë me 3506 to have an hautein 3507 speech, And ring it out, as round as doth a bell, For I know all by rotë that I tell. My theme is always one, and ever was; Radix malorum est cupiditas . 3508 First I pronouncë whencë that I come, And then my bullës shew I all and some; Our liegë lordë’s seal on my patént, That shew I first, my body to warrent, 3509 That no man be so hardy, priest nor clerk, Me to disturb of Christë’s holy werk. And after that then tell I forth my tales. Bullës of popës, and of cardinales, Of patriarchs, and of bishóps I shew, And in Latín I speak a wordës few, To savour with my predicatión,