Our Host upon his stirrups stood anon, And saidë; “Good men, hearken every one, This was a thrifty 3676 talë for the nones. Sir Parish Priest,” quoth he, “for Goddë’s bones, Tell us a tale, as was thy forword yore: 3677 I see well that ye learned men in lore Can 3678 muchë good, by Goddë’s dignity.” The Parson him answér’d, “ Ben’dicite! What ails the man, so sinfully to swear?” Our Host answér’d, “O Jankin, be ye there? Now, good men,” quoth our Host, “hearken to me. I smell a Lollard 3679 in the wind,” quoth he. “Abide, for Goddë’s dignë 3680 passión, For we shall have a predicatión:
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