When that Aprilis, with his showers swoot,1 The drought of March hath pierced to the root, And bathed every vein in such licóur, Of which virtúe engender’d is the flower; When Zephyrus eke with his sw...

Whilom,278 as oldë stories tellen us, There was a duke that hightë279 Theseus. Of Athens he was lord and governor, And in his timë such a conqueror That greater was there none under the sun. Full many...

When that the Knight had thus his talë told, In all the rout was neither young nor old, That he not said it was a noble story, And worthy to be drawen to memóry;907 And namëly the gentles every one.90...

When that the Knight had thus his talë told, In all the rout was neither young nor old, That he not said it was a noble story, And worthy to be drawen to memóry;907 And namëly the gentles every one.90...

Whilom there was dwelling in Oxenford A richë gnof,936 that guestës held to board,937 And of his craft he was a carpentér. With him there was dwelling a poor scholér, Had learned art, but all his fant...

When folk had laughed all at this nice case Of Absolon and Hendy Nicholas, Diversë folk diversëly they said, But for the morë part they laugh’d and play’d;1189 And at this tale I saw no man him grieve...

When folk had laughed all at this nice case Of Absolon and Hendy Nicholas, Diversë folk diversëly they said, But for the morë part they laugh’d and play’d;1189 And at this tale I saw no man him grieve...

At Trompington, not far from Cantebrig,1221 There goes a brook, and over that a brig, Upon the whichë brook there stands a mill: And this is very sooth that I you tell. A miller was there dwelling man...

The Cook of London, while the Reeve thus spake, For joy he laugh’d and clapp’d him on the back: “Aha!” quoth he, “for Christë’s passión, This Miller had a sharp conclusión, Upon this argument of herbe...

The Cook of London, while the Reeve thus spake, For joy he laugh’d and clapp’d him on the back: “Aha!” quoth he, “for Christë’s passión, This Miller had a sharp conclusión, Upon this argument of herbe...

A prentice whilom dwelt in our city, And of a craft of victuallers was he: Galliard1375 he was, as goldfinch in the shaw,1376 Brown as a berry, a proper short felláw: With lockës black, combed full fe...

Our Hostë saw well that the brightë sun Th’ arc of his artificial day had run The fourthë part, and half an hourë more; And, though he were not deep expert in lore, He wist it was the eight-and-twenty...

Our Hostë saw well that the brightë sun Th’ arc of his artificial day had run The fourthë part, and half an hourë more; And, though he were not deep expert in lore, He wist it was the eight-and-twenty...

O scatheful harm, condition of povérty, With thirst, with cold, with hunger so confounded; To askë help thee shameth in thine heartë; If thou none ask, so sore art thou y-wounded, That very need unwra...

Experience, though none authority1742 Were in this world, is right enough for me To speak of woe that is in marriáge: For, lordings, since I twelve year was of age, (Thanked be God that is etern on li...

Experience, though none authority1742 Were in this world, is right enough for me To speak of woe that is in marriáge: For, lordings, since I twelve year was of age, (Thanked be God that is etern on li...

In oldë dayës of the king Arthoúr, Of which that Britons speakë great honoúr, All was this land full fill’d of faërie;2019 The Elf-queen, with her jolly company, Danced full oft in many a green mead. ...

This worthy limitour, this noble Frere, He made always a manner louring cheer2140 Upon the Sompnour; but for honesty2141 No villain word as yet to him spake he: But at the last he said unto the Wife: ...

This worthy limitour, this noble Frere, He made always a manner louring cheer2140 Upon the Sompnour; but for honesty2141 No villain word as yet to him spake he: But at the last he said unto the Wife: ...

Whilom2148 there was dwelling in my countrý An archdeacon, a man of high degree, That boldëly did executión, In punishing of fornicatión, Of witchëcraft, and eke of bawdery, Of defamation, and adulter...

The Sompnour in his stirrups high he stood, Upon this Friar his heartë was so wood,2252 That like an aspen leaf he quoke2253 for ire: “Lordings,” quoth he, “but one thing I desire; I you beseech, that...

The Sompnour in his stirrups high he stood, Upon this Friar his heartë was so wood,2252 That like an aspen leaf he quoke2253 for ire: “Lordings,” quoth he, “but one thing I desire; I you beseech, that...

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 ...

“Sir Clerk of Oxenford,” our Hostë said, “Ye ride as still and coy, as doth a maid That were new spoused, sitting at the board: This day I heard not of your tongue a word. I trow ye study about some s...

“Sir Clerk of Oxenford,” our Hostë said, “Ye ride as still and coy, as doth a maid That were new spoused, sitting at the board: This day I heard not of your tongue a word. I trow ye study about some s...

There is, right at the west side of Itále, Down at the root of Vesulus2436 the cold, A lusty2437 plain, abundant of vitáille; There many a town and tow’r thou may’st behold, That founded were in time ...

There is, right at the west side of Itále, Down at the root of Vesulus2436 the cold, A lusty2437 plain, abundant of vitáille; There many a town and tow’r thou may’st behold, That founded were in time ...

Not far from thilkë2468 palace honouráble, Where as this marquis shope2469 his marriáge, There stood a thorp,2470 of sightë délectáble, In which the poorë folk of that villáge Haddë their beastës and ...

There fell, as falleth many timës mo’, When that his child had sucked but a throw,2529 This marquis in his heartë longed so To tempt his wife, her sadness2530 for to know, That he might not out of his...

In this estate there passed be four year Ere she with childë was; but, as God wo’ld, A knavë2577 child she bare by this Waltére, Full gracious and fair for to behold; And when that folk it to his fath...

Among all this,2620 after his wick’ uságe, The marquis, yet his wife to temptë more To the uttermost proof of her coráge, Fully to have experience and lore2621 If that she were as steadfast as before,...

From Bologn’ is the earl of Panic’ come, Of which the fame up sprang to more and less; And to the people’s earës all and some Was know’n eke, that a newë marchioness He with him brought, in such pomp ...

“Griseld’ is dead, and eke her patience, And both at once are buried in Itále: For which I cry in open audience, No wedded man so hardy be t’ assail His wifë’s patience, in trust to find Griselda’s, f...

“Weeping and wailing, care and other sorrow, I have enough, on even and on morrow,” Quoth the Merchánt, “and so have other mo’, That wedded be; I trow2739 that it be so; For well I wot it fareth so by...

“Weeping and wailing, care and other sorrow, I have enough, on even and on morrow,” Quoth the Merchánt, “and so have other mo’, That wedded be; I trow2739 that it be so; For well I wot it fareth so by...

Whilom there was dwelling in Lombardy A worthy knight, that born was at Pavie, In which he liv’d in great prosperity; And forty years a wifeless man was he, And follow’d aye his bodily delight On wome...

“Hey! Goddë’s mercy!” said our Hostë tho,3010 “Now such a wife I pray God keep me fro’. Lo, suchë sleightës and subtilities In women be; for aye as busy as bees Are they us silly men for to deceive, A...

“Hey! Goddë’s mercy!” said our Hostë tho,3010 “Now such a wife I pray God keep me fro’. Lo, suchë sleightës and subtilities In women be; for aye as busy as bees Are they us silly men for to deceive, A...

At Sarra, in the land of Tartary, There dwelt a king that warrayed3026 Russie, Through which there died many a doughty man; This noble king was called Cambuscan,3027 Which in his time was of so great ...

At Sarra, in the land of Tartary, There dwelt a king that warrayed3026 Russie, Through which there died many a doughty man; This noble king was called Cambuscan,3027 Which in his time was of so great ...

The norice3114 of digestión, the sleep, Gan on them wink, and bade them takë keep,3115 That muchë mirth and labour will have rest: And with a gaping3116 mouth he all them kest,3117 And said, that it w...

“In faith, Squiër, thou hast thee well acquit, And gentilly; I praisë well thy wit,” Quoth the Franklin; “considering thy youthë So feelingly thou speak’st, Sir, I aloue3206 thee, As to my doom,3207 t...

“In faith, Squiër, thou hast thee well acquit, And gentilly; I praisë well thy wit,” Quoth the Franklin; “considering thy youthë So feelingly thou speak’st, Sir, I aloue3206 thee, As to my doom,3207 t...

In Armoric’, that called is Bretagne, There was a knight, that lov’d and did his pain3219 To serve a lady in his bestë wise; And many a labour, many a great emprise, He for his lady wrought, ere she w...

[“Yea, let that passë,” quoth our Host, “as now. Sir Doctor of Physík, I prayë you, Tell us a tale of some honést mattére.” “It shall be done, if that ye will it hear,” Said this Doctór; and his tale ...

[“Yea, let that passë,” quoth our Host, “as now. Sir Doctor of Physík, I prayë you, Tell us a tale of some honést mattére.” “It shall be done, if that ye will it hear,” Said this Doctór; and his tale ...

There was, as telleth Titus Livius,3420 A knight, that called was Virginius, Full filled of honoúr and worthiness, And strong of friendës, and of great richéss. This knight one daughter haddë by his w...

Our Hostë gan to swear as he were wood;3479 “Harow!” quoth he, “by nailës and by blood,3480 This was a cursed thief, a false justíce. As shameful death as heartë can devise Come to these judges and th...

Our Hostë gan to swear as he were wood;3479 “Harow!” quoth he, “by nailës and by blood,3480 This was a cursed thief, a false justíce. As shameful death as heartë can devise Come to these judges and th...

Lordings (quoth he), in churchë when I preach, I painë me3506 to have an hautein3507 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 e...

Our Host upon his stirrups stood anon, And saidë; “Good men, hearken every one, This was a thrifty3676 talë for the nones. Sir Parish Priest,” quoth he, “for Goddë’s bones, Tell us a tale, as was thy ...

Our Host upon his stirrups stood anon, And saidë; “Good men, hearken every one, This was a thrifty3676 talë for the nones. Sir Parish Priest,” quoth he, “for Goddë’s bones, Tell us a tale, as was thy ...

A Merchant whilom dwell’d at Saint Deníse, That richë was, for which men held him wise. A wife he had of excellent beautý, And companiable and revellous3684 was she, Which is a thing that causeth more...

“Well said, by corpus Domini,” quoth our Host; “Now longë may’st thou sailë by the coast, Thou gentle Master, gentle Marinére. God give the monk a thousand last quad year!3785 Aha! fellows, beware of ...

“Well said, by corpus Domini,” quoth our Host; “Now longë may’st thou sailë by the coast, Thou gentle Master, gentle Marinére. God give the monk a thousand last quad year!3785 Aha! fellows, beware of ...

O Lord our Lord! thy name how marvellous Is in this largë world y-spread!3791 (quoth she) For not only thy laudë3792 precious Performed is by men of high degree, But by the mouth of children thy bount...

When said was this mirácle, every man As sober3849 was, that wonder was to see, Till that our Host to japen3850 he began, And then at erst3851 he looked upon me, And saidë thus; “What man art thou?” q...

When said was this mirácle, every man As sober3849 was, that wonder was to see, Till that our Host to japen3850 he began, And then at erst3851 he looked upon me, And saidë thus; “What man art thou?” q...

Listen, lordings, in good intent, And I will tell you verament3859 Of mirth and of solas,3860 All of a knight was fair and gent,3861 In battle and in tournament, His name was Sir Thopas. Y-born he was...

“No more of this, for Goddë’s dignity!” Quoth ourë Hostë; “for thou makest me So weary of thy very lewëdness,3928 That, all so wisly3929 God my soulë bless, Mine earës achë for thy drafty3930 speech. ...

“No more of this, for Goddë’s dignity!” Quoth ourë Hostë; “for thou makest me So weary of thy very lewëdness,3928 That, all so wisly3929 God my soulë bless, Mine earës achë for thy drafty3930 speech. ...

A young man called Meliboeus, mighty and rich, begat upon his wife, that callëd was Prudence, a daughter which that callëd was Sophia. Upon a day befell, that he for his disport went into the fields h...

When ended was my tale of Melibee, And of Prudénce and her benignity, Our Hostë said, “As I am faithful man, And by the precious corpus Madrian,4016 I had lever4017 than a barrel of ale, That goodë le...

When ended was my tale of Melibee, And of Prudénce and her benignity, Our Hostë said, “As I am faithful man, And by the precious corpus Madrian,4016 I had lever4017 than a barrel of ale, That goodë le...

I will bewail, in manner of tragédy, The harm of them that stood in high degree, And fellë so, that there was no remédy To bring them out of their adversitý. For, certain, when that Fortune list to fl...

“Ho!” quoth the Knight, “good sir, no more of this; That ye have said is right enough, y-wis,4235 And muchë more; for little heaviness Is right enough to muchë folk, I guess. I say for me, it is a gre...

“Ho!” quoth the Knight, “good sir, no more of this; That ye have said is right enough, y-wis,4235 And muchë more; for little heaviness Is right enough to muchë folk, I guess. I say for me, it is a gre...

A poor widow, somedeal y-stept4247 in age, Was whilom dwelling in a poor cottáge, Beside a grovë, standing in a dale. This widow, of which I tellë you my tale, Since thilkë day that she was last a wif...

The minister and norice4438 unto vices, Which that men call in English idleness, The porter at the gate is of delices;4439 T’ eschew, and by her contrar’ her oppress⁠— That is to say, by lawful busine...

When ended was the life of Saint Cecile, Ere we had ridden fully fivë mile,4608 At Boughton-under-Blee us gan o’ertake A man, that clothed was in clothës black, And underneath he wore a white surplíce...

When ended was the life of Saint Cecile, Ere we had ridden fully fivë mile,4608 At Boughton-under-Blee us gan o’ertake A man, that clothed was in clothës black, And underneath he wore a white surplíce...

With this Canón I dwelt have seven year, And of his science am I ne’er the near:4671 All that I had I havë lost thereby, And, God wot, so have many more than I. Where I was wont to be right fresh and ...

Weet4913 ye not where there stands a little town, Which that y-called is Bob-up-and-down,4914 Under the Blee, in Canterbury way? There gan our Hostë for to jape and play, And saidë, “Sirs, what? Dun i...

Weet4913 ye not where there stands a little town, Which that y-called is Bob-up-and-down,4914 Under the Blee, in Canterbury way? There gan our Hostë for to jape and play, And saidë, “Sirs, what? Dun i...

When Phoebus dwelled here in earth adown, As oldë bookës makë mentioún, He was the mostë lusty4946 bachelér Of all this world, and eke the best archér. He slew Python the serpent, as he lay Sleeping a...

By that the Manciple his tale had ended, The sunnë from the south line was descended So lowë, that it was not to my sight Degreës nine-and-twenty as in height. Four of the clock it was then, as I gues...

By that the Manciple his tale had ended, The sunnë from the south line was descended So lowë, that it was not to my sight Degreës nine-and-twenty as in height. Four of the clock it was then, as I gues...

[The Parson begins his “little treatise” (which, if given at length, would extend to about thirty of these pages, and which cannot by any stretch of courtesy or fancy be said to merit the title of a “...

Now have I told you of very5155 confession, that is the second part of penitence: The third part of penitence is satisfaction, and that standeth generally in almsdeed and bodily pain. Now be there thr...

Now pray I to you all that hear this little treatise or read it, that if there be anything in it that likes them, that thereof they thank our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom proceedeth all wit and all good...

Sweet. ↩ Grove forest. ↩ Twigs, boughs. ↩ Tyrwhitt points out that “the Bull” should be read here, not “the Ram,” which would place the time of the pilgrimage in the end of March; whereas, in the prol...