either Reformation changes or by the confusion of the Puritan regime. We
will now endeavour to sketch the appearance of the mediæval clerk, and
the numerous duties which fell to his lot.

Chaucer's gallery of ancient portraits contains a very life-like
presentment of a mediæval clerk in the person of "Jolly Absolon," a
somewhat frivolous specimen of his class, who figures largely in _The
Miller's Tale_.

"Now was ther of that churche a parish clerk
The which that was y-cleped[6] Absolon.
Curl'd was his hair, and as the gold it shone,
And strutted[7] as a fannë large and broad;
Full straight and even lay his folly shode.[8]
His rode[9] was red, his eyen grey as goose,
With Paulë's windows carven on his shoes.[10]
In hosen red he went full febishly.[11]
Y-clad he was full small and properly,
All in a kirtle of a light waget;[12]
Full fair and thickë be the pointës set.
And thereupon he had a gay surplice,
As white as is the blossom on the rise.[13]
A merry child he was, so God me save;
Well could he letten blood, and clip, and shave,
And make a charter of land and a quittance.
In twenty manners could he trip and dance,
After the school of Oxenfordë tho',[14]
And with his leggës castë to and fro;
And playen songës or a small ribible;[15]
Thereto he sung sometimes a loud quinible.[16]