English Satires by Various
page 54 of 400 (13%)
page 54 of 400 (13%)
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He was not pale as a forpined[75] gost.
A fat swan loved he best of any rost, His palfrey was as broune as is a bery. III. A Frere[76] ther was, a wanton and a mery, A Limitour,[77] a ful solempnè man. In all the ordres foure is none that can So muche of daliance and fayre langáge. He hadde ymade ful many a mariáge Of yongè wimmen, at his owen cost. Until[78] his ordre he was a noble post. Ful wel beloved, and familier was he With frankeleins[79] over all in his contrèe, And eke with worthy wimmen of the toun: For he had power of confessioun, As saide himselfè, more than a curát, For of his ordre he was a licenciat. Ful swetely herde he confession, And plesant was his absolution. He was an esy man to give penaunce, Ther as he wiste[80] to han[81] a good pitaunce: For unto a poure[82] ordre for to give Is signè that a man is wel yshrive.[83] For if he gaf, he dorstè make avaunt,[84] He wistè that a man was repentaunt. For many a man so hard is of his herte, He may not wepe although him sorè smerte. |
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