English Literature for Boys and Girls by H. E. (Henrietta Elizabeth) Marshall
page 162 of 806 (20%)
page 162 of 806 (20%)
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them; and some we do not like at all, for they are rude and
rough, as the poet meant them to be. Chapter XXIV CHAUCER--AT THE TABARD INN CHAUCER begins his description of the people who were gathered at the Tabard Inn with the knight, who was the highest in rank among them. "A knight there was, and that a worthy man, . . . . . . And though he was worthy he was wise, And of his port as meek as any maid. He never yet no villainy ne'er said In all his life unto no manner wight; He was a very perfect, gentle knight." Yet he was no knight of romance or fairy tale, but a good honest English gentleman who had fought for his King. His coat was of fustian and was stained with rust from his armor, for he had just come back from fighting, and was still clad in his war-worn clothes. "His horse was good, but he ne was gay." With the knight was his son, a young squire of twenty years. He |
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