She had not walked on the welt, so was it threadbare.
'I have been Covetise,' quoth this caitiff,
'For sometime I served Symme at style,
And was his prentice plight, his profit to wait.
First I learned to lie, a leef other twain
Wickedly to weigh, was my first lesson:
To Wye and to Winchester I went to the fair
With many manner merchandise, as my master me hight.--
Then drave I me among drapers my donet[2] to learn.
To draw the lyfer along, the longer it seemed
Among the rich rays,' &c.

[1] 'Tabard:' a coat.
[2] 'Donet:' lesson.


THE PRELATES.

And now is religion a rider, a roamer by the street,
A leader of lovedays,[1] and a loude[2] beggar,
A pricker on a palfrey from manor to manor,
An heap of houndes at his arse as he a lord were.
And if but his knave kneel, that shall his cope bring,
He loured on him, and asked who taught him courtesy.

[1] 'Lovedays:' ladies.
[2] 'Loude:' lewd.


MERCY AND TRUTH.