THE TALE（第5页）

*butif*hecouldacarpenterbeguile."*unless

ordedandy-sworn

towaitatime，asihavesaidbeforn.

whennicholashaddohuseverydeal*，*whit

andthwackedheraboutthelendes*well，*loins

hekissdhersweet，andtakethhispsaltry

andplayethfast，andmakethmelody.

thenfellitthus，thattotheparishchurch，

ofchristesowenworkesfortowirch*，*work

thisgoodwifewentuponaholyday;

herforeheadshoneasbrightasanyday，

sowasitwashen，whensheleftherwerk.

nowwasthereofthatchurchaparishclerk，

thewhichthatwasy-clepedabsolon.

curldwashishair，andasthegolditshone，

andstrutted*asafannelargeandbroad;*stretched

fullstraightandevenlayhisjollyshode*.*headofhair

hisrode*wasred，hiseyengreyasgoose，*plexion

withpauleswindowscarvenonhisshoes

inhosenredhewentfullfetisly*.*daintily，neatly

y-cladhewasfullsmallandproperly，

allinakirtle*ofalightwaget*;*girdle**skyb露e

fullfairandthickebethepointesset，

andthereuponhehadagaysurplice，

aswhiteasistheblossontherise*.*twig

amerrychildhewas，sogodmesave;

wellcouldhelettenblood，andclip，andshave，

andmakeacharterofland，andaquittance.

intwentymannerscouldhetripanddance，

aftertheschoolofoxenfordetho*，

*then