THE TALE（第5页）

now，brother，"quoththissompnour，"iyoupray，

teachme，whilethatweridebytheway，

（sincethatyebeabailiffasami，）

somesubtilty，andtellmefaithfully

formineofficehowthatistmaywin

and*sparenot*forconscienceorforsin，*concealnothing*

but，asmybrother，tellmehowdoye."

nowbymytrothe，brothermine，"saidhe，

asishalltelltotheeafaithfultale:

mywagesbefullstraitandekefullsmale;

mylordishardtomeanddangerous，**ardly

andmineofficeisfulllaborious

andthereforebyextortionilive，

forsoothitakeallthatmenwillmegive.

algate*bysleighte，orbyviolence，*whether

fromyeartoyeariwinallmydispence;

icannobettertelltheefaithfully."

nowcertes，"quoththissompnour，"sofare*i;*do

isparenottotake，goditwot，

*butif*itbetooheavyortoohot.*unless*

whatimaygetincounselprivily，

nomannerconscienceofthathavei.

nere*mineextortion，imightnotlive，*wereitnotfor

forofsuchjapes*willinotbeshrive.***tricks**confessed

stomachnorconscienceknowinone;

ishrew*theseshrifte-fathers**everyone.*curse**confessors

wellbewemet，bygodandbystjame.

but，levebrother，tellmethenthyname，"

quoththissompnour.rightinthismeanewhile

thisyeomanganalittlefortosmile.

"brother，"quothhe，"wiltthouthatitheetell?