THE CLERKS TALE（第2页）

"hoste，"quothhe，"iamunderyouryerd，**rod

yehaveofusasnowthegovernance，

andthereforewouldidoyouobeisance，

asfarasreasonasketh，hardily:**boldly，truly

iwillyoutellatale，whichthati

learndatpadovaofaworthyclerk，

asprovedbyhiswordesandhiswerk.

heisnowdead，andnailedinhischest，

ipraytogodtogivehissoulgoodrest.

francispetrarc，thelaureatepoet，

highte*thisclerk，whoserhetoricsosweet*wascalled

il露mindallitaleofpoetry，

aslinian

didofphilosophy，

orlaw，orotherartparticulere:

butdeath，thatwillnotsufferusdwellhere

butasitwereatwinklingofaneye，

thembothhathslain，andalleweshalldie.

"butforthtotellenofthisworthyman，

thattaughtemethistale，asibegan，

isaythatfirsthewithhighstyleinditet

（erehethebodyofhistalewriteth）

aproem，inthewhichdescribethhe