THE TALE（第3页）

amessenger，andprayedhathdanjohn

thatheshouldetosaintdenis，andplay**enjoyhimself

withhim，andwithhiswife，adayortway，

erehetobrugeswent，inallewise.

thisnoblenk，ofwhichiyoudevise，**tell

hadofhisabbot，ashimlist，licence，

（becausehewasamanofhighprudence，

andekeanofficeroutfortoride

toseetheirgrangesandtheirbarneswide）;

anduntosaintdenishecameanon.

whowassoweleasmylorddanjohn，

ourdearecousin，fullofcourtesy?

withhimhebroughtajub*ofmalvesie，*jug

andekeanotherfulloffinevernage，

andvolatile，*asayewashisusage:*wild-fowl

andthusiletthemeat，anddrink，andplay，

thismerchantandthisnk，adayortway.

thethirdedaythemerchantupariseth，

andonhisneedeissadlyhimadviseth;

andupintohiscountour-house*wenthe，*coun-house

toreckonwithhimselfaswellmaybe，

ofthilke*year，howthatitwithhimstood，*that

andhowthathedispendedbadhisgood，

andifthatheincreasedwereornon.

esmanyaone

helaidbeforehinhiscoun-board.

fullrichewashistreasureandhishoard;

forwhichfullfasthiscountourdoorheshet;

andekehewouldthatnomanshouldhimlet**hinder

ountes，forthemeaime:

andthushesat，tillitwaspassedprime.