THE KNIGHTS TALE（第1页）

whilom*，asoldestoriestellenus，*formerly

therewasadukethathighte*theseus.

*wascalled

ofathenshewaslordandgovernor，

andinhistimesuchaconqueror

thatgreaterwastherenoneunderthesun.

fullmanyarichecountryhadhewon.

whatwithhiswisdomandhischivalry，

heconquerdalltheregneoffeminie，

thatwhilomwasy-clepedscythia;

andweddedethequeenhippolyta

andbroughtherhomewithhimtohiscountry

withmuchel*gloryandgreatsolemnity，*great

andekeheryoungesisteremily，

andthuswithvictryandwithmelody

letithisworthyduketoathensride，

andallhishost，inarmeshimbeside.

andcertes，ifitnere*toolongtohear，*werenot

iwouldhavetoldyoufullythemannere，

howwonnen*wastheregneoffeminie，

*won

bytheseus，andbyhischivalry;

andofthegreatebattleforthenonce

betwixtathenesandtheamazons;

andhowassiegedwashippolyta，

thefairehardyqueenofscythia;

andofthefeastthatwasatherwedding

andofthetempestatherhomeing.

butallthesethingsimustasnowforbear.

ihave，godwot，alargefieldtoear**plough

andweakebetheoxeninmyplough;