THE TALE（第1页）

whilom*therewasdwellinginmycountry*onceonatime

anarchdeacon，amanofhighdegree，

thatboldelydidexecution，

inpunishingoffornication，

ofwitchecraft，andekeofbawdery，

ofdefamation，andadultery，

ofchurche-reeves，*andoftestaments，*churchwardens

ofcontracts，andoflackofsacraments，

andekeofmanyanothermanner*crime，*sortof

whichneedethnotrehearsenatthistime，

ofusury，andsinyalso;

but，certes，lechoursdidhegreatestwoe;

theyshouldesingen，ifthattheywerehent;**caught

andsmaletithers

werefouly-shent，**troubled，puttoshame

ifanypersonwouldonthemplain;

theremightastertthemnopecunialpain.

forsmalletithes，andsmalloffering，

hemadethepeoplepiteouslytosing;

forerethebishopcaughtthemwithhiscrook，

theywereninthearchedeaconsbook;

thenhadhe，throughhisjurisdiction，

powertodoonthemcorrection.

hehadasompnourreadytohishand，

aslierboywasnoneinengleland;

forsubtlelyhehadhisespiaille，**espionage

thattaughthimwellwhereitmightaughtavail.

hecouldespareoflechoursoneortwo，

toteachehimtofourandtwenty.

for，—thoughthissompnourwood*beasahare，—*furious，mad

totellhisharlotryiwillnotspare，