The Prologue + 

Our Host upon his stirrups stood anon, + 

And saidë; “Good men, hearken every one, + 

This was a thrifty talë for the nones. + 

Sir Parish Priest,” quoth he, “for Goddë’s bones, + 

Tell us a tale, as was thy forword yore: + 

I see well that ye learned men in lore + 

Can muchë good, by Goddë’s dignity.” + 

The Parson him answér’d, “Ben’dicite! + 

What ails the man, so sinfully to swear?” + 

Our Host answér’d, “O Jankin, be ye there? + 

Now, good men,” quoth our Host, “hearken to me. + 

I smell a Lollard in the wind,” quoth he. + 

“Abide, for Goddë’s dignë passión, + 

For we shall have a predicatión: + 

This Lollard here will preachen us somewhat.” + 

“Nay, by my father’s soul, that shall he not,” + 

Saidë the Shipman; “Here shall he not preach, + 

He shall no gospel glosë here nor teach. + 

We all believe in the great God,” quoth he. + 

“He wouldë sowë some difficultý, + 

Or springë cockle in our cleanë corn. + 

And therefore, Host, I warnë thee beforn, + 

My jolly body shall a talë tell, + 

And I shall clinkë you so merry a bell, + 

That I shall waken all this company; + 

But it shall not be of philosophy, + 

Nor of physíc, nor termës quaint of law; + 

There is but little Latin in my maw.” + 