The Percy Society. President. THE RIGHT HON. LORD BRAYBROOKE, F.S.A. Council. THOMAS AMYOT, Esq., F.R.S., F.S.A. WILLIAM HENRY BLACK, Esq. W. DURRANT COOPER, Esq., F.S.A. T. CROFTON CROKER, Esq. F.S.A., M.R.I.A. J. H. DIXON, Esq. FREDERICK WILLIAM FAIRHOLT, Esq., F.S.A. W. D. HAGGARD, Esq., F.S.A. JAMES ORCHARD HALLIWELL, Esq., F.R.S., F.S.A., Honorary Secretary. SIR EDWARD BULWER LYTTON, BART. JAMES PRIOR, Esq., F.S.A., M.R.I.A. WILLIAM SANDYS, Esq., F.S.A. C. ROACH SMITH, Esq., F.S.A. RICHARD JOHN SMITH, Esq. THE REV. J. REYNELL WREFORD, D.D., F.S.A. THE CANTERBURY TALES. THE PROLOGE OF THE MONKES TALE. WHAN ended was my tale of Melibé, That gode leef my wyf had herd this tale. And breke of hem bothe bak and bon!' And if that eny neghebour of myne Wol nought to my wyf in chirche enclyne, Or be so hardy to hir to trespace, 15380 Whan sche comth hom, sche rampeth in my face, 15390 And crieth, false coward, wreke thy wyf! By corpes bones! I wil have thy knyf, And thou schalt have my distaf and go spynne. 15378-corpus Madryan. Urry explains this as referring to the relics of St. Materne of Treves. VOL. III. B Fro day to night right thus sche wil bygynne; I wot wel sche wol do me sle som day 15400 My lord the monk," quod he, "be mery of chere, 15410 For ye schul telle a tale trewely. Lo, Rowchestre stant heer faste by. Ryde forth, myn oughne lord, brek nought oure game! 15420 |