where a little speaking had sufficed, Com’th muckle harm. This was me told and taught,— In muckle speaking, sinning wanteth nought. Know’st thou for what a tongue that’s hasty serveth? Right as a sword forecutteth and forecarveth An arm in two, my dear son, even so A tongue clean-cutteth friendship at a blow. A jangler is to God abominable: Read Solomon, so wise and honourable; Read David in his Psalms, read Seneca; My son, a nod is better than a say; Be deaf, when folk speak matter perilous; Small prate, sound pate,—guardeth the Fleming’s house. My son, if thou no wicked word hast spoken, Thou never needest fear a pate ybroken; But he that hath missaid, I dare well say, His fingers shall find blood thereon, some day. Thing that is said, is said; it may not back Be called, for all your “Las!” and your “Alack!” And he is that man’s thrall to whom ’twas said; Cometh the bond some day, and will be paid. My son, beware, and be no author new Of tidings, whether they be false or true: Go wheresoe’er thou wilt, ’mongst high or low, Keep well thy tongue, and think upon the crow.

p. 29CHAUCER’S Rime of Sir Thopas

p. 29

MODERNISED BY Z. A. Z.

MODERNISED BY Z. A. Z.

PROLOGUE TO SIR THOPAS.

1.

Now when the Prioress had done, each man So serious looked, ’twas wonderful to see! Till our good host to banter us began, And then at last he cast his eyes on me, And jeering said, “What man art thou?” quoth he, “That lookest down as thou wouldst find a hare, For ever upon the ground I see thee stare.

Now

2.

“Approach me near, and look up merrily! Now make way, sirs! and let this man have place. He in the waist is shaped as well as I: This were a poppet in an arm’s embrace, For any woman, small and fair of face. He seemeth elf-like by his countenance, For with no wight holdeth he dalliance.

3.

“Say somewhat now, since other folks have said; Tell us a tale o’ mirth, and that anon.” “Host,” quoth I then, “be not so far misled, For other tales except this know I none; A little rime I learned in years agone.” “Ah! that is well,” quoth he; “now we shall hear Some dainty thing, methinketh, by thy cheer.”

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