Page 2

Geoffrey Chaucer. (c. 1340–1400) (continued)

And gladly wolde he lerne, and gladly teche.

Canterbury Tales. Prologue. Line 310.

Nowher so besy a man as he ther n’ as,
And yet he semed besier than he was.

Canterbury Tales. Prologue. Line 323.

His studie was but litel on the Bible.

Canterbury Tales. Prologue. Line 440.

For gold in phisike is a cordial;
Therefore he loved gold in special.

Canterbury Tales. Prologue. Line 445.

Wide was his parish, and houses fer asonder.

Canterbury Tales. Prologue. Line 493.

This noble ensample to his shepe he yaf,—
That first he wrought, and afterwards he taught.

Canterbury Tales. Prologue. Line 498.

But Cristes lore, and his apostles twelve,
He taught; but first he folwed it himselve.

Canterbury Tales. Prologue. Line 529.

And yet he had a thomb of gold parde. 1

Canterbury Tales. Prologue. Line 565.

Who so shall telle a tale after a man,
He moste reherse, as neighe as ever he can,
Everich word, if it be in his charge,
All speke he never so rudely and so large;
Or elles he moste tellen his tale untrewe,
Or feinen thinges, or finden wordes newe.

Canterbury Tales. Prologue. Line 733.

For May wol have no slogardie a-night.
The seson priketh every gentil herte,
And maketh him out of his slepe to sterte.

Canterbury Tales. The Knightes Tale. Line 1044.

That field hath eyen, and the wood hath ears. 2

Canterbury Tales. The Knightes Tale. Line 1524.

Up rose the sonne, and up rose Emelie.

Canterbury Tales. The Knightes Tale. Line 2275.

Note 1.
In allusion to the proverb, “Every honest miller has a golden thumb.” [back]

Note 2.
Fieldes have eies and woodes have eares.—John Heywood: Proverbes, part ii. chap. v.

Wode has erys, felde has sigt.—King Edward and the Shepherd, MS. Circa 1300.

Walls have ears.—Hazlitt: English Proverbs, etc. (ed. 1869) p. 446. [back]

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