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A SERGEANT OF THE LAWE, war and wys, |
| That often hadde been at the Parvys, |
| Ther was also, ful riche of excellence. |
| Discreet he was, and of greet reverence- |
| 315 | He semed swich, hise wordes weren so wise. |
| Justice he was ful often in assise, |
| By patente, and by pleyn commissioun. |
| For his science, and for his heigh renoun, |
| Of fees and robes hadde he many oon. |
| 320 | So greet a purchasour was nowher noon: |
| Al was fee symple to hym in effect, |
| His purchasyng myghte nat been infect. |
| Nowher so bisy a man as he ther nas, |
| And yet he semed bisier than he was. |
| 325 | In termes hadde he caas and doomes alle |
| That from the tyme of Kyng William were falle. |
| Therto he koude endite and make a thyng, |
| Ther koude no wight pynche at his writyng; |
| And every statut koude he pleyn by rote. |
| 330 | He rood but hoomly in a medlee cote |
| Girt with a ceint of silk, with barres smale; |
| Of his array telle I no lenger tale. |
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A SERGEANT OF THE LAW, keen and wise, |
| Who'd often been at St. Paul's Porch, to advise, |
| There was also, rich of superior quality |
| Disinterested he was, and of great dignity; |
| 315 | At least it seemed so, his words were so wise. |
| Often he was a judge in court, in assize, |
| By royal assignment or commission giving jurisdiction; |
| Because of his knowledge and high reputation, |
| He took large fees, had robes more than one. |
| 320 | So great a land-buyer there was none. |
| All was fee simple to him, in effect, |
| Wherefore his claims could never be suspect. |
| Nowhere a man so busy of his class, |
| And yet he seemed much busier than he was. |
| 325 | He knew all convictions, common and crime |
| Recorded since King William's time. |
| And he could write a contract so explicit |
| Not any man could trace a fault in it; |
| And every law he knew entirely by rote. |
| 330 | He rode but simply in a medley coat, |
| Girded with a belt of silk, with little bars, |
| But of his outfit no more particulars. |
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