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An HABERDASSHERE and a CARPENTER, |
| A WEBBE, a DYERE, and a TAPYCER,- |
| 365 | And they were clothed alle in o lyveree |
| Of a solempne and a greet fraternitee. |
| Ful fressh and newe hir geere apiked was; |
| Hir knyves were chaped noght with bras, |
| But al with silver; wroght ful clene and weel, |
| 370 | Hire girdles and hir pouches everydeel. |
| Wel semed ech of hem a fair burgeys |
| To sitten in a yeldehalle on a deys. |
| Everich, for the wisdom that he kan, |
| Was shaply for to been an alderman. |
| 375 | For catel hadde they ynogh and rente, |
| And eek hir wyves wolde it wel assente; |
| And elles certeyn, were they to blame. |
| It is ful fair to been ycleped "madame," |
| And goon to vigilies al bifore, |
| 380 | And have a mantel roialliche ybore. |
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A HABERDASHER and a CARPENTER, |
| A TAPESTRY-MAKER, DYER, and WEAVER |
| 365 | Were with us, clothed in the same livery, |
| All of one solemn, great fraternity. |
| Freshly and new their gear, and well adorned it was; |
| Their weapons were not cheaply shaped with brass, |
| But all with silver; neatly made and well |
| 370 | Their belt and their purses too, I tell. |
| Each man of them appeared a proper citizen |
| To sit in guildhall on a dais, he can |
| And each of them, for wisdom he could span, |
| Was suitable to serve as an alderman; |
| 375 | For property they'd enough, and income too; |
| Besides their wives declared it was their due, |
| Or else for certain they had been to blame. |
| It's good to hear "Madam" before one's name, |
| And go to church when all the world may see, |
| 380 | Having one's gown carried right royally. |
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