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From The Man of Law's Tale, lines 1149-1162:
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From The Canterbury Tales:
The Man of Law's Epilogue
lines 1163-1190: Epilogue to the Man of Law's Tale


       Owre Hoost upon his stiropes stood anon,
And seyde, "Goode men, herkeneth everych on!
1165This was a thrifty tale for the nones!
Sir Parisshe Prest," quod he, "for Goddes bones,
Telle us a tale, as was thi forward yore.
I se wel that ye lerned men in lore
Can moche good, by Goddes dignitee!"
       Our host upon his stirrups stood, anon,
And said: "Good men, now listen, every one;
1165This was useful story, for the nonce!
Sir parish priest," said he, "for God his bones.
Tell us a tale, as you agreed before.
I see well that you learned men of lore
Have learned much good, by God's great dignity!"
1170        The Parson him answerde, "Benedicite!
What eyleth the man, so synfully to swere?"
Oure Host answerde, "O Jankin, be ye there?
I smelle a Lollere in the wynd," quod he.
"Now! goode men," quod oure Hoste, "herkeneth me;
1175Abydeth, for Goddes digne passioun,
For we schal han a predicacioun;
This Lollere heer wil prechen us somwhat."
1170       The parson answered: "Benedicite!
What ails the man, so sinfully to swear?"
Our host replied: "Ho, Jenkin, are you there?
I smell a Lollard in the wind," said he.
"Ho, good men!" said our host, "now listen to me;
1175Wait but a bit, for God's high passion do,
For we shall have a sermon before we're through;
This Lollard here will preach to us somewhat."
       "Nay, by my fader soule, that schal he nat!"
Seyde the Shipman, "Heer schal he nat preche;
1180He schal no gospel glosen here ne teche.
We leven alle in the grete God," quod he;
"He wolde sowen som difficulte,
Or springen cokkel in oure clene corn.
And therfore, Hoost, I warne thee biforn,
1185My joly body schal a tale telle,
And I schal clynken you so merry a belle,
That I schal waken al this compaignie.
But it schal not ben of philosophie,
Ne phislyas, ne termes queinte of lawe.
1190Ther is but litel Latyn in my mawe!"
       "Nay, by my father's soul, that shall he not!"
Replied the sailor; "Here he shall not preach,
1180Nor comment on the gospels here, nor teach.
We all believe in the great God," said he,
"But he would sow among us difficulty,
Or sprinkle cockles in our good clean corn;
And therefore, host, beforehand now, I warn
1185My jolly body shall a story tell
And I will clink for you so merry a bell
That it shall waken all this company;
But it shall not be of philosophy,
Nor yet of physics, nor quaint terms of law;
1190There is but little Latin in my maw."




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