|
And so bifel, that in the dawenynge, |
| As Chauntecleer, among hise wyves alle, |
| Sat on his perche, that was in the halle, |
| And next hym sat this faire Pertelote, |
| 120 | This Chauntecleer gan gronen in his throte |
| As man that in his dreem is drecched soore. |
| And whan that Pertelote thus herde hym roore |
| She was agast, and seyde, "Herte deere, |
| What eyleth yow, to grone in this manere? |
| 125 | Ye been a verray sleper, fy for shame!" |
| And he answerde and seyde thus, "Madame, |
| I pray yow that ye take it nat agrief. |
| By God, me thoughte I was in swich meschief |
| Right now, that yet myn herte is soore afright. |
| 130 | Now God," quod he, "my swevene recche aright, |
| And kepe my body out of foul prisoun. |
| Me mette how that I romed up and doun |
| Withinne our yeerd, wheer as I saugh a beest |
| Was lyk an hound, and wolde han maad areest |
| 135 | Upon my body, and han had me deed. |
| His colour was bitwixe yelow and reed, |
| And tipped was his tayl and bothe hise eeris; |
| With blak, unlyk the remenant of hise heeris; |
| His snowte smal, with glowynge eyen tweye. |
| 140 | Yet of his look, for feere almoost I deye! |
| This caused me my gronyng, doutelees." |
|
|
So it happened that, in a bright dawning, |
| As Chauntecleer 'midst wives and sisters all |
| Sat on his perch, the which was in the hall, |
| And next him sat the winsome Pertelote, |
| 120 | This Chauntecleer he groaned within his throat |
| Like man that in his dreams is troubled sore. |
| And when fair Pertelote thus heard him roar, |
| She was aghast and said: "O sweetheart dear, |
| What ails you that you groan so? Do you hear? |
| 125 | You are a sleepy herald. Fie, for shame!" |
| And he replied to her thus: "Ah, madame, |
| I pray you that you take it not in grief: |
| By God, I dreamed I'd come to such mischief, |
| Just now, my heart yet jumps with sore affright. |
| 130 | Now God," cried he, "my vision read aright |
| And keep my body out of foul prison! |
| I dreamed, that while I wandered up and down |
| Within our yard, I saw there a strange beast |
| Was like a dog, and he'd have made a feast |
| 135 | Upon my body, and have had me dead. |
| His colour yellow was and somewhat red; |
| And tipped his tail was, as were both his ears, |
| With black, unlike the rest, as it appears; |
| His snout was small and gleaming was each eye. |
| 140 | Remembering how he looked, almost I die; |
| And all this caused my groaning, I confess." |
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