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From The Nun's Priest's Tale, lines 660-680:
Chauntecleer is safe and the Nun's Priest urges his audience not to miss the moral of his tale
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From The Canterbury Tales:
Epilogue to the Nun's Priest's Tale
lines 681-696: Epilogue


"Sire Nonnes Preest," oure Hooste seide anoon,
"I-blessed be thy breche, and every stoon!
This was a murie tale of Chauntecleer.
But by my trouthe, if thou were seculer,
685Thou woldest ben a trede-foul aright.
For if thou have corage as thou hast myght,
Thee were nede of hennes, as I wene,
Ya, moo than seven tymes seventene.
See, whiche braunes hath this gentil preest,
690So gret a nekke, and swich a large breest!
He loketh as a sperhauk with his yen;
Him nedeth nat his colour for to dyen
With brasile, ne with greyn of Portyngale.
Now, sire, faire falle yow for youre tale!"
695       And after that he, with ful merie chere,
Seide unto another, as ye shuln heere.
"Sir Nun's Priest," said our host, and that anon,
"Now blessed be your breech and every stone!
This was a merry tale of Chanticleer.
But, truth, if you were secular, I swear
685You would have been a hen-hopper, all right!
For if you had the heart, as you have might,
You'd need some hens, I think it will be seen,
And many more than seven times seventeen.
For see what muscles has this noble priest,
690So great a neck and such a splendid chest!
He's got a hawk's fierce fire within his eye;
And certainly he has no need to dye
His cheeks with any stain from Portugal.
Sir, for your tale, may blessings on you fall!"
695       And after that he, with right merry cheer,
Spoke to another one, as you shall hear.




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From The Canterbury Tales, The Second Nun's Tale
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