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"Lordynges," quod he, "but o thyng I desire; |
| 5 | I yow biseke that, of youre curteisye, |
| Syn ye han herd this false frere lye, |
| As suffreth me I may my tale telle. |
| This frere bosteth that he knoweth helle, |
| And God it woot, that it is litel wonder; |
| 10 | Freres and feendes been but lyte asonder. |
| For, pardee, ye han ofte tyme herd telle |
| How that a frere ravyshed was to helle |
| In spirit ones by a visioun; |
| And as an angel ladde hym up and doun, |
| 15 | To shewen hym the peynes that the were, |
| In al the place saugh he nat a frere; |
| Of oother folk he saugh ynowe in wo. |
| Unto this angel spak the frere tho: |
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"Masters," said he, "but one thing I desire; |
| 5 | I beg of you that, of your courtesy, |
| Since you have heard this treacherous friar lie, |
| You suffer it that I my tale may tell! |
| This friar he boasts he knows somewhat of Hell, |
| And God He knows that it is little wonder; |
| 10 | Friars and fiends are never far asunder. |
| For, by gad, you have oftentimes heard tell |
| How such a friar was snatched down into Hell |
| In spirit, once, and by a vision blown; |
| And as an angel led him up and down |
| 15 | To show the pains and torments that there were, |
| In all the place he saw no friar there. |
| Of other folk he saw enough in woe; |
| And to the angel then he questioned so: |
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