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From The Canon's Yeoman's Prologue, lines 40-130:
The Yeoman explains his master's craft
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From The Canterbury Tales:
The Canon's Yeoman's Prologue
lines 131-145: The Canon tries to silence his Yeoman


       Whil this yeman was thus in his talkyng,
This chanoun drough hym neer, and herde al thyng
Which that this yeman spak, for suspecioun
Of mennes speche evere hadde this Chanoun.
135For Catoun seith that he that gilty is
Demeth alle thyng be spoke of hym, ywis.
That was the cause he gan so ny hym drawe
To his yeman, to herknen al his sawe.
And thus he seyde unto his yeman tho:
140"Hoold thou thy pees, and spek no wordes mo,
For if thou do, thou shalt it deere abye.
Thou sclaundrest me heere in this compaignye,
And eek discoverest that thou sholdest hyde."
       "Ye," quod oure Hoost, "telle on, what bityde.
145Of al his thretyng rekke nat a myte!"
       The while this yeoman chattered on like this,
The canon nearer drew and did not miss
A thing he said; suspicion always woke
In him, indeed, when anybody spoke.
135For Cato says suspicion's ever fed
In any guilty man when aught is said.
That was the reason why he drew so near
To his yeoman, his gossiping to hear.
And thus he said unto his yeoman then:
140"Now hold your peace and do not speak again,
For if you do you'll pay it ruefully;
You slander me, here in this company,
And you uncover that which you should hide."
       "Yea?" said our host, "Tell on, whate'er betide;
145For all his threatening do not care a mite!"




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From The Canon's Yeoman's Prologue, lines 146-166:
The Yeoman continues and the Canon grumbly leaves the company
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