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From The Canon's Yeoman's Tale, lines 345-378:
The melting pot breaks		 Previous
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From The Canterbury Tales:
The Canon's Yeoman's Tale
lines 379-401: Grumbling and cleaning up the garbage


       "What," quod my lord, "ther is namoore to doone;
380Of thise perils I wol be war eftsoone.
I am right siker that the pot was crased.
Be as be may, be ye no thyng amased;
As usage is, lat swepe the floor as swithe,
Plukke up youre hertes, and beeth glad and blithe."
385       The mullok on an heep ysweped was,
And on the floor ycast a canevas,
And al this mullok in a syve ythrowe,
And sifted, and ypiked mayn a throwe.
       "What!" cried my lord, "there's no more to be done,
380Whatever 'twas, I'll know the reason soon;
I am quite certain that the pot was crazed.
Be as it may, do not stand there amazed;
As always, sweep the floor up quickly lad,
Pluck up your hearts and be both blithe and glad."
385       The rubbish in a heap then swept up was,
And on the floor was spread a large canvas,
And all this rubbish in a sieve was thrown,
And sifted, picked, and whirled, both up and down.
       "Pardee," quod oon, "somwhat of oure metal
390Yet is ther heere, though that we han nat al.
Although this thyng myshapped have as now,
Another tyme it may be well ynow.
Us moste putte oure good in aventure.
A marchant, pardee, may nat ay endure,
395Trusteth me wel, in his prosperitee.
Somtyme his good is drowned in the see,
And somtyme comth it sauf unto the londe."
       "Pees!" quod my lord, the nexte tyme I wol fonde
To bryngen oure craft al in another plite,
400And but I do, sires, lat me han the wite.
Ther was defaute in somwhat, wel I woot."
       "By gad," said one, "something of our metal
390There is yet here, although we have not all.
Although this thing has gone awry for now,
Another time it may be well enow.
We must put all our wealth at adventure;
A merchant's luck, gad! will not aye endure,
395Believe me, in his high prosperity;
Sometimes his freight will sink beneath the sea,
And sometimes comes it safely unto land."
       "Peace," said my lord, "next time I'll understand
How to proceed and with a better aim;
400And, save I do, sirs, let me be to blame;
There was defect in something, well I know 't."




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From The Canon's Yeoman's Tale, lines 402-418:
The moral of the previous narrative		 Next