|
Ther is a chanoun of religioun |
| 420 | Amounges us, wolde infecte al a toun, |
| Thogh it as greet were as was Nynyvee, |
| Rome, Alisaundre, Troye, and othere three. |
| His sleightes and his infinite falsnesse |
| Ther koude no man writen, as I gesse, |
| 425 | Though that he myghte lyve a thousand yeer. |
| In al this world of falshede nis his peer; |
| For in his termes he wol hym so wynde, |
| And speke his wordes in so sly a kynde, |
| Whanne he commune shal with any wight, |
| 430 | That he wol make hym doten anonright, |
| But it a feend be, as hymselven is. |
| Ful many a man hath he bigiled er this, |
| And wole, if that he lyve may a while; |
| And yet men ride and goon ful many a mile |
| 435 | Hym for to seke and have his aqueyntaunce, |
| Noght knowynge of his false governaunce. |
| And if yow list to yeve me audience, |
| I wol it tellen heere in youre presence. |
|
|
There is a canon of religion known |
| 420 | Among us, who'd contaminate a town, |
| Though 'twere as great as Nineveh the free, |
| Rome, Alexandria, Troy, and others three. |
| His tricks and all his infinite treacherousness |
| No man could write down fully, as I guess, |
| 425 | Though he should live unto his thousandth year. |
| In all this world for falsehood he's no peer; |
| For in his terms he will so twist and wind |
| And speak in words so slippery of kind, |
| When he communicates with any wight, |
| 430 | That he soon makes a fool of him, outright, |
| Unless it be a devil, as he is. |
| Full many a man has he beguiled before this, |
| And will, if he may live a further while; |
| And yet men walk and ride full many a mile |
| 435 | To seek him out and have his acquaintance, |
| Naught knowing of his treacherous simulance. |
| And if you care to listen to me here, |
| I'll make the proof of what I say quite clear. |
|
