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But worshipful chanons religious, |
| 440 | Ne demeth nat that I sclaundre youre hous, |
| Although that my tale of a chanoun bee. |
| Of every ordre som shrewe is, pardee, |
| And God forbede that al a compaignye |
| Sholde rewe o singuleer mannes folye. |
| 445 | To sclaundre yow is no thyng myn entente, |
| But to correcten that is mys I mente. |
| This tale was nat oonly toold for yow |
| But eek for othere mo; ye woot wel how |
| That among Cristes apostelles twelve |
| 450 | Ther nas no traytour but Judas hymselve. |
| Thanne why sholde al the remenant have a blame |
| That giltlees were? By yow I seye the same, |
| Save oonly this, if ye wol herke me: |
| If any Judas in youre covent be, |
| 455 | Remoeveth hym bitymes, I yow rede, |
| If shame or los may causen any drede. |
| And beeth no thyng displesed, I yow preye, |
| But in this cas herkneth what I shal seye. |
|
|
But most religious canons, just and true, |
| 440 | Don't think I'm slandering your house, or you, |
| Although my tale may of a canon be. |
| Some rogue's in every order, pardon me, |
| And God forbid that for one rascal's sake |
| Against a group we condemnation make. |
| 445 | To slander you is nowise my intent, |
| But to correct what is amiss I'm bent. |
| This tale I tell here not alone for you, |
| But even for others, too; you know well how |
| Among Christ's twelve disciples there was not |
| 450 | One to play traitor, save Iscariot. |
| Then why should all the rest be put to blame |
| Who guiltless were? Of you I say the same. |
| Save only this, if you will list to me, |
| If any Judas in your convent be, |
| 455 | Remove the man betimes, I counsel you, |
| Lest shame or loss or trouble should ensue. |
| And be displeased in nothing, I you pray, |
| But hear what on this matter I may say. |
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