|
Al as he bad fulfilled was in dede. |
| This ilke servant anonright out yede |
| And his maister shette the dore anon, |
| 590 | And to hire labour spedily the gon. |
| This preest, at this cursed chanons biddyng, |
| Upon the fir anon sette this thyng, |
| And blew the fir, and bisyed hym ful faste. |
| And this chanoun into the crosselet caste |
| 595 | A poudre, noot I wherof that it was |
| Ymaad, outher of chalk, outher of glas, |
| Or somwhat elles, was nat worth a flye, |
| To blynde with this preest; and bad hym hye |
| The coles for to couchen al above |
| 600 | The crosselet. "For in tokenyng I thee love," |
| Quod this chanoun, "thyne owene handes two |
| Shul werche al thyng which that shal heer be do." |
|
|
All was then done as canon had decreed; |
| This servant took himself straight out, indeed, |
| Whereat his master barred the door anon, |
| 590 | And to their labour quickly they were gone. |
| The priest, at this damned canon's ordering, |
| Upon the fire anon did set this thing, |
| And blew the fire and busied him full fast; |
| Within the crucible the canon cast |
| 595 | A powder, I know not whereof it was |
| Compounded, whether of chalk, or maybe glass, |
| Or something else - it was not worth a fly |
| To blind the priest with; and he bade him high |
| The coals to pile the crucible above. |
| 600 | "In token of how much I bear you love," |
| This canon said, "your own two hands, and none |
| Other, shall do this thing that shall be done." |
|
