You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
P.189: The while he caccheth conynges he coveiteth noght oure caroyne,<br />
P.190: But fedeth hym al with venyson; defame we hym nevere.<br />
P.191: For bettre is a litel los than a long sorwe:<br />
P.192: The maze among us alle, theigh we mysse a sherewe!<br />
P.193: For I herde my sire seyn, is seven yeer ypassed,<br />
P.194: ""Ther the cat is a kitoun, the court is ful elenge''.<br />
P.195: That witnesseth Holy Writ, whoso wole it rede —<br />
P.196: Ve terre ubi puer rex est, &c.<br />
P.197: For may no renk ther reste have for ratons by nyghte.<br />
P.198: For many mennes malt we mees wolde destruye,<br />
P.199: And also ye route of ratons rende mennes clothes,<br />
P.200: Nere the cat of the court that kan you overlepe;<br />
P.201: For hadde ye rattes youre [raik] ye kouthe noght rule yowselve.<br />
P.202: "I seye for me', quod the mous, " I se so muchel after,<br />
P.203: Shal nevere the cat ne the kiton by my counseil be greved,<br />
P.204: Ne carpynge of this coler that costed me nevere.<br />
P.205: And though it costned me catel, biknowen it I nolde,<br />
P.206: But suffren as hymself wolde [s]o doon as hym liketh —<br />
P.207: Coupled and uncoupled to cacche what thei mowe.<br />
P.208: Forthi ech a wis wight I warne — wite wel his owene!'<br />
P.209: (What this metels bymeneth, ye men that ben murye,<br />
P.210: Devyne ye — for I ne dar, by deere God in hevene)!<br />
P.211: Yet hoved ther an hundred in howves of selk —<br />
P.212: Sergeants, it semed, that serveden at the Barre,<br />
P.213: Pleteden for penyes and pounded the lawe,<br />
P.214: And noght for love of Oure Lord unlose hire lippes ones.<br />
P.215: Thow myghtest bettre meete myst on Malverne Hilles<br />
P.216: Than get a "mom' of hire mouth til moneie be shewed!<br />
P.217: Barins and burgeises and bondemen als<br />
P.218: I seigh in this assemblee, as ye shul here after;<br />
P.219: Baksteres and brewesteres and bochiers manye,<br />
P.220: Wollen webbesters and weveres of lynnen,<br />
P.221: Taillours and tynkers and tollers in markettes,<br />
P.222: Masons and mynours and many othere craftes:<br />
P.223: Of alle kynne lybbynge laborers lopen forth somme-<br />
P.224: As dykeres and delveres that doon hire dedes ille<br />
P.225: And dryveth forth the longe day with "Dieu save Dame Emme!'<br />
P.226: Cokes and hire knaves cryden, " Hote pies, hote!<br />
8
Change language