THE FRIAR
[ME Text ]
There was friar, jovial and merry,
A Limiter, a most dignified man.
In all the four Orders are none that can
So much of idle gossip and fair speech
He had, at his expense, offered to preach
At weddings for young women at no cost
A noble member of his order, most
Well beloved, friend and intimate was he
With Franklins from all over his country,
And with the woerthy women of the town
For, as he said, by virtue of his gown,
His blessing had more power than a mere priest
As ordained by his Order, at the least
He was mild in hearing a confession,
And lenient with his absolution.
An easy giver with his just penace
In expectation of a good pittance
To give to a poor Order, to extent,
Proves that a sinner truly does repent!
For if one gives silver, one does announce
The present sin, and future sin renounce;
For many men who are so hard of heart,
Do not grieve of sin nor conscience smart.
Instead of prayers and weeping do conspire
To pay in silver to a wandering Friar.
His tippet was always fastened with knives
And pins in order to give to fair wives
And certainly he had a merry note:
He could sing well and play upon the rote;
At song contests he easily took the prize.
His throat was as pure as the fleure-de-lyse;
Also he was as strong as a champion
Knew well the town taverns, every one
And every tavern host and his tapster
Better than any beggar or leper;
For such as they, such a prelate as he
Acknowledged not, within his company
To have a leper for an aquaintance
Gave no advantage, nor him did advance
To mix with such unfortunate paupers
Far sooner rich men and victualers.
For overall, where profit might arise,
He was humble and courteous in their eyes .
A man so virtuous, meek as a mouse
Yet he was the best beggar of his House;
(And gave a certain payment for this right
So none of his brethen approached his bight;)
And though a poor widow might have no shoe
So pleasant was he in search of his due
He would take her farthing before he went.
His takings thus, far better than a rent.
He could be as wanton as a young whelp
And on arbitration days be much help,
For there he did not play the travelling friar
With threadbare cloak like a needy scholar,
For there he seemed like a lord or a pope
Of double worstead was his semi-cope
And billowed like a bell just from a press.
Sometimes he lisped out of capriciousness,
To make his English sweet upon his tongue;
And with his harping, after he had sung,
His eyes twinkled brightly, exactly right
As do the stars upon a frosty night.
This worthy Limiter was named Hubert.
THE MERCHANT
[ME.Text]
There was a merchant, forked of beard and girt
In motley garb, high on his horse he sat,
Upon his head a Flemish beaver hat,
His fine boots were buckled very neatly .
He spoke his opinions most solemnly
And always of what he had won, not lost
And that the seas be safe at any cost
Between Middleburgh and Orwell Town,
And in money changing he wore the crown.
A worthy man who kept his wits intact:
There was no one who would gainsay that fact!
So sharply did he manage his domain
With bargains, and an eye fora likely gain.
For sure he was a worthy man withal,
But sad to say his name I can’t recall.
THE CLERK
[ME. Text]
here was a clerk from Oxenford, also,
Who turned to study Logic long ago.
Whose spavined horse was like unto a rake,
And he no fatter, that I’ll undertake,
Who looked so hollow, his gait soberly,
And threadbare was his overcoat, since he
Had yet to get a churchly benefice
Not worldy enough to gain such office.
For he would rather have at his bed’s head
Some twenty books, all bound in black or red
Of Aristotle and philosophy,
Than rich robes, fiddle or gay psaltery.
But since he was a true philosopher,
And had but little gold in his coffer;
Money that came his way as from a friend
On more books of philosophy would spend,
And always pray mightily for the souls
Of those who helped him reach scholastic goals.
In his study he took great care and heed
And spoke no more than he had any need,
And all he said was in full reverence
Yet to the point and sound in common sense,
So sound in moral virtue was his speech
For he would gladly learn as well as teach.
THE SERGEANT
[ME. Text]
A sergeant of the law, wary and wise,
Often present at Paul’s Walk to advise
Learned in all legal experience,
Discreet and fully of great reverence -
For so he seemed, his words so very wise.
Very often he sat in full Assize,
By patent or commission for the Crown
For his science and all his high renown,
Of fees and robes of office did he own,
And so many more than were ever known.
All was fee simple to him, in effect;
His title to which was never suspect.
There was never a man busy as he
Yet he always seemed far busier, he
Knew all the statutes since the Conqueror,
Could cite them in any endeavour
And from them could form a valid contract,
From which no other lawyer could detract,
Fom every statute could quote correctly.
Simply dressed, he rode but imperfectly
Belted with a sash of silk and small bars,
Beyond that I have no particulars.
THE FRANKLIN
[ME. Text}
There was a Franklin in his Company,
As pure white of beard as is a daisy;
But of his countenance he was sanguine
And dearly loved his morning sup of wine.
A delight in living was his one goal
In truth he was Epicurus’s foal.
Who held the opinion that true delight
Was true pleasure and any man’s right,
A great householder he always would be
‘St Julian’ in hospitality.
His bread and ale always second to none
And as for wine nothing more could be done.
Never without all baked meats was his fare
Of fish or fowl there was plenty to spare
So that his house seemed to snow meat and drink
And of every dainty thing you might think,
And in accordance to the time of year
So changed he his meat andrink to compare,
Full many a fat partridge in his mews
Fat Pike and Bream swam captive in his stews,
Woe to his cook if he prepared sharp sauce
That did not suit the flavour of each course.
His table, waiting for guests all the day
Stood laden with food, drink in every way.
At Assizes he was both lord and sire;
And often stood as a knight of the shire.
A fancy dagger and pouch of silk
Hung from his girdle, white as morning milk.
He had been both Sherrif and Auditor
And nowhere a more worthy Vavasour.
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