| 1265 | This worthy lymytour, this noble Frere, |
| He made alwey a maner louryng chiere |
| Upon the Somonour, but for honestee |
| No vileyns word as yet to hym spak he. |
| But atte laste he seyde unto the wyf, |
| 1270 | "Dame," quod he, "God yeve yow right good lyf! |
| Ye han heer touched, also moot I thee, |
| In scole-matere greet difficultee. |
| Ye han seyd muche thyng right wel, I seye; |
| But, dame, heere as we ryde by the weye, |
| 1275 | Us nedeth nat to speken but of game, |
| And lete auctoritees, on Goddes name, |
| To prechyng and to scoles of clergye. |
| But if it lyke to this compaignye, |
| I wol yow of a somonour telle a game. |
| 1280 | Pardee, ye may wel knowe by the name |
| That of a somonour may no good be sayd; |
| I praye that noon of you be yvele apayd. |
| A somonour is a rennere up and doun |
| With mandementz for fornicacioun, |
| 1285 | And is ybet at every townes ende." |
| Oure Hoost tho spak, "A, sire, ye sholde be hende |
| And curteys, as a man of youre estaat; |
| In compaignye we wol have no debaat. |
| Telleth youre tale, and lat the Somonour be." |
| 1290 | "Nay," quod the Somonour, "lat hym seye to me |
| What so hym list; whan it comth to my lot, |
| By God, I shal hym quiten every grot. |
| I shal hym tellen which a greet honour |
| It is to be a flaterynge lymytour, |
| 1295 | And of many another manere cryme |
| Which nedeth nat rehercen at this tyme; |
| And his office I shal hym telle, ywis." |
| Oure Hoost answerde, "Pees, namoore of this!" |
| And after this he seyde unto the Frere, |
| 1300 | "Tel forth youre tale, leeve maister deere." |