The Canterbury Tales

Fragment VII

The Nun's Priest's Epilogue

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[The wordes of the Hoost

to the Nonnes Preest.]

Sire Nonnes Preest, oure Hooste seide anoon,

I-blessed be thy breche, and every stoon!

This was a murie tale of Chauntecleer.

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But by my trouthe, if thou were seculer,

Thou woldest ben a trede-foul aright.

For if thou have corage as thou hast myght,

Thee were nede of hennes, as I wene,

Ya, moo than seven tymes seventene.

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See, whiche braunes hath this gentil preest

So gret a nekke, and swich a large breest!

He loketh as a sperhauk with his yen;

Him nedeth nat his colour for to dyen

With brasile, ne with greyn of Portyngale.

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Now, sire, faire falle yow for youre tale!

And after that he, with ful merie chere,

Seide unto another, as ye shuln heere.