The Prioress’s TaleThe Prologue
“Well said, by corpus Domini,” quoth our Host;“Now longe may’st thou saile by the coast,Thou gentle Master, gentle Marinere.God give the monk a thousand last quad year!Aha! fellows, beware of such a jape.The monk put in the manne’s hood an ape,And in his wife’s eke, by Saint Austin.Drawe no monkes more into your inn.But now pass over, and let us seek about,Who shall now telle first of all this routAnother tale;” and with that word he said,As courteously as it had been a maid;“My Lady Prioresse, by your leave,So that I wist I shoulde you not grieve,I woulde deeme that ye telle shouldA tale next, if so were that ye would.Now will ye vouchesafe, my lady dear?”“Gladly,” quoth she; and said as ye shall hear.