theprologue
"noreofthis,forgoddesdignity!"
quothourehoste;"forthoumakestme
sowearyofthyverylewedness,**stupidity,ignorance
that,allsowisly*godmysoulebless,*surely
mineearesacheforthydrafty*speech。*worthless
nowsucharhymethedevilibeteche:**mendto
erel,"quothhe。
"whyso?"quothi;"whywiltthoulette*me*prevent
reofmytalethananyotherman,
sincethatitisthebestrhymethatican?"**know
"bygod!"quothhe,"for,plainlyatoneword,
thydraftyrhymingisnotworthatord:
thoudostnaughtellesbutdispendest*time。*wastest
sir,atoneword,thoushaltnolongerrhyme。
letseewhetherthoucansttellenaught*ingest,**bywayof
ortellinprosesomewhat,attheleast,narrative*
inwhichtherebesomemirthorsomedoctrine。"
"gladly,"quothi,"bygoddessweetepine,**suffering
iwillyoutellalittlethinginprose,
thatoughtelike*you,asisuppose,*please
orelsecertesyebetoodangerous。**fastidious
itisaraltalevirtuous,
*allbeit*toldsometimesinsundrywise*althoughitbe*
bysundryfolk,asishallyoudevise。
asthus,yewotthatevryevangelist,
thattellethusthepain*ofjesuschrist,*passion