By that the Manciple his tale had ended, The sunne from the south line was descended So lowe, that it was not to my sight Degrees nine-and-twenty as in height.
Four of the clock it was then, as I guess, For eleven foot, a little more or less, My shadow was at thilke time, as there, Of such feet as my lengthe parted were In six feet equal of proportion.
Therewith the moone’s exaltation,* *rising *In meane* Libra, gan alway ascend, *in the middle of* As we were ent’ring at a thorpe’s* end.
*village’s For which our Host, as he was wont to gie,* *govern As in this case, our jolly company, Said in this wise; 'Lordings every one, Now lacketh us no more tales than one.
Fulfill’d is my sentence and my decree; I trow that we have heard of each degree. * from each class or rank Almost fulfilled is mine ordinance; in the company I pray to God so give him right good chance That telleth us this tale lustily.
Sir Priest,' quoth he, 'art thou a vicary? * *vicar Or art thou a Parson? say sooth by thy fay. * *faith Be what thou be, breake thou not our play; For every man, save thou, hath told his tale. Unbuckle, and shew us what is in thy mail.
* *wallet For truely me thinketh by thy cheer Thou shouldest knit up well a great mattere. Tell us a fable anon, for cocke’s bones.
' This Parson him answered all at ones; 'Thou gettest fable none y-told for me, For Paul, that writeth unto Timothy, Reproveth them that *weive soothfastness,* *forsake truth* And telle fables, and such wretchedness.
Why should I sowe draff* out of my fist, *chaff, refuse When I may sowe wheat, if that me list? For which I say,