A shipman was there, woning[127] far by West:
For aught I wot, he was of Dartemouth.
He rode upon a rouncy,[128] as he couth,[129]
In a gown of falding[130] to the knee.
A dagger hanging on a lace had he
About his neck under his arm adown;
The hote summer had made his hue all brown;
And certainly he was a good fellaw.
Full many a draught of wine had he ydrawe
From Bourdeaux-ward, while that the chapman[131] sleep[132];
Of nice conscience took he no keep.[133]
If that he fought, and had the higher hand,
By water he sent hem home to every land.
But of his craft to reckon well his tides,
His streames and his dangers him besides,
His harbour and his moon, his lodemanage,[134]
There was none such from Hulle to Carthage.
Hardy he was, and wise to undertake;
With many a tempest had his beard been shake.
He knew well all the havens, as they were,
From Gothland to the Cape of Finisterre,
And every creek in Bretagne and in Spain:
His barge yeleped was the Maudelaine.
[18] Sweet.
[19] Hearts.
[20] Distant saints.
[21] Known.
[22] Tabard: sign of the inn at Southwark.
[23] Accident.
[24] Accommodated.
[25] Every one.
[26] Agreement.
[27] Tell.
[28] Of high rank.
[29] That--he = who.
[30] Liberality.
[31] Farther.
[32] Sat at the head of the table.
[33] Lithuania.
[34] Traveled.
[35] Grenada.
[36] Algeciras.
[37] Moorish Kingdom of Africa.
[38] Lieys: in Armenia.
[39] Satalie: ancient Attalia.
[40] Mediterranean.
[41] Armed expedition.
[42] Tramassene: a kingdom in Africa.
[43] Same.
[44] Palatie: Palatine in Anatolia.
[45] Estimation.
[46] Of high rank.
[47] Anything discourteous.
[48] No sort of person.
[49] Richly dressed.
[50] Cassock.
[51] Soiled.
[52] Journey.
[53] Called.
[54] Intoned.
[55] Properly.
[56] Pleasure.
[57] Bit.
[58] Reached.
[59] Certainly.
[60] Took pains.
[61] Imitate.
[62] Worthy.
[63] Tender-heartedness.
[64] Bread of the finest flour.
[65] Died.
[66] One.
[67] Staff.
[68] Smartly.
[69] Covering for the neck.
[70] Plaited.
[71] Certainly.
[72] Certainly.
[73] Undergrown.
[74] Neat.
[75] String.
[76] Having the gaudies, or large beads, green.
[77] Private secretary.
[78] Licensed to beg within certain limits.
[79] Festive.
[80] Knows.
[81] Everywhere.
[82] Of high position.
[83] Where he knew he should have.
[84] Boast.
[85] Stuffed.
[86] A stringed instrument.
[87] Songs.
[88] Estimation.
[89] Innkeeper.
[90] Leper.
[91] Beggar.
[92] Poor people.
[93] Givers.
[94] Victuals.
[95] Everywhere.
[96] Efficient.
[97] Rent.
[98] _In principio_: In the beginning--the friar's salutation.
[99] Proceeds from begging.
[100] Income.
[101] Toy wantonly.
[102] Days for settling differences.
[103] Short cape.
[104] Called.
[105] Oxford.
[106] Gone.
[107] Venture to say.
[108] Uppermost.
[109] Short cloak.
[110] Gotten.
[111] Rather.
[112] Get.
[113] Earnestly.
[114] To attend school.
[115] Matter.
[116] Parvys: the portico of St. Paul's, frequented by lawyers for
consultation.
[117] Full.
[118] Acquirer of property.
[119] Tainted by illegality.
[120] Cases and decisions.
[121] Find a flaw.
[122] Knew.
[123] Fully.
[124] Mixed in color.
[125] Girdle.
[126] Small.
[127] Dwelling.
[128] Hack.
[129] Could.
[130] Coarse cloth.
[131] Supercargo.
[132] Slept.
[133] Heed.
[134] Pilotage.