* * * * *
=Here biginneth the Chanouns Yeman his Tale.=
[_Prima pars_.]
With this chanoun I dwelt have seven yeer, 720
And of his science am I never the neer.
Al that I hadde, I have y-lost ther-by;
And god wot, so hath many mo than I. (170)
Ther I was wont to be right fresh and gay
Of clothing and of other good array, 725
Now may I were an hose upon myn heed;
And wher my colour was bothe fresh and reed,
Now is it wan and of a leden hewe;
Who-so it useth, sore shal he rewe.
And of my swink yet blered is myn yë, 730
Lo! which avantage is to multiplye!
That slyding science hath me maad so bare,
That I have no good, wher that ever I fare; (180)
And yet I am endetted so ther-by
Of gold that I have borwed, trewely, 735
That whyl I live, I shal it quyte never.
Lat every man be war by me for ever!
What maner man that casteth him ther-to,
If he continue, I holde his thrift y-do.
So helpe me god, ther-by shal he nat winne, 740
But empte his purs, and make his wittes thinne.
And whan he, thurgh his madnes and folye,
Hath lost his owene good thurgh Iupartye, (190)
[533: T. 16212-16246.]
Thanne he excyteth other folk ther-to,
To lese hir good as he him-self hath do. 745
For unto shrewes Ioye it is and ese
To have hir felawes in peyne and disese;
Thus was I ones lerned of a clerk.
Of that no charge, I wol speke of our werk.