This Tale agrees rather closely with one in Boccaccio's _Decamerone_, Day
viii. nov. 1. See further in vol. iii. p. 420.
1191. _Seint Denys_, Saint Denis, in the environs of Paris. Cf. ll. 1247,
1249, and note to 1341.
1202. _us_, i. e. us women. This is clear proof that some of the opening
lines of this Tale were not originally intended for the Shipman, but for
the Wife of Bath, as she is the only lady in the company to whom they would
be suitable. We may remember that Chaucer originally meant to make each
pilgrim tell _four_ Tales; so there is nothing surprising in the fact that
he once thought of giving this to the Wife. This passage is parallel to D.
337-339.