PROLOGUE Here begins the Book of the Tales of Canterbury When April with his showers sweet with fruit The drought of March has pierced unto the root And bathed each vein with liquor that has… 

THE MILLER’S TALE Once on a time was dwelling in Oxford A wealthy lout who took in guests to board, And of his craft he was a carpenter. A poor scholar was lodging with him… 

THE FRIAR’S TALE Once on a time there dwelt in my country An archdeacon, a man of high degree, Who boldly executed the Church’s frown In punishment of fornication known, And of witchcraft and of… 

THE CLERK’S TALE There is, in the west side of Italy, Down at the foot of Mount Viso the cold, A pleasant plain that yields abundantly, Where many a tower and town one may behold,… 

THE SQUIRE’S PROLOGUE Squire, come nearer, if your will it be, And speak to us of love; for certainly You know thereof as much as any man.” “Nay, sir,” said he, “but I’ll do what… 

THE FRANKLIN’S PROLOGUE These ancient gentle Bretons, in their days, Of divers high adventures made great lays And rhymed them in their primal Breton tongue, The which lays to their instruments they sung, Or else… 

THE CANON’S YEOMAN’S PROLOGUE When Saint Cecilia’s Life was done, and whiles We had not farther gone a good five miles, At Boughton-under-Blean us did o’ertake A man, who was clothed all in clothes of… 

THE MANCIPLE’S PROLOGUE Do you not know where stands a little town That’s called by all about Bob-up-and-down, Under the Blean, down Canterbury way? There did our host begin to jape and play, And he… 

THE PRIORESS’S TALE Domine, dominus noster. O Lord, Our Lord, Thy name how marvelous Is spread through all this mighty world,” said she; “For not alone Thy praise so glorious Is given by men of… 

THE FRIAR’S PROLOGUE This worthy limiter, this noble friar, He turned always a lowering face, and dire, Upon the summoner, but for courtesy No rude and insolent word as yet spoke he. But at the…