EARLY BRITISH POETS. THE GOOD PARSON. FROM THE CANTERBURY TALES. A GOOD man there was of religion That was a poore Parson of a town; And such he was yproved oft sithes. Of his off'ring and eke of his substance: But he ne'er left nought for no rain nor thunder, in sickness and in mischief to visite The farthest in his parish much and lite, This noble ensample to his sheep he gave― And this figure he added yet thereto- And shame it is, if that a priest take keep, CHAUCER, GOOD COUNSEL. FLY from the press, and dwell with soothfastness, Pain thee not each crooked to redress, That thee is sent receive in buxomness; The wrestling of this world demands a fall; Here is no home, here is but wilderness, Forth pilgrim now, forth beast out of thy stall, Look up on high, and thank the God of all; Waive thou thy lusts, and let thy soul thee lead, And truth thee shall deliver, have thou no dread. CHAUCER. FREEDOM. AH, Freedom is a noble thing! |