The Canterbury Tales of Chaucer :: :: University of Virginia Library

A Franklin was the Serjeant's chief Delight,
His Beard was long, and as the Daisie white:
Sanguine he was, and study'd Pleasure most,
His Morning's Draught, Sack with a Nut-brown Toast.
All Delicates, that Mony cou'd procure
He had; a nice luxurious Epicure.
With Fish and Fowl, with bak'd Meat and with roast,
His Table groan'd, he valu'd not the Cost.

All Rarities the Nation cou'd afford,
Were search'd, and bought to fill his ample Board.
In ev'ry Season, Delicates appear,
Diversify'd each Quarter of the Year.
Hare, Partridge, Pheasant ever were at Hand,
Carp, Tench, and Bream, as ready at Command.
With poignant Sauces proper for each Dish;
Woe to the Cook, were any thing amiss.
Spacious his Hall, and open was the Door,
Fragments and Marrow-bones bespread the Floor;
And, ready cover'd with all sorts of Food,
All the long Day a Table dormant stood.
This worthy Franklin bore a Purse of Silk,
Fixt to his Girdle, white as Morning-milk.
Knight of the Shire; first Justice at th' Assize,
To help the Poor, the Doubtful to advise.
In all Employments, gen'rous, just he prov'd,
Renown'd for Courtesy, by all belov'd.