The Canterbury Tales of Chaucer modernis'd by several hands. Publsh'd by Mr. Oggle |
 | I. |
 | II. |
PROLOGUE TO The Squire's TALE. |
| III. |
 | The Canterbury Tales of Chaucer |  |
196
PROLOGUE TO The Squire's TALE.
By Mr. OGLE.
Around, on All, at the Narration gaz'd
Our Host, now highly on his Stirrup rais'd.
“So may my Soul o'er the dire Fiend prevail,
“As this, (he cry'd) was a judicious Tale!
“Body of Jesus, rouze, Sir Parish Priest,
“Our Ears with some delicious Story feast.
“By Heav'ns! I held, before this lucky Day,
“That Men of Learning had the least to say.
“But since the Tales here told, as was agreed,
“In Faith, I worship all that write or read.
“Then up, Sir Parish Priest, at Sound of Bell,
“Fulfil your Promise in the Name of Hell!
Our Host, now highly on his Stirrup rais'd.
“So may my Soul o'er the dire Fiend prevail,
“As this, (he cry'd) was a judicious Tale!
“Body of Jesus, rouze, Sir Parish Priest,
“Our Ears with some delicious Story feast.
“By Heav'ns! I held, before this lucky Day,
“That Men of Learning had the least to say.
“But since the Tales here told, as was agreed,
“In Faith, I worship all that write or read.
“Then up, Sir Parish Priest, at Sound of Bell,
“Fulfil your Promise in the Name of Hell!
197
The Parson answer'd. ‘Bless me, Son, forbear!
‘What ails the Man so sinfully to swear?
‘What ails the Man so sinfully to swear?
“Ho! Jenkins, are you there? (our Host rejoin'd)
“My Friends, I smell a Loller in the Wind.
“Lo, one of Wickliffe's Tribe, his Sermon hear!
“And purify your Heart, and cleanse your Ear!
“Mild is his Aspect, but his Sentence sour,
“He'll pray it, and he'll preach it for an Hour.
“My Friends, I smell a Loller in the Wind.
“Lo, one of Wickliffe's Tribe, his Sermon hear!
“And purify your Heart, and cleanse your Ear!
“Mild is his Aspect, but his Sentence sour,
“He'll pray it, and he'll preach it for an Hour.
‘That shall he not, (reply'd the sprightly Squire)
‘Tho' to expound the Text, without the Hire,
‘Not for this Hour, at least, or pray or preach,
‘New gloss the Gospel, or new Doctrine teach,
‘Let Priests say what they please, repose in Heav'n,
‘Trust All in Him, by whom our All was giv'n.
‘God gave us Being, and we live in God;
‘Our Master he; revere his single Rod:
‘For many a Scruple springs from many a Clerk,
‘Who starts the Doubt, then leaves you in the dark.
‘Attend his heavy Toil, to Night from Morn,
‘'Tis sowing Tares amidst your cleanly Corn:
‘And therefore, Host, my genuine Story take;
‘Nor may it lull Attention, but awake.
‘From Physick here, no sage Remark I draw,
‘Nor puzzle you with one quaint Term of Law,
‘Nor from Philosophy, high Matter seek,
‘Nor lard my Tale with Latin or with Greek.
‘Better be wisely gay, than dully read;
‘Small Store of learned Lumber fills my Head.
‘Tho' to expound the Text, without the Hire,
‘Not for this Hour, at least, or pray or preach,
‘New gloss the Gospel, or new Doctrine teach,
‘Let Priests say what they please, repose in Heav'n,
‘Trust All in Him, by whom our All was giv'n.
‘God gave us Being, and we live in God;
‘Our Master he; revere his single Rod:
‘For many a Scruple springs from many a Clerk,
‘Who starts the Doubt, then leaves you in the dark.
‘Attend his heavy Toil, to Night from Morn,
‘'Tis sowing Tares amidst your cleanly Corn:
198
‘Nor may it lull Attention, but awake.
‘From Physick here, no sage Remark I draw,
‘Nor puzzle you with one quaint Term of Law,
‘Nor from Philosophy, high Matter seek,
‘Nor lard my Tale with Latin or with Greek.
‘Better be wisely gay, than dully read;
‘Small Store of learned Lumber fills my Head.
End of the Prologue.
| The Canterbury Tales of Chaucer | |