Prologue
In a somur sesoun whan softe was e sonne
Y shope me into shroudes as y a shep were;
In abite as an heremite, vnholy of werkes,
Wente forth in e world wondres to here,
And say many sellies and selkouthe thynges. (C Prol.5)
Ac on a May mornyng on Maluerne hulles
Me biful for to slepe, for werynesse of-walked;
And in a launde as y lay, lened y and slepte,
And merueylousliche me mette, as y may telle.
Al e welthe of the world and e wo bothe (C Prol.10)
Wynkyng, as hit were, witterliche y sigh hit;
Of treuthe and tricherye, tresoun and gyle,
Al y say slepynge, as y shal telle.
Estward y beheld aftir e sonne
And say a tour--as y trowed, Treuthe was there-ynne. (C Prol.15)
Westward y waytede in a while aftir
And seigh a depe dale--Deth, as y leue,
Woned in tho wones, and wikkede spiritus.
A fair feld ful of folk fond y er bytwene
Of alle manere men, e mene and e pore, (C Prol.20)
Worchyng and wandryng as is world ascuth.
Somme potte he . . .
