The Cook's Tale - the Prologe of the Cokes Tale

The Cook's Tale

The Prologe of the Cokes Tale

http://www.courses.fas.harvard.edu/~chaucer/teachslf/ckt-par.htm#PROLOGUE

4325 The Cook of Londoun, whil the Reve spak,

The Cook of London, while the Reeve spoke,

4326 For joye him thoughte he clawed him on the bak.

Was so happy he thought the Reeve scratched him on the back.

4327 "Ha! ha!" quod he, "For Cristes passion,

"Ha! ha!" said he, "For Christ's passion,

4328 This millere hadde a sharp conclusion

This miller had a sharp conclusion

4329 Upon his argument of herbergage!

To his logical argument about lodging!

4330 Wel seyde Salomon in his langage,

Well said Salomon in his language,

4331 'Ne bryng nat every man into thyn hous,'

'Do not bring every man into thy house,'

4332 For herberwynge by nyghte is perilous.

For providing lodging by night is perilous.

4333 Wel oghte a man avysed for to be

Well ought a man to take heed

4334 Whom that he broghte into his pryvetee.

Whom he brings into his private home.

4335 I pray to God, so yeve me sorwe and care

I pray to God, give me sorrow and care

4336 If evere, sitthe I highte Hogge of Ware,

If ever, since I was called Roger of Ware,

4337 Herde I a millere bettre yset a-werk.

I heard a miller better set to work (tricked).

4338 He hadde a jape of malice in the derk.

He had a malicious trick played on him in the dark.

4339 But God forbede that we stynte heere;

But God forbid that we stop here;

4340 And therfore, if ye vouche-sauf to heere

And therefore, if you agree to hear

4341 A tale of me, that am a povre man,

A tale by me, who am a poor man,

4342 I wol yow telle, as wel as evere I kan,

I will tell you, as well as ever I can,

4343 A litel jape that fil in oure citee."

A little amusing affair that happened in our city."

4344 Oure Hoost answerde and seide, "I graunte it thee.

Our Host answered and said, "I grant it to thee.

4345 Now telle on, Roger; looke that it be good,

Now tell on, Roger; look that it be good,

4346 For many a pastee hastow laten blood,

For of many a pastry hast thou drawn out the gravy,

4347 And many a Jakke of Dovere hastow soold

And many a Jack of Dover (a kind of pie) hast thou sold

4348 That hath been twies hoot and twies coold.

That has been twice hot and twice cold.

4349 Of many a pilgrym hastow Cristes curs,

Of many a pilgrim hast thou Christ's curse,

4350 For of thy percely yet they fare the wors,

For of thy parsley yet they fare the worse,

4351 That they han eten with thy stubbel goos,