THE

RIME OF SIRE THOPAS;

MODERNIZED BY

Z. A. Z.

PROLOGUE TO SIR THOPAS.

1.

Now when the Prioress had done, each man,
So serious look'd, 'twas wonderful to see!
Till our good host to banter us began,

And then at last he cast his eyes on me,

And jeering said, “What man art thou? (quoth he) That lockest down, as thou wouldst find a hare *, For ever upon the ground I see thee stare.

2

Approach me near, and look up merrily!

Now make way, Sirs! and let this man have place, He in the waist is shaped as well as I :

* In this Prologue Chaucer gives the portrait of himself.

This were a poppet in an arm's embrace,
For any woman, small and fair of face.
He seemeth elf-like by his countenance,
For with no wight holdeth he dalliance.

3.

Say somewhat now, since other folks have said;
Tell us a tale o' mirth, and that anon."
"Host," quoth I then, "be not so far misled,
For other tales except this know I none;

A little rime I learned in years agone."

66

'Ah! that is well,” quoth he ; now we shall hear

Some dainty thing, methinketh, by thy cheer."

THE RIME OF SIR THOPAS.

FYTTE THE FIRST.

1.

LISTEN, lordlings, in good intent,
And I will tell you verament
Of mirth and chivalry,

About a knight on glory bent,
In battle and in tournament;

Sir Thopas named was he.

2.

And he was born in a far countréy,
In Flanders, all beyond the sea,

At Popering in the place;
His father was a man full free,

And of that country lord was he,
Enjoyed by Holy Grace.