andsethinthewheelrightofthiscart
uponthenave,andmakehimletafart,
andyeshallsee,onperilofmylife,
byveryproofthatisdenstrative,
thatequallythesoundofitwillwend,**go
andekethestink,untothespokesend,
savethatthisworthyman,yourconfessour
(becauseheisamanofgreathonour),
shallhavethefirstefruit,asreasonis
thenobleusageoffriarsyetitis,
theworthymenofthemshallfirstbeserved
andcertainlyhehathitwelldeserved;
hehathto-daytaughtussomuchegood
withpreachinginthepulpitwherehestood,
thatimayvouchesafe,isayforme,
hehadthefirstesmelloffartesthree
andsowouldallhisbrethrenhardily;
hebearethhimsofairandholily。"
thelord,thelady,andeachman,savethefrere,
saide,thatjankinspakeinthismattere
aswellaseuclid,orasptolemy。
touchingthechurl,theysaidthatsubtilty
andhighwitmadehimspeakenashespake;
heisnofool,nornodeniac。
andjankinhathy-wonanewegown;
mytaleisdone,wearealstattown。
trentals:theneygiventothepriestsforperformingthirtymassesforthedead,essionorontheanniversariesoftheirdeath;alsothemassesthemselves,whichwereveryprofitabletotheclergy。
possessioners:theregularreligiousorders,whohadlandsandfixedrevenues;whilethefriars,bytheirvows,hadtodependonvo露ntarycontributions,estedmanydesofevadingtheprescription。
inchaucersdaythestmaterialnotionsaboutthetorturesofhellprevailed,andweremadethestofbytheclergy,whopreyedontheaffectionandfearofthesurvivors,throughtheingeniousdoctrineofpurgatory。oldpainsandil露minationsrepresentthedeadastornbyhooks,roastedinfires,boiledinpots,andsubjectedtomanyotherphysicaltorments。
quicumpatre:"whowiththefather";theclosingwordsofthefinalbenedictionpronouncedatmass
askaunce:thewordnowmeanssidewaysorasquint;hereitmeans"asif;"estthatthesecondfriar,withanostentatiousstealthiness,noteddownthenamesoftheliberal,arsorisons。