Chapter 34

Into the arras-ceilèd parlour then,The copesters went, in every corner snooked,The tinker's visage none of them did ken,But for Albino on Albino looked.3970Well might he cozen them, whenas his saintKnew not his face under that mask of paint.Then as they searchèd every place by chanceConrado did his monkish vestments ownHe lent Felice at their affiance.The host, perceiving that the clothes were known,Said, 'Yesterday, about the after three,A fellow came and pawned those clothes to me.'They asked Bellama then why she did callUpon Albino. 'Why, forsooth,' said she,3980'I was a servant once in Darwey Hall,Where that young monk I oftentimes did see;Who oft in private would disport with me,And promised that I should his sweeting be.But, by misfortune being turned away,This jovial tinker took me unto wife,So, as this morn by his warm side I lay,I of Albino dreamed—my joy, my life.''He's not thy mon,' quoth Maudge; 'thou li'st, base drab':'Peace, housewife,' says mine host, 'you tattling blab.'3990Thus had the scene been changed, had not the sireSuppressed her babblings with a check and grin.The monks, well satisfied, gang to the fireTo taste the juice of Kate's old kilderkin.The tinker and mine host would always cry,'Fill, hostess, fill! the monks are still a-dry.'

Into the arras-ceilèd parlour then,The copesters went, in every corner snooked,The tinker's visage none of them did ken,But for Albino on Albino looked.3970Well might he cozen them, whenas his saintKnew not his face under that mask of paint.

Into the arras-ceilèd parlour then,

The copesters went, in every corner snooked,

The tinker's visage none of them did ken,

But for Albino on Albino looked.

3970Well might he cozen them, whenas his saint

Knew not his face under that mask of paint.

Then as they searchèd every place by chanceConrado did his monkish vestments ownHe lent Felice at their affiance.The host, perceiving that the clothes were known,Said, 'Yesterday, about the after three,A fellow came and pawned those clothes to me.'

Then as they searchèd every place by chance

Conrado did his monkish vestments own

He lent Felice at their affiance.

The host, perceiving that the clothes were known,

Said, 'Yesterday, about the after three,

A fellow came and pawned those clothes to me.'

They asked Bellama then why she did callUpon Albino. 'Why, forsooth,' said she,3980'I was a servant once in Darwey Hall,Where that young monk I oftentimes did see;Who oft in private would disport with me,And promised that I should his sweeting be.

They asked Bellama then why she did call

Upon Albino. 'Why, forsooth,' said she,

3980'I was a servant once in Darwey Hall,

Where that young monk I oftentimes did see;

Who oft in private would disport with me,

And promised that I should his sweeting be.

But, by misfortune being turned away,This jovial tinker took me unto wife,So, as this morn by his warm side I lay,I of Albino dreamed—my joy, my life.''He's not thy mon,' quoth Maudge; 'thou li'st, base drab':'Peace, housewife,' says mine host, 'you tattling blab.'

But, by misfortune being turned away,

This jovial tinker took me unto wife,

So, as this morn by his warm side I lay,

I of Albino dreamed—my joy, my life.'

'He's not thy mon,' quoth Maudge; 'thou li'st, base drab':

'Peace, housewife,' says mine host, 'you tattling blab.'

3990Thus had the scene been changed, had not the sireSuppressed her babblings with a check and grin.The monks, well satisfied, gang to the fireTo taste the juice of Kate's old kilderkin.The tinker and mine host would always cry,'Fill, hostess, fill! the monks are still a-dry.'

3990Thus had the scene been changed, had not the sire

Suppressed her babblings with a check and grin.

The monks, well satisfied, gang to the fire

To taste the juice of Kate's old kilderkin.

The tinker and mine host would always cry,

'Fill, hostess, fill! the monks are still a-dry.'


Back to IndexNext