That took such pains to grow you asses’ ears?
Fie! Peg’s a jade—come back to Alisoun;
She’ll learn ye the true dance of love.
ALL
The devil!
CHAUCER
Nay, Robin Huberd, Roger—lads, chirk up.
These be the thorny steps of Purgatory
That lead ye to your Beatrice of Bath.
When ye attain unto her t’other ear—
[They groan.]
FRIAR
We have attained unto it.
ALISOUN
[To Chaucer.]
Go thy ways!
[Draws them aside.]
Come here, sweethearts! Hark! I have made a bet
With goodman Geoffrey yonder. Him as helps
Me best to win my bet, by God! he shall
Make merry for my marriage. Come, which fellow
Will help me?
ALL
I!
ALISOUN
The best shall make me bride.
[A kitchen-boy blows a horn.]
BOY
[Shouts.]
Meat!
[Servants enter with steaming trenchers; the other pilgrims come in and seat themselves at the table. The Prioress stands hesitating. Chaucer goes to meet her.]
[Servants enter with steaming trenchers; the other pilgrims come in and seat themselves at the table. The Prioress stands hesitating. Chaucer goes to meet her.]
HOST
[Rises on a bench.]
Lordings, who goes to Canterbury?
ALL
I!
CHAUCER
[Offers his arm to the Prioress.]
Madame, will you vouchsafe to me the honour?
PRIORESS
[With a stately courtesy.]
Merci.
ALISOUN
[Imitating the Prioress, takes his other arm.]
Merci!
[Chaucer escorts them both to the table, where he sits betweenthem.]
HOST
Lordings! Now hearkneth to a merry game.
To-morrow when you canter by the way
It is no mirth to ride dumb as a stone.
I say—let every fellow tell a tale
To short the time, and him as tells the best
You’ll give a supper here when ye return.
Lo! I myself will ride with you and judge.
If ye assent, hold up your hands.
ALL
Aye! Aye!
HOST
To-morrow then to Canterbury!
ALL
To Canterbury!
[Amid the babbling din of eating, drinking, and laughter, Alisoun leans across Chaucer’s trencher towards the Prioress.]
[Amid the babbling din of eating, drinking, and laughter, Alisoun leans across Chaucer’s trencher towards the Prioress.]
ALISOUN
Who is the lean wench, Geoffrey?
PRIORESS
By St. Loy!
Explicit pars prima.