The Canterbury Pilgrims | Page 2

consistent with Chaucer's account of the journey.
Chaucer's language is different from ours of today, and although easy
to read when one is used to it, is difficult at first. Therefore these tales
are retold in this little book in our present-day language and in prose
instead of verse. They lose much of Chaucer's vivacity and spirit by
this translation, but try and read the originals for yourself one day, and
learn to love one who has been dear for his humanity, kindliness and
humour to poets and ordinary folk alike, from 1370 to now.

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
THE CANTERBURY PILGRIMS
Prologue
TALES OF THE FIRST DAY
The Knight's Tale of Palamon and Arcite Talk between the Host and
the Miller The Miller's Tale of a Carpenter Outwitted The Reeve talks
The Reeve's Tale of the Miller of Trumpington The Cook begins his
Tale
TALES OF THE SECOND DAY
The Man of Law's Tale of the Miraculous Journeyings of Constance
The Shipman tells his Tale The Prioress's Tale of a Little Christian
Martyr Talk between the Host and Chaucer Chaucer's Rime of Sir
Thopas Chaucer's Rime is stopped Talk between the Host and the

Monk The Monk's Tales of Diverse Men who fell into Misfortune Talk
between the Host and the Monk whose Tale is stopped The Nun's
Priest's Tale of Chanticleer
TALES OF THE THIRD DAY
The Doctor tells his Tale The Pardoner's speech The Pardoner's Tale of
the Men who would slay Death Talk between the pardoner and the Host
The Wife of Bath's Speech The Wife of Bath's Tale of the Queen's
Riddle The Friar's Tale of the Wicked Summoner The Summoner talks
The Clerk's Tale of the Patient Wife The Clerk sings The Merchant
tells his Tale The Yeoman's Tale of Gamelyn
TALES OF THE FOURTH DAY
The Squire's Tale of Cambuskan and Canacee Talk between the Host
and the Franklin The Franklin's Tale of Three Generous Souls The
Nun's Tale of St. Cecilia The Canon and his Yeoman join he Pilgrims
and introduce themselves. The Canon's Yeoman's Tale of a cunning
Alchemist The Steward tells his Tale The Parson's Homily on
Penitence The Entry into Canterbury The Author takes Leave of his
Readers
MAP SHOWING THE COURSE OF THE PILGRIMAGE

THE CANTERBURY PILGRIMS

PROLOGUE
When April comes, and with her gentle showers has banished the
dreary month of March, when in every copse, and valley the young
trees bud and flowers show their heads, when birds make melody in the
fresh morning time, then men's hearts long for the wide air and joys of
the open roads. It is the time for pilgrims. Forth they ride through wood
and lane, by, stream and meadow, to seek the shrines of saints and
worship God in distant fanes. Many journey to Canterbury to do honour
to the tomb of the great St. Thomas and to enjoy the fields and sunshine
along the roads of Kent. As they go they make merry their journey with
songs, tales, and joking.
It chanced, as it was also my intention to ride thither, that I lay one
night at the Tabard Inn, in Southwark, ready to start on my way next
morning. Towards nightfall a company of twenty-nine other pilgrims
arrived. They had met by chance and were people of all sorts and kinds.

The inn is large with roomy apartments and good fare, so that all the
guests were soon in friendly mood, and I talked with them all.
There was a Knight and his son a Squire, not yet entered into the full
glory of knighthood, but yet experienced in war--for he had fought in
Flanders and in Picardy. He was about twenty years of age, with fair
curly hair so neatly dressed that you would have said it had been waxed.
He could make songs and poetry, draw, write and dance. All day he
sang or played his flute. Yet for all his grace and cleverness he was
lowly, and carved at table for his father. His tunic matched his gaiety of
heart, for it was embroidered all over, as full of red and white flowers
as is a meadow.
With the Knight and Squire was their servant, a Yeoman Forester. He
was dressed in hood and cloak of green, with a green baldric for his
horn. His sheaf was full of arrows feathered with gay peacock plumes,
and in addition he carried a sword and buckler and a sharp dagger. He
was a fine figure, with skin browned by life in the woods. He was
skilled too, owing all the secrets of woodcraft.
A Prioress was of the company. She spoke in soft coy tones, and smiled
gently on all; but Madame Eglantine was chiefly attractive because of
her charming manners. No morsel ever fell from her