REV. JOHN MASON NEALE, B.A.
LATE SCHOLAR OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE;
AUTHOR OF "HERBERT TRESHAM," ""
""
AND AGNES DE TRACY."
"Thou gettest fables none ytold from mee :
For Paule, that writeth unto Timothee,
Reproveth them that weiven sothefastenesse,
And tellen fables, and swiche wretchednesse.
Why sholde I sowen draffe out of my fist,
When I may sowen wheat, if that I list?
For all, I say, if that you list to heare
Moralite, and vertuous matere,
And then that ye woll yeve me audience,
I wold full well, with CRISTE's reverence,
Doen your pleasure.
And therefore, if you list, I will not glose;
I woll you tell a little tale in prose."
CHAUCER. The Parsone's Prologue.
DEIGHTONS, CAMBRIDGE; RIVINGTONS, LONDON.