The Franklin.
The Franklin.
Table Dormant.
A Frankelein was in his compainye;
Whit was his berde, as is the dayesye.daisy
Of his complexioun he was sangwyn,
Wel loved he in the morwe a sop of wyn.morning
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Withoute bake mete was nevere his hous,baked meats (pies)
Of flessch and fissch, and that so plentevous
Hit snewed[64] in his hous of mete and drynke,snowed
Of alle deyntees that men cowde thynke.could think of
After the sondry sesouns of the yeersundry
So chaungede he his mete and his soper.supper
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His table dormant[65] in his halle alway
Stood redy covered al the longe day.
There was a Franklin in his company,
And white his beard was, as the daisies be.
With ruddy tints did his complexion shine;
Well loved he in the morn a sop of wine.
········
Without good meat, well cooked, was ne’er his house,
Both fish and flesh, and that so plenteous,
It seemed as though it snowed with meat and drink,
And every dainty that a man could think.
According to the seasons of the year
He changed his meats and varied his good cheer.
········
His table-dormant in his hall alway
Stood ready furnished forth throughout the day.
He was the most hospitable of men, and very well-to-do. He kept open house, for everybody to come and eat when they liked. He had often been sheriff and knight of the shire; for he was very highly thought of.
An anlas and gipser al of silkall
Heng at his gerdul, whit as morne mylk.
A dagger and a hawking-pouch of silk
Hung at his girdle, white as morning milk.
A Haberdasher, a Carpenter, a Webber (weaver), a Dyer, and a Tapiser (tapestry-maker) came next, with the Cook they brought with them, a Shipman, a Doctor of Physic, and a ‘worthy[66] woman,’ called the Wife of Bath, because she lived near that city.
The Doctor of Physic.
The Wife of Bath.