The Parson.
Then came the poor Parson—poor in condition, but ‘rich in holy thought and work’—who was so good, and staunch, and true, so tender to sinners and severe to sin, regarding no ranks or state, but always at his post, an example to men.
Wyd was his parisch, and houses fer asondur,wide
But he ne lafte not for reyne ne thondur,ceased
In siknesse nor in meschief to visite
The ferrest in his parissche, moche and lite,furthest
Uppon his feet, and in his hond a staf.
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But Cristes lore and his apostles twelve
He taught, and ferst he folwed it himselve.[67]followed
Wide was his parish, the houses far asunder,
But never did he fail, for rain or thunder,
In sickness and in woe to visit all
Who needed—far or near, and great and small—
On foot, and having in his hand a staff.
········
Christ’s and the twelve apostles’ law he taught,
But first himself obey’d it, as he ought.
The Ploughman.
Then the parson’s brother, who was only a Ploughman, and worked hard in the fields, kind to his neighbours, ever honest, loving God above all things. He wore a tabard, and rode on a mare.[68]
There was also a Miller, a Manciple, a Reve, a Summoner, a Pardoner, and myself [Chaucer].
The Ploughman.
