haboundeth most of rede purpre, that is to seyn, of a maner
shelle-fish with which men dyen purpre; and knowen which
strondes habounden most with tendre fisshes, or of sharpe fisshes
that highten [echines]. But folk suffren hem-self to ben so blinde,
15
that hem ne reccheth nat to knowe where thilke goodes ben
y-hid whiche that they coveiten, but ploungen hem in erthe
and seken there thilke good that sormounteth the hevene that
bereth the sterres. What preyere may I maken that be digne
to the nyce thoughtes of men? But I preye that they coveiten