PRINTED AT THE CLARENDON PRESS
BY HORACE HART, M.A.,
PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY
CONTENTS.
| PAGE | |
| Introduction.—[§ 1]. Some points for discussion. [§ 2]. Canon of Chaucer's Works. Thynne's edition of 1532. [§ 3]. Later reprints. [§ 4]. Tyrwhitt's edition; and his endeavours to establish a canon. [§ 5]. The same; continued. [§ 6]. Chalmers' edition. [§ 7]. The anonymous edition of 1845; published by Moxon. [§ 8]. This edition due to Tyrwhitt's suggestions. [§ 9]. Later work; results arrived at by Prof. Lounsbnry. [§ 10]. Some of The Minor Poems in The present edition. [§ 11]. The Poem no. XXIV. [§ 12]. Poems numbered XXIII, XXV, and XXVI. [§ 13]. The text of the Canterbury Tales; lines 'clipped' at The beginning. [§ 14]. The Harleian MS. [§ 15]. The Ellesmere MS. [§ 16]. The old black-letter editions. [§ 17]. Stowe's edition in 1561. [§ 18]. Dryden's remarks on Chaucer's verse. [§ 19]. Brief rules for scansion. [§ 20]. Accentuation. [§ 21]. Examples. [§ 22]. Old pronunciation. [§ 23]. Modernising of spelling. [§ 24]. Sources of The Notes; acknowledgments | [ix] |
| Notes To Group A | [1] |
| The General Prologue | [1] |
| The Knightes Tale | [60] |
| The Miller's Prologue | [95] |
| The Milleres Tale | [96] |
| The Reve's Prologue | [112] |
| The Reves Tale | [116] |
| The Cook's Prologue | [128] |
| The Cokes Tale | [129] |
| Notes To Group B | [132] |
| Introduction to the Man of Lawes Tale | [132] |
| Prologue to the Man of Lawes Tale | [141] |
| The Tale of the Man of Lawe | [145] |
| The Shipman's Prologue | [165] |
| The Shipmannes Tale | [168] |
| The Prioress's Prologue | [173] |
| The Prioresses Tale | [174] |
| Prologue To Sir Thopas | [182] |
| The Tale of Sir Thopas | [183] |
| Prologue To Melibeus | [201] |
| The Tale of Melibeus | [201] |
| The Monk's Prologue | [224] |
| The Monkes Tale | [227] |
| The Nonne Prestes Prologue | [247] |
| The Nonne Preestes Tale | [248] |
| Epilogue | [258] |
| Notes to Group C | [260] |
| The Phisiciens Tale | [260] |
| Words of the Host | [264] |
| The Pardoneres Prologue | [269] |
| The Pardoneres Tale | [275] |
| Notes to Group D | [291] |
| The Wife of Bath's Prologue | [291] |
| The Tale of the Wyf of Bathe | [313] |
| The Friar's Prologue | [322] |
| The Freres Tale | [323] |
| The Sompnour's Prologue | [330] |
| The Somnours Tale | [331] |
| Notes to Group E | [342] |
| The Clerkes Prologue | [342] |
| The Clerkes Tale | [343] |
| The Marchauntes Prologue | [353] |
| The Marchantes Tale | [353] |
| Notes to Group F | [370] |
| The Squieres Tale | [370] |
| The Words of the Franklin | [387] |
| The Prologue of the Franklin's Tale | [387] |
| The Frankeleyns Tale | [388] |
| Notes to Group G | [401] |
| The Second Nonnes Tale | [401] |
| The Canon's Yeoman's Prologue | [414] |
| The Chanouns Yemannes Tale | [421] |
| Notes To Group H | [435] |
| The Manciple's Prologue | [435] |
| The Maunciples Tale | [439] |
| Notes To Group I | [444] |
| The Parson's Prologue | [444] |
| The Persones Tale | [447] |
| Notes to the Tale of Gamelyn | [477] |
| Addenda | [490] |
| Index to the Subjects, etc., explained in the Notes | [495] |
INTRODUCTION TO THE NOTES
[§ 1]. In the brief Introduction to vol. iv. I have given a list of the MSS. of the Canterbury Tales; some account of the early printed editions; and some explanation of the methods employed in preparing the present edition. I propose here to discuss further certain important points of general interest. And first, I would say a few words as to the Canon of Chaucer's Works, whereby the genuine works are separated from others that have been attributed to him, at various times, by mistake or inadvertence.
[§ 2]. Canon of Chaucer's Works.
This has already been considered, at considerable length, in vol. i. pp. 20-90. But it is necessary to say a few words on the whole subject, owing to the extremely erroneous opinions that are so widely prevalent.