That toward Caunterbury wolden ryde.”
ACT I
Time: April 16th, 1387. Late afternoon.
Scene: The Tabard Inn at Southwark, near London.
When the scene opens, about half of the Pilgrims have arrived; the others come in during the first part of the act. Those already arrived are the Miller, Shipman, Cook, Parson, Ploughman, Franklin, Doctor, Friar, Haberdasher, Carpenter, Weaver, Dyer, Tapicer, Clerk, and Chaucer.
At rise of curtain, the Host is just moving to receive the Knight, Squire, and Yeoman at the door, back. Chaucer sits with a big volume on his knee in the corner by the fireplace, left; right front, the Miller and the Cook are wrestling, while those near look on.
COOK
Now, masters, see a miller eat bran!
MILLER
Corpus!