As saide himselfè, more than a curát,
For of his ordre he was a licenciat.
Ful swetely herde he confession,
And plesant was his absolution.
He was an esy man to give penaunce,
Ther as he wiste[80] to han[81] a good pitaunce:
For unto a poure[82] ordre for to give
Is signè that a man is wel yshrive.[83]
For if he gaf, he dorstè make avaunt,[84]
He wistè that a man was repentaunt.