He may wid a litel silver stoppen his mouth;
Glossary.—70. huis, house.—74. priketh, rideth.—75. cracche, properly a manger, perhaps here, a cradle.—76. wel is hire, it is well for her.—81. deie, dairymaid.—85. lomb, lamb.—86. pautener ... honne,....—87. koeverchef, kerchief. crok, crook.—88. rat, reads. rouwe, rough.—89. mo, more.—91. bename kouth, could take in hand. (?)
He medeth wid the clerkes, and halt forth the wenche,
And lat the parish for-worthe; the devel him adrenche
for his werk!
And sory may his fader ben, that evere made him clerk.
And if the parsoun have a prest of a clene lyf,
That be a god consailler to maiden and to wif,
Shal comen a daffe and putte him out for a litel lasse,