Ma foi! there were those who wished that he would have less care for their souls and a little more for their bodies!" "It is well to have a learned clerk in every troop," said Sir Nigel.

"By St.Paul, there are men so caitiff that they think more of a scrivener's pen than of their lady's smile, and do their devoir in hopes that they may fill a line in a chronicle or make a tag to a jongleur's romance.

I remember well that, at the siege of Retters, there was a little, sleek, fat clerk of the name of Chaucer, who was so apt at rondel, sirvente, or tonson, that no man dare give back a foot from the walls, lest he find it all set down in his rhymes and sung by every underling and varlet in the camp.

But, my soul's bird, you hear me prate as though all were decided, when I have not yet taken counsel either with you or with my lady mother.

Let us to the chamber, while these strangers find such fare as pantry and cellar may furnish." "The night air strikes chill," said the lady, and turned down the road with her hand upon her lord's arm.