Unit 2: Vocabulary from Readings 1

She was so charitably solicitous
She used to weep if she but saw a mouse
Caught in a trap, if it were dead or bleeding.

He was a prelate fit for exhibition,
He was not pale like a tormented soul.

Sweetly he heard his penitents at shrift
With pleasant absolution, for a gift.

It’s a sure sign whenever gifts are given
To a poor Order that a man’s well shriven,
And should he give enough he knew in verity
The penitent repented in sincerity.

But anywhere a profit might accrue
Courteous he was and lowly of service too.

He was ever prompt
To arbitrate disputes on settling days
(For a small fee) in many helpful ways

A sanguine man, high-colored and benign,
He loved a morning sop of cake in wine.

In his own diet he observed some measure;
There were no superfluities for pleasure,
Only digestives, nutritives and such.

He sought no pomp or glory in his dealings,
No scrupulosity had spiced his feelings.

In one short day, in money down, he drew
More than the parson in a month or two,
And by his flatteries and prevarication
Made monkeys of the priest and congregation.

No, we must bring this treasure back by night
Some prudent way, and keep it out of sight.

He saw a maiden walking all forlorn
Ahead of him, alone as she was born.

He was as good as dead
(It seems that then the statutes took that view)
But that the queen, and other ladies too,
Implored the king to exercise his grace

Some say the things we most desire are these:
Freedom to do exactly as we please,
With no one to reprove our faults and lies,
Rather to have one call us good and wise.

Are knights of his all so contemptuous?

You’re old, and so abominably plain,
So poor to start with, so low-bred to follow

For of our parents nothing can we claim
Save temporal things, and these may hurt and maim.

If you would be esteemed for the mere name
Of having been by birth a gentleman
And stemming from some virtuous, noble clan,
And do not live yourself by gentle deed
Or take your father’s noble code and creed,
You are no gentleman, though duke or earl.

You make the choice yourself, for the provision
Of what may be agreeable and rich
In honour to us both, I don’t care which;
Whatever pleases you suffices me.