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This little proverb he would add thereto That if gold rust, what then will iron do? For if a priest be foul in whom we trust No wonder that a common man should rust; And shame it is to see-lot priest take stock--- A shitten shepherd and a snowy flock. The true example that a priest should give Is one of cleanness, how the sheep should live. He did not see his benefice to hire And leave his sheep encumbered in the mire Or run to London to earn easy bread By singing masses for the wealthy dead, Or find some Brotherhood and get enrolled. He stayed at home and watched over his fold So that no wolf should make the sheep miscarry. He was a shepherd and no mercenary. Holy and virtuous he was, but then Never contemptuous of sinful men, Never disdainful, never too proud or fine, But was discreet in teaching and benign. His business was to show a fair behaviour And draw men thus to Heaven and their Saviour, Unless indeed a man were obstinate; And such, whether of high or low estate, He put to sharp rebuke to day the least. I think there never was a better priest. He sought no pomp or glory in his dealings, Mo scrupulosity had spiced his feelings. Christ and His Twelve Apostles and their lore He taught, but followed it himself before. The Plowman There was a Plowman with him there, his brother. Many a load of dung one time or other He must have carte through the morning dew. He was an honest worker, good and true, Living in peace and perfect charity, And, as the gospel bade him, so did he, Loving God best with all his heart and mind And then his neighbour as himself, repined At no misfortune, slacked for no content, For steadily about his work he went To thrash his corn, to dig or to mature Or make a ditch; and he would help the poor For love of Christ and never take a penny If he could help it, and, as prompt as any, He paid his tithes in full when they were due, On what he owned, and on his earning too. He wore a tabard smock and rode a mare. Pardoner He and a gentle Pardon