Digital Index of Middle English Verse: No. 5599

DIMEV 5599

There was as telleth Titus Livius

Geoffrey Chaucer, the Physician’s Tale of the Canterbury Tales — 286 lines in couplets.

Author(s): Geoffrey Chaucer

Title(s): Physician’s Tale; Canterbury Tales

Subjects: pilgrims/pilgrimage; corruption; innocence; sacrifice

Versification: — couplets — aa

Manuscript Witnesses:

1.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Arch. Selden B. 14 (SC 3360), ff. 235v-240

First Lines:

WHan that this yoman his tale ended hadde
of this fals Chanon whiche that was so bad
oure hoost gan seie treuly & certayne
this prest was bigiled sothely for to sayne
he wenynge for to be a Philosophre
til he no gold lefften in his coffre
and sothly this prest had alether Iape
this cursed Chanon put in his hood anape
but al this passe I ouer as now
sir doctor of Phisike I pray yow
telle vs a tale of some honeste matere
it shal be done if that ye wil hit here
seide this Doctour & his tale bigan anoon
now gode men quod he herkeneth euerychoon

THer was as telleth Tytus Liuius
a knyght that called was Virginius…

Last Lines:

…ther fore I rede yow this counsail take
forsaketh synne or synne yow forsake

Note: The Tale is preceded by a spurious 14-line link (see above).

Attributed Title: …And next bigynneth the doctour of Phisikes prolog (f. 235v); Here endith the doctour of Phisike his prolog / and next folwyng he bigynneth his tale & cetera (f. 236); the doctour of phisike (RT); Here endith the doctour of Phisikes tale… (f. 240)

2.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Barlow 20 (SC 6420), ff. 180bv-184v

First Lines:

What þat þis yoman his tale endid hadde
Of þis false Chanon wiche þat was so badde
Oure oost can to saie treuly and certayn
This preost was bigiled sothely for to sayn
His wenyng for to be a philosophre
Til þat he no gold left in his cofre
And sothely þis preost hadde a lethur Iape
This Cursed Chanon put in his hood an Ape
But alle þis passe I ouer as now
Sir doctour of phisik I pray ȝow
Tel vs a tale of some honest matere
Hit shal be done ȝif þat ȝe wil it here
Saide þis doctour and his tale bygann anoon
Now god men quod he herkenyth euerychon

Ther was as tellith vs titus liuius
A knyght þat clepid was virgineus…

Last Lines:

…þerfore I rede ȝow this Conseil take
fforsakeþ synne er synne ȝow forsake

Note: The Tale is preceded by a spurious 14-line link (see above).

Attributed Title: …& here by gynnyth / þe prologe of þe doctor of phisik (f. 180b); here endith the prologe and here bygynnyth þe tale (f. 180bv, rubric); here endith þe doctour of physik… (f. 184v)

3.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Bodley 414 (SC 27880), ff. 129-132

First Lines:

[W]hen that this yoman his tale endid hadde
Of this fals chanon that was so badde
Oure host gan to sey truly and certeyn
This prest was begilid sothely for to seyne
He wenyng for to be a philosophir
Till he right no gold left in his cofir
And truly this prest had a lithir iape
This cursid chanon put in his hood an Ape
But alle this wille I passe ouer as nowe
Sir Doctour of phisic I prey you
Telle us a tale of sum honest matiere
It shal be done if that ye wille it here
Seid this doctour and his tale began anon
Now good men coth he herkneth euerichon

[T]her was as tellith us Titus lyueus
A knight that clepid was virgineus…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede you this counseil take
fforsakith synne or synne you forsake

Note: The Tale is preceded by a spurious 14-line link (see above). VI.254 omitted.

Attributed Title: Here begynneth the prolog of þe doctour of phisik (f. 129); The tale of the doctour of Phisik (f. 132v)

4.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Bodley 686 (SC 2527), ff. 148v-152

First Lines:

Ther was as telleth Thitus liuius
A knyght þat called was virginius…

Last Lines:

…þer fore y rede you þis counsel take
fforsaketh synne er synne you forsake

Attributed Title: …And here after begynneth / the Phisiciens tale (f. 148v); Phisician (RT); Here endeth the Phisiciens tale… (f. 152)

5.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Hatton Donati 1 (SC 4138), ff. 153-156v

First Lines:

Whan this yoman his tale ended hadde
Of this fals Chanon which was so badde
Oure oost gan sey treuly and certaine
This prest was begiled sothli to sayne
He wenyng for to be a philosophre
Til he right no gold left in his cofre
And sothli þis prest had a litull Iape
This cursed Chanon put in his hode an Ape
But al this passe I ouer as nowe
Sir doctour of phisik I pray you
Tell vs a tale of some honest matere
Hit shal be don if ye wol it here
Seid þis doctoure and his tale began anon
Now goode men quod he herkeneth eueri chon

There was a knight as telleth liuius
That called was virginius…

Last Lines:

…Therefor I rede you this consail take
fforsaketh syn or syn you forsake

Note: The Tale is preceded by a spurious 14-line link (see above). VI.69, 161 omitted; spurious lines follow 70, 162.

Attributed Title: …And next biginneth / the Prolog of the Doctour of phisik (f. 153); Here endeth þe prolog of the doctour of phisik And next / biginneth the tale of the doctour of phisik (f. 153); The Maister of Phisik (RT); Here endeth the Doctour of Phisik tale… (f. 156v)

6.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Laud misc. 600 (SC 1476), ff. 205-207v

First Lines:

…Þat is to preise as bi discrecion
As wel in body as gost chast was she…

Last Lines:

…ffor knowen was þe folis Iniquite
Þe people anoon had suspect in þis þing…

Note: VI.1-41 (possibly also a spurious linking passage), 264-86 lost. At the foot of f. 204v are two blue ‘H’ lombard initials with no accompanying explicit or incipit.

Attributed Title: H[blank (unexecuted rubric)] (f. 204v); þe doctor of phisik (RT)

7.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Laud misc. 739 (SC 1234), ff. 212-216v

First Lines:

[W]Han that this yoman his tale endyd hadde
Of this fals chanon which þat was so badde
Oure ooste gan say truly & certayn
This prest was begiled sothely for to sayn
He wenynge for to be a philosphre
Til he right no gold left in his cofre
And sothly þis prest had a lyther Iape
This cursyd chanon put in his hoode an ape
But all this passe I ouer as now
Sir doctour of phisyke I prey ȝow
Telle vs a tale of som honest matere
Hit shall be done ȝif þat ȝe wole hit here
Saide this doctor and his tale bygan anone
Now gode men quod he herkeneth euerychone
[T]Her was as telleth vs tytus lyueus
A knyght þat clepid was virgineus…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede ȝou this councele take
fforsaketh synne or synne ȝou forsake

Note: The Tale is preceded by a spurious 14-line link (see above). VI.113 omitted.

8.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Rawlinson poet. 149 (SC 14641), ff. 92-94

First Lines:

When that this yoman his tale endid had
Of this fals chanon which that was so bad
Oure oost gan sey treuli and certayn
This preest was begiled sothe for to seyn
He wenyng for to be a philosophre
Til he right no golde had left in his cofre
And sotheli this preest had a lethir iape
This cursid chanon had put in his hood an ape
Bot al this passe ovir as now
Sir doctor of phesik I prey yow
Tel vs atale of som honest matere
It shal be done if that ye wil it here
Saide this doctour and his tale began anon
Now good men quod he herkenyth everichon
Ther was as tellith vs Titus lyuiyvs
A knight that cleped was virginivs…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede ye this counsail take
fforsake syn or syn yow forsake

Note: The Tale is preceded by a spurious 14-line link (see above).

Attributed Title: fab (f. 92, margin); here endith the doctour of phesikes tale… (f. 94)

9.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Rawlinson poet. 223 (SC 14714), ff. 204-208v

First Lines:

There was as telleth us Titus liueus
A kniȝt that Cleped was Virgeneus…

Last Lines:

…Therfor I rede ye this counseill take
fforsake synne or synne you forsake

Attributed Title: …And here beginneth A tale of the Maister of Phisik (f. 204); Phisicus (RT); Here endith the tale of the Maister of Phisik… (f. 208v)

10.Source: Oxford, Christ Church 152, ff. 116-119v

First Lines:

Ther was as telleth Titus liuius
A knyght that called was virginius…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede yow this counseille take
fforsaketh synne or synne yow forsake

Attributed Title: …Here bigynneth the Phisiciens tale (f. 116); Here endith the Phisiciens tale… (f. 119v)

11.Source: Oxford, Corpus Christi College 198, ff. 190v-194v

First Lines:

Ther was as telleþ vs Titus lyueus
A knight þat cleped was virgineus…

Last Lines:

…þerfore I rede ȝou þis counseil take
fforsakeþ synne er synne ȝou forsake

Attributed Title: The doctour of phisik (f. 190v); Doctour of phisik (RT, rubric)

Facsimiles:

“Digital Facsimile of Corpus Christi, Oxford MS 198 of the Canterbury Tales” .

12.Source: Oxford, New College 314, ff. 183v-187v

First Lines:

Ther was as tellith titus lyvyus
A knyȝt that clepid was virginius…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede you þis counsel take
fforsake synne or synne yow forsake

Note: VI.206 omitted; spurious line follows 197.

Attributed Title: …and begynneth þe tale of the / doctour of phisik (f. 183v); doctor of / phisik (f. 183v, margin); Phisicion (RT); Here endith the Phisicions tale… (f. 187v)

13.Source: Oxford, Trinity College 49, ff. 149v-153

First Lines:

THer was as tellith vs Titus lyueus
A knyght that clepid was virginius…

Last Lines:

…ther for I rede you this counseil take
for sake synne or synne you for sake

Note: VI.14-18 omitted.

Attributed Title: …Incipit fabula doctoris phisici (f. 149v); Doctor of Phisike (RT); Explicit fabula doctoris / Phisici (f. 153)

14.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Dd.4.24, ff. 138v-141v

First Lines:

There was as telleth Titus liuius
A knyght that called was Virginius…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede ȝow this counseil take
fforsaketh synne er synne ȝow forsake

Attributed Title: …& bigynneth the / Phisiciens tale with oute a Prologe (f. 138v); Here endeth the Phisiciens tale… (f. 141v)

Editions:

Furnivall, Frederick James, ed. The Cambridge MS. Dd.4.24 of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, Completed by the Egerton MS. 2726 (The Haistwell MS). The Chaucer Society 1st Series, no. 95 (Part 1, issue for 1901) and 96 (Part 2, issue for 1902).

15.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Gg.4.27 (Part 1a), ff. 302-302v

First Lines:

…In which I pleyne vpon virginius
And ȝif he wele seyn it is not thus…

Last Lines:

…ffor to compleyne er he hire slow allas
And god it wot nothyng was hire trespas…

Note: VI.1-166, 243-86 lost.

Facsimiles:

Parkes, Malcolm B., and Richard Beadle. “Introduction.” Poetical Works. Geoffrey Chaucer. A Facsimile of Cambridge University Library MS Gg.4.27. 3 vols Cambridge: D. S. Brewer, 1979 (vol. 1); 1980 (vols. 2-3).

Editions:

Furnivall, Frederick James. The Cambridge MS (University Library, Gg.4.27) of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Chaucer Society Series 1, nos. 4, 10, 17, 28, 33, 40, 52, 66. London: Trübner, 1868-79.

16.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Ii.3.26, ff. 167v-170v

First Lines:

When this yoman his tale endid had
Of this fals chanon which was so bad
Oure hoste gan say truly and certeyn
This preest was begiled sothely to sayne
He wenyng for to be a philosopher
Till that he no golde lefte in his cofer
And sothely this preest had a litle Iape
This cursed chanon put in his hode an ape
But alle this passe I over as nowe
Sir doctour of phesyk I pray you
Telle vs a tale of some honeste matere
It shalle be done if ye wil it here
Saide this doctour and his tale began anoon
Now good men quod he herkenyth everychone
THere was as telleth vs Titus and lyvius
A knyght that cleped was Wyrgynys…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede you this counseylle take
fforsaketh synne or synne you forsake

Note: The Tale is preceded by a spurious 14-line link (see above). VI.106, 240 omitted.

Attributed Title: And next be gynneth the doctour of physik prologe (f. 167v); Doctour of physyk (RT); Here endeth the doctour of phisykes tale… (f. 170v)

17.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Mm.2.5, ff. 186v-189v

First Lines:

Whan þat þis ȝoman his tale ended hadde
Of þis fals chanon whiche þat was so badde
Our ooste gan seye trewly and certeyn
This preste was begiled sothely for to seyn
He wenynge for to be a philisophre
Til he riȝht no golde lefte in his coffre
And softely þis preste had a lither iape
This cursed chanon put in his hode an ape
But al þis I ouer passe as nowe
Sir doctour of phisike I pray ȝowe
Tell us a tale of some honeste matere
It schall be done ȝif þat ȝe woll it here
Said þis doctour and his tale began onon
Nowe good men quod he herkeneth euerychon
Ther was as tellith us Titus lyueus
A knyȝht þat cleped was virgineus…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede ȝowe þis counsell for to take
fforsakith synne er synne ȝow forsake

Note: The Tale is preceded by a spurious 14-line link (see above).

Attributed Title: …Here begynneth þe prologe of þe doctour of phisik (f. 186v); þe prologe of þe doctour of physik (RT); Incipit fabula (f. 186v, margin); The doctour of phisyk (RT)

18.Source: Cambridge UK, Fitzwilliam Museum McClean 181 [olim Ashburnham 127], ff. 195v-199v

First Lines:

[W]Hen that this yeman his tale ended had
Of this false chanoun which he ended had
Oure oste gan to sey truly and certeyn
This preste was bygyled sothely to seyn
He wenynge for to be a philosopher
Tyll he right no gold lefte in his cofer
And sothely this preste had a lyther Iape
This cursed chanon putte in his hode an ape
But all this woll passen as now
Sir doctour of phisyk y pray yow
Tell us a tale of som honest mater
Hit schall be don yf ye woll hit her

[T]Her was as telleth us Titus lyueus
A knyȝte þat clepud was virgyneus…

Last Lines:

…Therfore y rede you this counsel take
fforsaketh synne ar synne forsake yow

Note: The Tale is preceded by a spurious 12-line link (see above). VI.297-8, 309-12, 323-4 omitted.

Attributed Title: The prolog of þe doctour of phisik (f. 195v); The tale of þe doctour of phisyk (f. 195v); Here endeth the Tale of þe doctour of phisyk… (f. 199v)

19.Source: Cambridge UK, Trinity College R.3.3 (582), ff. 76ra-77va

First Lines:

There was as telleth vs Titus Lyuyus
A kniȝt that cleped was Virginius…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede you this counseill take
fforsaketh sinne or sinne you forsake

Note: VI.60, 159-60, 166-75, 240 omitted; spurious line follows 70.

Attributed Title: A tale tolde be te maister / Of Phisik (f. 75va, with the rest of the verso left blank); Here endith the Tale of the Physician… (f. 77va)

20.Source: Cambridge UK, Trinity College R.3.15 (595), ff. 210-214v

First Lines:

ThHere was as telleth Titus lyuyus
A knyght that cleped was virginius…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede you this councelle take
fforsaketh synne or synne you forsake

Attributed Title: …And begynneth doctour of phisickis tale (f. 210); Here endeth the Phesicians tale… (f. 214v)

21.Source: London, British Library Addit. 5140, ff. 201-206v

First Lines:

Ther was as telleth Tytus lyuius
A knyht that callid was vyrgeneus…

Last Lines:

…Therfor y reede this counsil to take
fforsakith synne or synne you forsake

Attributed Title: …Et incipit prologus ffabula / Phisici sine prologg (f. 201); Phisicion (RT); Explicit fabula Phisici… (f. 206v)

22.Source: London, British Library Addit. 25718, ff. 48-52

First Lines:

Ther was a knight as telleth Lucinius
That kleped was virginivs…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede yow this counsel take
fforsaketh synne er synne yow forsake…

Note: VI.69, 159-61, 172 omitted (172 supplied later); blank line left after 70 with spurious line added later.

Attributed Title: The Maister of Phisikes tale of Vir[tear] (f. 48, written over erasure); Here endeth the maister off Phisykes tale… (f. 52)

23.Source: London, British Library Addit. 35286 [olim Ashburnham 125], ff. 144v-148

First Lines:

Ther was as telleth Titus Lyuyus
A knyght that called was virginius…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede yow this counseil take
fforsaketh synne or synne yow forsake

Note: VI.17-18, 41-3, 81-2 omitted; 95-6 reversed.

Attributed Title: here bigynneth the Maister of phisikes tale (f. 144v); the Maister of phisik (RT); Here ende the maister of phisikes tale… (f. 148)

Editions:

Horobin, Simon. “A Transcription and Study of British Library MS Additional 35286 of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.” Diss. Univ. of Sheffield, 1997.

24.Source: London, British Library Egerton 2726 [olim Haistwell], ff. 159-162v

First Lines:

Ther was as telleth Titus Liuius
A knyght þat called was Virginius…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede you þis counseill take
fforsaketh syn or syn you forsake

Attributed Title: …& incipit fabula de le / ffisician de Virginius Apius et Claudis sine prologo (f. 159); Hic desinit fabula Phisici… (f. 162v)

Editions:

25.Source: London, British Library Egerton 2863 [olim Norton, post Compton Hall], f. 137v

Transcription:

WHen þat þis yeman his tale ended hadde
Of þis fals chanoun whiche þat was so badde
Oure oost gan seie trewely & certayn
This preest was begiled sothely to sayn…

Note: Last ten lines of the spurious ‘Chanon’s Yeoman-Physician’s Link’ lost, along with the entire Physician’s Tale.

Attributed Title: …And here bygynneth þe prologe of þe doctour of phisik (f. 137v)

Editions:

26.Source: London, British Library Egerton 2864 [olim Ingilby, post Compton Hall], ff. 167-171

First Lines:

[T]Her was as tellith Titus lyuius
A knyht that called was virgyneus…

Last Lines:

…Therfor I reede this counseil to take
fforsaketh synne or synne you forsake

Attributed Title: …Incipit Narracio phisici de quadam virgine que erat filia eiusdem Militis sine prologo (f. 167); The phisician (RT)

27.Source: London, British Library Harley 1758, ff. 150-150v

First Lines:

…Myn pitous honde mote smyten of thyn heed
Allas that euyr Apyus the saye…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede you this counseile take
fforsaketh synne ere synne you forsake

Note: VI.1-225 (and possibly the spurious 14-line link) lost. Large blank space between the end of the Physician’s Tale and the ‘Physician-Pardoner Link’.

Attributed Title: The doctour of Phisik (RT); Here endeth the tale of the doctour of Phisik (f. 150v)

28.Source: London, British Library Harley 7333, ff. 93ra-94rb

First Lines:

Ther was as tellithe vs titus lyuiyus
A knyth that clepid was virginius…

Last Lines:

…þere fore I rede yow this counseill take
fforsake synne or synne yow forsake

Attributed Title: Here begynithe the doctoure of / physike this tale (f. 93ra); Here Endithe þe doctoure off / phisike this tale (f. 94rb)

29.Source: London, British Library Harley 7334, ff. 181v-185

First Lines:

Ther was as telleþ Thitus lyuius
A knight þat cleped was virgineus…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede ȝow this counseil take
fforsakith synne er synne yow forsake

Attributed Title: …And here bygynneth þe tale of þe Doctor of of phisik (f. 181v); Doctor of phisik Tale (RT); Here endeth þe Doctor of phisiqus his tale… (f. 185)

Editions:

Furnivall, Frederick James, ed. The Harleian MS 7334 of Chaucer’s ‘Canterbury Tales’. Chaucer Society 73. London: Trübner, 1885.

30.Source: London, British Library Harley 7335, ff. 154-158

First Lines:

[T]Her was as tellith Titus Lyuyus
A knyght that callid was virgynyus…

Last Lines:

…Therfore y rede you this conseil taake
fforsakith synne or synne you forsaake

Note: The Tale is preceded by a spurious 6-line link (see 2476-29). VI.17-18, 81-2 omitted; 46 inserted in margin.

Attributed Title: Phisicien is tale (f. 154, margin); Here endith the / phisiciens tale (f. 158, margin)

31.Source: London, British Library Lansdowne 851, ff. 169-173

First Lines:

NOwe trewly quod oure Oste þis is a prati tale
ffor litel marveile it is þat þou lokest so pale
Seþen þou hast medeled wiþ so mony þinges
Wiþ bloweinge att þe cole to melte boþe brochez and ringes
And oþere many Iewels dar I vndertake
And þat þi lorde couþe vs tel if we myht him ouertake
Bot lat him go a deuelwaye þe compaigny is neuer þe wers
And al suche fals harlotes I sette not be hem a kers
Bot latt pas ouere nowe al þes subtiltees
And sume worþi man tel vs sume veritees
As ȝe worschipful Maister of Phisike
Telleþ vs some tale þat is acronyke
That we may of ȝowe leren sum witte
Quod the Maister of Phisik a tale þat I finde writte
In cronyke passed of olde tyme
Herkeneþ for I wil tel it ȝow in rime

Ther was as telleþ vs titus liueus
A knyht þat cleped was virgineus…

Last Lines:

…Ther fore rede I ȝowe þis sounsel take
fforsakeþ sinne ar sinne ȝoue forsake

Note: The Tale is preceded by a spurious 16-line link (see above).

Attributed Title: …Incipit prologus Magistri Phisici (f. 169); Explicit prologus / Incipit fabula (f. 169v); The Maister of Phisik (RT); Explicit fabula Magistri Phisicorum… (f. 173)

Editions:

Furnivall, Frederick James, ed. The Lansdowne Manuscript of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Chaucer Society Series 1, nos. 7, 13, 20, 36, 43, 55, 69. London: Trübner, 1868-79.

32.Source: London, British Library Royal 17 D.XV, ff. 213-217v

First Lines:

WHan that this yoman his tale ended had
Of this false chanon whiche that was so bad
Oure host gan sey triewly and certayn
This priest was begyled soth for to sayn
He wenyng for to be a philosophre
Til he right no gold left in his cofre
And sothly this priest had a lither Iape
This cursed chanon put in his hode an Ape
But althis wil I passe ouere as now
Sir doctour of phesyk I pray yow
Telle vs a tale of some honest matiere
It shal be don if that ye wil it here
Seyde this doctour and his tale began anon
Now goode men quod he herkenyth euerychon
Ther was as tellith vs Titus lyueus
A knyght that clepid was virgyneus…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede yow this coundaile take
fforsake synne or synne yow forsake

Note: The Tale is preceded by a spurious 14-line link (see above).

Attributed Title: …And / begynnyth the prolog of / the doctor of Phisik (f. 213, margin); Here endith the prolog and begynnyth the tale of the doctor of Phisik (f. 213v, margin); Here endith the tale of / the doctor of physik… (f. 217v, margin)

33.Source: London, British Library Royal 18 C.II, ff. 174-177v

First Lines:

When þat þis yoman his tale endid hadde
Of þis fals chanon whiche þat was so badde
Oure oost gan seie truly and certayn
This preest was begyled sothely for to sayn
He wenynge for to be a philosophre
Til he right no gold lefte in his cofre
And sothely þis prest had a lyther Iape
This cursed chanon put in his hood an Ape
But al þis passe I ouer as now
Sire doctour of phisik I pray ȝow
Telle vs a tale of som honest matere
Hit schall be don ȝif þat ȝe wole hit here
Saide þis doctour and his tale by gan anon
Now gode men quod he herkeneth euerychon

Ther was as telleth vs Tytys lyueus
A knyȝt þat cleped was Virgineus…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede ȝou this conseil take
fforsaketh synne ar synne ȝou forsake

Note: The Tale is preceded by a spurious 14-line link (see above). VI.113 omitted.

Attributed Title: The prolog of the doctour of phesyk (f. 174); Here endith the prolog And begynneth the tale (f. 174); The Doctour of phesike (RT)

34.Source: London, British Library Sloane 1685, ff. 178-182

First Lines:

Whan þat þis yoman his tale ended hade
Of þis false Chanon whiche þat was so badde
Oure Oste gan say truly and certayne
Thys preest was begyled sothely for to sayne
He wenynge for to be a phylosofre
Tylle he riȝt no golde lefte in hys coffre
And soþely þis preest hade a liþer Iape
Thys cursid Chanon put in hys heed an ape
But al þis passe I ouere as nowe
Sir doctour of phisyke I pray ȝou
Telle vs a tale of some honeste matere
Hit schal be done yf þat ye wille it here
Sayde þis doctour and hys tale began anone
Now gode men quod he herkeneth euereche oon

Ther was as tellith me Titus lyueus
A knyȝt þat clepid was Virgineus…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede you þis counselle take
fforsakeþe synne or synne you forsake

Note: The Tale is preceded by a spurious 14-line link (see above). VI.55-6 reversed.

Attributed Title: …Here begynneht þe Prologge of þe doctour of physike (f. 178); Here endeth þe Prolooge and begynneth þe tale (f. 178); The Doctour Of Phisik (RT); The Maister Of Phisik (RT); Here endeth þe tale of þe Mayster of Phisyk… (f. 182)

35.Source: London, British Library Sloane 1686, ff. 217-221

First Lines:

THere was as tellith vs titus lyuevs
A knight that clepid was virginius…

Last Lines:

…Therfor I rede you this counseile take
fforsakethe synne or synne you forsake

Note: VI.69-70, 159-61, 166-75, 216-20 omitted; spurious line follows 215.

Attributed Title: [A] tale of the mayster of Phisik (RT); Here endith the Tale of the Maister of Phisik… (f. 221)

36.Source: Aberystwyth, National Library of Wales Peniarth 392 D [‘Hengwrt’], ff. 191v-195

First Lines:

THer was as telleth Titus Liuius
A knyght that called was Virginius…

Last Lines:

…Ther fore I rede yow this conseil take
fforsaketh synne er synne yow forsake

Attributed Title: Heere bigynneth the Phisiciens tale (f. 191v); The Phisicien (RT); Here endeth the Phisiciens tale… (f. 195)

Facsimiles:

Ruggiers, Paul G., ed. The Canterbury Tales. Geoffrey Chaucer. A Facsimile of the Hengwrt Manuscript, with Variants from the Ellesmere Manuscript. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma, and Folkestone: Wm. Dawson, 1979.

Stubbs, Estelle, ed. The Hengwrt Chaucer Digital Facsimile (CD-ROM). Leicester, England: Scholarly Digital Editions, 2000.

Editions:

Furnivall, Frederick James, ed. The Hengwrt Manuscript of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Chaucer Society Series 1, nos. 3, 9, 27, 39, 51, 71. London: Trübner, 1868-79.

Blake, Norman F., ed. The Canterbury Tales. Edited from the Hengwrt Manuscript. York Medieval Texts, second series. London: Edward Arnold, 1980.

Stubbs, Estelle, ed. The Hengwrt Chaucer Digital Facsimile (CD-ROM). Leicester, England: Scholarly Digital Editions, 2000.

37.Source: Alnwick Castle, Duke of Northumberland MS 455, ff. 149v-153

First Lines:

There was as tellith vs Tytys lyuyus
A knyȝte þat callid was virgneus…

Last Lines:

…Therfor I rede ȝew this counsell take
fforsake syn or syn ȝew forsake

Note: VI.11-16, 59-60, 89-90, 101-4, 109, 274 omitted.

Attributed Title: …And here begynnyth the tale of the Doctour of Phisik (f. 149v); Here endith þe tale of þe doctour of Phisik… (f. 153)

38.Source: Glasgow, Glasgow University Library Hunterian 197 (U.1.1), ff. 76rb-77rA

First Lines:

THere was as telleth vs Titus lyuyus
A knyght þat cleped was virgineus…

Last Lines:

…Ther fore I rede þe þis counsel take
fforsake synne or synne yow forsake

Note: VI.55-6 omitted.

Attributed Title: …And here begynneth the tale of the doctor / of phisik (f. 76rb); the Doctor (RT)

39.Source: Lichfield, Lichfield Cathedral Library 29, ff. 183v-187v

First Lines:

WHan that this yoman his tale ended hadde
Of þis fals chanoun which that was so badde
Oure host gan seye trewely and certayn
This preest was begyled sothly for to sayn
He wenynge for to be a philofre
Til he right no gold lefte in his cofre
And sothely this preest hadde a luther iape
This cursed chanon put in his hood an ape
But al this passe I ouer as now
Sir doctour of phisik I pray yow
Telle vs a tale of sum honest matere
It shal be done yif that ye wole it here
Said this doctour and his tale began anon
Now goode men quod he herkeneth euerychon
Ther was as telleth vs Titus liuius
A knyght þat cleped was virgineus…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede yow this counseill take
fforsaketh synne or synne yow forsake

Note: The Tale is preceded by a spurious 14-line link (see above).

Attributed Title: Prologus (preceding the explicit for the Chanon᾿s Yeoman’s Tale, f. 183v); …and begynneth the prologe of the doctour of phisik (f. 183v); The Doctour of phisik (RT); Thus endeth the tale of þe doctour of phisike… (f. 187v)

40.Source: Lincoln, Lincoln Cathedral Library 110, ff. 169v-173

First Lines:

THere was as tellith tytys liuyus
A knyȝt that cleped was virginyus…

Last Lines:

…þerfore I rede yow this councell take
fforsakith synne or synne ȝow forsake

Note: VI.60, 159-61 omitted; spurious lines follow 70, 162.

Attributed Title: The tale of the Doctour of Phisik (RT); The Doctour of phisik (RT); Here endith the tale of the doctoure of Phisik… (f. 173, heavily stained)

41.Source: London, Royal College of Physicians 388 (13), ff. 227-232

First Lines:

Whanne that this yoman his tale endid had
Of this fals Chanon whiche that was so bad
Oure gan to sey triewly and certeyn
This priest was begiled sooth forto seyn
He wenyng for to be a philosophre
Til he right no gold left in his cofre
And sothly this priest had a lither iape
This cursed chanoun put in his hood an ape
But al this wil I passe ouer as now
Sir doctour of phesik I pray you
Tel us a tale of sum honest matiere
It shal be don if that ye wil it here
Saide this doctour and his tale bigan anon
Now good quod he herkenyth euerychon

Ther was as tellith vs Titus Lyueus
A knight that clepid was Virgyneus…

Last Lines:

…Therfor I rede yow this counsail take
fforsakith synne or synne yow forsake

Note: VI.203-4 reversed.

Attributed Title: Explicit Prologus Incipit ffabula (f. 227); Explicit fabula (f. 232)

42.Source: Manchester, John Rylands Library Eng. 113 [olim Hodson 39], ff. 112-114v

First Lines:

[T]here was as tellith Titus liuius
A knyght þat called was Virginius…

Last Lines:

…Þerfor I rede yowe this Councell take
fforsakith synne or synne you forsake

Attributed Title: …And the / Phisician begynnyth his tale without prologe (f. 112); Phisicianes Tale (f. 112, margin); Phisician (RT); Here endith the Phisicians tale… (f. 114v)

43.Source: Petworth House, Lord Leconfield MS 7, ff. 211-215

First Lines:

What þat þis ȝeman his tale ended hadde
Of þis fals Chanon which þat was so badde
Our hoost gan say trewly and in certayn
þis preest was begiled soþly for to sayn
He wenynge for to be a philosophre
Til he lift riȝt nouȝt in his Cophre
And soþly þis preest had a liþer Iape
This cursed chanon put in his hode an ape
But al þis passe I ouer as nowe
Sir doctour of phisik I prey ȝou
Telle us a tale of some honest matere
It shal be done ȝif þat ȝe wil it here
Saide þis doctour of phisik and his tale bygan anon
Now good men quod he harkeneth euerchon

Ther was as telleþ us tytys lyueus
A knyght þat cleped was virgineus…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede ȝou þis counsel take
fforsakeþ synne er synne ȝou forsake

Note: The Tale is preceded by a spurious 14-line link (see above).

Attributed Title: …And here bigynneþ þe prologe of þe doctour of Phisike (f. 211); The prologe (f. 211, margin); Thus endeþ þe prologe of þe doctour of phisik / And here bygynneþ þe tale (f. 211); The tale (f. 211, margin); The doctour Of phisike (RT)

Editions:

Furnivall, Frederick James, ed. The Petworth MS of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Chaucer Society Series 1, nos. 6, 12, 19, 35, 42, 54, 68. London: Trübner, 1868-79.

Furnivall, Frederick James, ed. Autotype Specimens of the Chief Chaucer MSS, Part II. Chaucer Society Series 1, no. 56. London: Trübner, 1876.

44.Source: Austin, University of Texas, Humanities Research Center HRC Pre-1700 MS 143 [olim Deene Park; post Cardigan-Brudenell, sold Sotheby’s, Feb. 1959], ff. 141-144

First Lines:

There was as telleth Titus liuius
A knyght that called was Virginius…

Last Lines:

…Therefore y rede you this counsaile take
fforsakith synne or synne you forsake

Attributed Title: And here begynneth the Phisicians tale withoute Prologge (f. 141); Phisician (RT); Here endith the Phisiciens tale… (f. 144)

45.Source: New York, Pierpont Morgan Library M249 [olim Ashburnham 124, post Compton Hall], ff. 183v-187v

First Lines:

Whan that this yoman his tale ended hadde
Of this fals Chanon whiche that was so badde
Oure host gan seye trewely and certayn
This preest was bigiled sothly forto sayn
He wenynge for to be a philosophre
Til he right no gold lefte in his cofre
And sothly this preest hadde a luder iape
This cursed Chanon putte in his hood an ape
But al this passe I ouer as now
Sir doctour of phisik I pray ȝow
Telle vs a tale of som honest matere
It shall be don ȝif that ȝe wole it here
Saide this doctour and his tale began anon
Now goode men quod he herkeneth euerychon
There was as telleth vs Titus liuius
A knyght that cleped was virgineus…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede you this counseill take
fforsaketh synne or synne you forsake

Note: The Tale is preceded by a spurious 14-line link (see above).

Attributed Title: …And begynneth the Prologe of the Doctour of Phisik (f. 183v); The prologe of the Doctour of Phisyk (RT); The Doctour of Phisik (RT); Thus endeth the tale of the Doctour of Phisik… (f. 187v)

46.Source: Philadelphia, Rosenbach Museum and Library 1084/1 [olim Rosenbach 157; prior Phillipps 8137], ff. 139v-143

First Lines:

Whenne thys ȝeman hys tale ended hadde
Of thys fals chanoun whyche that was so badde
Oure oste gan sey truly and certeyne
Thys preest was begyled sothly for to sayne
He wenynge for to be a philsophre
Till he ryȝt no golde lefte in hys coffre
And sothly thys preste hadde a lytell iape
Thys cursed chanoun put in hys hood an ape
But all thys passe y ouer as now
Sir doctor of physyk y pray ȝow
Telle vs a tale of som honest mater
Hit schall be don yf that ȝe woll hit here
Sayde thys doctour and thus hys tale bygan a non
Now good men quod he herkeneth euerychon

Ther was as telleth vs titus leuious
A knyȝt that cleped was vergenious…

Last Lines:

…Ther fore y rede thys councell take
fforsaketh synne or synne ȝow forsake

Note: The Tale is preceded by a spurious 14-line link (see above).

Attributed Title: …And begynnethe the prologe of the doctor of physyke (f. 139v); The prologe of þe doctour of physyk (RT); Here endeth þe prologe of the doctour of physyke / and begynnethe the tale (f. 139v); The doctor of physyke (RT); Here endeth the tale of the doctour of physyke… (f. 143)

47.Source: Princeton, Princeton University Library 100 [olim Helmingham Hall], ff. 142v-146v

First Lines:

There was as tellith vs Tytus lyuiyus
A knyght that clepid was virginius…

Last Lines:

…Therfor I rede ȝewe this counsel take
fforsakith syn or syn ȝewe forsake

Note: VI.39 omitted.

Attributed Title: …And here begynnyth the tale of þe doctour of Phisik (f. 142v); Doctour of Phisik (RT); Here endith the doctour of Phisik his tale… (f. 146v)

48.Source: San Marino, CA, Henry Huntington Library EL 26.C.9 [‘Ellesmere’], ff. 133-136

First Lines:

Ther was as telleth Titus liuius
A knyght that was called virginius…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede yow this conseil take
fforsaketh synne er synne yow forsake

Note: VI.203-4 omitted.

Attributed Title: …Heere folweth the Phisiciens tale (f. 133); Phisicien (RT); Heere endeth the Phisiciens tale… (f. 136)

Facsimiles:

The Ellesmere Chaucer Reproduced in Facsimile. 2 vols. Preface by Alix Egerton. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1911.

Hanna, Ralph, ed. The Ellesmere Chaucer Reproduced in Facsimile. 2 vols. Manchester: Manchester UP, 1911. Preface by Alix Egerton repr. as The Ellesmere Manuscript of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales: A Working Facsimile. Intro. Hanna; Cambridge: D. S. Brewer, 1989.

Woodward, Daniel, and Martin Stevens, eds. The New Ellesmere Chaucer Facsimile (Huntington MS EL 26 C 9). Tokyo: Yushodo, and San Marino, CA: Huntington Library, 1995: Now available in part online: http://dpg.lib.berkeley.edu/webdb/dsheh/heh_brf?CallNumber=El+26+C+9.

Editions:

Furnivall, Frederick James, ed. The Ellesmere Manuscript of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Chaucer Society Series 1, nos. 2, 8, 16, 26, 32, 38, 50, 70. London: Trübner, 1868-79.

49.Source: Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale angl. 39, ff. 62va-64ra

First Lines:

Ther was as tellys vs tytus lyuius
a knyght that clepid was virginius…

Last Lines:

…therfore I rede yow this counseil to take
for sake synne or synne yow forsake

Note: VI.119-20, 253 omitted.

Attributed Title: …& sub / sequenter narrat fabulam suam / doctor phisice hoc modo sequente (f. 62va); Explicit fabula doctoris Phisice… (f. 64ra)

50.Source: New Haven, Yale University, Beinecke Library, Takamiya Deposit 24 [olim Chatsworth, Duke of Devonshire], ff. 150-153v

First Lines:

There was as telleth Titus Lyuius
A kniȝt that callid was Virginius…

Last Lines:

…Therfor I rede you this counseill take
fforsaketh sinne or sinne you forsake

Note: VI.41-3 omitted.

Attributed Title: …Et Incipit ffabula de Phisico sine Prologo (f. 150); ffabula Physici (RT); Physicians tale (RT); Hic desinit fabula Phisici… (f. 153v)

51.Source: New Haven, Yale University, Beinecke Library, Takamiya Deposit 32 [olim Penrose 6; prior Delamere], ff. 94vb-96vb

First Lines:

Whanne that this Yoman his tale ended hadde
Of this fals Chanovn wiche that was so badde
Owre Oost gan to saye trewely and in certeyn
This preest was begyld sothlye forto sayn
Heo wenynge forto bee a philosopre
Till hee ryght no gold lefte in his cofere
And soohtly this preest hadde a lither Iape
This cvrsyd chanovn putte in his hood an ape
But all this wole I passe over as now
Sire Doctor of Phesik I pray yow
Telle vs a tale of svm honest matere
It schall bee doon yif that yee wole it here
Sayde this doctour and his tale beegan anoon
Now goode men quod hee herkenyht everichon

Theer was as tellyht vs Titus Lyueus
A knyght that kleped was virginivs…

Last Lines:

…Theer fore I rede yow this cvnseyl take
ffor sake synne or synne yow for sake

Note: The Tale is preceded by a spurious 14-line link (see above).

Attributed Title: Here be gynnyht thee prolog of the doctor of phisik (f. 94vb); here bee gynnyht thee tale (f. 95ra); The doctur of phisik (RT)

52.Source: Geneva, Bibl. Bodmer, Geneva 48 [olim Rosenbach 156, prior Phillipps 8136], ff. 150-154

First Lines:

What þat þis yoman his tale endid had
Of þis fals chanon þat was so bad
Oure host gan to sey truli and certeyn
This prest was begiled sotheli for to seyne
He wenyng forto be a philosophir
Til he right no gold left in his cofre
And soþly þis prest had a liþir iape
This cursid chanon put in his hood an ape
But al þis wil I pas ouer as now
Sir doctour of phisic I prey yow
Telle vs a tale of sum honest mater
It shal be done if þat ye wille it here
Seid þis doctour and his tale began anon
Now gode men quod he herkneþ euerychon

Ther was as telliþ vs Titus liuius
A knight þat clepid was virgineus…

Last Lines:

…þerfore I rede you þis counseil take
forsakith synne or synne you forsake

Note: The Tale is preceded by a spurious 14-line link (see above). VI.254 omitted.

Attributed Title: The prolog of þe doctour of phisik (f. 150, rubric); The tale of the doctour of phisik (f. 150, rubric)

Facsimiles:

“Digital Facsimile of Cologny, Fondation Martin Bodmer, Cod. Bodmer 48” .

Print Witnesses:

1.Source: STC 5082. Chaucer, Geoffrey, Canterbury Tales, [Westminster, William Caxton, 1476] , ff. 232-237

First Lines:

[T]Her was as tellith titus liuyus
A knyght that clepid was virginius…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede you this counsel take
Forsake synne or synne you forsake

Note: VI.246 omitted.

Attributed Title: …and begynneth / the tale of the doctour of phisik (f. 232); Here endith the Phisicions tale… (f. 237)

Facsimiles:

Bordalejo, Barbara, ed. Caxton’s Canterbury Tales: The British Library Copies. Leicester: Scholarly Digital Editions, 2003.

2.Source: STC 5083. Chaucer, Geoffrey, Canterbury Tales, [Westminster], W. Caxton, [1483] , sigs. ff.2-ff.6

First Lines:

[T]Her was as tellyth titus liuyus
A knyght that clepid was virginius…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede yow this counceyl take
Forsake synne or synnne you forsake

Attributed Title: …And begynneth the tale of / the doctour of phisik (sig. ff.2); The tale of the doctour of physyk (RT); Here endyth the Phisicions tale… (sig. ff.6)

Facsimiles:

The Canterbury Tales (a facsimile of the Pepys copy of Caxton’s Second Edition). London: Cornmarket Reprints in association with Magdalene College, Cambridge, 1972.

Bordalejo, Barbara, ed. Caxton’s Canterbury Tales: The British Library Copies. Leicester: Scholarly Digital Editions, 2003.

3.Source: STC 5084. Chaucer, Geoffrey, Canterbury Tales, R. Pynson, [1492] , sigs. gg.8v-hh.4v

First Lines:

[T]her was as tellith titus liuyus
A knyght that clepyd was virgynuys…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede you this counceyl take
For sake synne or synne you forsake

Attributed Title: Here begynneth the tale / of the doctoure of phisyke (sig. gg.8v); The tale of the doctoure of phisyke (RT); Here endith the phisicyens tale… (sig. hh.4v)

4.Source: STC 5085. Chaucer, Geoffrey, Canterbury Tales, Westminster, W. de Worde, 1498 , sigs. p.3ra-p.5ra

First Lines:

[T]here was as tellyth titus liuius
A knyght that clepyd was virginius…

Last Lines:

…Therfore I rede you this counseyll take
Forsake synne or synne you forsake

Attributed Title: Here begynneth the tale of the doctour of phisyk (sig. p.3); The tale of the doctour of phisyk (RT); Here endyth the phisyciens tale… (sig. p.5ra)