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. 235
v-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. 180
bv-184
v
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. 148
v-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. 153-156
v
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. 205-207
v
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. 212-216
v
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. 204-208
v
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. 116-119
v
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. 190
v-194
v
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)
12.Source: Oxford, New College 314, ff. 183
v-187
v
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. 149
v-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. 138
v-141
v
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. 302-302
v
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. 167
v-170
v
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. 186
v-189
v
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. 195
v-199
v
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. 76
ra-77
va
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. 210-214
v
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. 201-206
v
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. 144
v-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. 159-162
v
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: 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).
25.Source: London, British Library Egerton 2863 [olim Norton, post Compton Hall], f. 137
v
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: 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).
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. 150-150
v
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. 93
ra-94
rb
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. 181
v-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. 213-217
v
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. 174-177
v
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. 191
v-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. 149
v-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. 76
rb-77
rA
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. 183
v-187
v
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. 169
v-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. 112-114
v
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.
45.Source: New York, Pierpont Morgan Library M249 [olim Ashburnham 124, post Compton Hall], ff. 183
v-187
v
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. 139
v-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. 142
v-146
v
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.
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. 62
va-64
ra
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)
51.Source: New Haven, Yale University, Beinecke Library, Takamiya Deposit 32 [olim Penrose 6; prior Delamere], ff. 94
vb-96
vb
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)
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.8
v-hh.4
v
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.3
ra-p.5
ra
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)