Digital Index of Middle English Verse: No. 5802

DIMEV 5802

This worthy limiter this noble Friar

Geoffrey Chaucer, the Friar’s Prologue of the Canterbury Tales — 36 lines in rhyming couplets.

Author(s): Geoffrey Chaucer

Title(s): Friar’s Prologue; Canterbury Tales

Subjects: pilgrims/pilgrimage; links; requital

Versification: — couplets — aa

Manuscript Witnesses:

1.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Arch. Selden. B. 14 (SC 3360), ff. 100-100v

First Lines:

This noble lymytour this worthi ffrere
he made alway a lovrynge chere…

Last Lines:

…and afterwarde he seide vn to the ffrere
telle forth your tale my leve maister dere

Attributed Title: …And / next folwith the ffreris prolog of the Sompnour (f. 100); the ffrere (RT); Here endith the ffrere his prolog… (f. 100v)

2.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Barlow 20 (SC 6420), f. 120v

First Lines:

This worthi lymitour þis noble ffrere
He made alwey lowryng chere…

Last Lines:

…And aftirward he said vnto þe frere
Telle forth ȝour tale my leue maister dere

Attributed Title: …And here / by gynnyth þe prologe of the ffrere (f. 120v); he endith þe prologe… (f. 120v)

3.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Bodley 414 (SC 27880), f. 78v

First Lines:

[T]his wurthy limitour this noble frere
He made alwey a noble chere…

Last Lines:

…And aftir this he seid vnto the frere
Tell furth your tale leue maister dere

Attributed Title: Here begynneth the prolog of the ffrere (f. 78v)

4.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Bodley 686 (SC 2527), f. 86

First Lines:

This worthi lymytour this noble frere
He made al wey a lowryng chere…

Last Lines:

…And after þis he seide vnto þe ffrere
Tel forth youre tale leve maister deere

Attributed Title: Here begynneth þe prologe of þe freris tale (f. 86); Here endeth the Prologe of / the ffreres tale… (f. 86)

5.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Hatton Donati 1 (SC 4138), ff. 123v-124

First Lines:

This worthi lymytoure þis noble frere
He made alwey a loward chere…

Last Lines:

…And aftreward he seid vnto the ffrere
Telleth forth youre tale myn own maister dere

Attributed Title: …And next biginneth / the Prolog of the ffrere (f. 123v); The prolog of þe ffrere (RT); Here endeth þe prolog of the ffreres tale… (f. 124)

6.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Laud misc. 600 (SC 1476), ff. 94v-95

First Lines:

This worþi lymytour this noble frere
He made alwaie a louring chere…

Last Lines:

…And aftir ward he seide vn to þe frere
Telle forþ youre tale my leue maister dere

Attributed Title: Here begynneth þe prolog of þe frere (f. 94v); the prolog of þe frere (RT)

7.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Laud misc. 739 (SC 1234), ff. 145-145v

First Lines:

[T]His worthy lymytour this noble ffrere
He made alwey a lowryng chere…

Last Lines:

…And afterwarde he seid vn to the frere
Telle forth ȝoure tale my leve maister dere

8.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Rawlinson poet. 141 (SC 14635), ff. 141v-142

First Lines:

This worthi limitour this noble Frere
He made al wey louryng chere…

Last Lines:

…And after this he seyd vnto the frere
Telleth forth youre tale myn owne mayster dere

Attributed Title: Here bigynneth the prolog of the frerus tale (f. 141v); The ffrere (RT)

9.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Rawlinson poet. 149 (SC 14641), f. 68

First Lines:

This worthi lymyter this holi frere
He made alway lovryng chere…

Last Lines:

…And afterwarde he saide vnto the frere
Tel forthe youre tale my leef maister dere

Attributed Title: …and begynneth the freres prolog (f. 68); prologus frere (f. 68, margin)

10.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Rawlinson poet. 223 (SC 14714), ff. 142-142v

First Lines:

This worthy limitour this noble frere
He made alwey a maner louryng chere…

Last Lines:

…And aftir this he said vnto the frere
Telle forth your tale leue maystir dere

Attributed Title: …And here beginneth the Prolog of the ffrere (f. 142); Here endith the Prolog of the ffrere… (f. 142v)

11.Source: Oxford, Christ Church 152, ff. 88-88v

First Lines:

This worthy lymytour this noble frere
He made alwey a maner louryng chere…

Last Lines:

…And after this he seyde vn to the frere
Telle forth youre tale leue maister dere

Attributed Title: …here bigynneth the prologe of the freris tale (f. 88); here endeth the prologe… (f. 88v)

12.Source: Oxford, Corpus Christi College 198, ff. 115b-115bv

First Lines:

This worþy lymytour þis noble Frere
He made alway lowrynge cheere…

Last Lines:

…And afterward he seyde vnto þe frere
Telle forþ ȝoure tale my leue mayster deere

Attributed Title: Incipit prologus ffratris (f. 115b, margin); prologus (rubric, RT)

Facsimiles:

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

13.Source: Oxford, New College 314, ff. 115-115v

First Lines:

This nobil lymytour þis worthi frere
He made alwey a maner louryng chere…

Last Lines:

…And after þis he saide vnto þe frere
Tel forth your tale myn owyn maister dere

Attributed Title: …And begynneth the Prolog of the ffrere (f. 115); The ffreris prolog (RT); Here endith the ffreris prolog… (f. 115v)

14.Source: Oxford, Trinity College 49, ff. 91v-92

First Lines:

This worthi lymytour this noble frere
he made alway lourynge chere…

Last Lines:

…and afterwarde he saide vnto the frere
tellith forth youre tale my swete maister dere

Attributed Title: Here begynnyth the prologe of the ffrere (f. 91v); Prologus ffratris (RT)

15.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Dd.4.24, ff. 81-81v

First Lines:

This worthy Lymytour this noble frere
He made alwey a maner louryng chere…

Last Lines:

…And after this he seide vn to the ffrere
Telleth forth ȝoure tale myn owen maister dere…

Attributed Title: …Et incipit prologus fratris (f. 81)

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).

16.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Ii.3.26, ff. 124-124v

First Lines:

This noble lymytoure this worthy ffrere
Vppon the sompnore but for honeste…

Last Lines:

…Oure hoste answerde pese no more of this
And after this he saide vnto the ffrere

Note: III.1298 omitted.

Attributed Title: …And here begynneth the ffreres prologue (f. 124); The ffreres Prologe (RT); Here Endeth the ffrerers prologe

17.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Mm.2.5, f. 128

First Lines:

This worthy limitour þis noble frere
He made alwey lowrynge chere…

Last Lines:

…And afterwarde he seide vn to þe frere
Tell forth ȝour tale my lefe maister dere

Attributed Title: Prologus (f. 128, margin); þe prologe (RT)

18.Source: Cambridge UK, Fitzwilliam Museum McClean 181 [olim Ashburnham 127], f. 146v

First Lines:

[T]His worthy lymytoure this noble frere
He made alwey lowrynge chere…

Last Lines:

…Tell forth youre tale my leve mayster dere
Gladly quod he with gode chere

Note: III.1273-5 omitted; spurious lines follow 1272, 1298.

Attributed Title: The prolog of þe ffrere (f. 146v)

19.Source: Cambridge UK, Trinity College R.3.3 (582), ff. 61ra-61rb

First Lines:

This worthi limitour this noble Frere
He made alwey a maner of louring chiere…

Last Lines:

…And aftir this he said vnto the ffrere
Telle forth your tale lieue maister diere

Attributed Title: A Prolog of the ffrere (f. 61ra)

20.Source: Cambridge UK, Trinity College R.3.15 (595), ff. 141-141v

First Lines:

THys noble lymytour this worthy ffrere
He made alwey a maner lorynge chere…

Last Lines:

…And after this he seide vnto the frere
Telle forth youre tale myn own maistir dere

Attributed Title: …And begynneth the Prologe of the ffrere (f. 141); Here endith the ffrerys Prologe… (f. 141v)

21.Source: London, British Library Addit. 5140, ff. 110-110v

First Lines:

This worthy lymytour this noble ffrere
He made alwey a lowryng chere…

Last Lines:

…And aftir he seid to the frere
Telle forth your tale leeve my maister deere

Attributed Title: …& incipit Prologus ffratris (f. 110); Explicit prologus ffratris… (f. 110v)

22.Source: London, British Library Addit. 35286 [olim Ashburnham 125], ff. 68-68v

First Lines:

This worthi limitour this noble frere
He made alwey A maner louryng chere…

Last Lines:

…And after this he seyde vn to the frere
Telle forth your tale leue mastyr dere

Attributed Title: …Here bygynneth the prolog of the freris tale (f. 68); the frere (RT); Here endeth the prolog… (f. 68v)

Editions:

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

23.Source: London, British Library Egerton 2726 [olim Haistwell], f. 95

First Lines:

This worthy lymytour this noble frere
He made all wey a maner louryng chere…

Last Lines:

…And after this he seid vn to þe frere
Tell on your tale myn owen maister dere

Attributed Title: …Et incipit prologus ffratris (f. 94v)

Editions:

24.Source: London, British Library Egerton 2864 [olim Ingilby, post Compton Hall], ff. 97v-99

First Lines:

[T]His worthy lymatour this nobil freere
He maad alway a lowryng cheire…

Last Lines:

…And aftir this he seyde to the frere
Telle forth your tale leeve maystir deere

Note: Leaf misbound: III.1356-1427 follow 1282.

Attributed Title: …Incipit prologus ffratris (f. 97v); The ffrere (RT)

25.Source: London, British Library Harley 1758, f. 102v

First Lines:

This worthi lymytour this noble Frere
He made alweie a maner louryng chere…

Last Lines:

…And aftirwarde he seide vn to the ffere
Tell forth your tale my leue maister dere

Attributed Title: Here begynneth the Prolog of the ffrere (f. 102v); The ffrere (RT); Here endith the prolog… (f. 102v)

26.Source: London, British Library Harley 7334, ff. 102v-103

First Lines:

THis worthy lymytour þis noble ffrere
He made alway a lourynge cheere…

Last Lines:

…And after þis he sayd vnto þe frere
Telleþ forþ ȝour tale my maister deer

Note: III.1295-6 follow 1308.

Attributed Title: …Here begynneth þe prologe of þe ffreres tale (f. 102v); The ffreres Tale (RT)

Editions:

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

27.Source: London, British Library Harley 7335, ff. 74v-75

First Lines:

[T]His worthi lymytour this noble frere
He made alwey a maner louryng chere…

Last Lines:

…And after this he seide vn to the frere
Telle forth your tale leue meister dere

Attributed Title: Prologus fratris (f. 74v); The ffreyers tale (f. 74v, added later)

28.Source: London, British Library Lansdowne 851, ff. 102-102v

First Lines:

THis worþi lymitour þis noble frere
He maad alweie lowreynge chere…

Last Lines:

…And afterwarde he seide vnto þe frere
Tel forþe ȝowre tale my leue mayster dere

Attributed Title: …Incipit prologus fratris (f. 102); þe ffrere (RT); Explicit prologus… (f. 102v)

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.

29.Source: London, British Library Royal 17 D.XV, ff. 143-143v

First Lines:

This worþye lymytour þis noble ffryer
He made allwaye A lowrenge chere…

Last Lines:

…And affterwarde he sayde vnto the ffryer
Telle forþe your tale My lyeue Mayster dere

Attributed Title: …And begynnyth the prolog of the frere (f. 143); Here begynnyth [sic] the prolog… (f. 143v)

30.Source: London, British Library Royal 18 C.II, ff. 120-120v

First Lines:

This worthi lymytour þis noble frere
He made alwey alowryng chere…

Last Lines:

…And aftirwarde he saide vnto þe frere
Tel forþ ȝoure tale my leue maister dere

Attributed Title: The prolog of the ffrere (f. 120); The ffrere (RT); Here endith the prolog… (f. 120v)

31.Source: London, British Library Sloane 1686, ff. 138v-139

First Lines:

THis worthy lymitour this noble frere
He made alweye lowryng chere…

Last Lines:

…And aftirward he he seide vnto the ffrere
Telle forthe your tale my leve maister dere

Attributed Title: …And here gynneth the Prolog of the ffrere (f. 138v); Here endith the Prolog of the ffrere (f. 139)

32.Source: Aberystwyth, National Library of Wales Peniarth 392 D [‘Hengwrt’], ff. 73v-74

First Lines:

This worthy lymytour this noble frere
He made alwey a manere louryng cheere…

Last Lines:

…And after this he seyde vn to the frere
Tel forth youre tale leeue maister deere

Attributed Title: …The prologe of the ffreres tale (f. 73v); The ffrere (RT); Here endeth the prologe of the ffrere… (f. 74)

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.

33.Source: Alnwick Castle, Duke of Northumberland MS 455, f. 104v

First Lines:

This worthy lymytour this nobill frere
He made al wey alowrande chere…

Last Lines:

…And aftir ward he seid on to the ffrere
Tel forth your tale my leve mastir dere

Attributed Title: …And here begynnyth the ffrere his prologg (f. 104v); Here endith the ffrere his prologg (f. 104v)

Editions:

Bowers, John M., ed. The Canterbury Tales: Fifteenth-Century Continuations and Additions. Kalamazoo, MI: Medieval Institute Publications, 1992: 55-200.

34.Source: Glasgow, Glasgow University Library Hunterian 197 (U.1.1), ff. 52ra-52rb

First Lines:

THis worthy lymytour þis noble frere
He made alwey a maner louryng chere…

Last Lines:

…And after this he seid vn to the frere
Telle forth youre tale lief Maister dere

Attributed Title: …And now folweth the prologe of the ffrere (f. 52ra); The Tale of the ffrere (RT)

35.Source: Holkham Hall, Earl of Leicester MS 667, ff. 73rb-73va

First Lines:

This worthy lymatour þis noble frere
He made alwey a lowringe chere…

Last Lines:

…And afterwarde he seide vn to the frere
Telle forthe youre tale me leev maister dere

36.Source: Lichfield, Lichfield Cathedral Library 29, f. 124v

First Lines:

This worthy lymytour this noble frere
He made alwey a manere lowrynge chere…

Last Lines:

…I shal hym telle which a gret honour
It is for to be a flaterynge lymytour…

Note: III.1295-8 lost; resupplied on seventeenth-century leaf.

Attributed Title: …and begynneth the prologe of the ffrere (f. 124v)

37.Source: Lincoln, Lincoln Cathedral Library 110, ff. 108-108v

First Lines:

THis noble lymytour þis worþi frere
He maad alwey amaner of laurynge chere…

Last Lines:

…And after this he seide vn to þe frere
Telle forth ȝoure tale myn owne maistir dere

Attributed Title: …And here begynnyth the prologe of the ffrere (f. 108); þe prologe of þe frerys tale (f. 108v, margin)

38.Source: London, Royal College of Physicians 388 (13), ff. 150-150v

First Lines:

This worthy lymytour this worthy frere
He made alwey a maner of lowryng chiere…

Last Lines:

…And after that he saide vnto the frere
Tel forth yowre tale my lief maister dere

Attributed Title: Incipit Prologus ffratris (f. 150); Explicit Prologus… (f. 150v)

39.Source: Manchester, John Rylands Library Eng. 113 [olim Hodson 39], f. 67v

First Lines:

This worthy lymytour þis noble frere
he made all way a maner lowryng chere…

Last Lines:

…And aftir þis he seyde to the ffrere
Tell forth youre tale myn oune master dere

Attributed Title: …Incipit prologus fabule ffratris (f. 67v)

40.Source: Petworth House, Lord Leconfield MS 7, ff. 146v-147

First Lines:

This worþi lymitour þis noble Frere
He made alway louring chere…

Last Lines:

…And afterward he seide vnto þe frere
Telle forþ youre tale my maister dere

Attributed Title: …And here begynneþ þe prologe of þe frere (f. 146v); þe prologe (f. 146v, margin); The prologe of þe frere (RT); Thus endeþ þe prologe of þe frere… (f. 147)

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.

41.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. 80-80v

First Lines:

This worthy limytoure this noble ffrere
he made alway a manere lowryng chere…

Last Lines:

…And aftur this he seide to the [rhyme word left blank]
Telle furth youre tale myn own Master dere

Attributed Title: …Et incipit prologus ffratris (f. 80); prologus ffratris (f. 80, margin); ffrere (RT)

42.Source: Chicago, IL, University of Chicago Library 564 [olim Ashburnham 126, post McCormick], ff. 141-141v

First Lines:

This worthy lymytour þis noble frere
he made alwey lourynge chiere…

Last Lines:

…And after þis he seyde vn to þe frere
Telleth forth ȝoure tale myn owne mestre dere

43.Source: New York, Pierpont Morgan Library M249 [olim Ashburnham 124, post Compton Hall], ff. 122v-123

First Lines:

This worthy lymytour this noble ffrere
He made alwey a manere lowrynge chere…

Last Lines:

…And afterward he seide vnto the frere
Telle forth youre tale leue Maister dere

Attributed Title: …And here bigynneth þe prologe of the ffrere (f. 122v); The ffere (RT); Here endeth the prologe of þe ffrere… (f. 123)

44.Source: Philadelphia, Rosenbach Museum and Library 1084/1 [olim Rosenbach 157; prior Phillipps 8137], ff. 94v-95

First Lines:

Thys worthy lymytour thys noble frere
He made alwey lowrynge chere…

Last Lines:

…And afterward he seyde vnto the frere
Telle forth ȝoure tale my leue mayster dere

Attributed Title: …and begynneth þe prologe of þe ffrere (f. 94v)

45.Source: Princeton, Princeton University Library 100 [olim Helmingham Hall], f. 92

First Lines:

…What so hym list when it comyth to my lot
Be God I shal hym quyte every grot…

Last Lines:

…And aftir this he seid vn to the ffrere
Tel forth youre tale myn own mastir dere

Note: III.1265-90 lost.

Attributed Title: And here endith the prolog… (f. 92)

46.Source: San Marino, CA, Henry Huntington Library EL 26.C.9 [‘Ellesmere’], f. 76v

First Lines:

This worthy lymytour this noble frere
He made alwey a maner louryng chiere…

Last Lines:

…And after this he seyde vn to the frere
Tel forth youre tale leeue maister deere

Attributed Title: The prologe of the freres tale (f. 76v); ffrere (RT)

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.

47.Source: Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale angl. 39, f. 44va-44vb

First Lines:

This wurthi lymytour þis noble frere
he made alway a maner laughyng cheere…

Last Lines:

…and aftirward he said vnto the frere
telle forth your tale my leef mayster deere

Attributed Title: …& subsequenter incipit prohemium / fabule fratris hoc modo (f. 44va); Explicit prohemium fabule fratris… (f. 44vb)

48.Source: New Haven, Yale University, Beinecke Library, Takamiya Deposit 22 [olim Sion College, Arc. L 40 2/E 23], ff. 56v-57

First Lines:

This worthi limitour þis noble frere
he made all way a maner lowryng chere…

Last Lines:

…and after this he seyde vnto þe frere
telle forth your tele leef master dere

49.Source: New Haven, Yale University, Beinecke Library, Takamiya Deposit 24 [olim Chatsworth, Duke of Devonshire], ff. 85v-86

First Lines:

This worthi limitour this noble frere
He made alwey a maner louring chere…

Last Lines:

…And aftir this he seid vnto the frere
Tell on your tale myn ougne mastir dere

Attributed Title: …Et hic incipit Prologus ffratris (f. 85v)

50.Source: Geneva, Bibl. Bodmer, Geneva 48 [olim Rosenbach 156, prior Phillipps 8136], ff. 87-87v

First Lines:

This worthi limitour þis noble frere
he made alwey a noble chere…

Last Lines:

…And aftir this he seid vnto þe frere
Tel furth your tale lef maistur dere

Attributed Title: The prolog of the freris tale (f. 87, 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. 152-152v

First Lines:

[T]His nobyl limytour this worthy frere
He made alwey a maner louryng chere…

Last Lines:

…And aftir this he sayde vnto the frere
Tel forth your tale myn owyn maister dere

Attributed Title: …And begynneth the prolog of the frere (f. 152); Here endith the Freris prolog… (f. 152v)

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] , sig. s.8

First Lines:

[T]His nobil lymytour this worthy frere
He made alwey a manere louryng chere…

Last Lines:

…And aftyr thys he sayd vnto the frere
Tel forth your tale myn owyn mayster dere

Attributed Title: …And Here begynneth the freris prologe (sig. s.7v); The Freris Prologe (RT); Here endyth the Freris prologe (sig. s.8)

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. v.5v-v.6

First Lines:

[T]his noble lymytoure this worthy frere
He made alwey a maner louryng chere…

Last Lines:

…And after this he sayde vnto the frere
Telle forth youre tale myn owne mayster dere

Attributed Title: …And here begynneth the Freres prologue (sig. v.5v); The Freres prologue (RT); Here endith the Freres prologue (sig. v.6)

4.Source: STC 5085. Chaucer, Geoffrey, Canterbury Tales, Westminster, W. de Worde, 1498 , sig. h.4ra-h.4rb

First Lines:

[T]his noble lymyttour this worthy frere
He made al waye a manere louryng chere…

Last Lines:

…And after this he sayd vnto the frere
Tell forth your tale myn owne mayster dere

Attributed Title: Here begynneth the freres prologe (sig. h.4ra); The freres prologe (RT); Here endyth the freres prologe (sig. h.4)