TheManofLaw_Translation_KJones

//309:// A sergeant of the lawe, war and wys, //310:// That often hadde been at the parvys, //311:// Ther was also, ful riche of excellence. //312:// Discreet he was and of greet reverence -- //313:// He semed swich, his wordes weren so wise. //314:// Justice he was ful often in assise, //315:// By patente and by pleyn commissioun. //316:// For his science and for his heigh renoun, //317:// Of fees and robes hadde he many oon. //318:// So greet a purchasour was nowher noon //319:// Al was fee symple to hym in effect; //320:// His purchasyng myghte nat been infect. //321:// Nowher so bisy a man as he ther nas, //322:// And yet he semed bisier than he was. //323:// In termes hadde he caas and doomes alle //324:// That from the tyme of kyng william were falle. //325:// Therto he koude endite, and make a thyng, //326:// Ther koude no wight pynche at his writyng; //327:// And every statut koude he pleyn by rote. //328:// He rood but hoomly in a medlee cote. //329:// Girt with a ceint of silk, with barres smale; //330:// Of his array telle I no lenger tale.
 * A sargeant of the law, prudent and wise,**
 * Who had often been at St. Paul's porch**
 * Who was also, full of rich and excellence.**
 * He was discreet and was very reverent--**
 * He seemed such, his words were so wise.**
 * He was often full of justice in the Court of Assizes**
 * By a letter from the King and by full jurisdiction.**
 * For his knowledge and his high fame,**
 * Of fees and robes he had many of his own.**
 * No where near was such a great land buyer.**
 * All had unrestricted possesion to him in effect;**
 * His purchasing might not have been invalidated.**
 * Nowhere so busy a man as he there was,**
 * And yet he seemed busier than he was.**
 * In books and judgements he had cast and doomed all.**
 * That from the time of King William were handed down.**
 * There he knew of all convictions and crime**.
 * He knew how no person found a flaw at his own writing;**
 * And every statue could he play by heart.**
 * He roamed humbly in a multicolored coat.**
 * Encircled with a belt of silk, with small bares;**
 * I will no longer tell of his equipment.**

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