A Sergeant of the Law, aware and wise, <br />That often had been at the Parvise, <br />There was also, full rich of excellence. <br />Discreet he was and of great reverence – <br />He seemed such, his words were so wise. <br />Justice he was full often in assize, <br />By patent and by plain commission. <br />For his science and for his high renown, <br />Of fees and robes had he many a one. <br />So great a purchaser was nowhere none: <br />All was fee simple to him in effect; <br />His purchasing might not been infect. <br />Nowhere so busy a man as he there was, <br />And yet he seemed busier than he was. <br />In terms had he cases and dooms all <br />That from the time of King William were fall. <br />There he could write and make a thing, <br />There could no person pinch at his writing; <br />And every statute could he play by rote. <br />He rode but homely in a motley coat, <br />Girt with a belt of silk, with bars small; <br />Of his array shall I no longer tell. <br /> <br />© 2008 Forrest Hainline<br /><br />Forrest Hainline<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/general-prologue-11-the-sergeant-of-the-law-geoffrey-chaucer-forrest-hainline-s-minimalist-translation/
