ADVERTISEMENT. XV had for centuries been attributed to him, the chief credit is due to Mr. Henry Bradshaw, Fellow of King's College, and Librarian of the University of Cambridge. Independent researches, made by Professor Bernhard ten Brink, of the University of Strassburg, had, however, resulted in conclusions that did not materially vary from those of Mr. Bradshaw. A full account of these researches may be found in an article published in "Macmillan's Magazine" for March, 1873, entitled "Recent Work at Chaucer." TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGE Words between the Host and the Miller The Miller's Tale of the Carpenter The Wrath of Oswald, the Reeve The Reeve's Tale of Symkin, the Miller Prologue of the Man of Law's Tale The Man of Law's Tale of Custance. First Part Second Part Third Part Words of the Host, the Parson, and the Shipman The Monk's Tale of Fallen Great Ones The Knight and the Host complain The Nun's Priest's Tale of the Cock and the Hen Words of the Host to the Physician and Pardoner Preamble of the Pardoner's Tale The Pardoner's Tale of the Rioters Words of the Pardoner, Host, and Knight The Preamble of the Wife of Bath's Tale Words between the Summoner and the Friar The Wife of Bath's Tale of Woman's Will Words of the Friar and the Summoner THE Age of Beginnings, which gave to English letters a writer whose transcendent genius surpassed the conceptions of all previous intellectual toilers, and still holds rank second to that of the "myriad-minded" dramatist before whom every European writer bows as to a master, is worthy to be studied for its historic interest, because in it are found the springs of subsequent progress. The sun of spiritual and intellectual enfranchisement was beginning to appear above the horizon, and the darkness of the previous ages was slowly fading before its powerful rays. Every people seemed to be preparing for a step forward which should usher in an unexperienced life, brilliant by contrast with all previous eras, and already made radiant by the workings of an imagination not yet delivered from the bondage of superstition. |