The Canterbury Tales- The Prologue of The Sergent of The Law

A Sergent of the law, wary and wise, That often had y-been at the Parvis, There was also, full rich of excellence. Discreet he was, and of great reverence: He seemed such, his wordes were so wise, Justice he was full often in assize, By patent, and by plein commission; For his science, and for his high renown, Of fees and robes had he many one. So great a purchaser was nowhere none. All was fee simple to him, in effect His purchasing might not be in suspect Nowhere so busy a man as he there was And yet he seemed busier than he was In termes had he case' and doomes all judge That from the time of King Will. were fall. Thereto he could indite, and make a thing There coulde no wight pinch at his writing. find fault with And every statute coud he plain by rote knew He rode but homely in a medley coat, multicoloured Girt with a seint of silk, with barres small; sash Of his array tell I no longer tale.

隊伍中還有個謹慎精明的律師， 常出入保羅教堂， 他給人感覺是相當傑出的人， 不但謹慎用心且為人恭敬， 他以前在法庭當過法官， 完全按照權職和法條行事， 由於他的專業和高聲望， 他得到了不少錢與官服， 他花錢總是灑脫， 給小費對他來說是小意思， 買東西花錢他也從不遲疑， 他看起來真是個大忙人。 他熟知從威廉王時開始的每個案件和判決， 字裡行間沒人能找到他的書寫錯誤， 騎著馬但穿著簡樸的雜色大衣， 繫著絲腰帶綁著木棒， 這就是我所知道他的穿著。