1 62 SPRING-TIDE. 



thrice overthrown his enemy in the lists, 

 yet 



" though that he was worthy he was wise, 



And of his port as meke as is a mayde." 



Then what a charming picture of a true 

 gentlewoman of those days is his Prioress: 



" At mete was she wel ytaught withalle 

 She lette no morsel from hire lippes falle, 

 Ne wette hire fingres in hire sauce depe 

 Wel coude she carie a morsel, and wel kepe, 

 Thatte no droppe ne fell upon hire brest. 

 In curtesie was set ful muche hire lest. 

 Hire over lippe wiped she so clene, 

 That in hire cuppe was no ferthing sene 

 Of grese, when she dronken hadde hire draught." 



This delicacy at meals is the more con- 

 spicuous when it is remembered that in those 

 days the ladies had to convey their food to 

 their mouths on the points of their knives ! 



The morning I fear, though dense, is too 

 calm for fishing : we require a breeze for that 

 part of the stream to which we are going. 



J. Never mind, I am enjoying this 

 delightful walk : the last night's rain has 



