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

© 2008 Forrest Hainline

Forrest Hainline

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/general-prologue-11-the-sergeant-of-the-law-geoffrey-chaucer-forrest-hainline-s-minimalist-translation/