were other shrines nearer home, and the tomb of à Becket had long been a favorite place of worship.

These, however, were not always solemn and fatiguing journeys. Oftentimes, people who were going to the same shrine would form a little company; and, thinking that the Evil One was thwarted by the object of their journey, they would give themselves up, on the way, to mirth and jollity.

Well, these Canterbury Pilgrims were just such a joyous company, when they set forth from the Tabard Inn, one sunny morning so long ago.

Can you see in the picture, the beautiful blue sky, the green hedge, and the white May blossoms? It is no wonder that, at this delightful season of the year, people did

"Long to go on pilgrimages,

And palmers for to seek strange lands."

Would you like to know who some of these merry pilgrims are?

That big man with the jolly face, who seems to be the leader of the party, is Harry Bailey, the host of the Tabard Inn. When he learned that they were all going in the same direction, he offered to conduct

them, as he was familiar with the road; and, in order to make the time pass pleasantly, he proposed that every one should tell two stories on the way to Canterbury, and two more on the way home.

He added, shrewd old fellow that he was, that they all must return to the Tabard Inn; and he who had told the best story should sup at the expense of the rest. This jolly Harry Bailey was very entertaining, and his witty remarks added much to the general fun.

That noble-looking man riding along, dressed in a complete suit of armor, is the Knight of the company.

"A knight there was, and that a worthy man,
Who, from the time in which he first began
To ride afield, loved well all chivalry,
Honor and frankness, truth and courtesy.
Most worthy was he in his master's war,
And thereto had he ridden, none more far,
As well in Christian as in heathen lands,
And borne with honor many high commands."

But although he was such a great soldier, he was, in his manner, as gentle as a woman.

"He was a very perfect, noble knight."

Close beside him, is his son, a gay young Squire,

whose handsome face and rich dress give brightness to the whole picture.

I think Chaucer must have smiled when he

described this young fellow.

"His locks all curled as though laid in a press.

"Embroidered was he, as a meadow bright,
All full of freshest flowers, red and white;
Singing he was, or flute-playing all day.
He was as fresh as is the month of May.

Do you see that pretty little lady riding there? That is the Nun, Madame Eglantine.

Chaucer liked her, I know, even though he did

make fun of her in a quiet way.

"There also was a Nun, a Prioress,

Who of her smiling was most simple and coy;
Her greatest oath was only By Saint Loy,'
And she was calléd Madame Eglantine.
Full well she sang the services divine
Entunéd through her nose melodiously.

"At meal-times, she was very apt withal;
No morsel from her lips did she let fall,
Nor in her sauce did wet her fingers deep;

ee

She was so charitable and piteous

That she would weep did she but see a mouse
Caught in a trap, if it were dead or bled ;
And little dogs she had, which oft she fed
With roasted meat and milk and finest bread;
But sore she wept if one of them were dead,
Or, haply, with a rod were smitten smart.
And all was conscious and tender heart!"

She must have been an affected little body; and yet I like to look at her, she is so dainty and sweet. That thoughtful-looking man with his eyes bent upon the ground is the Clerk of Oxford, a poor man, for we are told:

"His horse, it was as skinny as a rake;
And he was not too fat, I'll undertake,
But had a sober, rather hollow look;
And very threadbare was his outer cloak."

All the money he could get he spent on books.

"For rather would he have at his bed's head,
A score of books, all bound in black or red,
Of Aristotle and his philosophy,

Than rich attire, fiddle, or psaltery."2

2 Psaltery-a stringed musical instrument.

He talked but little, yet what he did say was sensible and wise.

You must take a good long look at this figure of the Clerk of Oxford, for it is said to be a representation of Dan Chaucer himself.

Just behind him, is the richly dressed Monk upon his splendid horse; and quite near, rides the Friar, to whom Chaucer gives a sly hit when he says:

“In giving penance,3 very kind was he,

When people made it worth his while to be."

That man you see with his beard "as white as the daisies be," is the Franklin, a great landowner. Well-to-do was he and very hospitable. In his house, it seemed as though it "snowed with meat and drink."

You must not pass by that middle-aged woman, who wears such a broad hat; for she is of great importance in her own estimation, and would never forgive you, if you did not give her more than a passing glance.

"Bold is her face, and fair and red of hue."

She is called the Wife of Bath, and is very

3 Penance-punishment.