A vernycle hadde he sowed upon his cappe. / His walet lay biforn hym in his lappe, / Bretful of pardoun, come from Rome al hoot.
Canterbury Tales
General Prologue to The Canterbury Tales, describing the Pardoner's showy display of fake religious items and freshly acquired pardons, a 'weird' caricature of religious charlatanism.
c. 1387-1400
Found in 1 providers: gemini
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"For if a man be gracious and kynde, He is a verray gentilman, and no other."
Controversial"The smalest worm that crepeth by the weye, Is in his kynde as parfit as the grete."
Controversial"'For shame,' she said, 'you timorous poltroon! Alas, what cowardice!'"
Humorous"A voys he hadde as smal as hath a goot."
Strange & Unusual"And he hadde been somtyme in chyvachie / In Flaundres, in Artoys, and Pycardie, / And born hym wel, as of so litel space."
Strange & Unusual