This Thomas was used to go about with a censer, on a Sunday, as Chaucer
hath it,--
"Censing the wives of the parish feast."
Absalom, that pink of clerkly portraiture, seemed but a fair prototype
of this individual, Geoffrey Chaucer at this time being a setter forth
of rhymes and other matters for the ticklish ears of sundry well-fed and
frolicksome idlers about the court of King Edward.
The merry knave of whom we speak was, however, in happy ignorance of all
courtly fashions. Provided he obtained his Sunday contributions, and his
Christmas loaf, and his eggs at Easter, little wot he how the world went
round. He was a frequent visitor at the tavern, and De Poininges had
already been distinguished by his especial notice.
From his character, and the means of information arising out of his
multifarious occupations, De Poininges expected that some of the
intelligence he was in search of might be gathered from this source.
The petty hostelry was now in sight, a projecting bush denoting the
vintner's residence. The house was but thinly attended, though clean
rushes and a blazing billet bespoke comfort and good cheer.
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