It was, of course, not similar to, but the very same language as was used at the very same period in the courts of law. In fact, he and Tyrwhitt have unconsciously given us the view entertained, not by Chaucer, but by unthinking readers of the present age: a view which is not expressed and was probably not intended. At the modern Stratford we may find Parisian French inefficiently taught: but at the ancient Stratford, the very important Anglo-French was taught efficiently enough.” Lydgate’s poem called “London Lickpenny,” because the City drinks and absorbs the visitor’s money, contains the most lively picture of the streets of London in the fifteenth century. The title, as Skeat has pointed out, was wrongly conjectured (by Halliwell) to mean “London Lackpenny”:— “To London once my steps I bent, Where truth in no wise should be faint: To Westminster I forthwith went To a man of law to make complaint. I said—‘For Mary’s love, that holy saint, Pity the poor that would proceed!’ But, for lack of money, I could not speed. And, as I thrust the crowd among, By froward chance my hood was gone! Yet for all that I stayed not long Till to the King’s Bench I was come. Before the judge I kneeled anon, And prayed him, for God’s sake, to take heed! But, for lack of money, I might not speed.” Whether he wanted money for the payment of fees, or whether it was necessary to bribe the judge, he does not explain. Let us charitably take the former view:— “Unto the Common Pleas I did go, Where sat one with a silken hood; I did him reverence (I ought to do so) And told my case as well as I could, How my goods were defrauded me by falsehood. I got not a word of his mouth for my meed, And, for lack of money, I might not speed. In Westminster Hall, neither rich nor poor Would do for me aught, although I should die; Which seeing, I gat me out of the door, When Flemings began on me for to cry, ‘Master, what will you copen[6] or buy? Fine felt hats, or spectacles to read? Lay down your silver, and here you may speed.’ [6] Buy (Flemish). Then to Westminster-gate I presently went, When the sun was at high prime; Cooks, to me they took good entent, And proffered me bread, with ale and wine; Ribs of beef, both fat and fine. A fair cloth they began to spread; But, wanting money, I might not speed. Then unto London I did me hie, Of all the land it bears the price. ‘Hot pease-cods!’ one began to cry, ‘Strawberries ripe!’ and ‘cherries on the rice!’ (_bough_) One bad me come near and buy some spice; Pepper and saffron they did me bede (_offer_); But, for lack of money, I might not speed.