This noble marchant held a worthy house, For which he had all day so great repair For his largesse, and for his wife was fair. What wonder is? but hearken to my tale. Amonges all these guestes great and small There was a monk, a fair man and a bold, I trow a thirty winters he was old, That ever anon was drawing to that place. This youngé monk that was so fair of face, Acquainted was so with this goodé man, Sithen that their firste knowledge began, That in his house as familiar was he As it possible is any friend to be. And for as mochel as this goodé man, And eke this monk, of which that I began, Were bothé two y-born in one village, The monk him claimeth as for cosinage; And he again him said not onés nay, But was as glad thereof, as fowl of day; For to his heart it was a great plesaunce; Thus ben they knit with eterne alliance, And eche of them gan other for to ensure Of brotherhood, while that life may endure." Notwithstanding his vow of poverty, he was also able to make presents to his friends, for the tale continues:-- "Free was Dan John, and namely of despence As in that house, and full of diligence To don plesaunce, and also great costage; He not forgat to give the leaste page In all that house, but, after their degree, He gave the lord, and sithen his mennie, When that he came, some manner honest thing; For which they were as glad of his coming As fowl is fain when that the sun upriseth." Chaucer does not forget to let us know how it was that this monk came to have such liberty and such command of means:-- "This noble monk, of which I you devise, Hath of his abbot, as him list, licence (Because he was a man of high prudence, And eke an officer), out for to ride To see their granges and their barnés wide." CHAPTER VII. THE MONASTERY.