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The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems
The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems

Chapter XXXVII · Chapter 37

Chapter 37 of The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems is here in full — 223 sentences across 45 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/44 · 5 lines
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For certainly this wot I well,” he said, That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.
But natheless, alas! whom shall I lieve?
For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.
<76> *know not For some men say, if God sees all beforn, Godde may not deceived be, pardie!
Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems

Chapter XXXVII · Chapter 37

Chapter 37 of The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems is here in full — 223 sentences across 45 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/44 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.
Line 2
But natheless, alas! whom shall Ilieve?
Line 3
For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.
Line 4
<76> *know notFor some men say, if God sees all beforn, Godde may not deceived be, pardie!
Line 5
Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

befall verb US /bɪˈfɔːl/

become of; happen to

From this reading “Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain”

eternity noun US /ɪˈtɜːrnəti/

time without end

From this reading “Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain”

foresight noun US /ˈfɔːrsaɪt/

providence by virtue of planning prudently for the future

From this reading ““For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.”

forgo verb US /fɔːrˈɡoʊ/

do without or cease to hold or adhere to

From this reading ““For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.”

necessarily adverb US /ˌnesəˈserəli/

in an essential manner

From this reading “For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.”

ordinance noun US /ˈɔːrdənəns/

an authoritative rule

From this reading ““For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.”

scholars noun US /ˈskɑːlərz/

plural of “scholar” — a learned person (especially in the humanities); someone who by long study has gained mastery in one or more disciplines

From this reading “For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.”

sly adjective US /slaɪ/

marked by skill in deception

From this reading “For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.”

All words in this reading · 122

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

76

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading <76> *know not “For some men say, if God sees all beforn, Godde may not deceived be, pardie!

alasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/

used to show sadness, pity, or regret

From this reading “But natheless, alas! whom shall I ’lieve?

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading <76> *know not “For some men say, if God sees all beforn, Godde may not deceived be, pardie!

alway

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

argumentes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

befallverbUS /bɪˈfɔːl/

become of; happen to

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

beforn

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading <76> *know not “For some men say, if God sees all beforn, Godde may not deceived be, pardie!

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “But natheless, alas! whom shall I ’lieve?

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

certainlyadverbUS /ˈsɜːrtənli/

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

choicenounUS /tʃɔɪs/

the person or thing chosen or selected

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

clerkes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

Cresseide

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

deceivedverbUS /dɪˈsiːvd/

past form of “deceive” — be false to; be dishonest with

From this reading <76> *know not “For some men say, if God sees all beforn, Godde may not deceived be, pardie!

deednounUS /diːd/

a legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

destinynounUS /ˈdestəni/

an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

disposeth

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

divineadjectiveUS /dɪˈvaɪn/

emanating from God

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

doubtnounUS /daʊt/

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

doubtance

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

eke

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

etern

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

eternitynounUS /ɪˈtɜːrnəti/

time without end

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

ev'ry

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

fallenadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːlən/

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

foresightnounUS /ˈfɔːrsaɪt/

providence by virtue of planning prudently for the future

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

forgoverbUS /fɔːrˈɡoʊ/

do without or cease to hold or adhere to

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

freeverbUS /friː/

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

giv'n

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

GodnounUS /ɡɑːd/

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

Godde

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading <76> *know not “For some men say, if God sees all beforn, Godde may not deceived be, pardie!

greate

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

happenverbUS /ˈhæpən/

come to pass

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

Hathauxiliary verbUS /hæθ/

an old form of “has”

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

holdverbUS /hoʊld/

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading <76> *know not “For some men say, if God sees all beforn, Godde may not deceived be, pardie!

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

knowverbUS /noʊ/

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading <76> *know not “For some men say, if God sees all beforn, Godde may not deceived be, pardie!

knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

lieve

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “But natheless, alas! whom shall I ’lieve?

loseverbUS /luːz/

fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

maintainverbUS /meɪnˈteɪn/

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading <76> *know not “For some men say, if God sees all beforn, Godde may not deceived be, pardie!

merites

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

n'ot

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

natheless

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “But natheless, alas! whom shall I ’lieve?

necessarilyadverbUS /ˌnesəˈserəli/

in an essential manner

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

needly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

nonepronounUS /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading <76> *know not “For some men say, if God sees all beforn, Godde may not deceived be, pardie!

OnounUS /oʊ/

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

opinionnounUS /əˈpɪnjən/

a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

ordinancenounUS /ˈɔːrdənəns/

an authoritative rule

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

pardie

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading <76> *know not “For some men say, if God sees all beforn, Godde may not deceived be, pardie!

predestiny

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

preve

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

proveverbUS /pruːv/

be shown or be found to be

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

providencenounUS /ˈprɑː.və.dəns/

The protective care of God or nature as a spiritual power. (Sự quan phòng, thiên ý phù hộ.)

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

purveyancenoun

the act of supplying something

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

readverbUS /red/

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

scholarsnounUS /ˈskɑːlərz/

plural of “scholar” — a learned person (especially in the humanities); someone who by long study has gained mastery in one or more disciplines

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

seenverbUS /siːn/

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

seesnounUS /siːz/

plural of “see” — the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading “But natheless, alas! whom shall I ’lieve?

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

slyadjectiveUS /slaɪ/

marked by skill in deception

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

soothly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

swornadjectiveUS /swɔːrn/

bound by or as if by an oath

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

ThenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

welladverbUS /wel/

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

well-away

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

WhereforeadverbUS /werˈfɔːr/

an old word meaning “why” or “for that reason”

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “But natheless, alas! whom shall I ’lieve?

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading For there be greate clerkes* many one *scholars That destiny through argumentes preve, *prove And some say that needly* there is none, *necessarily But that free choice is giv’n us ev’ry one; O well-away! so sly are clerkes old, That I n’ot* whose opinion I may hold.

wist

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then must it fallen,* though men had it sworn, *befall, happen That purveyance hath seen before to be; Wherefore I say, that from etern* if he *eternity Hath wist* before our thought eke as our deed, *known We have no free choice, as these clerkes read.* *maintain

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

wot

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “For certainly this wot I well,” he said, “That foresight of the divine purveyance* *providence Hath seen alway me to forgo* Cresseide, *lose Since God sees ev’ry thing, *out of doubtance,* *without doubt* And them disposeth, through his ordinance, In their merites soothly for to be, As they should come by predestiny.

Chapter 37 of The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems by Geoffrey Chaucer holds 223 sentences, grouped into 45 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 37 of The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems contain?

Chapter 37 holds 223 sentences of The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems, unabridged, divided into 45 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 37 of The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems by Geoffrey Chaucer exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 223 sentences, grouped into 45 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 37 of The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems?

Work through the 45 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 45 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 37 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 37 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems

Common questions about reading The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems by Geoffrey Chaucer on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems?

Yes. All 9557 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #2383 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #2383, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1912 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems section by section

How to work through The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Canterbury
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Tales
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Other
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Poems
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.