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CHAUCER FOR CHILDREN




KEY TO THE COVER.


The 1st Arch contains a glimpse of Palamon and Arcite fighting
desperately, yet wounded oftener and sharplier by Love's arrows than by
each deadly stroke. The ruthless boy aloft showers gaily upon them his
poisoned shafts.

The 2nd contains Aurelius and Dorigen--that loving wife left on Breton
shores, who was so nearly caught in the trap she set for herself. Aurelius
offers her his heart aflame. It is true his attitude is humble, but she is
utterly in his power--she cannot get away whilst he is kneeling on her
dress.

The 3rd represents the Summoner led away, but this time neither to profit
nor to pleasure, by his horned companion. The wicked spirit holds the
reins of both horses in his hand, and the Summoner already quakes in
anticipation of what is in store for him.

The 4th contains the three rioters. The emblem of that Death they sought
so wantonly hangs over their heads; the reward of sin is not far off.

The 5th Arch is too much concealed by the lock to do more than suggest one
of Griselda's babes.

The KEY, from which the book takes its name, we trust may unlock the too
little known treasures of the first of English poets. The _Daisy_, symbol
for all time both of Chaucer and of children, and thus curiously fitted to
be the connecting link between them, may point the way to lessons fairer
than flowers in stories as simple as daisies.




_CHAUCER FOR CHILDREN_




Demy 8vo, cloth limp, 2_s._ 6_d._

CHAUCER FOR SCHOOLS.

By MRS. HAWEIS, Author of 'CHAUCER FOR CHILDREN.'

    _This is a copious and judicious selection from Chaucer's Tales, with
    full notes on the history, manners, customs, and language of the
    fourteenth century, with marginal glossary and a literal poetical
    version in modern English in parallel columns with the original
    poetry. Six of the Canterbury Tales are thus presented, in sections of
    from 10 to 200 lines, mingled with prose narrative. 'Chaucer for
    Schools' is issued to meet a widely-expressed want, and is especially
    adapted for class instruction. It may be profitably studied in
    connection with the maps and illustrations of 'Chaucer for Children.'_

'We hail with pleasure the appearance of Mrs. Haweis's "Chaucer for
Schools." Her account of "Chaucer the Tale-teller" is certainly the
pleasantest, chattiest, and at the same time one of the soundest
descriptions of the old master, his life and works and general
surroundings, that have ever been written. The chapter cannot be too
highly praised.'--ACADEMY.

'The authoress is in such felicitous harmony with her task, that the young
student, who in this way first makes acquaintance with Chaucer, may well
through life ever after associate Mrs. Haweis with the rare productions of
the father of English poetry.'--SCHOOL-BOARD CHRONICLE.

'Unmistakably presents the best means yet provided of introducing young
pupils to the study of our first great poet.'--SCOTSMAN.

'In her "Chaucer for Schools" Mrs. Haweis has prepared a great assistance
for boys and girls who have to make the acquaintance of the poet. Even
grown people, who like their reading made easy for them, will find the
book a pleasant companion.'--GUARDIAN.

'The subject has been dealt with in such a full and comprehensive way,
that the book must be commended to everyone whose study of early English
poetry has been neglected.'--DAILY CHRONICLE.

'We venture to think that this happy idea will attract to the study of
Chaucer not a few children of a larger growth, who have found Chaucer to
be very hard reading, even with the help of a glossary and copious notes.
Mrs. Haweis's book displays throughout most excellent and patient
workmanship, and it cannot fail to induce many to make themselves more
fully acquainted with the writings of the father of English
literature.'--ECHO.

'The book is a mine of poetic beauty and most scholarly explanation, which
deserves a place on the shelves of every school library.'--SCHOOL
NEWSPAPER.

'For those who have yet to make the acquaintance of the sweet and quaint
singer, there could not well be a better book than this. Mrs. Haweis is,
of course, an enthusiast, and her enthusiasm is contagious. Her volume
ought to be included in all lists of school books--at least, in schools
where boys and girls are supposed to be laying the foundations of a
liberal education.'--LITERARY WORLD.

'Mrs. Haweis has, by her "Chaucer for Schools," rendered invaluable
assistance to those who are anxious to promote the study of English
literature in our higher and middle-grade schools.... Although this
edition of Chaucer has been expressly prepared for school use, it will be
of great service to many adult readers.'--SCHOOL GUARDIAN.


CHATTO & WINDUS, PICCADILLY, W.




[Illustration: MINE HOST ASSEMBLING THE CANTERBURY PILGRIMS.

KNIGHT. SQUIRE. BOY. WIFE OF BATH. PRIORESS. CHAUCER (A CLERK). FRIAR.
MINE HOST. MONK. SUMMONER. PARDONER. SECOND NUN. FRANKLIN.]




  CHAUCER FOR CHILDREN

  A Golden Key


  BY MRS. H. R. HAWEIS


  _ILLUSTRATED WITH EIGHT  PICTURES AND NUMEROUS WOODCUTS
  BY THE AUTHOR_


  [Illustration: 'Doth now your devoir, yonge knightes proude!']


  A New Edition, Revised.


  London
  CHATTO & WINDUS, PICCADILLY
  1882




[Illustration]

CHIEFLY FOR THE USE AND PLEASURE OF MY LITTLE LIONEL, FOR WHOM I FELT THE
NEED OF SOME BOOK OF THE KIND, I HAVE ARRANGED AND ILLUSTRATED THIS
CHAUCER STORY-BOOK.




CONTENTS


  FOREWORDS TO THE SECOND EDITION                     ix

  FOREWORDS                                           xi

  CHAUCER THE TALE-TELLER                              1

  CANTERBURY TALES:--
    CHAUCER'S PILGRIMS                                17
    CHAUCER'S PROLOGUE                                18
    THE KNIGHT'S TALE                                 34
    THE FRIAR'S TALE                                  57
    THE CLERK'S TALE                                  65
    THE FRANKLIN'S TALE                               84
    THE PARDONER'S TALE                               92

  MINOR POEMS:--
    COMPLAINT OF CHAUCER TO HIS PURSE                100
    TWO RONDEAUX                                     101
    VIRELAI                                          102
    GOOD COUNSEL OF CHAUCER                          104

  NOTES ON THE PICTURES                              107




List of Illustrations.


 PICTURES.

                                                    PAGE

     I. PILGRIMS STARTING                 _Frontispiece_

    II. DINNER IN THE OLDEN TIME          _To face_    2

   III. LADY CROSSING THE STREET              "        6

    IV. FAIR EMELYE                           "       37

     V. GRISELDA'S MARRIAGE                   "       69

    VI. GRISELDA'S BEREAVEMENT                "       72

   VII. DORIGEN AND AURELIUS                  "       86

  VIII. THE RIOTER                            "       97

        CHAUCER'S PORTRAIT                    "        3


WOODCUTS.

                                                    PAGE

       I. TOURNAMENT                        _Title-page_

      II. TABLE                                        2

     III. HEAD-DRESSES                                 2

      IV. MAPS OF OLD AND MODERN LONDON     _To face_  4

       V. LADIES' HEAD-DRESSES                         5

      VI. SHOE                                         6

     VII. JOHN OF GAUNT                                7

    VIII. SHIP                                         8

      IX. STYLUS                                      10

       X. THE KNIGHT                                  19

      XI. THE SQUIRE                                  20

     XII. THE YEOMAN                                  21

    XIII. THE PRIORESS                                22

     XIV. THE MONK                                    24

      XV. THE FRIAR                                   25

     XVI. THE MERCHANT                                26

    XVII. THE CLERK                                   27

   XVIII. THE SERJEANT-OF-LAW                         28

     XIX. THE FRANKLIN                                28

      XX. TABLE DORMANT                               28

     XXI. THE DOCTOR OF PHYSIC                        29

    XXII. THE WIFE OF BATH                            29

   XXIII. THE PARSON                                  30

    XXIV. THE PLOUGHMAN                               31

     XXV. THE SUMMONER                                31

    XXVI. THE PARDONER                                31

   XXVII. MINE HOST                                   32

  XXVIII., XXIX. KNIGHTS IN ARMOUR                    48




FOREWORDS TO THE SECOND EDITION.


In revising _Chaucer for Children_ for a New Edition, I have fully availed
myself of the help and counsel of my numerous reviewers and
correspondents, without weighting the book, which is really designed for
children, with a number of new facts, and theories springing from the new
facts, such as I have incorporated in my Book for older readers, _Ch