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Template copyright 2005 The Great Chain of Being The Prioress She is an example of the basic human paradox which places what people are in opposition to what they think they are or pretend to be. Her blue eyes, red mouth, the shape of her nose, the width of her forehead, her ornaments and dress, her table manners, her particular brand of French, her pets and her tenderness about mice, her name Eglantine, (a sweet wild rose), her smiling full simple and coy All these show the great charm of the Prioress as a woman. Chaucer successfully builds a tension between the person and her office, between the human nature and the assumed sacred obligation, thus presenting a double view of sacred and secular impulse in her case. “Love conquers all.” Of far-off saints, hallowed in sundry lands, (honored as holy persons in different places) And specially, from every shire’s (A former administrative division of Great Britain, equivalent to a county) end In England, down to Canterbury they wend (archaic form of go) To seek the holy blissful martyr, (referring to Thomas a Becket) quick In giving help to them when they were sick. It happened in that season that one day In Southwark (a suburb of London), at the Tabard (an inn at Southwark), as I lay Ready to go on pilgrimage and start For Canterbury, most devout (faithful to God) at heart, At night there came into that hostelry (the inn) Some nine and twenty in a company (become companions) Of Sundry (various) folk happening then to fall In fellowship, and they were pilgrims all That (who) towards Canterbury meant to ride. The rooms and stables of the inn were wide; They (rooms) made us easy (comfortable), all was of the best. And shortly, when the sun had gone to rest, By speaking to thme all upon (about) the trip I was admitted (accepted as one of them) to their fellowship And promised to rise early and take the way To Canterbury, as you heard me say. But none the less (nonetheless), while I have time and space, Be