Canterbury Flush

'Most of the words he objected to are lavatorial

rather than obscene.' (Mr Geoffrey Sims. Drama Group Secretary of Keefe University drama group. in continent on the Lord Chamberlain's banning of the reading of Chaucer's 'Miller's Tale' at the Edin- burgh Festival.)

The Miller was a stout cart, for the none.

His tale per-chaunce was some-del brood in tone.

Wel coude he tellen a tale, as we surmise, That was the most of sinne and harlotryes.

But chose, sin there, he sayde. no sinne is sinned, Ful merrily the sound of breaking wind.

Like Pantheists who never flush the pan, He was in sooth a lavatory man.

E'en Rab'lais seith, who-so that can him rede, The wordes moot be cosin to the dede.

The clerks of Keele, seeking dear release, Thoght that his song would make a period piece.

So specially from every shires ende To Edinburgh in Scoteland, as they wende For atte best, they sayd, such tales will do In pleyn delit the men of gardez-loo.

A baggepype wel coude he blowe and sowne, Which seemed wel suited for that worthy towne.

Natheless the discreet Chamberlayne haith sayd 'Such tales on no account shal there be read.

It is nat honest, it may not avail To tell in public such a naughty tale.

It shal not be, I steadfastly presage, Such tale as this be told upon the stage.'

He seyde, 'Sin I moot first spoil the game, Why, final be the cut in Goddes name.'

CHRISTOPHER HOLLIS-