←2029
←2029
Col. 4.17. See Chaucer’s picture of the ‘Poor Parson of a town;’ (supposed to refer to Wickliff)—
‘Wide was his parish, and houses far asunder;
But he ne left nought, for ne rain ne thunder;
In sickness and in mischief to visite,
The ferrest in his parish, moche and light
Upon his fete, and in his hand a staff.’
Prologue to Canterbury Tales.
Dryden versified these lines into more intelligible English—
Wide was his parish; not contracted close
In streets, but here and there a straggling house;
Yet still he was at hand, without request,
To serve the sick or succour the distrest.
Tempting on foot alone, without affright,
The danger of a dark, tempestuous night.