I just bought an Oxford's World's Classics The Canterbury Tales and I must say that I'm not very pleased with it. It's easily understood but they have completely jettisoned the rhyming pattern, which is imperative for truly enjoying these tales.
So, moving on ........ The pilgrims see a dapple-grey horse and a rider in black, both sweating as if they had ridden from afar. From a detailed observation of the new visitor, it appears as if he’s a canon of the church.
 |
| An Alchemist (1661) Adriaen van Ostade source Wikiart |
Impressed with the yeoman's description of his master, the Host nevertheless inquires why he is dressed in such a raggedy, slovenly manner. The Yeoman claims his master is clever, but he uses his brains foolishly. At the Host's prompting, he reveals that they live in slums and holes and alleys, but during their discussion the canon sidles up and, disturbed by the bent of the conversation, attempts to silence his yeoman, concerned that all his secrets will be revealed. The Host supports the yeoman, and when the canon sees his reprimands will be to no avail, he flees and the yeoman is free to reveal all.
The Canon's Yeoman's Tale
Part 1
 |
| The Philosopher's Stone (1940) Victor Brauner source Wikiart |
The yeoman declares that
he has been ruined by the science of alchemy, and has borrowed more than he can
ever repay. He then launches into a tirade, listing every substance used
and some of the processes used to discover The Philosopher's Stone, which, he
states, has not yet been discovered. Apparently if the alchemist could
cause a "citrination," or have the substance turn into a yellow
colour, it was on the verge of forming into The Philosopher's Stone, which
could then be turned into gold. However, this myopic search for wealth,
severs the alchemist from all that is valuable in life. He travels around
in a threadbare cloak because he is worried that if he is known for his
vocation, people will kill him to learn his secrets. His self-importance
knows no end, and his wisdom is one of blind self-deception. Even
though his experiments are perpetual failures, he tends to blame others,
yet he is still entrenched in his delusions.
"However, all that
glitters is not gold,
And that's the truth as
we're so often told.
It isn't every apple on
the spray
Is good to eat, lament it
how you may."
Middle English:
But al
thyng which that shineth as the gold
Nis nat
gold, as that I have herd told;
Ne every
appul that is fair at eye
Ne is nat
good, what so men clappe or crye.
Part II
The Yeoman tells of a canon who is
so evil, that he could infect an area three or four times the size of Nineveh,
Rome and Troy. Yet he does not mean to insult the church itself by telling
this tale, for:
"......... God knows,
there is some sneaking
Rascal in every house and
God forbid
That all were judged by
what one madman did.
Slandering you's no part
of my intention,
But to set to right the
evils that I mention."
Middle English:
"Of every
ordre som shrewe is, pardee,
And God
forbede that al a compaignye
Sholde
rewe o singuleer mannes folye.
To
sclaundre yow is no thyng myn entente,
But to
correcten that is mys I mente."
 |
| The Alchemists Pietro Longhi source Wikiart |
In any case, a very
honest, yet gullible chantry priest was asked by this canon to lend him
money, which the canon repaid within the agreed upon time. He then asked
the priest if he would like to see a miracle, brought about by alchemy. The priest was delighted, and once the ingredients were prepared, the
canon threw a crucible into the powder. With the fire going, the canon
made the priest take over. Yet unbeknownst to him, the canon had a piece of
beechwood charred to look like coal, inside which he had placed some silver
filings, blocking the hole with some wax. He soon professed that the
priest was doing it wrong, took over the preparations and covertly put his
beechwood into the fire, just above the crucible. The canon performed two
more deceitful tricks with the silver, having the priest discover it.
Overjoyed, the priest buys the powder from the canon, but, of course, all
his experiments come to naught.
"Gentlemen, think,
there has been strife of old
In every class waged
between men and gold,
So fierce there's hardly
any to be had.
Alchemy has made many
people mad
And on my word I think it
may well be
The greatest reason for
its scarcity ......
So I conclude; since God
will not allow
Philosophers to tell their
pupils how
To find this stone, no
doubt it's better so,
And my advice would be to
let it go.
Make God your adversary
for a whim
And work at what is
contrary to Him
And to His will, and you
will never thrive
Though you transmute as
long as you're alive.
Aye, there's the point for
which my tale began,
And may God prosper every
honest man!
Amen."
"Considereth, sires, how that, in ech estaat,
Bitwixe men and gold ther is debaat
So ferforth that unnethes is ther noon.
This multiplying blent so many oon
That in good feith I trowe that it bee
The cause grettest of swich scarsetee ........
Thanne
conclude I thus, sith that God of hevene
Ne wil
nat that the philosophres nevene
How that
a man shal come unto this stoon,
I rede,
as for the beste, lete it goon.
For whoso
maketh God his adversarie,
As for to
werken any thyng in contrarie
Of his
wil, certes, never shal he thryve,
Thogh
that he multiplie terme of his lyve.
And there
a poynt, for ended is my tale.
God sende
every trewe man boote of his bale!"
 |
| Alchemist Sendivogius (1867) Jan Matejko source Wikiart |
The two characters in this tale. the Canon and his Yeoman, are not part of the original group of pilgrims. Chaucer appears to have inserted them to address the crime of alchemy and its exploitation and debasements. Curiously, references to dishonest alchemists were rare during Chaucer's time, as alchemy only began in the 14th & 15th centuries and did not become truly popular until the Renaissance. Even so, Chaucer's knowledge of alchemy appears to be detailed and accurate as was supported by a 17th century examination of this tale.
I loved this one - especially seeing 'Chaucer the Scientist' once again! I liked the Canon's Yeoman - I would love to know where the Canon himself sneaked off to :)
ReplyDeleteChaucer appears to be an extremely well-rounded person. It's amazing the amount of knowledge he had about alchemy.
DeleteIt is - I think he was quite into his science :)
Delete