![](https://d.lib.rochester.edu/sites/default/files/styles/themepage/public/224%20-%20The%20Merchant.jpg?itok=BpBZhsZG)
"A Marchant was ther with a forked berd,
In mottelee, and hye on horse he sat;
Upon his heed a Flaundryssh bever hat,
His bootes clasped faire and fetisly.
His resons he spak ful solempnely,
Sownynge alwey th'encrees of his wynnyng.
He wolde the see were kept for any thyng
Bitwixe Middelburgh and Orewelle."
Wel koude he in eschaunge sheeldes selle." (270-278)
The Merchant's Tale tells the story of old January, who marries a young lady named May. January's squire, Damian, falls in love with May, and the two plan to deceive January and consummate the relationship. While in a garden, May climbs a tree to have sex with Damian; at that moment, January is miraculously given his sight in time to catch them in a compromising position. May escapes punishment by explaining that she had heard that if a man's wife struggled with another man in a tree, it could restore a man's sight; thus, she acted to help January. January accepts this flimsy excuse, and the tale ends happily.
In mottelee, and hye on horse he sat;
Upon his heed a Flaundryssh bever hat,
His bootes clasped faire and fetisly.
His resons he spak ful solempnely,
Sownynge alwey th'encrees of his wynnyng.
He wolde the see were kept for any thyng
Bitwixe Middelburgh and Orewelle."
Wel koude he in eschaunge sheeldes selle." (270-278)
The Merchant's Tale tells the story of old January, who marries a young lady named May. January's squire, Damian, falls in love with May, and the two plan to deceive January and consummate the relationship. While in a garden, May climbs a tree to have sex with Damian; at that moment, January is miraculously given his sight in time to catch them in a compromising position. May escapes punishment by explaining that she had heard that if a man's wife struggled with another man in a tree, it could restore a man's sight; thus, she acted to help January. January accepts this flimsy excuse, and the tale ends happily.
Bibliography
Chaucer, Geoffrey. The Riverside Chaucer. Ed. Larry D. Benson. 3rd ed. Boston: Houghton, 1987.
Anne Anderson (1874 - 1930)
Sir W. Russell Flint (1880 - 1969)
Mrs. H. R. Haweis (1848 - 1898)
Pier Paolo Pasolini (1922 - November 2, 1975)
Anne Anderson (1874 - 1930)
![He was the soul of hospitality](https://d.lib.rochester.edu/sites/default/files/styles/creatorpage/public/224%20-%20He%20was%20the%20soul%20of%20hospitality.jpg?itok=0De74M_z)
![The Merchant](https://d.lib.rochester.edu/sites/default/files/styles/creatorpage/public/224%20-%20The%20Merchant.jpg?itok=waZNLtPo)
![The Marchaunt](https://d.lib.rochester.edu/sites/default/files/styles/creatorpage/public/merchant_0.jpg?itok=pytXG7oy)
![Sir January](https://d.lib.rochester.edu/sites/default/files/styles/creatorpage/public/January-Merchants-Tale.jpg?itok=kFSaI19u)
Sir W. Russell Flint (1880 - 1969)
![“Night with his mantel...](https://d.lib.rochester.edu/sites/default/files/styles/creatorpage/public/198_0.jpg?itok=Q2Jy0sRH)
![“Now lat us turne agayn to Januarie...](https://d.lib.rochester.edu/sites/default/files/styles/creatorpage/public/214_3.jpg?itok=UPK9aH0x)
Mrs. H. R. Haweis (1848 - 1898)
![The Merchant](https://d.lib.rochester.edu/sites/default/files/styles/creatorpage/public/26Merchant.jpg?itok=kufSYH8M)
![The Merchant](https://d.lib.rochester.edu/sites/default/files/styles/creatorpage/public/256.jpg?itok=BNhMe5JQ)
Pier Paolo Pasolini (1922 - November 2, 1975)
![Sir January](https://d.lib.rochester.edu/sites/default/files/styles/creatorpage/public/January-Merchants-Tale.jpg?itok=kFSaI19u)
![He went to his father and begged for new clothes](https://d.lib.rochester.edu/sites/default/files/styles/creatorpage/public/7_1.jpg?itok=J1k5_qLw)
![She ran up hastily and seized his bridle](https://d.lib.rochester.edu/sites/default/files/styles/creatorpage/public/33_0.jpg?itok=wNLpfKXq)
![The garden is watched by eight magicians](https://d.lib.rochester.edu/sites/default/files/styles/creatorpage/public/47_0.jpg?itok=RBrcOq9b)
![He entered like a madman, barefooted and grimacing](https://d.lib.rochester.edu/sites/default/files/styles/creatorpage/public/59.jpg?itok=u9QnL1YK)
![Five maidens came bringing gifts](https://d.lib.rochester.edu/sites/default/files/styles/creatorpage/public/66_0.jpg?itok=Gct1CEsd)