If cow, or calfe, shepe, or oxe swell
  That any worm hath eaten, or hem strong,
  Take water of this well, and wash his tong. 
  And it is hole a-non:  And furthermore,
  Of pockes, and scabs, and every sore
  Shall shepe be hole, that of this well
  Drinketh a draught:  Take keep of that I tell! 
  If that the good man, that beasts oweth,
  Woll every day, ere the cocke croweth,
  Fasting drink of this well, a draught,
  (As thilk holy Jew our elders taught)
  His beasts and his store shall multiplie: 
  And sirs, also it healeth jealousie,
  For, though a man be fall in jealous rage,
  Let make with this Water his potage,
  And never shall he more his wife mistrist,
  Thughe, in sooth, the defaut by her wist: 
  All had she taken priests two or three! 
  Here is a mittaine eke, that ye may see. 
  He that has his hand well put in this mittaine;
  He shall have multiplying of his graine,
  When he hath sowen, be it wheat or otes;
  So that he offer good pens or grotes!

Those who would prefer the thoughts of this father of English poetry, in a modern dress, are referred to the elegant versions of him, by Dryden, Pope, and others, who have done ample justice to their illustrious predecessor.

[Footnote 1:  Life of Chaucer prefixed to Ogle’s edition of that author modernized.]

[Footnote 2:  Some biographers of Chaucer say, that pope Gregory IX. gave orders to the archbishop of Canterbury to summon him, and that when a synod was convened at St. Paul’s, a quarrel happened between the bishop of London and the duke of Lancaster, concerning Wickliff’s sitting down in their presence.]

[Footnote 3:  Mr. Camden gives a particular description of this castle.]

* * * * *

LANGLAND.

It has been disputed amongst the critics whether this poet preceded or followed Chaucer.  Mrs. Cooper, author of the Muses Library, is of opinion that he preceded Chaucer, and observes that in more places than one that great poet seems to copy Langland; but I am rather inclined to believe that he was cotemporary with him, which accounts for her observation, and my conjecture is strengthened by the consideration of his stile, which is equally unmusical and obsolete with Chaucer’s; and tho’ Dryden has told us that Chaucer exceeded those who followed him at 50 or 60 years distance, in point of smoothness, yet with great submission to his judgment, I think there is some alteration even in Skelton and Harding, which will appear to the reader to the best advantage by a quotation.  Of Langland’s family we have no account.  Selden in his notes on Draiton’s Poly Olbion, quotes him with honour; but he is entirely neglected by Philips and Winstanly, tho’ he seems to have been a man of great genius:  Besides Chaucer, few poets in that or the subsequent age had