Worldly vanities vs devotion

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Often appears with: translation and the transmission of texts · salvation at the day of doom · retraction of earlier writings · prayer for forgiveness · penitence and confession · equity, mercy, and pardon

Usually: letter or document (1) · detachment (1) · lament (1)

The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems primary

Geoffrey Chaucer · c. 1387–1400 (composition of The Canterbury Tales and included poems; some items likely earlier/later)
i.e. > Act, which was passed soon after, 5 H. IV. c. iv., to make it felony ‘to multiply gold or silver, or to use the art of multiplication.’” Tyrwhitt finds in the prologue some colour for the hypothesis that this Tale was intended by Chaucer to begin the return journey from Canterbury; but against this must be set the fact that the Yeoman himself expressly speaks of the distance to Canterbury yet to be ridden. (40/112)

In a prayer-like retractation, Chaucer/P arson-like narrator asks forgiveness for guilts and especially for translations and writings in worldly vanities, and prays for grace for repentance, penitence, confession, and satisfaction.

*PRECES DE CHAUCERES* <1> *Prayer of Chaucer* Now pray I to you all that hear this little treatise or read it, that if there be anything in it that likes them, that thereof they thank our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom proceedeth all wit and all goodness; and if there be anything that displeaseth them, I pray them also that they arette [impute] it to the default of mine unconning [unskilfulness], and not to my will, tha…