With hym ther was a PLOWMAN, was his brother,
   With him there was a PLOWMAN, who was his brother,

That hadde ylad of dong ful many a fother;
Who had hauled very many a cartload of dung;

A trewe swynkere and a good was he,
He was a true and good worker,

Lyvynge in pees and parfit charitee.
Living in peace and perfect love.

God loved he best with al his hoole herte
He loved God best with all his whole heart

At alle tymes, thogh him gamed or smerte,
At all times, whether it pleased or pained him,

And thanne his neighebor right as hymselve.
And then (he loved) his neighbor exactly as himself.

He wolde thresshe, and therto dyke and delve,
He would thresh, and moreover make ditches and dig,

For Cristes sake, for every povre wight,
For Christ's sake, for every poor person,

Withouten hire, if it lay in his myght.
Without payment, if it lay in his power.

His tithes payde he ful faire and wel,
He paid his tithes completely and well,

Bothe of his propre swynk and his catel.
Both of his own labor and of his possessions.

In a tabard he rood upon a mere.
He rode in a tabard (sleeveless jacket) upon a mare.


 =Brian Ó Broin