The Miller's Prologue, Chaucer's comment:
77 Avyseth yow, and put me out of blame,
And eek men shal nat maken ernest of game.
Be then advised, and hold me free from blame;
Men should not be too serious at a game.
The Wife of Bath's Tale:
190 "Dame, I wolde praye yow, if youre wyl it were,"
Seyde this Pardoner, "as ye bigan,
Telle forth youre tale, spareth for no man,
And teche us yonge men of your praktike."
"Lady, I pray you, if your will it were,"
Spoke up this pardoner, "as you began,
Tell forth your tale, nor spare for any man,
And teach us younger men of your technique."
"Gladly," quod she, "sith it may yow like.
195 But yet I praye to al this compaignye,
If that I speke after my fantasye,
As taketh not agrief of that I seye,
For myn entente nis but for to pleye."
"Gladly," said she, "since it may please, not pique.
195 But yet I pray of all this company
That if I speak from my own phantasy,
They will not take amiss the things I say;
For my intention's only but to play.