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Chaucer's Retraction is the final section of The Canterbury Tales. It is written as an apology, where Geoffrey Chaucer asks for forgiveness for the vulgar and unworthy parts of this and other past works, and seeks absolution for his sins.
Wherfore I biseke yow mekely, for the mercyOf God, that ye preye for me that crist haveMercy on me and foryeve me my giltes;/ andNamely of my translacions and enditynges ofWorldly vanitees, the whiche I revoke inMy retracciouns:/ as is the book of Troilus;the book also of Fame; the book ofThe xxv. Ladies; the book of the duchesse;The book of seint valentynes day of the parlementof briddes; the tales of counterbury,Thilke that sownen into synne;/ the book of theLeoun; and many another book.
It is not clear whether these are sincere declarations of remorse on Chaucer's part, a continuation of the theme of penitence from the Parson's Tale or simply a way to advertise the rest of his works. It is not even certain if the retraction was an integral part of the Canterbury Tales or if it was the equivalent of a death bed confession which became attached to this his most popular work.
That thanke I oure lord Jhesu Cristand his blisful mooder, and alle the seintes of hevene,bisekynge hem that they from hennes forth unto my lyves endesende me grace to biwayle my giltes,and to studie to the salvacioun of my soule,and graunte me grace of verray penitence, confessioun and satisfacciounto doon in this present lyf,thurgh the benigne grace of hym that is kyng of kynges and preest over alle preestes,that boghte us with the precious blood of his herte;so that is may been oon of hem at the day of doom that shulle be saved.Qui cum patre et spiritu sancto vivit et regnat deus per omnia secula. Amen.On chaucer s retraction
References
Chaucer's Retraction Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA