Character description of the shipman (general prologue)

Tutorial Presentation- The Shipman Lines 390-412
Old English Version
390 A Shipman was ther, woning fer by weste;
391 For ought I woot, he was of Dertemouthe.
392 He rood upon a rouncy, as he couthe,
393 In a gowne of falding to the knee.
394 A daggere hanging on a laas hadde he
395 Aboute his nekke, under his arm adown.
396 The hote somer hadde maad his hewe al brown,
397 And certainly he was a good felawe.
398 Ful many a draughte of win had he drawe
399 Fro Burdeuxward, whil that the chapman sleep.
400 Of nice conscience took he no keep;
401 If that he faught, and hadde the higher hand…