Chaucer's Retraction is the final section of The Canterbury Tales. It is written as an apology, where Chaucer apologizes 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 mercy

Of God, that ye preye for me that crist have

Mercy on me and foryeve me my giltes;/ and

Namely of my translacions and enditynges of

Worldly vanitees, the whiche I revoke in

My retracciouns:/ as is the book of Troilus;

the book also of Fame ; the book of

The xxv. Ladies; the book of the duchesse ;

The book of seint valentynes day of the parlement

of briddes; the tales of counterbury,

Thilke that sownen into synne;/ the book of the

Leoun; and many another book.

External link

• Full text of Chaucer's Retraction