Chaucer’s Tale of Sir ThopasThe Prologue
When said was this miracle, every manAs sober was, that wonder was to see,Till that our Host to japen he began,And then at erst he looked upon me,And saide thus; “What man art thou?” quoth he;“Thou lookest as thou wouldest find an hare,For ever on the ground I see thee stare.
“Approache near, and look up merrily.Now ware you, Sirs, and let this man have place.He in the waist is shapen as well as I;This were a puppet in an arm t’embraceFor any woman small and fair of face.He seemeth elvish by his countenance,For unto no wight doth he dalliance.
“Say now somewhat, since other folk have said;Tell us a tale of mirth, and that anon.”“Hoste,” quoth I, “be not evil apaid,For other tale certes can I none,Eut of a rhyme I learned yore agone.”“Yea, that is good,” quoth he; “now shall we hearSome dainty thing, me thinketh by thy cheer.”