From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Geoffrey Chaucer Portal
The Geoffrey Chaucer Portal
Chaucer as a pilgrim from the Ellesmere manuscript DB
Geoffrey Chaucer was described by Dryden in 1700 as being the "Father of English Poetry".
| “ |
A voys he hadde as smal as hath a goot.
No berd hadde he, ne nevere sholde have;
As smothe it was as it were late shave.
I trowe he were a geldyng or a mare.
But of his craft, fro Berwyck into Ware
Ne was ther swich another pardoner.
|
” |
Translation:
A voice he had a high as has a goat.
No beard had he, nor never would have;
As smooth it was as if it were lately shaven.
I believe he was a eunuch or a homosexual.
But of his trade, from Berwick unto Ware,
There was not such another Pardoner.
| “ |
For many a man so hard is of his herte,
He may nat wepe, althogh hym soore smerte.
Therfore in stede of wepynge and preyeres
Men moote yeve silver to the povre freres.
|
” |
Translation:
For many a man is so hard of heart,
That he may not weep, although he smarts sorely,
Therefore instead of weeping and prayers
Men might give silver to the poor friars.
Portrait of Chaucer from Thomas Hoccleve, who personally knew Chaucer, so it is probably an accurate depiction
|
