GEOFFREY CHAUCER (1340-1400)

THE PROLOGUE

Whan that Aprille with his shoures sote The droghte of Marche hath perced to the rote,

And bathed every veyne in swich licour,
Of which vertu engendred is the flour;
Whan Zephirus eek with his swete breeth 5
Inspired hath in every holt1 and heeth
The tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne
Hath in the Ram his halfe cours y-ronne,
And smale fowles maken melodye,
That slepen al the night with open yë,
(So priketh hem nature in hir corages2):
Than longen folk to goon on pilgrimages
(And palmers for to seken straunge
strondes)

IO

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2 hearts. 3 distant. 4 shrines. ' known. 7 fallen. 8 "entertained in the best manner.'

"

13

gone on an expedition.

• agreement.

15 reputation.

• chance.

14 disembarkation.

16 no sort of person.

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