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With hym ther was his sone, a yong SQUIER, |
| 80 | A lovyere and a lusty bacheler; |
| With lokkes crulle, as they were leyd in presse. |
| Of twenty yeer of age he was, I gesse. |
| Of his stature he was of evene lengthe, |
| And wonderly delyvere, and of greet strengthe. |
| 85 | And he hadde been somtyme in chyvachie |
| In Flaundres, in Artoys, and Pycardie, |
| And born hym weel, as of so litel space, |
| In hope to stonden in his lady grace. |
| Embrouded was he, as it were a meede, |
| 90 | Al ful of fresshe floures, whyte and reede; |
| Syngynge he was, or floytynge, al the day, |
| He was as fressh as is the monthe of May. |
| Short was his gowne, with sleves longe and wyde. |
| Wel koude he sitte on hors, and faire ryde. |
| 95 | He koude songes make, and wel endite, |
| Juste, and eek daunce, and weel purtreye and write. |
| So hoote he lovede, that by nyghtertale |
| He slepte namoore than dooth a nyghtyngale. |
| Curteis he was, lowely, and servysable, |
| 100 | And carf biforn his fader at the table. |
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With him there was his son, a young SQUIRE, |
| 80 | A lover and a lively bachelor, |
| With locks well curled, as if they'd laid in press. |
| Some twenty years of age he was, I guess. |
| In stature he was of average length, |
| Wondrously active, agile, and great of strength. |
| 85 | He'd ridden sometime with the cavalry |
| In Flanders, in Artois, and Picardy, |
| And conducted well within that little space |
| In hope to win thereby his lady's grace. |
| Embroidered he was, as if he were a meadow bright, |
| 90 | All full of fresh-cut flowers red and white. |
| Singing he was, or whistling, all the day; |
| He was as fresh as is the month of May. |
| Short was his gown, with sleeves both long and wide. |
| Well could he sit on horse, and fairly ride. |
| 95 | He could make songs and words thereto indite, |
| Joust, and dance too, as well as sketch and write. |
| So hot he loved that, while night told her tale, |
| He slept no more than does a nightingale. |
| Courteous he, and humble, willing and able, |
| 100 | And carved before his father at the table. |
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