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From The Knight's Tale, lines 1297-1331:
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From The Canterbury Tales:
The Knight's Tale
lines 1332-1350: The feast at Theseus' court


      This Theseus, this duc, this worthy knyght,
Whan he had broght hem into his citee,
And inned hem, everich in his degree,
1335He festeth hem, and dooth so greet labour
To esen hem and doon hem al honour,
That yet men wenen that no maner wit
Of noon estaat ne koude amenden it.
      This Theseus, this duke, this noble knight,
When he'd conducted them to his city,
And quartered them, according to degree,
1335He feasted them, and was at so much pains
To give them ease and honour, of his gains,
That men yet hold that never human wit,
Of high or low estate, could better it.
      The mynstralcye, the service at the feeste,
1340The grete yiftes to the mooste and leeste,
The riche array of Theseus paleys,
Ne who sat first ne last upon the deys,
What ladyes fairest been, or best daunsynge,
Or which of hem kan dauncen best and synge,
1345Ne who moost felyngly speketh of love,
What haukes sitten on the perche above,
What houndes liggen in the floor adoun-
Of al this make I now no mencioun;
But, al th'effect, that thynketh me the beste,
1350Now cometh the point, and herkneth if yow leste.
      The minstrelsy, the service at the feast,
1340The great gifts to the highest and the least,
The furnishings of Theseus, rich palace,
Who highest sat or lowest on the dais,
What ladies fairest were or best dandling,
Or which of them could dance the best, or sing,
1345Or who could speak most feelingly of love,
Or what hawks sat upon the perch above,
Or what great hounds were lying on the floor -
Of all these I will make no mention more;
But tell my tale, for that, I think, is best;
1350Now comes the point, and listen if you've zest.




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From The Knight's Tale, lines 1351-1412:
Palamon prays at Venus' temple		 Next