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From The Manciple's Prologue, lines 87-104:
The manciple offers the cook some more wine and announces his tale		 Previous
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From The Canterbury Tales:
The Manciple's Tale
lines 105-129: About Phoebus and his abilities and achievements


105        Whan Phebus dwelled heere in this world adoun,
As olde bookes maken mencioun,
He was the mooste lusty bachiler
In al this world, and eek the beste archer.
He slow Phitoun the serpent, as he lay
110Slepynge agayn the sonne upon a day;
And many another noble worthy dede
He with his bowe wroghte, as men may rede.
105       When Phoebus once on earth was dwelling, here,
As in the ancient books it is made clear,
He was the lustiest of bachelors
In all this world, and even the best archer;
He slew Python, the serpent, as he lay
110Sleeping within the sunlight, on a day;
And many another noble, worthy deed
He with his bow wrought, as all men may read.
       Pleyen he koude on every mynstralcie,
And syngen, that it was a melodie
115To heeren of his cleere voys the soun.
Certes, the kyng of Thebes, Amphioun,
That with his syngyng walled that citee,
Koude nevere syngen half so wel as hee.
Therto he was the semelieste man,
120That is or was sith that the world bigan.
What nedeth it hise fetures to discryve?
For in this world was noon so fair on lyve.
He was therwith fulfild of gentillesse,
Of honour, and of parfit worthynesse.
       He played all instruments of minstrelsy,
And sang so that it made great harmony
115To hear his clear voice in the joyous sun.
Truly the king of Thebes, that Amphion
Who, by his singing, walled that great city,
Could never sing one half so well as he.
Therewith he was the handsomest young man
120That is or was since first the world began.
What needs it that his features I revive?
For in the world was none so fair alive.
Compact of honour and of nobleness,
Perfect he was in every worthiness.
125        This Phebus that was flour of bachilrie,
As wel in fredom as in chivalrie,
For his desport, in signe eek of victorie
Of Phitoun, so as telleth us the storie,
Was wont to beren in his hand a bowe.
125        This Phoebus, of all youthful knights the flower,
Whom generous chivalry did richly dower,
For his amusement, sign of victory
Over that Python, says the old story,
Was wont to bear in hand a golden bow.




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From The Manciple's Tale, lines 130-138:
About Phoebus' snow-white crow		 Next