Chaucer, Geoffrey, d. 1400. The Canterbury tales :
Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia Library
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The Prologue to the Tale of Sir Thopas
691: Whan seyd was al this miracle, every man
692: As sobre was that wonder was to se,
693: Til that oure hooste japen tho bigan,
694: And thanne at erst he looked upon me,
695: And seyde thus: what man artow? quod he;
696: Thou lookest as thou woldest fynde an hare,
697: For evere upon the ground I se thee stare.
698: Approche neer, and looke up murily.
699: Now war yow, sires, and lat this man have place!
700: He in the waast is shape as wel as I;
701: This were a popet in an arm t' enbrace
702: For any womman, smal and fair of face.
703: He semeth elvyssh by his contenaunce,
704: For unto no wight dooth he daliaunce.
705: Sey now somwhat, syn oother folk han sayd;
706: Telle us a tale of myrthe, and that anon.
707: Hooste, quod I, ne beth nat yvele apayd,
708: For oother tale certes kan I noon,
709: But of a rym I lerned longe agoon.
710: Ye, that is good, quod he; now shul we heere
711: Som deyntee thyng, me thynketh by his cheere.