Geoffrey Chaucer

This noble ensample to his sheepe he gaf,--
That firste he wroughte and after he taughte.

This noble ensample to his sheepe he gaf,--
That firste he wroughte and after he taughte.

First he wrought, and afterward he taught.

First he wrought, and afterward he taught.

Thus with hir fader for a certeyn space
Dwelleth this flour of wyfly pacience,
That neither by read more

Thus with hir fader for a certeyn space
Dwelleth this flour of wyfly pacience,
That neither by hir wordes ne his face
Biforn the fold, ne eek in her absence,
Ne shewed she that hir was doon offence.

And for to se, and eek for to be seye.

And for to se, and eek for to be seye.

The life so short, the crafts so long to learn.

The life so short, the crafts so long to learn.