(1844–1930). The Spirit of Man: An Anthology. 1916. From Prologue to The Canterbury Tales
WHAN 1 that April with his shourës sote The droghte of Marche hath percèd to the rote, And bathèd every veyne in swich licour, Of which vertu engendred is the flour; Whan Zephirus eek with his sweetë breeth 5 Inspirèd hath in every holt and heeth The tendre croppës, and the yongë sonne Hath in the Ram his halfë cours y-ronne, And smalë fowlës maken melodyë That slepen al the night with open yë, 10 (So priketh hem Nature in hir corages) Than longen folk to goon on pilgrimages …
Note 1. Prologue to ‘The Canterbury Tales’. I should read the first line as one that lacks its initial unaccented syllable, rather than admit the hybrid word Aprillë. [back ]
