Geoffrey Chaucer

For gold in phisik is a cordial;
Therefore he lovede gold in special.

For gold in phisik is a cordial;
Therefore he lovede gold in special.

For of Fortune's sharpe adversite,
The worste kynde of infortune is this,
A man to hav bent read more

For of Fortune's sharpe adversite,
The worste kynde of infortune is this,
A man to hav bent in prosperite,
And it remembren whan it passed is.

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.

And yet he hadde "a thombe of gold" pardee.

And yet he hadde "a thombe of gold" pardee.

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

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