The works of our ancient, learned, & excellent English poet, Jeffrey Chaucer as they have lately been compar'd with the best manuscripts, and several things added, never before in print : to which is adjoyn'd The story of the siege of Thebes, by John Lidgate ... : together with The life of Chaucer, shewing his countrey, parentage, education, marriage, children, revenues, service, reward, friends, books, death : also a table, wherein the old and obscure words in Chaucer are explained, and such words ... that either are, by nature or derivation, Arabick, Greek, Latine, Italian, French, Dutch, or Saxon, mark'd with particular notes for the better understanding of their original.

¶The Knight. 1.

A Knight there was, and that a worthy man, That fro the time that he first began To riden out, he loved chivalry, Trouth, honour, freedome, and courtesie: Full worthy was he in his Lords warre, And thereto had he ridden no man so farre, As well in Christendome as in Heathenesse, And ever had honour for his worthinesse. At Alisaundre he was when it was won, Full often time he had the bourd begon, Aboven all nations in Pruce: In Lettowe had he ridden and in Luce, No Christen man so oft of his degree: In Garnade at the Siege had he be, At Algezer, and riden in Belmary, At Leyes was he, and also at Sataly, When they were wonne, & in the great see, At many a noble Army had he be. At mortal Battels had he been fiftene, And foughten for our faith at Tramissene In listes thries, and aye slaine his fo. This ilke worthy Knight had been also Sometime with the Lord of Palathy, Ayenst another Heathen in Turky: And evermore he had a soveraigne prise, And though he was worthy he was wise, And of his sport as meeke as is a Maid, He never yet no villany ne said In all his life, unto no manner wight: He was a very perfite gentil knight. For to tell you of his array, His horse were good, but he was nothing gay;

Of fustian he weared a gippon, All besmottred with his Haubergion: For he was late come fro his voyage, And went for to done his pilgrimage.