The Canterbury Pilgrims

From “The Canterbury Tales: Prologue”
WHAN that Aprille with hise shourès soote 1
The droghte of March hath percèd to the roote,
And bathèd every veyne in swich 2 licour,
Of which vertue engendred is the flour;
Whan Zephirus eek with his swete breeth...

Poet: Geoffrey Chaucer
King John and the Abbot of Canterbury

From “Percy’s Reliques”
AN ANCIENT story I ’ll tell you anon
Of a notable prince that was called King John;
And he ruled England with main and with might,
For he did great wrong, and maintained little right.

And I ’ll tell you a story, a story so merry,...

Poet: Anonymous