This noble ensample to his shepe he yaf,— That first he…

This noble ensample to his shepe he yaf,—
That first he wrought, and afterwards he taught.

Sourced, The Canterbury Tales

General Prologue, l. 498

Other Geoffrey Chaucer Quotes

And of his port as meke as is a mayde. - View Quote Details on And of his port as meke as is a mayde.
Therfore bihoveth hire a ful long spoon
That shal ete with a feend. - View Quote Details on Therfore bihoveth hire a ful long spoon
That shal ete with…
Certes, they been lyk to houndes, for an hound whan he comth by the roser, or by other bushes, though he may nat pisse, yet wole he heve up his leg and make a contenaunce to pisse. - View Quote Details on Certes, they been lyk to houndes, for an hound whan…
O yonge fresshe folkes, he or she,
In which that love up-groweth with your age,
Repeyreth hoom fro worldly vanitee,
And of your herte up-casteth the visage
To thilke God that after his image
Yow made, and thynketh al nis but a faire
This world, that passeth sone as floures faire. - View Quote Details on O yonge fresshe folkes, he or she,
In which that love…
Wide was his parish, and houses fer asonder. - View Quote Details on Wide was his parish, and houses fer asonder.
Forbede us thing, and that desiren we;
Preesse on us faste, and thanne wol we flee.
With daunger oute we al oure chaffare:
Greet prees at market maketh dere ware,
And too greet chepe is holden at litel pris. - View Quote Details on Forbede us thing, and that desiren we;
Preesse on us faste,…
Ye knowe eek, that in forme of speche is chaunge
Withinne a thousand yeer, and wordes tho
That hadden prys, now wonder nyce and straunge
Us thinketh hem; and yet they spake hem so,
And spedde as wel in love as men now do;
Eek for to winne love in sondry ages,
In sondry londes, sondry ben usages. - View Quote Details on Ye knowe eek, that in forme of speche is chaunge
Withinne…
Love is a thyng as any spirit free.
Wommen, of kynde, desiren libertee,
And nat to been constreyned as a thral;
And so doon men, if I sooth seyen shal. - View Quote Details on Love is a thyng as any spirit free.
Wommen, of kynde,…
What is this world? what asketh men to have?
Now with his love, now in his colde grave
Allone, withouten any compaignye. - View Quote Details on What is this world? what asketh men to have?
Now with…
Allas! allas! that evere love was synne! - View Quote Details on Allas! allas! that evere love was synne!