2. When April's gentle rains have pierced the drought
Of March right to the root, and bathed each sprout
Through every vein with liquid of such power
It brings forth the engendering of the flower;
When Zephyrus too with his sweet breath has blown
Through every field and forest, urging on
The tender shoots, and there's a youthful sun,
His second half course through the Ram now run,
And little birds are making melody
And sleep all night, eyes open as can be
(So Nature pricks them in each little heart),
On pilgrimage then folks desire to start.
GENERAL PROLOGUE (1-12)
3. Spring’s renewal and rebirth
Chaucer’s style resembles Greek&Latin
authors
They start by calling for inspiration (muse)
Chaucer calls for natural inspiration
Landscape defines England
4. "When the Prime Mover, that First Cause above,
First made the chain so fair that's known as love,
The effect was great, and high was his intent
He knew the why's and wherefore's, what he
meant.
For with that chain of love the Mover bound
The fire, the air, the water, and the ground
To certain bounds from which they may not flee.
THE KNIGHT’STALE (2987-2993)
5. DukeTheseus tells Emelye to marry the
knight, Palamon.
Plato’s ideal world and Christian morals
combined.
Prime Mover : God
Chain of love : Cosmos, natural order of
things
6. So she was screwed, the carpenter's young wife,
Despite all jealous safeguards he could try;
And Absalon has kissed her nether eye,
And Nicholas is scalded in the rear.
This tale is done, God save all who are here!
THE MILLER’STALE (3850-3854)
7. Conclusion of the Miller’sTale
Everyone’s learnt his lesson
