Classic and Contemporary Poetry
GENTILNESSE; MORAL BALADE OF CHAUCER, by GEOFFREY CHAUCER Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The firste stok, fader of gentilesse Last Line: Al were he mytre, croune, or diademe. Subject(s): Gentility | ||||||||
THE firste stok, fader of gentilesse -- What man that claymeth gentil for to be Must folowe his trace, and alle his wittes dresse Vertu to sewe, and vyces for to flee. For unto vertu longeth dignitee, And noght the revers, saufly dar I deme, Al were he mytre, croune, or diademe. This firste stok was ful of rightwisnesse, Trewe of his word, sobre, pitous, and free, Clene of his gost, and loved besinesse, Ayeinst the vyce of slouthe, in honestee; And, but his heir love vertu, as dide he, He is noght gentil, thogh he riche seme, Al were he mytre, croune, or diademe. Vyce may wel be heir to old richesse; But ther may no man, as men may wel see, Bequethe his heir his vertuous noblesse, That is appropred unto no degree, But to the firste fader in magestee, That maketh his heir him that can him queme, Al were he mytre, croune, or diademe. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LITTLE FINGERS by MIRIAM DEL BANCO IF EVER THERE WAS ONE by MILLER WILLIAMS TO MY INFANT DAUGHTER, E. C. M. by DAVID MACBETH MOIR THE VULGAR LITTLE LADY by ANN TAYLOR THE GENTLE LIFE; IN MEMORIAM, REV. J.V. CLANCY by CHARLES LOUIS HENRY WAGNER CHAUCERS WORDES UNTO ADAM, HIS OWN SCRIVEYN by GEOFFREY CHAUCER LACK OF STEADFASTNESS; BALLAD by GEOFFREY CHAUCER MERCILES BEAUTE; A TRIPLE ROUNDEL: 1. CAPTIVITY by GEOFFREY CHAUCER |
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