Thursday, December 9, 2010

Reading Chaucer

I'm re-reading The Canterbury Tales, because "Chaucer's heroes regard love when it comes upon them as the most beautiful of absolute disasters," and sometimes that jaded perspective just hits the spot best when it comes in 14th century rhyme.

"I'd like to warn you; it is no child's play
Choosing a wife. It needs consideration,
In fact it asks a long investigation.

'Is she discreet and sober? or a drinker?
Or arrogant? Or, in other ways a stinker?
A scolder? Or extravagant? Too clannish?
Too poor? Too rich? Unnaturally mannish?"

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