Geoffrey Chaucer — "This somnour bar to hym a stif burdoun; / Was nevere trompe of half so greet a s…"

"Therfore, for to speke of the horrible sweryng of the Sowdan, and of the horrible cursedness of his lyf, I holde it nat pertinent to my tale."

"Women naturally desire the same six things as I; they want their men to be brave, wise, rich, generous with money, obedient to the wife, and lively in bed."

"He was a Reve, and a sclendre colerik man. His berd was shave as ny as ever he kan."

"He knew the tavernes wel in every toun / And every hostiler and tappestere / Bet than a lazar or a beggestere."

"And trewely she hadde a greet talent / To laughe and for to carpe in compaignye."