<< The foule croked bowe hidous, That knotty was, and al roynous. That bowe semede wel to shete These arowes fyve, that been unmete, 990 Contrarie to that other fyve. But though I telle not as blyve Of hir power, ne of hir might, Her-after shal I tellen right The sothe, and eek signifiaunce, 995 As fer as I have remembraunce: Al shall be seid, I undertake, Er of this boke an ende I make. Now come I to my tale ageyn. But alderfirst, I wol you seyn 1000 The fasoun and the countenaunces Of al the folk that on the daunce is. The God of Love, Iolyf and light, Ladde on his honde a lady bright, Of high prys, and of greet degree. 1005 This lady called was BEAUTEE, BEAUTEE. [As was] an arowe, of which I tolde. Ful wel [y]-thewed was she holde; Ne she was derk ne broun, but bright, And cleer as [is] the mone-light, 1010 >> Li uns des arcs qui fu hideus, Et plains de neus, et eschardeus; Il devoit bien tiex floiches traire, Car el erent force et contraire 980 As autres cinq floiches sans doute. Mès ne diré pas ore toute Lor forces, ne lor poestés. Bien vous sera la verités Contée, et la sénefiance Nel'metré mie en obliance; Ains vous dirai que tout ce monte, Ainçois que je fine mon conte. Or revendrai à ma parole: Des nobles gens de la karole 990 M'estuet dire les contenances, Et les façons et les semblances. Li Diex d'Amors se fu bien pris A une dame de haut pris, Et delez lui iert ajoustés: Icele dame ot non Biautés, Ainsinc cum une des cinq fleches. En li ot maintes bonnes teches: El ne fu oscure, ne brune, Ains fu clere comme la lune, 1000 << Ageyn whom alle the sterres semen But smale candels, as we demen. Hir flesh was tendre as dewe of flour, Hir chere was simple as byrde in bour; As whyt as lilie or rose in rys, 1015 Hir face gentil and tretys. Fetys she was, and smal to see; No windred browes hadde she, Ne popped hir, for it neded nought To windre hir, or to peynte hir ought. 1020 Hir tresses yelowe, and longe straughten, Unto hir heles doun they raughten: Hir nose, hir mouth, and eye and cheke Wel wrought, and al the remenaunt eke. A ful gret savour and a swote 1025 Me thinketh in myn herte rote, As helpe me god, whan I remembre Of the fasoun of every membre! In world is noon so fair a wight; For yong she was, and hewed bright, 1030 [Wys], plesaunt, and fetys withalle, Gente, and in hir middel smalle. Bisyde Beaute yede RICHESSE, RICHESSE. An high lady of greet noblesse,