This prologue is generally conceded to have been written between 1382 and 1385. Though it does not profess to furnish a complete list of Chaucer's writings, it can fairly be assumed that it included all which he then regarded as of importance either on account of their merit or their length. If so, the titles given above would embrace the productions of what may be called the first half of his literary career. In fact, his disciple Lydgate leads us to believe that 'Troilus and Cressida' was a comparatively early production, though it may have undergone and probably did undergo revision before assuming its present form. The 'Legend of Good Women'--in distinction from its prologue--would naturally occupy the time of the poet during the opening period of what is here termed the second half of his literary career. The prologue is the only portion of it, however, that is of distinctly high merit. The work was never completed, and Chaucer pretty certainly came soon to the conclusion that it was not worth completing. It was in the taste of the times; but it did not take him long to perceive that an extended work dealing exclusively with the sorrows of particular individuals was as untrue to art as it was to life. It fell under the ban of that criticism which in the 'Canterbury Tales' he puts into the mouth of the Knight, who interrupts the doleful recital of the tragical tales told by the Monk with these words:-- "'Ho,' quoth the knight, 'good sir, no more of this: That ye have said is right enow, ywis,[13] And muchel[14] more; for little heaviness Is right enow to muchel folk, I guess. I say for me it is a great disease,[15] Where-as men have been in great wealth and ease, To hearen of hir sudden fall, alas! And the contrary is joy and great solas,[16] As when a man hath been in poor estate, And climbeth up and waxeth fortunate, And there abideth in prosperity. Such thing is gladsome, as it thinketh[17] me, And of such thing were goodly for to tell.'" [13] Certainly. [14] Much. [15] Discomfort. [16] Solace. [17] Seems. Accordingly, from the composition of pieces of the one-sided and unsatisfactory character of those contained in the 'Legend of Good Women,' Chaucer turned to the preparation of his great work, the 'Canterbury Tales.' This gave him the fullest opportunity to display all his powers, and must have constituted the main literary occupation of his later life.