To tellen you all the condition Of each of hem, so as it seemed me, And which they weren, and of what degree, And eke in what array that they were in: And at a knight then will I first begin. THE KNIGHT A knight there was, and that a worthy[28] man, That[29] from the time that he first began To riden out, he[29] loved chivalry, Truth and honour, freedom[30] and courtesy. Full worthy was he in his Lordes war, And thereto had he ridden, no man farre,[31] As well in Christendom as in Heatheness, And ever honoured for his worthiness. At Alexandr' he was when it was won; Full ofte time he had the board begun[32] Aboven alle nations in Prusse; In Lettowe[33] had he reysed[34] and in Russe, No Christian man so oft of his degree; In Gernade[35] at the siege had he be Of Algezir,[36] and ridden in Belmarie.[37] At Lieys[38] was he, and at Satalie,[39] When they were won; and in the Greate Sea[40] At many a noble army[41] had he be. At mortal battles had he been fifteen, And foughten for our faith at Tramassene[42] In listes thries, and aye slain his foe. This ilke[43] worthy knight had been also Sometime with the lord of Palatie,[44] Again another heathen in Turkey: And evermore he had a sovereign pris.[45] And though that he were worthy[46] he was wise, And of his port as meek as is a maid. He never yet no villainy[47] ne said In all his life unto no manner wight.[48] He was a very perfect gentle knight. But for to tellen you of his array, His horse were good, but he ne was not gay[49]; Of fustian he weared a gipon,[50] All besmutered[51] with his habergeon, For he was late ycome from his viage.[52] And wente for to do his pilgrimage. THE PRIORESS