Text from The Canterbury Tales Modern English Interpretation
81 He had his son with him, a fine young Squire, a lover and a cadet, a lad of fire
With locks as curly as if they had been pressed. He was some twenty years of age, I guessed. 85 In stature he was of moderate length, With wonderful agility and strength. He'd seen some service with the cavalry In Flanders and Artois and Picardy And had done valiantly in little space 90 Of time, in hope to win his ladies grace. He was embroidered like a meadow bright And full of freshest flowers, red and white Singing he was, or fluting all the day; He was as fresh as the month of May. 95 Short was his gown, the sleeves were long and wide; He knew the way to sit a horse and ride. He could make songs and poems and recite, Knew how to joust and dance, to draw and write. He loved so hotly that till dawn grew pale 100 He slept as little as a nightingale. Courteous he was, lowly and serviceable, And carved to serve his father at the table. |
He is the son of Alexander.
He is cadet and a person of love. He has curly locks of hair, and is around the age of 20. He is of average height, with great agility and strength. He had service with the cavalry in regions in Belgium and France. He hopes in time to win his ladies heart/love. His clothes were detailed and had colors like the freshest flowers of red and white. He liked to sing. His gown was short, but with long and wide sleeves. He knew how to ride a horse. He wrote and recited songs and poems. He could joust, dance, draw, and write. He slept very little at night. He served his father. |
Interpreting Middle English:
"In stature he was of a moderate length" - He is average height.
"In hope to win his ladies grace" - He hopes to win his ladies heart.
"He had done valiantly in little space" - He showed he was brave quickly.
"He was embroidered like a meadow bright" - He is shown as a bright, cheerful, happy person.
"He loved so hotly that till dawn grew pale" - He loved until he couldn't love anymore
"In stature he was of a moderate length" - He is average height.
"In hope to win his ladies grace" - He hopes to win his ladies heart.
"He had done valiantly in little space" - He showed he was brave quickly.
"He was embroidered like a meadow bright" - He is shown as a bright, cheerful, happy person.
"He loved so hotly that till dawn grew pale" - He loved until he couldn't love anymore