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Ther was, as telleth Titus Livius, |
| A knyght that called was Virginius, |
| Fulfild of honour and of worthynesse, |
| And strong of freendes, and of greet richesse. |
| 5 | This knyght a doghter hadde by his wyf, |
| No children hadde he mo in al his lyf. |
| Fair was this mayde in excellent beautee |
| Aboven every wight that man may see. |
| For Nature hath with sovereyn diligence |
| 10 | Yformed hir in so greet excellence, |
| As though she wolde seyn, "Lo, I, Nature, |
| Thus kan I forme and peynte a creature |
| Whan that me list; who kan me countrefete? |
| Pigmalion noght, though he ay forge and bete, |
| 15 | Or grave, or peynte, for I dar wel seyn |
| Apelles, Zanzis sholde werche in veyn |
| Outher to grave or peynte, or forge, or bete, |
| If they presumed me to countrefete. |
| For He that is the former principal |
| 20 | Hath maked me his vicaire general |
| To forme and peynten erthely creaturis |
| Right as me list, and ech thyng in my cure is |
| Under the moone, that may wane and waxe, |
| And for my werk right nothyng wol I axe. |
| 25 | My lord and I been ful of oon accord; |
| I made hire to the worship of my lord, |
| So do I alle myne othere creatures, |
| What colour that they han, or what figures." |
| Thus semeth me that Nature wolde seye. |
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There was, as tells us Titus Livius, |
| A knight whose name was called Virginius, |
| Fulfilled of honour and of worthiness, |
| Who many friends and much wealth did possess. |
| 5 | This knight had had a daughter by his wife, |
| Nor children more had he in all his life. |
| Fair was this virgin, in excellent beauty |
| Above all others that a man may see; |
| For Nature had, with sovereign diligence, |
| 10 | Moulded her to so great an excellence |
| She seemed to say: "Behold now, I, Nature, |
| Thus can I form and paint a creature pure |
| When I desire. Who can it counterfeit? |
| Pygmalion? Nay, not though he forge and beat, |
| 15 | Or curve, or paint; and I dare say again, |
| Apelles, Zeuxis too, should work in vain, |
| Either to carve or paint, or forge or beat, |
| If they presumed my work to counterfeit. |
| For He who is creator principal |
| 20 | Has made of me His Vicar General |
| To form and colour earthly creatures all, |
| Just as I like, for they're mine, great and small |
| Under the moon, the which may wax and wane; |
| And for my work I ask no payment vain; |
| 25 | My lord and I are of one sole accord; |
| I made her in the worship of my Lord. |
| So do I other fair or foul creatures, |
| What colours though they have, or what figures." |
| It seems to me that Nature thus would say. |
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