From Geoffrey Chaucer's "Troilus and Criseyde", Book I, lines 92-112

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From Troilus and Criseyde, Book I, lines 56-91:
The treason of Calkas

Geoffrey Chaucer (1342 - 1400):
Troilus and Criseyde
Book I, lines 92-112: About Criseyde, the daughter of Calkas

	Now hadde Calkas left, in this meschaunce,
	Al unwist of this false and wikked dede,
	His doughter, which that was in gret penaunce,
95	For of hir lyf she was ful sore in drede,
	As she that niste what was best to rede;
	For bothe a widowe was she, and allone
	Of any freend to whom she dorste hir mone.

Criseyde was this lady name al right;

100 As to my dome, in al Troyes citee

Nas noon so fair, for passing every wight

So aungellyk was hir natyf beautee,

That lyk a thing immortal semed she,

As doth an hevenish parfit creature,

105 That doun were sent in scorning of nature.

This lady, which that alday herde at ere

Hir fadres shame, his falsnesse and tresoun,

Wel nigh out of hir wit for sorwe and fere,

In widewes habit large of samit broun,

110 On knees she fil biforn Ector adoun;

With pitous voys, and tendrely wepinge,

His mercy bad, hirselven excusinge.

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From Troilus and Criseyde, Book I, lines 113-133:
Hector offers protection to Criseyde

	Criseyde was this lady name al right;
100	As to my dome, in al Troyes citee
	Nas noon so fair, for passing every wight
	So aungellyk was hir natyf beautee,
	That lyk a thing immortal semed she,
	As doth an hevenish parfit creature,
105	That doun were sent in scorning of nature.

	This lady, which that alday herde at ere
	Hir fadres shame, his falsnesse and tresoun,
	Wel nigh out of hir wit for sorwe and fere,
	In widewes habit large of samit broun,
110	On knees she fil biforn Ector adoun;
	With pitous voys, and tendrely wepinge,
	His mercy bad, hirselven excusinge.