OUR TIMES AT HAND 



But if it were the verray Paradys. 

 The odour of floures and the fresshe sighte 

 Wolde hav maked any herte lighte 

 That ever was born, but if to greet oiknesse, 

 Or to greet sorwe, helde it in distresse; 

 So full it was with beautee with pleasaunce. 

 GEOFFREY CHAUCER. 



The Canterbury Tales. 



The Franklin s Tale. 



The garden was by mesuryng 



Right evene and square; in compassing 



It was as long as it was large. 



Of fruyt hadde every tree his charge, 



But it were any hidous tree, 



Of which ther were two or three. 



There were, and that wote I full well, 



Of pome garnettys a full gret dell, 



That is a fruyt full well to lyke, 



Namely to folk whanne they ben sike. 



And trees there were of gret foisoun 



That baren nottes in her sesoun 



Such as men note mygges call, 



That swote of savour ben withhalle; 



[25] 



