CHAUCER. 289 



^ave studied the influence of manners will easily account 

 for without imputing them to any moral depravity, we 

 feel that we can join the pure-minded Spenser in calling 

 him " most sacred, happy spirit." If character may be 

 divined from works, he was a good man, genial, sincere, 

 hearty, temperate of mind, more wise, perhaps, for this 

 world than the next, but thoroughly humane, and friend- 

 ly with God and men. I know not how to sum up what 

 we feel about him better than by saying (what would 

 have pleased most one who was indifferent to fame) that 

 we love him more even than we admire. Vie are sure 

 that here was a true brother-man so kindly that, in his 

 " House of Fame," after naming the great poets, he 

 throws in a pleasant word for the oaten-pipes 



" Of the little herd-grooms 

 That keepen beasts among the brooms." 



No better inscription can be written on the first page of 

 his works than that which he places over the gate in 

 his " Assembly of Fowls," and which contrasts so sweetly 

 with the stern lines of Dante from which they were 

 imitated : — 



" Through me men go into the blissful place 

 Of the heart's heal and deadly woundes' cure; 

 Through me men go unto the well of Grace, 

 Where gi'een and lusty May doth ever endure; 

 This is the way to all good aventure ; 

 Be glad, thou Reader, and thy sorrow offcast, 

 All open am 1, pass iu, and speed thee fast! ** 



