Henry Charles Beeching, ed. (1859–1919). Lyra Sacra: A Book of Religious Verse. 1903.

By Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?–1400)

Virginibus Puerisque


O YOUNGË 1 freshë folkës, he or she,
In which that love upgroweth with your age,
Repaireth home from worldly vanity,
And of your heart upcasteth the visage
To thilkë God, that after His image	5
You made, and thinketh all nis 2 but a fair,
This world that passeth soon, as flowrës fair.

And loveth Him the which that, right for love,
Upon a cross, our soulës for to buy,
First starf 3 and rose, and sits in heaven above;	10
For He nil falsen no wight, dare I say,
That will His heart all wholly on Him lay;
And since He best to love is, and most meek,
What needeth feigned lovës for to seek?

Note 1. From “Troylus and Criseyde,” v. ad. fin. Refaireth, upcasteth, etc., are imperatives. [back]

Note 2. Is not, will not. [back]

Note 3. Died. [back]