Folgóre da San Gemignano (c. 1270–c. 1332)

Translated by John Addington Symonds

THIS morn a young squire shall be made a knight;

Whereof he fain would be right worthy found,

And therefore pledgeth lands and castles round

To furnish all that fits a man of might.

Meat, bread, and wine he gives to many a wight;

Capons and pheasants on his board abound,

Where serving men and pages march around;

Choice chambers, torches, and wax candle light.

Barbed steeds, a multitude, are in his thought,

Mailed men at arms and noble company,

Spears, pennants, housing cloths, bells richly wrought;

Musicians following with great barony

And jesters through the land his state have brought,

With dames and damsels whereso rideth he.