[16] Many of these beautiful descriptions, however, are not strictly Chaucer’s own, since they occur in his translation of Boethius. It will suffice to quote one of these descriptions:
“And, right by ensaumple as the sonne is hid whan the sterres ben clustred (that is to seyn, whan sterres ben covered with cloudes) by a swifte winde that highte Chorus, and that the firmament stant derked by wete ploungy cloudes, and that the sterres nat apperen up-on hevene, so that the night semeth sprad up-on erthe: yif thanne the wind that highte Borias, y-sent out of the caves of the contres of Trace, beteth this night (that is to seyn, chaseth it a-wey), and descovereth the closed day: than shyneth Phebus y-shaken with sodein light, and smyteth with his bemes in mervelinge eyen.” (Boethius, Book I.: Metre III. 3-12.)
[17] Hymn on the Nativity, XIII.
[18] The Merchant of Venice, Act. V. Sc. i.
[19] Parlement of Foules, 60-63.
[20] Troilus and Criseyde, V. 1811-1813.
[21] A. 2297-9.
[22] Hous of Fame, ii. 713 ff.
[23] Seconde Nonnes Tale, G. 45-47.
[24] The Seconde Nonnes Tale, G. 113-115.