The firste finder of our fair langage
Hath seyd in caas semblable, and othere mo,
So hyly wel, that it is my dotage
For to expresse or touche any of tho.
Allas! my fader fro the worlde is go,
My worthy maister Chaucer, him I mene:
Be thou advóket for him, hevenes quene?
As thou wel knowest, O blessèd virgyne,
With loving herte and hy devocioun
In thyn honour he wroot ful many a lyne.