Hou that a gentil man is bore,
Adam, which alle was tofore[1290]
With Eve his wif, as of hem tuo,
Al was aliche gentil tho;
So that of generacion[1291]
To make declaracion,
Ther mai no gentilesce be.
For to the reson if we se, 2230
Of mannes berthe the mesure,
It is so comun to nature,