155

But first, if I shulde make mencioun

Of his persone, and plainly him discryve,

He was in sothe, without excepcioun,

To speke of manhode, oon the best on-lyve;

Ther may no man ayen the trouthe stryve.

160

For of his tyme, and of his age also

He proved was, ther men shulde have ado,

For oon the beste there, of brede and lengthe