Chaucer’s Squire, as we know, at twenty years of age

hadde ben somtyme in chivachie,

In Flaundres, in Artoys, and in Picardie,

And born him wel, as in so litel space,

In hope to stonden in his lady grace ...

Syngynge he was, or flowtynge, al the day ...

Wel cowde he sitte on hors, and wel cowde ryde.

He cowde songes wel make and endite,

Justne and eek daunce, and wel purtray and write ...

Curteys he was, lowly, and servysable,