The Wife of Bath’s Prologue (Excerpt) lyrics
by Geoffrey Chaucer
(lines 615-626)
For certes I am al Venerien
In feeling, and myn herte is Marcien:
Venus me yaf my lust, my likerousnesse,
And Mars yaf me my sturdy hardinesse.
Myn ascendant was Taur and Mars therinne—
Allas, allas, that evere love was sinne!
I folwed ay my inclinacioun
By vertu of my constellacioun;
That made me I coude nought withdrawe
My chambre of Venus from a good felawe.
Yit have I Martes merk upon my face,
And in another privee place.