Classic Poem

The books composed before our day
Remain with us to show the way
That men have lived and wisely sown.
Therefore we also should make known
What we have found, whilst dwelling here,
That makes the path of life more clear,
Example taking from the wise
Who light have given our own eyes.
But as we oft in truth indite,
If one of wisdom only write,
Then those who deeply con his work
May find the author does but irk,
Or fails in what he would achieve.
So for that reason, by your leave,
My book will take the middle way
Between the serious and the gay:
For profit and for pleasure too,
I write the words which now ensue.
In English 'tis my wish to make
A book for our King Richard's sake.
To him belongs my fealty
With all my heart's strong constancy,
As loyal man in everything
I can or may do for my king:
Thus I commend myself to him
Whose servant I am, life and limb,
Beseeching God, who reigns on high
And earthly kings does sanctify,
To keep him and his government.
Now I believe that an event
That happened as by chance to me,
Was one that had been shaped to be, —
Beside the town we call New Troy,
Which took from Brutus its first joy,
Upon the Thames when it was flowing,
As I by boat came idly rowing,
'Twas then that Fortune her time set,
For I just then my liege lord met;
And as my boat to his came nigh,
He could my features well descry.
He bade me come into his barge,
Where soon he laid on me a charge,
As he so very graciously
In freest speech did talk with me.
He said that I should now record
In his true honor as my lord,
Some untried matter, and that he
Himself the form would oversee
Of what I'd write at his request.
And thus upon his kind behest
To write, indeed, I'm more than glad.
The book shall be as he me bade;
And thus my task has lighter grown,
Since no man's envy can be shown
In falsifying what I write,
In blaming me in unjust light:
My words come forth by king's command,
As every man shall understand.
And so, though sickness dwells with me,
And long my woe has proved to be,
Yet will I write my feeble best
For him who honors through behest;
I will include some counsel sage,
For those who seek it on my page,
And mirth for him who would be gay.
Now in the proverb, I've heard say,
That he who well his work begins,
The better ending so he wins:
Thus with my prolog I proceed,
To this monition giving heed;
Somewhat of past things I will say,
And somewhat of the present day.