"The lyf so short, the craft so long to lerne, Th'assay so hard, so sharp the conquerynge."

"A vernycle hadde he sowed upon his cappe. / His walet lay biforn hym in his lappe, / Bretful of pardoun, come from Rome al hoot."

"He was a good felawe, and by my trouthe, / For aught I woot, he was a somnour."

"This world is but a thurghfare ful of wo, And we been pilgrymes, passynge to and fro."

"He was an outridere, that loved venerie; / A manly man, to been an abbot able."