Curteys she was, discreet, and debonaire And compaignable, and bar hyrself so faire Syn thilke day that she was seven nyght oold, That trewely she hath the herte in hoold Of Chauntecleer loken in every lith. He loved hire so, that wel was hym therwith. But swich a joye was it to here hem synge Whan that the brighte sonne gan to sprynge, In sweete accord, "My lief is faren in londe!"

Of whiche the faireste hewed on hir throte
Was cleped faire damoysele Pertelote.
Curteys she was, discreet, and debonaire
And compaignable, and bar hyrself so faire
Syn thilke day that she was seven nyght oold,
That trewely she hath the herte in hoold
Of Chauntecleer loken in every lith.
He loved hire so, that wel was hym therwith.
But swich a joye was it to here hem synge
Whan that the brighte sonne gan to sprynge,
In sweete accord, "My lief is faren in londe!"

– Geoffrey Chaucer

The Canterbury Tales, The Nun’s Priest’s Tale. The most beautiful of the hens, Pertelote, is described in courtly terms like fair, courteous, discreet, debonaire and she is in possession of Chauntecleer’s heart. He prizes her for her good looks. He sings to her romantic songs like "My lief is faren in londe" (My love walks through the land) and he loves her above all the other hens.

Geoffrey Chaucer Quotes