The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems

Geoffrey Chaucer · c. 1387–1400 (composition of The Canterbury Tales and included poems; some items likely earlier/later) primary

passage 55 of 501 · (55/88)

↪ you wandered here via “temple of Venus” — the connecting lines are tinted below

in brief

The narrator gives the statue description of Venus: she floats in the sea, is naked from the navel down with green waves, holds a citole, wears a rose garland, and has Cupid with wings and a bow above her.

these folk so caught were in her las* *snare Till they for woe full often said, Alas! Suffice these ensamples one or two, Although I could reckon a thousand mo’.

The statue of Venus, glorious to see Was naked floating in the large sea, And from the navel down all cover’d was With waves green, and bright as any glass. A citole <44> in her right hand hadde she, And on her head, full seemly for to see, A rose garland fresh, and well smelling, Above her head her doves flickering Before her stood her sone Cupido, Upon his shoulders winges had he two; And blind he was, as it is often seen; A bow he bare, and arrows bright and keen.

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topics: beauty and taste · myth and the gods of the nations

The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems · Geoffrey Chaucer · 1387–1400