A Knight there was, and that a worthy man,

Who, from the moment when he first began

To ride forth, loved the code of chivalry;

Honour and truth, freedom and courtesy:

Renowned he was; and worthy, he was wise –

Prudence with him was more than mere disguise;

He was meek in manner as a maid

Vileness he shunned, rudeness he never said

In all his life, respecting each man’s right

He was a truly perfect, noble knight.

 

Geoffrey Chaucer (1343 – 1400), From The Canterbury Tales