The last essay I handed in to Eng202 got RAPED.. but for this essay they gave us a choice of picking an essay topic OR writing 24 lines of Chaucerian verse and writing a tale to go with it. So, I decided to get the better of the evil TA and write the verse.
HARDEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE IN MY LIFE.
It took me 3 straight nights of non-stop work.
SO you are going to READ IT and APPRECIATE MY HARD WORK!
Middle English + rhyming couplets + iambic pentameter.
I've never written in iambic pentameter before and found it to be the hardest aspect.. if you know anything about Chaucer please give me feedback. Understand that for the metre to be correct you need to pronouce words properly (-ed, -es, and sometimes -e endings are pronounced as separate syllables)
If you are familiar with The Canterbury Tales then you know that there is a "General Prologue" that introduces all the characters.. my instructions were to pick a modern figure and "add" him to the prologue.
I chose a fireman ^_^
A FIREMAN was ther, fair and wyse was he,
A manly man, he loved chivalyre.
Ful worthy, mortal bataille for to seke,
Ther nas no dore that he nolde certes breke.
Ful big he was and treden soberly
But whan he spake was merye companye.
His heer as gold as leoun lockes shoon;
Perrye was he, al nat so doumb as stoon.
In cote of broun and helme this man was clad
And sleves with a yelow streme he hadde.
His stede was thikke, brood, and scarlet reed,
And greet of strengthe al trewely good of deed;
His roring noyse so loude a melodye,
So ferful was his crye and percen ye.
A hounde of whyt was in his companye
And lyk a lepart, blak y-spreynd was he.
This man, his entente proteccioun,
To yeve socour was his devocioun.
If heerd a cry of “help!” anoon he rood,
To maydens in distresse alway was good.
His fyry fo is fand in sonne and helle,
Ther lond y-brent and water may not dwelle.
Whan fyr is queynt, his fo is slayne and wonne,
The conquerour his victorie bigonne.
Rough translation: A fireman was with them, he was attractive, smart, manly and chivalrous. He was very valiant and his intent was to seek and fight deadly battles. There was no door that he could not certainly break
(because he’s a fireman and they break down doors tehee!), he was very big and serious but friendly when he spoke. His hair was gold and shone like a lion’s mane. He was a jewel but not as dumb as stone
(because jewel is stone, oooh play on words!!) He wore a brown coat and a helmet, his sleeves had yellow stripes on them. His steed was thick, broad, and scarlet red
(that’s right, his FIRE TRUCK!) It had great strength but truly was good of deed (a very subtle play on words- “great strength” vs “good deeds”) It’s roaring noise was a really loud and it seemed fearful because of this noise and its piercing eye
(its headlight!). A white dog was also his companion, it had black spots like a leopard
(dalmation!). The man’s intention was to protect people and he was devoted to giving aid. If he heard someone cry “help!” he went to them immediately and he was always helpful to maidens in distresse
(double entendre? oh baby!) His fiery enemy is found in the sun and in hell, in these places land is burnt and water can’t survive. When the fire has been quenched his enemy is thus slain and the conqueror’s victory has begun
(another double entendre? Why is the victory only BEGUN when the fire is out? Don’t forget the maidens.. *prowww) w00tw00t! Now to think of a tale to write.. sigh.
pee ess:So.. one of the more orgasmic inventions.. "Winter Oreos".. oreos coated in white chocolate.. mmmm.. I discovered something perfectly marvelous.. my tea (with milk but no sugar) was too hot to drink so I dipped the oreo in it.. and.. it melted the chocolate and like.. it was still firm when I took a bite but then it just DISSOLVED in my mouth.. *drroooll* oooohh heavenly.
