The Parson

Holy and virtuous he was, but then
Never contempuous of sinful men,
Never disdainful, never too proud or fine,
But was discreet in teaching and benign.
His business was to show a fair behaviour
And draw men thus to Heaven and their Saviour,
He sought no pomp or glory in his dealings,
No scrupulosity had spiced his feelings.
Christ and His twelve Apostles and their lore
He taught, but followed it himself before.

—Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales, Preface, translated by Nevill Coghill.