Pictor in fabula

Ther was, as telleth Titus Liuvius,

A knyght that called was Virginius […]

This knyght a doghter hadde by his wif :

No children hadde he mo in al his lif.

Fair was this mayde in excellent beautee

Abouen every wight that man may see,

For nature hath with sovereyn diligence

Yformed hir in so greet excellence

As thogh she wolde seyn : “Lo, I, nature,

Thus kan I forme and peynte a creature

Whan that me list. Who kan me contrefete?

Pigmalion noght, thought he ay forge and bête

Or grave or peynte. For I dar wel seyn

Apelles, Zanzis sholde werche in veyn.”