Chapter I: Love

Wost thou nat wel the olde clerkes sawe,
That who schal yeve a lover eny lawe,
Love is a grettere lawe, by my pan,
Then may be yeve to (of) eny erthly man?

(_Knightes Tale, Aldine Series_, vol. ii. p. 36, 37.)

But what is he þat may ȝeue a lawe to loueres. loue is a gretter
lawe and a strengere to hym self þan any lawe þat men may ȝeuen.

(_Chaucer’s Prose Translation_, p. 108.)

_Quis legem det amantibus?
Major lex amor est sibi._

(Boeth., lib. iii. met. 12.)