How few are there who can read Chaucer so as to understand him perfectly! And if imperfectly, then with less profit and no pleasure.

'Tis not for the use of some old Saxon friends that I have taken these pains with him: let them neglect my version, because they have no need of it.

I made it for their sakes who understand sense and poetry as well as they, when that poetry and sense is put into words which they understand.

I will go farther, and dare to add, that what beauties I lose in some places, I give to others which had them not originally; but in this I may be partial to myself; let the reader judge, and I submit to his decision.

Yet I think I have just occasion to complain of them, who, because they understand Chaucer, would deprive the greater part of their countrymen of the same advantage, and hoard him up, as misers do their grandam gold, only to look on it themselves and hinder others from making use of it.