Selected Shorter Poems

Chaucer, Geoffrey (c.1343–1400), translated by Kline, A.S., (contact-email)

Geoffrey Chaucer, a foundational figure in English literature, wrote several shorter poems besides his magnum opus, The Canterbury Tales. Truth, also known as Balade de Bon Conseyl, advises adherence to truth as a moral compass. Nobleness explores the concept of innate nobility versus acquired nobility. Lack of Steadfastness laments human inconsistency. To Rosamund is a tribute to an idealised woman, and Fickleness delves into human volatility. Merciless Beauty is a roundel focusing on unrequited love. These poems showcase Chaucer’s moral and philosophical concerns, using various poetic forms like the balade and roundel. They are less narrative-driven compared to The Canterbury Tales but offer keen insights into human nature and morality.

Author Details

Geoffrey Chaucer was born c1343 in London to a prosperous family of wine-merchants. Through his father’s connections, he began his official duties as page to the Countess of Ulster, the wife of Lionel, second son to the king, Edward III. Chaucer subsequently served as courtier, diplomat and civil servant while also establishing his poetic reputation.

He appears to have travelled widely in Europe during his varied court career. He married Philippa de Roet, lady-in-waiting to the queen, and sister to Katherine Swynford, John of Gaunt’s third wife, and flourished under John of Gaunt’s patronage. His most prolific period of writing was during his time as comptroller of customs for the port of London, between 1374 and 1386, both “Troilus and Criseyde”, his finely constructed poem based on classical and Renaissance sources, and the early “Canterbury Tales”, his celebration of the English social landscape, dating from that time.

Chaucer is thought to have died in October 1400, not long after the overthrow of his royal patron Richard II and the accession of Henry IV, and he was buried in Westminster Abbey, in what has become known as Poet’s Corner, that being his right as a tenant of the Abbey Close. His son Thomas had a significant career at the court of successive kings, and as Speaker of the House of Commons.

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Kline, A.S.,

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