"Before we part my purpose is to tell of Troilus, son of the King of Troy, and how his love-adventure rose and fell from grief to joy, and after, out of joy, in double sorrow." Book I, Stanza 1 (p. 3).

"Criseyde this lady's name; and, as for me, if I may judge of her, in all that place there was not one so beautiful as she, so like and angel in her native grace." Book I, Stanza 15 (p. 6).

"He had supposed that nothing had the might to steer his heart against a will as free as his; yet, at a look, immediately, he was on fire, and he, in pride above all others, suddenly was slave to love." Book I, Stanza 33 (p. 11).

"When Troilus heard Pandarus consenting to help him in the loving of Criseyde, his grief, as one might say, was less tormenting, but hotter grew his love...