| | That ther was nowhere in no region | |
| | So excellent a lord in alle thing | |
| | He lackid nought that longed to a kyng | |
| | As of the secte of whiche he was born | |
| 10 | He kepte his lay to whiche he was sworn | |
| | And therto he was hardy wyse and riche | |
| | Pitous iust and alwey y liche | |
| | Soth of his worde benigne and honorable | |
| | Of his corage as ony tentir stabil | |
| 15 | Yong fressh and strong & in armys desirous | |
| | As ony bacheler dwellyng in his hous | |
| | A fair persone he was and fortunate | |
| | And kepte alwey a ryal astaat | |
| | That ther was nowhere suche a man | |
| 20 | This nobil kyng this tartir Cambuscan | |
| | He hadde two sonys on alphete his wyf | |
| | Of whiche the eldest highte Algarsyf | |
| | That othir sone was clepid Camballo | |
| | A doughter hadde this worthy kyng also | |
| 25 | That yongest was and highte Canace | |
| | But forto telle you of hir beaute | |
| | It lith not in my tunge ne in my connyng | |
| | I dar not take on me so high a thinge | |
| | And also myn english eke is insufficient | |
| 30 | I muste be a clerk and a rethor excellent | |
| | That knewe the colours longing to that art | |
| | If I sholde discrye hir in euery part | |
| | I am no suche I muste speke as I can | |
| | And so be fyl this Cambuscan | |
