“Whilom, as olde stories tellen us,

Ther was a duk that highte Theseus.

Of Athenes he was lord and governor,

That greter was ther non under the sonne.

Ful many a rich contree had he wonne.

What with his wisdom and his chevalrie,

He conquerd all the regne of Feminie,

That whilom was ycleped Scythia;