For certes I am al Venerien
In feeling, and myn herte is Marcien:
Venus me yaf my lust, my likerousnesse,
And Mars yaf me my sturdy hardinesse.
Myn ascendent was Taur and Mars therinne—
Allas, allas, that evere love was sinne!
I folwed ay my inclinacioun
By vertu of my constellacioun;
That made me I coude nought withdrawe
My chambre of Venus from a good felawe.
Yit have I Martes merk upon my face,
And also in another privee place.
For God so wis be my savacioun,
I loved nevere by no discrecioun,
But evere folwede myn appetit,
Al were he short or long or blak or whit;

(The Wife of Bath’s Prologue, Lines 615-630)