Words fail to describe how wonderful this book is. I bought it on a whim and just fell in love with the English language all over again. George Krapp did a re-translation of Chaucer's English, keeping the stanzas and rhyme scheme like the original, and bringing out the beauty and the ancient-ness of English. He also provides a history in the Prologue of how Chaucer's tale came about, what his sources were, and how he delved into Homer's small mention of Troilus to create this tale. And Eric Gill has pen-and-ink drawings in the margins, repeated throughout, that are quite lovely. And more than a little racy.

The story is one of Troilus, a younger son of Priam, who falls in love with the fair Cressida. Her uncle, Pandar, sees the emotions between the two, realizes the possibilities, and arranges a dinner party for them to meet. And encourages Troilus to arise from his couch in a swoon and declare his love to Cressida. All proceeds apace, the lovers are oft-united, she loves him, he loves her,

Until the parliaments of Troy decide that Cressida should be sent to the Greeks in exchange for Antanor. And despite the wails and tears (it is a bit on the swooning side of melodrama) of the two lovers in private, they realize their duty is to Troy and since they are not betrothed, nor likely to be, Cressida is sent to the enemy to be a carefully guarded prize.

Betrayal ensues, death ensues, and there Chaucer leaves it. Krapp gives an additional ending by a Scottish poet, Robert Henryson, to Cressida's fate after Troilus is killed in battle.

And if there are any authors out there who are looking for re-tellings of ancient women's lives, this would be a marvelous tale to re-tell. ( )