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)