CHAP. XXXVI. Wicliffe appointed to negotiate with the pope's Page. 480 LIFE OF CHAUCER. CHAPTER XVII. MEMOIRS OF STRODE AND GOWER, THE CONFI- XVII. IT has already been observed that Chaucer CHAP. has inscribed his poem of Troilus and Creseide to the "moral Gower" and the " philosophical Strode." These untitled and private individuals are probably to be considered as the author's friends and fellow-students; and the avowal of their friendship in this public and honourable way will appear to the acute observer no slight token of the integrity of the poet's mind. The persons whom Chaucer has thus thought fit to honour and commend in the face of his countrymen and posterity, XVII. CHAP. have a just title to the notice of those who would study his life: happy if we could collect such satisfactory information concerning them, as might tend in any considerable degree to throw light upon the character of the man by whom they were distinguished. Among the companions of Chaucer's youth these were selected by him as his chosen. associates; and it may well be supposed that an intimate knowledge of their tempers, fortunes, studies and pursuits would tend greatly to elucidate his. The following are the most considerable particulars which are recorded concerning them. Notices of Of Strode so little is known, that I am Strode. inclined not to suppress any part of it, but to |