ABSTRACT
What had Chaucer been reading as a boy and young man? Youth ful reading is the seedsowing time o f the mind and Chaucer was obviously an avid reader. The reading which made the deepest impression on him, most attracted his imagination, and formed his intel lectual habits, can be traced partly from its effects and partly from his own references. Everywhere he seems driven on by continuous curiosity, intellectual seeking, imaginative enjoyment. He had a power ful yet unstrained vitality, a wonderftd sense o f participation, and also a sharply critical response. He was always going beyond what he received. W ithout animus or reforming zeal, he both accepted and left behind what he experienced. There is no rebellious bitterness, yet no complacent conservatism.
