We admire Chaucer for his sturdy English wit.... But though it is full of good sense and humanity, it is not transcendent poetry.For picturesque description of persons it is, perhaps, without a parallel in English poetry; yet it is essentially humorous, as the loftiest genius never is.
Henry David Thoreau (2000). “Walden and Other Writings: (A Modern Library E-Book)”, p.462, Modern Library
