Curteis he was, lowely, and servysable,
And carf biforn his fader at the table.

These lines come from the General Prologue to Geoffrey Chaucer’s *The Canterbury Tales* (late 14th century), in the portrait of the Squire, the Knight’s son. Chaucer’s pilgrims are introduced through brief character sketches that mix social observation with moral evaluation. Here the Squire is shown performing courtly manners and household service—carving meat before his father at table—an expected accomplishment for a young gentleman in a noble household. The detail reinforces the Squire’s position as a youth in training, balancing martial aspirations and courtly refinement under the example and authority of the Knight.

Chaucer uses the Squire’s courteous, humble, and “serviceable” behavior to signal both good breeding and a still-dependent status. “Carf biforn his fader” is not merely a domestic chore but a marker of etiquette and hierarchy: the son publicly serves the father, displaying deference and competence. The lines contribute to the General Prologue’s broader interest in how social roles are performed—through manners, speech, and ritual. They also subtly contrast the Squire’s youthful polish and attentiveness with the Knight’s established authority, suggesting a generational continuum of chivalric identity.