He syngeth, daunceth, passynge any man
That is, or was, sith that the world bigan.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Franklin’s Tale. Aurelius who is hopelessly in love with Dorigen tries to get her attention at a party. The handsome young squire sings and dances better than any man there is or has been since the world began, so says the Franklin. OK, Chaucer is indulging in hyperbole here.