© Librarius All rights reserved. |
Whan seyd was al this miracle, every man | |
As sobre was, that wonder was to se, | |
Til that oure Hooste japen tho bigan, | |
And thanne at erst he looked upon me, | |
5 | And seyde thus, "What man artow," quod he, |
"Thow lookest as thou woldest fynde an hare, | |
For ever upon the ground I se thee stare. |
Approche neer, and looke up murily; | |
Now war yow, sires, and lat this man have place. | |
10 | He in the waast is shape as wel as I; |
This were a popet in an arm tenbrace | |
For any womman smal, and fair of face. | |
He semeth elvyssh by his contenaunce, | |
For unto no wight dooth he daliaunce. |
15 | Sey now somwhat, syn oother folk han sayd, |
Telle us a tale of myrthe, and that anon." | |
"Hooste," quod I, "ne beth nat yvele apayed, | |
For oother tale certes kan I noon | |
But of a ryme I lerned longe agoon." | |
20 | "Ye, that is good," quod he, "now shul we heere |
Som deyntee thyng, me thynketh by his cheere." |
Next: The Tale of Sir Thopas (ll. 22-276) | © Librarius All rights reserved. |