|
A YEMAN hadde he and servantz namo |
| At that tyme, for hym liste ride soo; |
| And he was clad in cote and hood of grene. |
| A sheef of pecok arwes, bright and kene |
| 105 | Under his belt he bar ful thriftily, |
| (Wel koude he dresse his takel yemanly: |
| Hise arwes drouped noght with fetheres lowe) |
| And in his hand he baar a myghty bowe. |
| A not heed hadde he, with a broun visage, |
| 110 | Of woodecraft wel koude he al the usage. |
| Upon his arm he baar a gay bracer, |
| And by his syde a swerd and a bokeler, |
| And on that oother syde a gay daggere |
| Harneised wel and sharpe as point of spere. |
| 115 | A Cristopher on his brest of silver sheene. |
| An horn he bar, the bawdryk was of grene; |
| A forster was he, soothly, as I gesse. |
|
|
A YEOMAN had he at his side, |
| No more servants, for he chose so to ride; |
| And he was clothed in coat and hood of green. |
| A sheaf of peacock arrows bright and keen |
| 105 | Under his belt he bore very carefully |
| (Well could he keep his gear yeomanly: |
| His arrows had no drooped feathers low), |
| And in his hand he bore a mighty bow. |
| A cropped head had he and a sun-browned face. |
| 110 | Of woodcraft he knew all the useful ways. |
| Upon his arm he bore a bright bracer, |
| And at one side a sword and a buckler, |
| And at the other side a dagger bright, |
| Well sheathed and sharp as a spear's point in the light; |
| 115 | A Christopher medal on his breast of silver sheen. |
| He bore a horn, the baldric all of green; |
| A forester he truly was, I guess. |
|
