|
And whan this knyght hath thus his tale toold, |
| He rideth out of halle, and doun he lighte. |
| 170 | His steede, which that shoon as sonne brighte, |
| Stant in the court, as stille as any stoon. |
| This knyght is to his chambre lad anoon, |
| And is unarmed and unto mete yset. |
| The presentes been ful roially yfet, |
| 175 | This is to seyn, the swerd and the mirrour, |
| And born anon into the heighe tour |
| With certeine officers ordeyned therfore. |
| And unto Canacee this ryng was bore, |
| Solempnely, ther she sit at the table. |
| 180 | But sikerly, withouten any fable, |
| The hors of bras, that may nat be remewed, |
| It stant as it were to the ground yglewed. |
| Ther may no man out of the place it dryve, |
| For noon engyn of wyndas ne polyve; |
| 185 | And cause why? For they kan nat the craft, |
| And therfore in the place they han it laft, |
| Til that the knyght hath taught hem the manere |
| To voyden hym, as ye shal after heere. |
|
| And when this knight had thus his message told, |
| He rode out of the hall and did alight. |
| 170 | His steed, which shone as sun does, and as bright, |
| Stood in the courtyard, still as any stone. |
| This knight was to a chamber led anon, |
| And was unarmed, and there at meat sat down. |
| The gifts were brought and royally were shown. |
| 175 | That is to say, the sword and glass of power, |
| And borne anon into the heigh tower |
| By certain officers detailed thereto; |
| The ring to Canace was borne also |
| With ceremony, where she sat at table. |
| 180 | But certainly, it is no lie or fable, |
| The horse of brass could no way be removed; |
| It stood as it were glued to ground. 'Twas proved |
| There was no man could lead it out or drive |
| With any windlass that he might contrive. |
| 185 | And why? Because they hadn't craft to heave it. |
| And therefore in that place they had to leave it |
| Until the knight had taught them the manner |
| Of moving it, as you'll hereafter hear. |
|
