|
Greet was the prees that swarmeth to and fro |
| 190 | To gauren on this hors, that stondeth so. |
| For it so heigh was, and so brood, and long, |
| So wel proporcioned for to been strong, |
| Right as it were a steede of Lumbardye; |
| Therwith so horsly and so quyk of eye, |
| 195 | As it a gentil Poilleys courser were. |
| For certes, fro his tayl unto his ere, |
| Nature ne art ne koude hym nat amende |
| In no degree, as al the peple wende. |
| But everemoore hir mooste wonder was |
| 200 | How that it koude go, and was of bras. |
| It was a fairye, as al the peple semed. |
| Diverse folk diversely they demed; |
| As many heddes, as manye wittes ther been. |
| They murmureden as dooth a swarm of been, |
| 205 | And maden skiles after hir fantasies, |
| Rehersynge of thise olde poetries, |
| And seyde that it was lyk the Pegasee, |
| The hors that hadde wynges for to flee; |
| Or elles, it was the Grekes hors Synoun, |
| 210 | That broghte Troie to destruccioun, |
| As men in thise olde geestes rede. |
| "Myn herte," quod oon, "is everemoore in drede. |
| I trowe som men of armes been therinne, |
| That shapen hem this citee for to wynne. |
| 215 | It were right good that al swich thyng were knowe." |
| Another rowned to his felawe lowe, |
| And seyde, "He lyeth; it is rather lyk |
| An apparence ymaad by som magyk, |
| As jogelours pleyen at thise feestes grete." |
| 220 | Of sondry doutes thus they jangle and trete, |
| As lewed peple demeth comunly |
| Of thynges that been maad moore subtilly |
| Than they kan in hir lewednesse comprehende; |
| They demen gladly to the badder ende. |
|
| Great was the press of people to and fro |
| 190 | Swarming to see this horse that stood there so; |
| For it so high was, and so broad and long, |
| So well proportioned as to be most strong, |
| Just as it were a steed of Lombardy; |
| Therewith as horselike and as quick of eye |
| 195 | As if a gentle Apulian courser 'twere. |
| For truly, from his tail unto his ear |
| Nature nor art could better nor amend |
| In any wise, as people did contend. |
| But evermore their greatest wonder was, |
| 200 | How it could go, being made all of brass; |
| It was of Faery, as to people seemed. |
| And divers folk diversely of it deemed; |
| So many heads, so many wits, one sees. |
| They buzzed and murmured like a swarm of bees, |
| 205 | And played about it with their fantasy, |
| Recalling what they'd learned from poetry; |
| Like Pegasus it was that mounted high, |
| That horse which had great wings and so could fly; |
| Or else it was the horse of Greek Sinon |
| 210 | Who brought Troy to destruction, years agone. |
| As men in these old histories may read. |
| "My heart," said one, "is evermore in dread; |
| I think some men-at-arms are hid therein |
| Who have in mind this capital to win. |
| 215 | It were right well that of such things we know." |
| Another whispered to his fellow, low, |
| And said: "He lies, for it is rather like |
| Some conjured up appearance of magic, |
| Which jugglers practise at these banquets great." |
| 220 | Of sundry doubts like these they all did treat, |
| As vulgar people chatter commonly |
| Of all things that are made more cunningly |
| Than they San in their ignorance comprehend; |
| They gladly judge they're made for some base end. |
|
