|
Phebus hath laft the angle meridional, |
| And yet ascendynge was the beest roial, |
| 265 | The gentil Leoun, with his Aldiran, |
| Whan that this Tartre kyng, this Cambyuskan, |
| Roos fro his bord, ther that he sat ful hye. |
| Toforn hym gooth the loude mynstralcye |
| Til he cam to his chambre of parementz, |
| 270 | Ther as they sownen diverse intrumentz |
| That it is lyk an hevene for to heere. |
| Now dauncen lusty Venus children deere, |
| For in the Fyssh hir lady sat ful hye, |
| And looketh on hem with a freendly eye. |
| 275 | This noble kyng is set up in his trone; |
| This strange knyght is fet to hym ful soone, |
| And on the daunce he gooth with Canacee. |
| Heere is the revel and the jolitee |
| That is nat able a dul man to devyse; |
| 280 | He moste han knowen love and his servyse, |
| And been a feestlych man as fressh as May, |
| That sholde yow devysen swich array. |
| Who koude telle yow the forme of daunces, |
| So unkouthe and so fresshe contenaunces, |
| 285 | Swich subtil lookyng and dissymulynges, |
| For drede of jalouse mennes aperceyvynges? |
| No man but Launcelot, and he is deed. |
| Therfore I passe of al this lustiheed; |
| I sey namoore, but in this jolynesse |
| 290 | I lete hem, til men to the soper dresse. |
|
| Phoebus had left the angle meridional, |
| And yet ascending was that beast royal, |
| 265 | The noble Lion, with his Aldiran, |
| When that this Tartar king, this Cambinskan |
| Rose from his board where he had sat full high. |
| Before him went the sounding minstrelsy, |
| Into a room hung with rich ornaments, |
| 270 | Wherein they sounded divers instruments |
| Till it was like a heavenly thing to hear. |
| And now danced merry Venus' children dear, |
| For in the Fish their lady sat on high |
| And looked upon them with a friendly eye. |
| 275 | This noble king sat high upon his throne. |
| And this strange knight was brought to him anon, |
| And then to dance he went with Canace. |
| Here was such revel and such jollity |
| As no dull man is able to surmise; |
| 280 | He must have known and served love's high emprise, |
| And be a festive man as fresh as May |
| Who could for you describe such an array. |
| Who could tell you the figures of the dances, |
| So odd and strange and the blithe countenances, |
| 285 | The subtle glances and dissimulation |
| For fear of jealous persons' observation? |
| No man but Launcelot, and he is dead! |
| I therefore pass the joyous life they led |
| And saw no more, but in this jolliness |
| 290 | I leave them till to supper all did press. |
|
