XI

Ther watȝ lokyng on lenþe, þe lude to be-holde,

For vch mon had meruayle quat hit mene myȝt,

Þat a haþel & a horse myȝt such a hwe lach,

As growe grene as þe gres & grener hit semed,

Þen grene aumayl on golde lowande bryȝter;

Al studied þat þer stod, & stalked hym nerre,

Wyth al þe wonder of þe worlde, what he worch schulde.

For fele sellyeȝ had þay sen, bot such neuer are,

For-þi for fantoum & fayryȝe þe folk þere hit demed;

Þer-fore to answare watȝ arȝe mony aþel freke,

& al stouned at his steuen, & stonstil seten,

In a swoghe sylence þurȝ þe sale riche

As al were slypped vpon slepe so slaked hor loteȝ

in hyȝe;
I deme hit not al for doute,
Bot sum for cortaysye,
Bot let hym þat al schulde loute,
Cast vnto þat wyȝe.