XI.
Much they marvel to see a man and a horse 232
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.