Wide open it flew, and plain to the view The Lord Abbot they all mote see; In his hand was a cup, and he lifted it up, "Here's the Pope's good health with three!!"
Rang in their ears three deafening cheers, "Huzza! huzza! huzza!" And one of the party said, "Go it, my hearty!"— When outspake that Pilgrim grey—
"A boon, Lord Abbot! a boon! a boon! Worn is my foot, and empty my scrip; And nothing to speak of since yesterday noon Of food, Lord Abbot, hath pass'd my lip.
"And I am come from a far countree, And have visited many a holy shrine; And long have I trod the sacred sod Where the Saints do rest in Palestine!"—
"An thou art come from a far countree, And if thou in Paynim lands hast been, Now rede me aright the most wonderful sight, Thou Palmer grey, that thine eyes have seen.
"Arede me aright the most wonderful sight, Grey Palmer, that ever thine eyes did see, And a manchette of bread, and a good warm bed, And a cup o' the best shall thy guerdon be!"
"Oh! I have been east, and I have been west, And I have seen many a wonderful sight; But never to me did it happen to see A wonder like that which I see this night!
"To see a Lord Abbot, in rochet and stole, With Prior and Friar,—a strange mar-velle!— O'er a jolly full bowl, sitting cheek by jowl, And hob-nobbing away with a Devil from Hell!"
He felt in his gown of ginger-brown, And he pull'd out a flask from beneath; It was rather tough work to get out the cork, But he drew it at last with his teeth.
O'er a pint and a quarter of holy water He made the sacred sign; And he dash'd the whole on the soi-disant daughter Of old Plantagenet's line!