XLIII
But then bespake the Duke of France
(The child was pleasant to his e’e),
Says, ‘Boy, if thou love horses well,
My groom of stables thou shalt be.’
XLIV
The child applied his office so well
Till that twelve months drew to an end;
He was so courteous and so true
That every man became his friend.
XLV
He led a gelding forth one morning,
To water him at the water so free—
The gelding up, and with his head
He hit the child above the e’e.
XLVI
‘Woe worth thee, gelding!’ said the child,
‘Woe worth the mare that foalèd thee!
Thou little knowest the Lord of Lorn:
Thou’st stricken a lord of high degree.’
XLVII
The lady was in her garden green,
And heard the child that made this moan:
All weeping [straight] she ran to him
And left her maidens all alone.