Chapter XI

232 [A] Ther wat3 lokyng on lenþe, þe lude to be-holde,
For vch mon had meruayle quat hit mene my3t,
Þat a haþel & a horse my3t such a hwe lach,
[B] As growe grene as þe gres & grener hit semed,
236 Þen grene aumayl on golde lowande bry3ter;
Al studied þat þer stod, & stalked hym nerre,
[C] Wyth al þe wonder of þe worlde, what he worch schulde.
For fele sellye3 had þay sen, bot such neuer are,
240 For-þi for fantoum & fayry3e þe folk þere hit demed;
[D] Þer-fore to answare wat3 ar3e mony aþel freke,
& al stouned at his steuen, & stonstil seten,
[E] In a swoghe sylence þur3 þe sale riche
244 As al were slypped vpon slepe so slaked hor lote3
in hy3e;
I deme hit not al for doute,
[F] Bot sum for cortaysye,
248 Bot let hym þat al schulde loute,
Cast vnto þat wy3e.

[Sidenote A: Much they marvel to see a man and a horse] [Sidenote B: as green as grass.] [Sidenote C: Never before had they seen such a sight as this.] [Sidenote D: They were afraid to answer,] [Sidenote E: and were as silent as if sleep had taken possession of them;] [Sidenote F: some from fear and others from courtesy.]