The Tale of Sir Thopas
Folio 204r
2 of 6 folios
25
He couþe hunt at wilde deer
And ride on haukyng for ryuer
With gray goshauk on honde
Therto he was a good archeer
Of wrastelyng was noon his peer
30
Ther eny Ram schal stonde
Ful many mayde bright in bour
Þay mourne for him paramour
Whan hem were bet to slepe
But he was chast and no lecchour
35
And sweet as is þe brembre flour
That bereþ þe reede heepe /
For soþ as I ȝow telle may /
40
He worth vpon his steede gray
And in his hond a launcegay
He priketh þurgh a fair forest /
Ther In is many a wilde best /
45
Ȝe boþe buk / and hare
And as he prikeþ north and Est
I tel it ȝow hȳ had almest
Ther springen herbes greet and smale /
50
The licorys and þe Cetewale /
And many a clow gilofre /
And notemuge to put in ale
Wheþir it be moist or stale
55
The briddes synge it is no nay
The sparhauk and þe popiniay
That ioye it was to heere
The þrostilcok maad eek his lay /
The woode dowue vpon þe spray
60
So song ful lowde and cleere
Sir Thopas fel in loue longing