And thederward he toke the way full right:
Line 3651
Whanne thei were in, as fast as euer thei myght,
Ther ancers owt thei cast on euery side,
ffor ther awhile they cast them to Abide.
Line 3654
Vppon that havyn ther was a faire Citee,
Line 3655
Whiche stode full fayre vppon the Ryvers side;
This knyght anon owt of the shippe goth he,
Butt twayn with hym and on to be his gide,
Line 3658
The remenaunt shuld in the shippe a bide
A day or twayne, and thanne, in craft[y] wise,
Go to the town be waye of merchaundise,
Line 3661
To bye and sell as thei see other doo,
Line 3662
Vnto the tyme they hard of hym ayeyn.
So gothe he furth withoute wordes moo,
And as he went, he mette vppon the playn
Line 3665
A man that was right ferr in age certayn,
And all for growe, a pilgrim as he were,
Thanne to hym saide the knyght in this maner:
Line 3668
'Fader,' quod he, 'what tyme is of the day?'
Line 3669
'ffor certayn, ser,' he saide, 'ij after none.'
Thanne seid the knyght, 'I purpose, if I maye,
This town to se, and whanne I haue don
Line 3672
In to the shippe to come ayeyn right sone.'
Ayen thanne seid the palmer to the knyght,
'That may ye do long er [MS. longer.] it be nyght.'
Line 3675
'What do yow calle this town?' quod he ayeyn.
Line 3676
'Ser,' quod the palmer, 'Clarionat it hight.'
'Now, good fader, yet wold I wete full fayn,
Wher is the Sowdon, tell me very right:
Line 3679
Of his estate fayne wold I haue a sight.'
'The Sowdon,' he saide, 'ser, belevith me,
he lith att Mountoner the riche Citee.
Line 3682
