In secrete wise the kyng saide to the knyght, [folio 19b]
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'I shall yow telle my fortune as it was:
It happyd me,' quod he, 'I had a sight
Vppon the towre of faire Clarionas,
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And here I loue; play[n]ly this is the case:
here to reioyse I wold haue sought the wayes,
Butt I for bare it in my faders dayes.
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And now I prae yow telle me your avise,
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hough I myght best to my purpose Attayne.'
The knyght anon gave answere in this wise:
'To folow your entent, I wold be fayn
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To putt ther to my diligence and payn,
And in this case I hope to do so wele,
That ye shall haue your pleasure euery dele.
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Butt I must haue A shippe bothe good and wight,
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And that it be right swiff vnder a saile;
ffor vij yere it must be redy dight,
With men I now and plente of vitalle,
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And in that tyme withoute eny fayle,
I shall conveeye hir in to this contree,
And peraventur souner so may it be.'
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With his promys the kyng was wele content,
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And thankyd hym right hertely therfore:
A Shippe was purveyd after his entent,
With all that is rehersid here before,
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And as fortune kepith here thanke in store,
And Shewith favour to suche as ben full ill,
Come was the wynde full redy att his will.
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So long he sayleth as I vnderstonde,
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That of the lande of Perse he hadde a sight;
Whanne he came nere a havyn ther he fownde,
