The Canterbury tales and Faerie queene &c., &c., &c., ed. for popular perusal with current illustrations and explanatory notes, by D. Laing Purves.

116 THE CANTERBURY TALES.
That couth his colours longing for that art,1 By order as they satten in the hall,
If he should her describen any part; With so high reverence and 6bservance,
I am none such, I must speak as I can. As well in speech as in his countenance,
And so befell, that when this Cambuscan That Gawain 14 with his old6 courtesy,
Had twenty winters borne his diadem, Though he were come again out of Faerie,
As he was wont from year to year, I deem, Him couldi not amendi with a word.l5
He let the feast of his nativity And after this, before the highi board,
Do crye,2 throughout Sarra his city, He with a manly voice said his message,
The last Idus of March, after the year. After the form used in his language,
Phcebus the sun full jolly was and clear, Withouti vice 16 of syllable or letter.
For he was nigh his exaltati6n And, for his tale shouldi seem the better,
In Marte's face, and in his mansi6n 3 Accordant to his wordis was his cheer,l7
In Aries, the choleric hot sign: As teacheth art of speech them that it lear.18
Full lusty 4 was the weather and benign; Albeit that I cannot sound his style,
For which the fowls against the sunne sheen,5 Nor cannot climb over so high a stile,
What for the season and the younge green, Yet say I this, as to commfine intent,l9
Full loude sange their affecti6ns: Thus much amounteth 20 all that ever he meant,
Them seemed to have got protections If it so be that I have it in mind.
Against the sword of winter keen and cold. He said; " The king of Araby and Ind,
This Cambuscan, of which I have you told, My lieg8 lord, on this solemne day
In royal vesture, sat upon his dais, Saluteth you as he best can and may,
With diadem, full high in his palace; And sendeth you, in honour of your feast,
And held his feast so solemn and so rich, By me, that am all ready at your hest,2
That in this worlde was there none it lich.6 This steed of brass, that easily and well
Of which if I should tell all the array, Can in the space of one day naturel
Then would it occupy a summer's day; (This is to say, in four-and-twenty hours),
And eke it needeth not for to devise 7 Whereso you list, in drought or else in show'rs,
At every course the order of service. Beare your body into every place
I will not tellen of their strange sewes,8 To which your hearte willeth for to pace,22
Nor of their swannes, nor their heronsews.9 Withoute wem 23 of you, through foul or fair.
Eke in that land, as telle knight's old, Or if you list to fly as high in air
There is some meat that is full dainty hold, As doth an eagle, when him list to soar,
That in this land men reck of 10 it full small: This same steed shall bear you evermore
There is no man that may reporten all. Withoute harm, till ye be where you lest 24
I will not tarry you, for it is prime, (Though that ye sleepen on his back, or rest),
And for it is no fruit, but loss of time; And turn again, with writhing of a pin.
Unto my purpose 11 I will have recourse. He that it wrought, he coud6 26 many a gin;'7
And so befell that, after the third course, He waited28 many a constellati6n,
While that this king sat thus in his nobley,12 Ere he had done this operati6n,
Hearing his ministreles their thinges play And knew full many a seal 29 and many a bond.
Before him at his board deliciously, This mirror eke, that I have in mine hond,
In at the halle door all suddenly Hath such a might, that men may in it see
There came a knight upon a steed of brass, When there shall fall any adversity
And in his hand a broad mirror of glass; Unto your realm, or to yourself also,
Upon his thumb he had of gold a ring, And openly who is your friend or foe.
And by his side a naked sword hanging: And over all this, if any lady bright
And up he rode unto the highi board. Hath set her heart on any manner wight,
In all the hall was'there not spoke a word, If he be false, she shall his -treason see,
For marvel of this knight; him to behold His newe love, and all his subtlety,
Full busily they waited, 13 young and old. So openly that there shall nothing hide.
This strange knight, that came thus suddenly, Wherefore, against this lusty summer-tide,
All armed, save his head, full richely, This mirror, and this ring that ye may see,
Saluted king, and queen, and lordes all, He hath sent to my lady Canace,
1 Well-skilled in using the colours-the word-paint- 9 Young herons; French, "heronneaux."
ing-belonging to his art. 10 Care for. 11 Story, discourse; French, " propos."
2 Caused his birthday festival to be proclaimed, 12 Noble, brave array. 13 Watched.
ordered by proclamation. 14 Celebrated in mediaeval romance as the most
3 Aries was the mansion of Mars-to whom' his " courteous among King Arthur's knights.
applies. Leo was the mansion of the Sun. 15 Could not better him by one word.
4 Pleasant. 5 Bright. 6 Like. 7 Relate. 13 Fault. 17 Demeanour. 18 Learn.
8 Dishes, or soups. The precise force of the word is 19 The general sense or meaning.
uncertain; but it may be connected with " seethe," to 20 This is the sum of. 21 Command.
boil;; anditseems todescribe a dishin which the fleshwas 22 Pass, go. 23 Hurt, injury.
servedupamida kind ofbrothorgravy. The "sewer," 24 It pleases you. 25 Twisting. 26 Knew.
taster or assayer of the viands served at great tables, 27 Contrivance; trick; snare. Compare Italian,
probably derived his name from the verb to " say" or "inganno," deception; and our own " engine."
"assay;" though Tyrwhittwouldconnect the twowords, 28 Observed.
by taking both from the French, " asseoir," to place- 29 Mr Wright remarks that " the making and arrangemaking the arrangement of the table the! leading duty ment of seals was one of the important operations of
of the " sewer," rather than the testing of the food. medieval magic."