Anon to drawen every wight began, And shortly for to tellen as it was, Were it by áventure, or sort, or cas, The sooth is this, the cut fell to the Knight, Of which full blithe and glad was every wight; And tell he must his tale as was reasón, By forword, and by composition, As ye have heard; what needeth wordës mo’? And when this good man saw that it was so, As he that wise was and obediént To keep his forword by his free assent, He said; “Sithen I shall begin this game, Why, welcome be the cut in Goddë’s name. Now let us ride, and hearken what I say.”
And with that word we ridden forth our way; And he began with right a merry cheer His tale anon, and said as ye shall hear.