riding like the god of armës, Mars. His coat-armoúr was of a cloth of Tars, Couched with pearlës white and round and great. His saddle was of burnish’d gold new beat; A mantëlet on his shoulders hanging Bretful of rubies red, as fire sparkling. His crispë hair like ringës was y-run, And that was yellow, glittering as the sun. His nose was high, his eyen bright citrine, His lips were round, his colour was sanguine, A fewë fracknes in his face y-sprent, Betwixt yellow and black somedeal y-ment, And as a lion he his looking cast. Of five and twenty year his age I cast. His beard was well begunnen for to spring; His voice was as a trumpet thundering. Upon his head he wore of laurel green A garland fresh and lusty to be seen; Upon his hand he bare, for his delight, An eagle tame, as any lily white. An hundred lordës had he with him there, All armed, save their heads, in all their gear, Full richëly in allë manner things. For trust ye well, that earlës, dukes, and kings Were gather’d in this noble company, For love, and for increase of chivalry. About this king there ran on every part Full many a tame lión and leopart. And in this wise these lordës all and some Be on the Sunday to the city come Aboutë prime, and in the town alight.
Table of Contents
The Knight’s Tale
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