| Whan seyd was al this miracle, every man |
| As sobre was that wonder was to se, |
| Til that oure Hooste japen tho bigan, |
| And thanne at erst he looked upon me, |
| 695 | And seyde thus: "What man artow?" quod he; |
| "Thou lookest as thou woldest fynde an hare, |
| For evere upon the ground I se thee stare. |
| "Approche neer, and looke up murily. |
| Now war yow, sires, and lat this man have place! |
| 700 | He in the waast is shape as wel as I; |
| This were a popet in an arm t' enbrace |
| For any womman, smal and fair of face. |
| He semeth elvyssh by his contenaunce, |
| For unto no wight dooth he daliaunce. |
| 705 | "Sey now somwhat, syn oother folk han sayd; |
| Telle us a tale of myrthe, and that anon." |
| "Hooste," quod I, "ne beth nat yvele apayd, |
| For oother tale certes kan I noon, |
| But of a rym I lerned longe agoon." |
| 710 | "Ye, that is good," quod he; "now shul we heere |
| Som deyntee thyng, me thynketh by his cheere." |