XI.

Much they marvel to see a man and a horse 232 Ther watȝ lokyng on lenþe, þe lude to be-holde, For vch mon had meruayle quat hit mene myȝt, Þat a haþel & a horse myȝt such a hwe lach, as green as grass. As growe grene as þe gres & grener hit semed, 236 Þen grene aumayl on golde lowande bryȝter; Al studied þat þer stod, & stalked hym nerre, Never before had they seen such a sight as this. Wyth al þe wonder of þe worlde, what he worch schulde. For fele sellyeȝ had þay sen, bot such neuer are, 240 For-þi for fantoum & fayryȝe þe folk þere hit demed; They were afraid to answer, Þer-fore to answare watȝ arȝe mony aþel freke, & al stouned at his steuen, & stonstil seten, and were as silent as if sleep had taken possession of them; In a swoghe sylence þurȝ þe sale riche 244 As al were slypped vpon slepe so slaked hor loteȝ in hyȝe; I deme hit not al for doute, some from fear and others from courtesy. Bot sum for cortaysye, 248 Bot let hym þat al schulde loute, Cast vnto þat wyȝe.