IV.
Reading edition
On the morn he asks for his arms. He dowelle3 þer al þat day, and dresse3 on þe morn, Aske3 erly hys arme3, & alle were þay bro3t A carpet is spread on the floor, 568 Fyrst a tule tapit, ty3t ouer þe flet, & miche wat3 þe gyld gere þat glent þer alofte; and he steps thereon. Þe stif mon steppe3 þeron, & þe stel hondole3, He is dubbed in a doublet of Tarsic silk, and a well-made hood. Dubbed in a dublet of a dere tars, 572 & syþen a crafty capados, closed aloft, Þat wyth a bry3t blaunner was bounden with-inne; They set steel slices on his feet, and lap his legs in steel greaves. Þenne set þay þe sabatoun3 vpon þe segge fote3, His lege3 lapped in stel with luflych greue3, 576 With polayne3 piched þer-to, policed ful clene, Aboute his kne3 knaged wyth knote3 of golde; Fair cuisses enclose his thighs, Queme quyssewes þen, þat coyntlych closed His thik þrawen þy3e3 with þwonges to-tachched; and afterwards they put on the steel habergeon, 580 & syþen þe brawden bryne of bry3t stel rynge3, Vmbe-weued þat wy3, vpon wlonk stuffe; well-burnished braces, elbow pieces, and gloves of plate. & wel bornyst brace vpon his boþe armes, With gode cowters & gay, & gloue3 of plate, 584 & alle þe godlych gere þat hym gayn schulde Þat tyde; Over all this is placed the coat armour. Wyth ryche cote armure, His spurs are then fixed, His gold spore3 spend with pryde, and his sword is attached to his side by a silken girdle. 588 Gurde wyth a bront ful sure, With silk sayn vmbe his syde.