I heard the jay and the throstle-cock; 5
The mavis meaned[2] her of her song;
The woodwale berèd[3] as a bell,
That all the wood about me rong.
Alone in longing thus as I lay
Underneath a seemly tree, 10
Saw I where a lady gay
Came riding over a longè lea.
If I should sit to Doomèsday
With my tongue to wrable and wry[4],
Certainly that lady gay 15
Never be she described for me!
Her palfrey was a dapple-gray,[5]
Swilk[6] one ne saw I never none;
As does the sun on summer's day,
That fair lady herself she shone. 20
Her saddle it was of roelle-bone[7];
Full seemly was that sight to see!
Stiffly set with precious stone
And compast all with crapotee[8]--
Stones of Orient great plenty; 25
Her hair about her head it hang;
She rode over that longè lea;
A while she blew, another she sang.
Her girths of noble silk they were;
The buckles were of beryl-stone; 30
Her stirrups were of crystal clear,
And all with pearl overbegone[9];
Her paytrell[10] was of iral-stone;
Her crupper was of orpharè[11];