Faery, With harp and pipe and symphony, A-dwelling in this place.”

18.

Childe Thopas said right haughtily, “To-morrow will I combat thee In armour bright as flower; And then I promise ‘par ma fay’ That thou shalt feel this javelin gay, And dread its wondrous power. To-morrow we shall meet again, And I will pierce thee, if I may, Upon the golden prime of day;—  And here you shall be slain.”

19.

Sir Thopas drew aback full fast; The giant at him huge stones cast, Which from a staff-sling fly; But well escaped the Childe Thopás, And it was all through God’s good grace, And through his bearing high.

20.

Still listen, gentles, to my tale, Merrier than the nightingale;—  For now I must relate, How that Sir Thopas rideth o’er Hill and dale and bright sea-shore, E’en to his own estate.

21.

His merry men commandeth he To make for him the game and glee; For needs he must soon fight With a giant fierce, with strong heads three, For paramour and jollity, And chivalry so bright.

22.

“Come forth,” said he, “my minstrels fair, And tell me tales right debonair, While I am clad and armed; Romances, full of real tales, Of dames, and popes, and cardinals, And maids by wizards charmed.”

23.

They bore to him the sweetest wine In silver cup; the muscadine, With spices rare of Ind; Fine gingerbread, in many a slice, With cummin seed, and liquorice, And sugar thrice refined.

24.

Then next to his white skin he ware A cloth of fleecy wool, as fair, Woven into a shirt; Next that he put a cassock on, And over that an habergeon, [35]  To guard right well his heart.

25.

And over that a hauberk went Of Jews’ work, and most excellent; Full strong was every plate; And over that his coat armoúre, As white as is the lily flower, In which he would debate.

26.

His shield was all of gold so red, And thereon was a wild boar’s head, A carbuncle beside; And then he swore on ale and bread, 

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