FYTTE 2     

   How Pertinax mine host's large ears did wring, And Jocelyn of these same ears did sing. 

       Now the town was full, and every inn a-throng with company—lords, both great and small, knights and esquires and their several followings, as archers, men-at-arms, and the like, all thither come from far and near to joust at the great tournament soon to be, to honour the birthday of Benedicta, Duchess of Tissingors, Ambremont, and divers other fair cities, towns and villages. Thus our travellers sought lodgment in vain, whereat Sir Pertinax cursed beneath his breath, and Duke Jocelyn hummed, as was each his wont and custom; and ever the grim Knight's anger grew.     

   Until, at last, an humble inn they saw—   A sorry place, with bush above the door. This evil place they straightway entered in, Where riot reigned, the wild, unlovely din Of archers, men-at-arms, and rogues yet worse, Who drank and sang, whiles some did fight and curse. An evil place indeed, a lawless crew, And landlord, like his inn, looked evil too:   Small was his nose, small were his pig-like eyes, But ears had he of most prodigious size, A brawny rogue, thick-jowled and beetle-browed, Who, spying out our strangers 'mid the crowd, Beholding them in humble, mean array, With gestures fierce did order them away.   “Nay,” quoth Sir Pertinax, “here will we bide, Here will we eat and drink and sleep beside. Go, bring us beef, dost hear? And therewith mead, And, when we've ate, good beds and clean we 'll need.”    “Ho!” cried the host. “Naught unto ye I'll bring Until yon Fool shall caper first and sing!”    Said Jocelyn: “I'll sing when I have fed!”    “And then,” quoth Pertinax, “we will to bed!”    “And wilt thou so?” the surly host replied;   “No beds for likes o' ye do I provide. An' ye will sleep, knave, to the stable go, The straw is good enough for ye, I trow.”    “Ha!” roared Sir Pertinax. “A stable? Straw? This to me, thou filthy clapper-claw, Thou fly-blown cod's-head, thou pestiferous thing!”    And, roaring, on the brawny host did spring; By his large ears Sir Pertinax did take him, And to and fro, and up and down, did shake him; He shook him quick and slow, from side to side, While loud for aid the shaken landlord cried. Whereat the vicious crowd, in sudden wrath, Shouted and cursed and plucked their daggers forth. But, ere to harm our bold Knight they were able, Duke Joc'lyn lightly sprang on massy table;   

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