83 In stature he was of an average length. 84 Wondrously active,aye,and great of strength 85 He'd ridden sometime with the cavalry 86 In Flanders,in Artois,and Picardy, 87 And borne him well within that little space 88 In hope to win thereby his lady's grace. 89 Prinked out he was,as if he were a mead, 90 All full of fresh-cut flowers white and red 91 Singing he was,or fluting,all the day; 92 He was as fresh as is the month of May. 93 Short was his gown,with sleeves both long and wide. 94 Well could be sit on horse,and fairly ride. 95 He could make songs and words thereto indite. 96 Joust,and dance too,as well as sketch and write. 97 So hot he loved that.while night told her tale. 98 He slept no more than does a nightingale. 99 Courteous he,and humble,willing and able, 100 And carved before his father at the table. 101 A yeoman had he,nor more servants,no, 102 At that time,for he chose to travel so; 103 And he was clad in coat and hood of green. 104 A sheaf of peacock arrows bright and keen 105 Under his belt he bore right carefully 106 (Well could he keep his tackle yeomanly: 107 His arrows had no draggled feathers low), 108 And in his hand he bore a mighty bow. 109 A cropped head had he and a sun-browned face. 110 Of woodcraft knew he all the useful ways. 111 Upon his arm he bore a bracer gay, 112 And at one side a sword and buckler,yea, 113 And at the other side a dagger bright. 114 Well sheathed and sharp as spear point in the light; 115 On breast a Christopher of silver sheen. 116 He bore a horn in baldric all of green; 117 A forester he truly was,I guess 118 There was also a nun,a prioress, 119 Who,in her smiling,modest was and coy; 120 Her greatest oath was but By Saint Eloy! 121 And she was known as Madam Eglantine 122 Full well she sang the services divine, 123 Intoning through her nose,becomingly; 124 And fair she spoke her French,and fluently, 125 After the school of Stratford-at-the-Bow.3 83 In stature he was of an average length, 84 Wondrously active, aye, and great of strength. 85 He'd ridden sometime with the cavalry 86 In Flanders, in Artois, and Picardy, 87 And borne him well within that little space 88 In hope to win thereby his lady's grace. 89 Prinked out he was, as if he were a mead, 90 All full of fresh-cut flowers white and red. 91 Singing he was, or fluting, all the day; 92 He was as fresh as is the month of May. 93 Short was his gown, with sleeves both long and wide. 94 Well could be sit on horse, and fairly ride. 95 He could make songs and words thereto indite, 96 Joust, and dance too, as well as sketch and write. 97 So hot he loved that, while night told her tale, 98 He slept no more than does a nightingale. 99 Courteous he, and humble, willing and able, 100 And carved before his father at the table. 101 A yeoman had he, nor more servants, no, 102 At that time, for he chose to travel so; 103 And he was clad in coat and hood of green. 104 A sheaf of peacock arrows bright and keen 105 Under his belt he bore right carefully 106 (Well could he keep his tackle yeomanly: 107 His arrows had no draggled feathers low), 108 And in his hand he bore a mighty bow. 109 A cropped head had he and a sun-browned face. 110 Of woodcraft knew he all the useful ways. 111 Upon his arm he bore a bracer gay, 112 And at one side a sword and buckler, yea, 113 And at the other side a dagger bright, 114 Well sheathed and sharp as spear point in the light; 115 On breast a Christopher of silver sheen. 116 He bore a horn in baldric all of green; 117 A forester he truly was, I guess. 118 There was also a nun, a prioress, 119 Who, in her smiling, modest was and coy; 120 Her greatest oath was but By Saint Eloy! 121 And she was known as Madam Eglantine. 122 Full well she sang the services divine, 123 Intoning through her nose, becomingly; 124 And fair she spoke her French, and fluently, 125 After the school of Stratford-at-the-Bow