A knight there was, and that a worthy[28] man,
That[29] from the time that he first began
To riden out, he[29] loved chivalry,
Truth and honour, freedom[30] and courtesy.
Full worthy was he in his Lordes war,
And thereto had he ridden, no man farre,[31]
As well in Christendom as in Heatheness,
And ever honoured for his worthiness.
At Alexandr' he was when it was won;
Full ofte time he had the board begun[32]
Aboven alle nations in Prusse;
In Lettowe[33] had he reysed[34] and in Russe,
No Christian man so oft of his degree;
In Gernade[35] at the siege had he be
Of Algezir,[36] and ridden in Belmarie.[37]
At Lieys[38] was he, and at Satalie,[39]
When they were won; and in the Greate Sea[40]
At many a noble army[41] had he be.
At mortal battles had he been fifteen,
And foughten for our faith at Tramassene[42]
In listes thries, and aye slain his foe.
This ilke[43] worthy knight had been also
Sometime with the lord of Palatie,[44]
Again another heathen in Turkey:
And evermore he had a sovereign pris.[45]
And though that he were worthy[46] he was wise,
And of his port as meek as is a maid.
He never yet no villainy[47] ne said
In all his life unto no manner wight.[48]
He was a very perfect gentle knight.
But for to tellen you of his array,
His horse were good, but he ne was not gay[49];
Of fustian he weared a gipon,[50]
All besmutered[51] with his habergeon,
For he was late ycome from his viage.[52]
And wente for to do his pilgrimage.