[106] This fair countenance is oddly assigned to an Indian monarch: but some of the details of his appearance are poetic embellishments and must not be relied upon. The white eagle carried for his pleasure is probably one of the many exaggerations for picturesque effect, and is only a magnified falcon, a bird which was at this time the constant companion of the noble: hawking was in high favour, and the bird’s tameness depended on its habituation to its owner’s voice and touch. A little later on the hawks are mentioned as sitting on perches during the festival; such perches were in every room and hall in common life; so provision had to be made for their accommodation on the grandest occasions. In Wright’s ‘Womankind,’ we read: “Different species of the hawk were allotted to persons of the different grades and ranks of society. Thus we are told that the eagle and the vulture belonged to the emperor, from which we must understand that the emperor was not expected to go often a-hawking.” Evidently Chaucer was well read in his books on falconry. [107] _Carole_ (Tyrwhitt--the other editions have _dance_) was a round dance. [108] The term for the whole panoply of knight or steed--armour and coat-armour included. [109] A knight in armour was in very little danger from a cut of a broadsword, or even from the blow of a mace; but a thrusting sword might easily pierce through the joints of his armour.--_Bell._ [110] Tyrwhitt’s and Bell’s editions read, ‘Farwel, my swete, farwel, myn Emelye!’ [111] Tyrwhitt. _Overnome_ is participle past of _overnimen_ (Sax.), to overtake. The following, and the sixth line further on, are also Tyrwhitt’s reading. [112] See _Chaucer for Schools_, p. 86, for some curious details. [113] The Summoners and the Friars were naturally always at variance, both deriving their money from the same Source: both belonged to the Church, but the Summoner was legally qualified to _extort_, whilst the Friar was only permitted to _beg_. Thus, if the Summoner had been to a house first, the Friar was likely to suffer. [114] Houses of ill-fame were exempted from ecclesiastical interference on the ground that they were a necessary evil, and might be thus better _surveillé_. [115] _Gale_--sing: it means here, ‘If the Summoner likes to squeak when he feels the shoe pinch, let him!’ [116] “A dog trained for shooting with the bow, part of whose education consisted in following the stricken deer only, and separating it from the herd.”--_Bell._ [117] _Ribibe_: a shrill musical instrument--metaphorical for a shrill old woman. [118] Tyrwhitt. [119] The hell of the Teutonic race, before they were Christians, was in the north, and after their conversion, as their converters adopted their name, only giving the place a Christian character, it was natural that the people should retain their original notion of its position.--_Bell._ [120] Tyrwhitt. [121] Money forced out of people by threats or ill-usage. [122] A proverbial expression.