As for his appearance, his horse was good, but not gay. He wore a gipon of fustian, all stained by his habergeon;[35] for he had only just arrived home from a long voyage. The Squire. [Illustration] With him ther was his sone, a yong SQUYER, there, son A lovyer, and a lusty bacheler,[36] merry With lokkes crulle as they were layde in presse. locks curled Of twenty yeer he was of age I gesse. guess Of his stature he was of evene lengthe, And wondurly delyver, and gret of strengthe. wonderfully nimble, great And he hadde ben somtyme in chivachie,[37] had been In Flaundres, in Artoys, and in Picardie, And born him wel, as in so litel space, little In hope to stonden in his lady grace.[38] stand Embrowdid[39] was he, as it were a mede Al ful of fresshe floures, white and reede. Syngynge he was, or flowtynge al the day; playing on the flute He was as fressh as is the moneth of May. Schort was his goune, with sleeves long and wyde. Wel cowde he sitte on hors, and faire ryde. could, horse He cowde songes wel make and endite, relate Justne and eek daunce, and wel purtray and write. also, draw pictures With him there was his son, a gay young squire, A bachelor and full of boyish fire, With locks all curl’d as though laid in a press, And about twenty years of age, I guess. In stature he was of an even length, And wonderfully nimble, and great of strength. And he had followed knightly deeds of war In Picardy, in Flanders, and Artois, And nobly borne himself in that brief space, In ardent hope to win his lady’s grace. Embroidered was he, as a meadow bright, All full of freshest flowers, red and white; Singing he was, or flute-playing all day, He was as fresh as is the month of May. Short was his gown, his sleeves were long and wide, Well he became his horse, and well could ride; He could make songs, and ballads, and recite, Joust and make pretty pictures, dance, and write. As for the young squire’s manners-- Curteys he was, lowly, and servysable, And carf[40] byforn his fadur at the table. carved Courteous he was, lowly, and serviceable, And carved before his father at the table. The Yeoman. [Illustration]