CVII Whether the youth believed the tale or no, He the excuse received, like one discreet; And deemed it best for them at once to go, And secretly and silently retreat, For fear, that if the populace should know Martano base, they him might ill entreat. So, by short ways and close, they quit the abode, And issue from the gates upon their road. CVIII Sir Gryphon, was he or his horse foredone With toil, or was it sleep his eyes down weighed, Ere yet the troop beyond two miles had gone, At the first inn upon the highway stayed. He doffed his armour all, and morion, And had the steeds of trappings disarrayed; And next alone he to a chamber sped, Locked himself in, undrest, and went to bed. CIX No sooner he his head had rested there, Than, with deep sleep opprest, he closed his eye: So heavily, no badgers in their lair, Or dormice, overcome with slumber, lie. Martano and Origille, to take the air, Entered this while a garden which was nigh; And there the strangest fraud together bred, Which ever entered into mortal head. CX Martano schemed to take away the steed And gear, in which Sir Gryphon had been dight, And stand before the monarch, in the weed Of him who had in joust so proved his might. As he had shaped in thought, he did the deed: He took away the warrior's horse, more white Than milk, his buckler, surcoat, arms, and crest; In all Sir Gryphon's knightly ensigns drest. CXI He, who was clad in trappings not his own, Like the ass mantled in the lion's hide, As he expected, to the king, unknown, Was called in place of Gryphon: when descried Or Norandine, he rising from his throne, Embraced and kissed, and placed him by his side: Nor deems enough to praise and hold him dear, But wills that all around his praise should hear: CXII And bids them the sonorous metal blow, Proclaiming him the conqueror of that day: And round about loud voices, high and low, The unworthy name throughout the lists convey. He wills that, side by side, with him shall go The knight, when homeward he shall take his way; And him such favour shows, intent to please, As might have honoured Mars or Hercules. CXIII Him lodgings fair he gave, wherein to dwell At court; and she who with the peer did ride Was honoured by the courteous king as well, -- False Origille, -- with knight and page supplied. But it is time that I of Gryphon tell; Who unsuspecting, she, or wight beside, Him would with treacherous stratagem deceive, Had fallen asleep, nor ever waked till eve. CXIV When he how late it was, awaking, knew, With speed he from the chamber did withdraw; And hastened where he, with the other crew, Left Origille and her false brother-in-law: And when, nor these, nor, upon better view, His armour nor his wonted clothes he saw, Suspicious waxed; and more suspicion bred The ensigns of his comrade left instead.