Riding we saw about the Lion Wood
Many pavilions of the following:
And some we passed: then right before us stood
Another of white silk wide fluttering
Giroie the Count de Montreuil there pight,
Whose praised name about the court did ring
He was so gentle and so fair a knight,
Who loved with Blanche, the fairest damozel
Of all who waited on our duchess bright.
More shall ye learn of both: but now right well
That young and courteous knight remembered me,
And bore us company a little spell,
And led us onward, gently talking he
To wild Diantha, till we gained the port
Of the fair lodging, decked with sylvan glee,
Where young duke Richard held his summer court:
Who then with certain knights was set at board,
After the public hall, and all the sport
Never before saw I a mighty lord
Hold pleasant converse with his own compeers:
The doors were closed; the table was well-stored:
No servitor appeared, but on three chairs
Sat by the duke the County of Ponthieu,
The Count of Brionne, the Count of Ferrieres,
Their banners over each: as in we drew,
More merry words heard we than wont to wag
Between high princes, so far as I knew
Ponthieu bade Brionne swallow his own flag,
And all began with laughing like to fall.
But I, who still about the door did lag,
Beheld Sir Mano join those princes all;
Who made him right good cheer: then Mano gave
To the Duke's hand his letters special:
And therewithal began discourse more grave,
And long time was maintained this interview
These letters I with care collected have:
And needful in this history to show
The evidence of what their scope and aim:
Since many of the things which here ensue,
And Mano's expedition rose from them.