Now as Beltane walked beside the stream, head a-droop and very thoughtful, he paused of a sudden to behold one richly dight in gambeson of fair-wrought leather artificially quilted and pinked, who sat ensconced within this greeny bower, his back to a tree, one bandaged arm slung about his neck and in the other hand a long hazel-branch trimmed with infinite care, whereunto a line was tied.

Looking far foorth into the ocean wide, A goodly Ship with banners bravely dight, And flag in her top-gallant, I espide Through the maine sea making her merry flight.

So every spirit, as it is most pure, And hath in it the more of heavenly light, So it the fairer bodie doth procure To habit in, and it more fairely dight* 130 With chearfull grace and amiable sight: For of the soule the bodie forme doth take; For soule is forme, and doth the bodie make.

And now great Arthur's court beheld the knight In sumptuous guise magnificently dight; Large were his presents, cost was nothing spar'd, And every former friend his bounty shar'd.

And now with costliest silk superbly dight, A gay pavilion greets the warrior's sight; Its taper spire a towering eagle crown'd, In substance gold, of workmanship renown'd.