saw neither his enemy nor any one else; and the steed, which but very lately had been afflicted with a grievous wound, was feeding quietly by the riverside. He returned to the camp in great astonishment; and fearful of obtaining no credit, in the first instance concealed the circumstance; but on the completion of the war he declared the whole to his confessor. There is no doubt but it was a delusion; and the vile deceit of that subtle cozener is apparent by which he would have seduced a Christian hero to use forbidden aid. The name of this person (in other respects noble and distinguished) I forbear to mention; since there is no question but the devil, by permission of God, may assume what shape he pleases; nay, even that of an angel of light; as the hallowed eye of the Almighty observes."
The MS. chronicle, Sir Walter adds, from which this extract was taken, cannot now be found.
Note 87.Page 310.
"Gower has this history more at large in the Confessio Amantis; but he refers to a Cronike which seems to be the Boke of Troie, mentioned at the end of the chapter[1]."—Warton.
- ↑ Lib. v. fol. 99. See fol. 101.
