Into the town, where all might look
Upon his body soiled and bent.
Men laughed aloud in merriment;
The ladies, earls, and barons said,
“Lo, see the man! his hair is sprent
Like moss about his shaggy head;
Upon his body soiled and bent.
Men laughed aloud in merriment;
The ladies, earls, and barons said,
“Lo, see the man! his hair is sprent
Like moss about his shaggy head;
“His beard is fallen to his feet
Like weathered ivy tumbling down!”
There as he went, he chanced to meet
His steward coming through the town.
Then loud he cried, and plucked his gown,
“Sir steward, hearken, pity me!
I am a harper of renown;
Ah, help me in my misery!”
Like weathered ivy tumbling down!”
There as he went, he chanced to meet
His steward coming through the town.
Then loud he cried, and plucked his gown,
“Sir steward, hearken, pity me!
I am a harper of renown;
Ah, help me in my misery!”
The steward straightway answered, “Come!
Thou shalt share aught I can bestow.
Every good harper is welcome
For my lord’s sake Sir Orfeo.”
Thou shalt share aught I can bestow.
Every good harper is welcome
For my lord’s sake Sir Orfeo.”
[ 27 ]
