|
Tho speeke they of Canacees ryng, |
| And seyden alle, that swich a wonder thyng |
| Of craft of rynges herde they nevere noon; |
| 250 | Save that he Moyses, and kyng Salomon |
| Hadde a name of konnyng in swich art. |
| Thus seyn the peple, and drawen hem apart. |
| But nathelees, somme seiden that it was |
| Wonder to maken of fern asshen glas, |
| 255 | And yet nys glas nat lyk asshen of fern; |
| But for they han knowen it so fern, |
| Therfore cesseth hir janglyng and hir wonder. |
| As soore wondren somme on cause of thonder, |
| On ebbe, on flood, on gossomer, and on myst, |
| 260 | And alle thyng, til that the cause is wyst. |
| Thus jangle they, and demen, and devyse, |
| Til that the knyg gan fro the bord aryse. |
|
| Then spoke they of fair Canace's gold ring, |
| And all men said that such a wondrous thing |
| They'd ne'er heard of as being in ring-craft done, |
| 250 | Except that Moses and King Solomon |
| Had each a name for cunning in such art. |
| Thus spoke the people and then drew apart, |
| But notwithstanding, some said that it was |
| Wondrous to make fern-ashes into glass, |
| 255 | Since glass is nothing like the ash of fern; |
| But since long since of this thing men did learn, |
| Therefore they ceased their gabble and their wonder, |
| As sorely wonder some on cause of thunder, |
| Of ebb, of flood, of gossamer, of mist, |
| 260 | And each thing, till they know what cause exist. |
| Thus did they chatter and judge and thus surmise |
| Until the king did from the board arise. |
|
