[Sidenote A: A chair is placed for Sir Gawayne before the fireplace.] [Sidenote B: A mantle of fine linen, richly embroidered, is thrown over him.] [Sidenote C: A table is soon raised,] [Sidenote D: and the knight, having washed, proceeded to meat.] [Sidenote E: He is served with numerous dishes;] [Sidenote F: with fish baked and broiled,] [Sidenote G: or boiled and seasoned with spices.] [Sidenote H: He calls it a full noble feast,] [Sidenote I: and much mirth he makes, for the wine is in his head.] [Footnote 1: MS. cefly.] [Footnote 2: swete (?).] [Footnote 3: sewes (?).]

XVII.

[A] enne wat3 spyed & spured vpon spare wyse. Bi preue poynte3 of at prynce, put to hym-seluen, at he be-knew cortaysly of e court at he were, 904 [B] at ael Arthure e hende halde3 hym one, at is e ryche ryal kyng of e rounde table; & hit wat3 Wawen hym-self at in at won sytte3, Comen to at krystmasse, as case hym en lymped. 908 [C] When e lorde hade lerned at he e leude hade, Loude la3ed he erat, so lef hit hym o3t, [D] & alle e men in at mote maden much joye, To apere in his presense prestly at tyme, 912 at alle prys, & prowes, & pured ewes Apendes to hys persoun, & praysed is euer, By-fore alle men vpon molde, his mensk is e most. [E] Vch segge ful softly sayde to his fere, 916 [F] "Now schal we semlych se sle3te3 of ewe3, & e teccheles termes of talkyng noble, Wich spede is in speche, vnspurd may we lerne, [G] Syn we haf fonged at fyne fader of nurture; 920 God hat3 geuen vus his grace godly for soe, at such a gest as Gawan graunte3 vus to haue, When burne3 blye of his bure schal sitte & synge. 924 In menyng of manere3 mere, is burne now schal vus bryng, [Fol. 103b.] [H] I hope at may hym here, Schal lerne of luf-talkyng."

[Sidenote A: Sir Gawayne, in answer to questions put to him,] [Sidenote B: tells the prince that he is of Arthur's court.] [Sidenote C: When this was made known,] [Sidenote D: great was the joy in the hall.] [Sidenote E: Each one said softly to his mate,] [Sidenote F: "Now we shall see courteous manners and hear noble speech,] [Sidenote G: for we have amongst us the 'father of nurture.'] [Sidenote H: He that may him hear shall learn of love-talking."]

XVIII.

928 [A] Bi at e diner wat3 done, & e dere vp, Hit wat3 ne3 at e niy3t ne3ed e tyme; Chaplayne3[1] to e chapeles chosen e gate, Rungen ful rychely, ry3t as ay schulden, 932 [B] To e hersum euensong of e hy3e tyde. e lorde loutes erto, & e lady als, In-to a comly closet coyntly ho entre3; Gawan glyde3 ful gay, & gos eder sone; 936 e lorde laches hym by e lappe, & lede3 hym to sytte, & couly hym knowe3, & calle3 hym his nome, & sayde he wat3 e welcomest wy3e of e worlde; [C] & he hym onkked roly, & ayer halched oer. 940 & seten soberly samen e seruise-quyle; enne lyst e lady to loke on e kny3t. [D] enne com ho of hir closet, with mony cler burde3, Ho wat3 e fayrest in felle, of flesche & of lyre, 944 & of compas, & colour, & costes of alle oer, [E] & wener en Wenore, as e wy3e o3t. He ches ur3 e chaunsel, to cheryche at hende; [F] An oer lady hir lad bi e lyft honde, 948 at wat3 alder en ho, an auncian hit semed, & he3ly honowred with haele3 aboute. [G] Bot yn-lyke on to loke o ladyes were, [H] For if e 3onge wat3 3ep, 3ol3e wat3 at oer; 952 Riche red on at on rayled ay quere, [I] Rugh ronkled cheke3 at oer on rolled; Kerchofes of at on wyth mony cler perle3 [J] Hir brest & hir bry3t rote bare displayed, 956 Schon schyrer en snawe, at scheder[2] on hille3; at oer wyth a gorger wat3 gered ouer e swyre, Chymbled ouer hir blake chyn with mylk-quyte vayles, [K] Hir frount folden in sylk, enfoubled ay quere, 960 Toret & treieted with tryfle3 aboute, [L] at no3t wat3 bare of at burde bot e blake bro3es. [Fol. 104.] e tweyne y3en, & e nase, e naked lyppe3, & ose were soure to se, & sellyly blered; 964 A mensk lady on molde mon may hir calle, for gode; [M] Hir body wat3 schort & ik. [N] Hir buttoke3 bay & brode, 968 More lykker-wys on to lyk, Wat3 at scho hade on lode.

[Sidenote A: After dinner the company go to the chapel,] [Sidenote B: to hear the evensong of the great season.] [Sidenote C: The lord of the castle and Sir Gawayne sit together during service.] [Sidenote D: His wife, accompanied by her maids, leaves her seat.] [Sidenote E: She appeared even fairer than Guenever.] [Sidenote F: An older lady (an ancient one she seemed) led her by the hand.] [Sidenote G: Very unlike were these two.] [Sidenote H: if the young one was fair the other was yellow,] [Sidenote I: and had rough and wrinkled cheeks.] [Sidenote J: The younger had breast and throat "bare displayed."] [Sidenote K: The ancient one exposed only her "black brows," her two eyes,] [Sidenote L: nose, and naked lips, all sour and bleared.] [Sidenote M: Her body was short and thick;] [Sidenote N: her buttocks broad and round.] [Footnote 1: MS. [claplayne3.]] [Footnote 2: schedes (?).]

XIX.

[A] When Gawayn gly3t on at gay, at graciously loked, Wyth leue la3t of e lorde he went hem a3aynes; 972 [B] e alder he haylses, heldande ful lowe, e loueloker he lappe3 a lyttel in arme3, [C] He kysses hir comlyly, & kny3tly he mele3; ay kallen hym of a quoyntaunce, & he hit quyk aske3 976 [D] To be her seruaunt sothly, if hem-self lyked. ay tan hym bytwene hem, wyth talkyng hym leden [E] To chambre, to chemne, & chefly ay asken [F] Spyce3, at vn-sparely men speded hom to bryng, 980 & e wynne-lych wyne er-with vche tyme. e lorde luflych aloft lepe3 ful ofte, Mynned merthe to be made vpon mony sye3. [G] Hent he3ly of his hode, & on a spere henged, 984 & wayned hom to wynne e worchip er-of, [H] at most myre my3t mene[1] at crystenmas whyle; "& i schal fonde, bi my fayth, to fylter wyth e best, Er me wont e wede3, with help of my frende3." 988 us wyth la3ande lote3 e lorde hit tayt[2] make3, [I] For to glade sir Gawayn with gomne3 in halle at ny3t; Til at hit wat3 tyme, 992 e kyng comaundet ly3t, [J] Sir Gawen his leue con nyme, & to his bed hym di3t.

[Sidenote A: With permission of the lord,] [Sidenote B: Sir Gawayne salutes the elder,] [Sidenote C: but the younger he kisses,] [Sidenote D: and begs to be her servant.] [Sidenote E: To chamber all go,] [Sidenote F: where spices and wine are served.] [Sidenote G: The lord takes off his hood and places it on a spear.] [Sidenote H: He who makes most mirth is to win it.] [Sidenote I: Night approaches, and then] [Sidenote J: Sir Gawayne takes his leave and retires to rest.] [Footnote 1: meue (?).] [Footnote 2: layt (?).]

XX.

[A] On e morne, as vch mon myne3 at tyme, 996 [B] []at dry3tyn for oure destyne to de3e wat3 borne, Wele waxe3 in vche a won in worlde, for his sake; [C] So did hit ere on at day, ur3 dayntes mony; Boe at mes & at mele, messes ful quaynt [Fol. 104b.] 1000 Derf men vpon dece drest of e best. [D] e olde auncian wyf he3est ho sytte3; e lorde lufly her by lent, as I trowe; [E] Gawan & e gay burde to-geder ay seten, 1004 Euen in-mydde3, as e messe metely come; & syen ur3 al e sale, as hem best semed, [F] Bi vche grome at his degre grayely wat3 serued. er wat3 mete, er wat3 myre, er wat3 much ioye, 1008 at for to telle erof hit me tene were, & to poynte hit 3et I pyned me parauenture; [G] Bot 3et I wot at Wawen & e wale burde Such comfort of her compaynye ca3ten to-geder, 1012 ur3 her dere dalyaunce of her derne worde3, Wyth clene cortays carp, closed fro fyle; & hor play wat3 passande vche prynce gomen, in vayres; 1016 [H] Trumpe3 & nakerys, Much pypyng er repayres, Vche mon tented hys, & ay two tented ayres.

[Sidenote A: On Christmas morn,] [Sidenote B: joy reigns in every dwelling in the world.] [Sidenote C: So did it in the castle where our knight abode.] [Sidenote D: The lord and "the old ancient wife" sit together.] [Sidenote E: Gawayne sits by the wife of his host.] [Sidenote F: It were too tedious to tell of the meat, the mirth, and the joy that abounded everywhere.] [Sidenote G: Gawayne and his beautiful companion derive much comfort from each other's conversation.] [Sidenote H: Trumpets and nakers give forth their sounds.]

XXI.

1020 [A] Much dut wat3 er dryuen at day & at oer, & e ryd as ro ronge in erafter; [B] e ioye of sayn Ione3 day wat3 gentyle to here, & wat3 e last of e layk, leude3 er o3ten. 1024 er wer gestes to go vpon e gray morne, For-y wonderly ay woke, & e wyn dronken, Daunsed ful dre3ly wyth dere carole3; [C] At e last, when hit wat3 late, ay lachen her leue, 1028 Vchon to wende on his way, at wat3 wy3e stronge. Gawan gef hym god-day, e god mon hym lachche3, Ledes hym to his awen chambre, [e] chymne bysyde, [D] & ere he dra3e3 hym on-dry3e, & derely hym onkke3, 1032 Of e wynne worschip &[1] he hym wayned hade, As to honour his hous on at hy3e tyde, & enbelyse his bur3 with his bele chere. "I-wysse sir, quyl I leue, me wore3 e better, 1036 at Gawayn hat3 ben my gest, at Godde3 awen fest." [Fol. 105.] "Grant merci[2] sir," quod Gawayn, "in god fayth hit is yowre3, Al e honour is your awen, e he3e kyng yow 3elde; & I am wy3e at your wylle, to worch youre hest, 1040 As I am halden er-to, in hy3e & in lo3e, bi ri3t." [E] e lorde fast can hym payne, To holde lenger e kny3t, 1044 To hym answre3 Gawayn, Bi non way at he my3t.

[Sidenote A: Great was the joy for three days.] [Sidenote B: St. John's-day was the last of the Christmas festival.] [Sidenote C: On the morrow many of the guests took their departure from the castle.] [Sidenote D: Sir Gawayne is thanked by his host for the honour and pleasure of his visit.] [Sidenote E: He endeavours to keep the knight at his court.] [Footnote 1: at (?).] [Footnote 2: nerci, in MS.]

XXII.

[A] Then frayned e freke ful fayre at him-seluen, Quat derne[1] dede had hym dryuen, at at dere tyme, 1048 So kenly fro e kynge3 kourt to kayre al his one, Er e halidaye3 holly were halet out of toun? [B] "For soe sir," quod e segge, "3e sayn bot e trawe A he3e ernde & a hasty me hade fro o wone3, 1052 For I am sumned my selfe to sech to a place, I wot[2] in worlde wheder warde to wende, hit to fynde; I nolde, bot if I hit negh my3t on nw3eres morne, For alle e londe in-wyth Logres, so me oure lorde help! 1056 For-y, sir, is enquest I require yow here, [C] at 3e me telle with trawe, if euer 3e tale herde Of e grene chapel, quere hit on grounde stonde3, & of e kny3t at hit kepes, of colour of grene? 1060 er wat3 stabled bi statut a steuen vus by-twene, [D] To mete at mon at at mere, 3if I my3t last; & of at ilk nw3ere hot neked now wonte3, & I wolde loke on at lede, if God me let wolde, 1064 Gladloker, bi Godde3 sun, en any god welde! For-i, I-wysse, bi 3owre wylle, wende me bi-houes, [E] Naf I now to busy bot bare re daye3, & me als fayn to falle feye as fayly of myyn ernde." 1068 [F] enne la3ande quod e lorde, "now leng e by-houes, For I schal teche yow to a[t] terme bi e tyme3 ende, e grene chapayle vpon grounde, greue yow no more; Bot 3e schal be in yowre bed, burne, at yn ese, 1072 Quyle forth dayej, & ferk on pe fyrst of pe 3ere, & cum to at merk at mydmorn, to make quat yow like3 [Fol. 105b] in spenne; Dowelle3 whyle new 3eres daye, 1076 & rys, & rayke3 enne, [G] Mon schal yow sette in waye, Hit is not two myle henne."

[Sidenote A: He desires to know what had driven Sir Gawayne from Arthur's court before the end of the Christmas holidays.] [Sidenote B: The knight replies that "a high errand and a hasty one" had forced him to leave the court.] [Sidenote C: He asks his host whether he has ever heard of the Green Chapel,] [Sidenote D: for he has to be there on New Year's-day.] [Sidenote E: He wonld as lief die as fail in his errand.] [Sidenote F: The prince tells Sir Gawayne that he will teach him the way.] [Sidenote G: The Green chapel is not more than two miles from the castle.] [Footnote 1: derue (?).] [Footnote 2: not (?).]

XXIII.

[A] enne wat3 Gawan ful glad, & gomenly he la3ed,— 1080 "Now I onk yow ryuandely ur3 alle oer ynge, [B] Now acheued is my chaunce, I schal at your wylle Dowelle, & elle3 do quat 3e demen." enne sesed hym e syre, & set hym bysyde, 1084 [C] Let e ladie3 be fette, to lyke hem e better; er wat3 seme solace by hem-self stille; e lorde let for luf lote3 so myry, As wy3 at wolde of his wyte, ne wyst quat he my3t. 1088 enne he carped to e kny3t, criande loude, [D] "3e han demed to do e dede at I bidde; Wyl 3e halde is hes here at ys one3?" "3e sir, for-soe," sayd e segge trwe, 1092 "Whyl I byde in yowre bor3e, be bayn to 3ow[r]e hest." "For 3e haf trauayled," quod e tulk, "towen fro ferre, & syen waked me wyth, 3e arn not wel waryst, [E] Nauer of sostnaunce ne of slepe, soly I knowe; 1096 3e schal lenge in your lofte, & ly3e in your ese, [F] To morn quyle e messe-quyle, & to mete wende, When 3e wyl, wyth my wyf, at wyth yow schal sitte, & comfort yow with compayny, til I to cort torne, 1100 3e lende; & I schal erly ryse, On huntyng wyl I wende." [G] Gauayn grante3 alle yse, 1104 Hym heldande, as e hende.

[Sidenote A: Then was Gawayne glad,] [Sidenote B: and consents to tarry awhile at the castle.] [Sidenote C: The ladies are brought in to solace him.] [Sidenote D: The lord of the castle asks the knight to grant him one request;] [Sidenote E: That he will stay in his chamber during mass time,] [Sidenote F: and then go to meat with his hostess.] [Sidenote G: Gawayne accedes to his request.]

XXIV.

[A] "3et firre," quod e freke, "a forwarde we make; Quat-so-euer I wynne in e wod, hit wore3 to youre3, [B] & quat chek so 3e acheue, chaunge me er-forne; 1108 Swete, swap we so, sware with trawe, Queer, leude, so lymp lere oer better." "Bi God," quod Gawayn e gode, "I grant er-tylle, & at yow lyst forto layke, lef hit me ynkes. [Fol. 106.] 1112 [C] "Who bringe3 vus is beuerage, is bargayn is maked:" So sayde e lorde of at lede; ay la3ed vchone, ay dronken, & daylyeden, & dalten vnty3tel,[1] ise lorde3 & ladye3, quyle at hem lyked; 1116 & syen with frenkysch fare & fele fayre lote3 ay stoden, & stemed, & stylly speken, Kysten ful comlyly, & ka3ten her leue. [D] With mony leude ful ly3t, & lemande torches, 1120 Vche burne to his bed wat3 bro3t at e laste, ful softe; To bed 3et er ay 3ede, Recorded couenaunte3 ofte; 1124 e olde lorde of at leude,[2] Cowe wel halde layk a-lofte.

[Sidenote A: "Whatsoever," says the host, "I win in the wood shall be yours,] [Sidenote B: and what check you achieve shall be mine."] [Sidenote C: A bargain is made between them.] [Sidenote D: Night approaches and each "to his bed was brought at the last."] [Footnote 1: vntyl ny3te (?).] [Footnote 2: lede (?).]

[FYTTE THE THIRD.]

I.

[A] Ful erly bifore e day e folk vp-rysen, Gestes at go wolde, hor grome3 ay calden, 1128 [B] & ay busken vp bilyue, blonkke3 to sadel, Tyffen he[r] takles, trussen her males, Richen hem e rychest, to ryde alle arayde, Lepen vp ly3tly, lachen her brydeles, 1132 [C] Vche wy3e on his way, er hym wel lyked. [D] e leue lorde of e londe wat3 not e last, A-rayed for e rydyng, with renkke3 ful mony; [E] Ete a sop hastyly, when he hade herde masse, 1136 With bugle to bent felde he buske3 by-lyue; [F] By at at any day-ly3t lemed vpon ere, He with his haeles on hy3e horsses weren. [G] enne ise cacheres at coue, cowpled hor hounde3, 1140 Vnclosed e kenel dore, & calde hem er-oute, [H] Blwe bygly in bugle3 re bare mote; Braches bayed erfore, & breme noyse maked, [I] & ay chastysed, & charred, on chasyng at went; 1144 A hundreth of hunteres, as I haf herde telle, of e best; [J] To trystors vewters 3od, Couples huntes of kest, 1148 er ros for blaste3 gode, [Fol. 106b.] [K] Gret rurd in at forest.

[Sidenote A: Before day-break folks uprise,] [Sidenote B: saddle their horses, and truss their mails.] [Sidenote C: Each goes where it pleases him best.] [Sidenote D: The noble lord of the land arrays himself for riding.] [Sidenote E: He eats a sop hastily and goes to mass.] [Sidenote F: Before day-light he and his men are on their horses.] [Sidenote G: Then the hounds are called out and coupled.] [Sidenote H: Three short notes are blown by the bugles.] [Sidenote I: A hundred hunters join in the chase.] [Sidenote J: To the stations the "fewters" go,] [Sidenote K: and the dogs are cast off.]

II.

[A] At e fyrst quethe of e quest quaked e wylde; Der drof in e dale, doted for drede, 1152 Hi3ed to e hy3e, bot heterly ay were [B] Restayed with e stablye, at stoutly ascryed; [C] ay let e hertte3 haf e gate, with e hy3e hedes, e breme bukke3 also, with hor brode paume3; 1156 For e fre lorde hade de-fende in fermysoun tyme, at er schulde no mon mene[1] to e male dere. [D] e hinde3 were halden in, with hay & war, e does dryuen with gret dyn to e depe slade3; 1160 er my3t mon se, as ay slypte, slentyng of arwes, [E] At vche [at] wende vnder wande wapped a flone, at bigly bote on e broun, with ful brode hede3, [F] What! ay brayen, & bleden, bi bonkke3 ay de3en. 1164 & ay rachches in a res radly hem fol3es, Huntere3 wyth hy3e horne hasted hem after, [G] Wyth such a crakkande kry, as klyffes haden brusten; What wylde so at-waped wy3es at schotten, 1168 Wat3 al to-raced & rent, at e resayt. Bi ay were tened at e hy3e, & taysed to e wattre3, e lede3 were so lerned at e lo3e trysteres, & e gre-hounde3 so grete, at geten hem bylyue, 1172 & hem to fylched, as fast as freke3 my3t loke, er ry3t. [H] e lorde for blys abloy Ful oft con launce & ly3t, 1176 [I] & drof at day wyth Ioy Thus to e derk ny3t.

[Sidenote A: Roused by the clamour the deer rush to the heights,] [Sidenote B: but are soon driven back.] [Sidenote C: The harts and bucks are allowed to pass,] [Sidenote D: but the hinds and does are driven back to the shades.] [Sidenote E: As they fly they are shot by the bowmen.] [Sidenote F: The hounds and the hunters, with a loud cry, follow in pursuit.] [Sidenote G: Those that escaped the arrows are killed by the hounds.] [Sidenote H: The lord waxes joyful in the chase,] [Sidenote I: which lasted till the approach of night.] [Footnote 1: meue (?).]

III.

[A] us layke3 is lorde by lynde wode3 eue3, & G. e god mon, in gay bed lyge3, 1180 [B] Lurkke3 quyl e day-ly3t lemed on e wowes, Vnder couertour ful clere, cortyned aboute; & as in slomeryng he slode, sle3ly he herde [C] A littel dyn at his dor, & derfly vpon; 1184 & he heue3 vp his hed out of e cloes, A corner of e cortyn he ca3t vp a lyttel, [Fol. 107.] & wayte3 warly ider-warde, quat hit be my3t. [D] Hit wat3 e ladi, loflyest to be-holde, 1188 at dro3 e dor after hir ful dernly[1] & stylle, [E] & bo3ed to-warde e bed; & e burne schamed. & layde hym doun lystyly, & let as he slepte. [F] & ho stepped stilly. & stel to his bedde, 1192 [G] Kest vp e cortyn, & creped with-inne, & set hir ful softly on e bed-syde, & lenged ere selly longe, to loke quen he wakened. e lede lay lurked a ful longe quyle, 1196 [H] Compast in his concience to quat at cace my3t Mene oer amount, to meruayle hym o3t; Bot 3et he sayde in hym-self, "more semly hit were To aspye wyth my spelle [in] space quat ho wolde." 1200 [I] en he wakenede, & wroth, & to hir warde torned, [J] & vn-louked his y3e-lydde3, & let as hym wondered, & sayned hym, as bi his sa3e e sauer to worthe, with hande; 1204 Wyth chynne & cheke ful swete, Boe quit & red in-blande, Ful lufly con ho lete, Wyth lyppe3 smal la3ande.

[Sidenote A: All this time Gawayne lies a-bed.] [Sidenote B: under "coverture full clear".] [Sidenote C: He hears a noise at his door.] [Sidenote D: A lady, the loveliest to behold, enters softly.] [Sidenote E: She approaches the bed.] [Sidenote F: Gawayne pretends to be asleep.] [Sidenote G: The lady casts up the curtain and sits on the bedside.] [Sidenote H: Gawayne has much wonder thereat.] [Sidenote I: He rouses himself up,] [Sidenote J: unlocks his eyes, and looks as if he were astonished.] [Footnote 1: deruly (?).]

IV.

1208 [A] "God moroun, sir Gawayn," sayde at fayr lady, "3e ar a sleper vn-sly3e, at mon may slyde hider; Now ar 3e tan astyt, bot true vus may schape, [B] I schal bynde yow in your bedde, at be 3e trayst:" 1212 Al la3ande e lady lanced o bourde3. [C] "Goud moroun g[aye],"[1] quod Gawayn e blye, "Me schal wore at your wille, & at me wel lyke3, For I 3elde me 3ederly, & 3e3e after grace, 1216 & at is e best, be my dome, for me by-houe3 nede;" & us he bourded a-3ayn with mony a blye la3ter. [D] "Bot wolde 3e, lady louely, en leue me grante, & de-prece your prysoun, & pray hym to ryse, 1220 I wolde bo3e of is bed, & busk me better, I schulde keuer e more comfort to karp yow wyth." [E] "Nay, for soe, beau sir," sayd at swete, [Fol. 107b] "3e schal not rise of your bedde, I rych yow better, 1224 [F] I schal happe yow here at oer half als, & syen karp wyth my kny3t at I ka3t haue; [G] For I wene wel, Iwysse, sir Wawen 3e are, at alle e worlde worchipe3, quere-so 3e ride; 1228 Your honour, your hendelayk is hendely praysed [H] With lorde3, wyth ladyes, with alle at lyf bere. & now 3e ar here, iwysse, & we bot oure one; [I] "My lorde & his lede3 ar on lene faren, 1232 [J] Oer burne3 in her bedde, & my burde3 als, [K] e dor drawen, & dit with a derf haspe; [L] & syen I haue in is hous hym at al lyke3, I schal ware my whyle wel, quyl hit laste3, 1236 with tale; [M] 3e ar welcum to my cors, Yowre awen won to wale, Me be-houe3 of fyne force, 1240 [N] Your seruaunt be & schale."

[Sidenote A: "Good morrow", says the lady, "ye are a careless sleeper to let one enter thus.] [Sidenote B: I shall bind you in your bed, of that be ye sure."] [Sidenote C: "Good morrow," says the knight, "I am well pleased to be at your service;] [Sidenote D: but permit me to rise and dress myself."] [Sidenote E: "Nay, beau sir," said that sweet one,] [Sidenote F: "I shall hold talk with you here.] [Sidenote G: I know well that you are Gawayne that all the woild worships.] [Sidenote H: We are by ourselves;] [Sidenote I: My lord and his men are far off.] [Sidenote J: Other men are in their beds, so are my maidens.] [Sidenote K: The door is safely closed.] [Sidenote L: Since I have him in house that every one likes, I shall use my time well while it lasts.] [Sidenote M: Ye are welcome to my body.] [Sidenote N: I shall be your servant."] [Footnote 1: This word is illegible in the MS.]

V.

"In god fayth," quod Gawayn, "gayn hit me ynkke3, [A] a3 I be not now he at 3e of speken; To reche to such reuerence as 3e reherce here 1244 I am wy3e vn-wory, I wot wel my-seluen; Bi God, I were glad, & yow god o3t, [B] At sa3e oer at seruyce at I sette my3t To e plesaunce of your prys, hit were a pure ioye." 1248 "In god fayth, sir Gawayn," quod e gay lady, "e prys & e prowes at plese3 al oer, If I hit lakked, oer set at ly3t, hit were littel daynte; [C] Bot hit ar ladyes in-no3e, at leuer wer nowe 1252 Haf e hende in hor holde, as I e habbe here, To daly witt derely your daynte worde3, Keuer hem comfort, & colen her care3, [D] en much of e garysourn oer golde at[1] ay hauen; 1256 Bot I louue[2] at ilk lorde at e lyfte halde3, I haf hit holly in my honde at al desyres, ur3e grace." Scho made hym so gret chere, 1260 at wat3 so fayr of face, [Fol. 108.] [E] e kny3t with speches skere, A[n]swared to vche a cace.

[Sidenote A: "I am unworthy," says Sir Gawayne, "to reach to such reverence as ye rehearse.] [Sidenote B: I shall be glad, however, to please you by word, or service."] [Sidenote C: "There are ladies," says his visitor, "who would prefer thy company] [Sidenote D: to much of the gold that they possess."] [Sidenote E: The knight answers the lady's questions.] [Footnote 1: MS. at at.] [Footnote 2: louie or loune (?).]

VI.

[A] "Madame," quod e myry mon, "Mary yow 3elde, 1264 For I haf founden, in god fayth, yowre fraunchis nobele, & oer ful much of oer folk fongen hor dede3; Bot e daynte at ay delen for my disert nysen, Hit is e worchyp of your-self, at no3t hot wel conne3." 1268 [B] "Bi Mary," quod e menskful, "me ynk hit anoer; For were I worth al e wone of wymmen alyue, & al e wele of e worlde were in my honde, [C] & I schulde chepen & chose, to cheue me a lorde, 1272 For e costes at I haf knowen vpun e kny3t here, Of bewte, & debonerte, & blye semblaunt, [D] & at I haf er herkkened, & halde hit here trwee, er schulde no freke vpon folde bifore yow be chosen." 1276 "I-wysse, wory," quod e wy3e, "3e haf waled wel better, [E] Bot I am proude of e prys at 3e put on me, & soberly your seruaunt my souerayn I holde yow, & yowre kny3t I be-com, & Kryst yow for-3elde." 1280 us ay meled of much-quat, til myd-morn paste, & ay e lady let lyk, a[1] hym loued mych; [F] e freke ferde with defence, & feted ful fayre. a3 I were burde bry3test, e burde in mynde hade, 1284 e lasse luf in his lode, for lur at he so3t, boute hone; e dunte at schulde[2] hym deue, & nede3 hit most be done; 1288 [G] e lady enn spek of leue. He granted hir ful sone.

[Sidenote A: Gawayne tells her that he prefers her conversation before that of all others.] [Sidenote B: The lady declares by Mary,] [Sidenote C: that were she about to choose her a lord,] [Sidenote D: she would select Gawayne before any man on earth.] [Sidenote E: Gawayne tells her that he will become her own knight and faithful servant.] [Sidenote F: The remembrance of his adventure prevents him from thinking of love.] [Sidenote G: The lady takes leave of Sir Gawayne.] [Footnote 1: and (?)] [Footnote 2: sclulde, in MS.]

VII.

[A] enne ho gef hym god-day, & wyth a glent la3ed. & as ho stod, ho stonyed hym wyth ful stor worde3: 1292 [B] "Now he at spede3 vche spech, is disport 3elde yow! Bot at 3e be Gawan, hit got3 in mynde." "Quer-fore?" quod e freke, & freschly he aske3, Ferde lest he hade fayled in fourme of his castes; 1296 Bot e burde hym blessed, & bi is skyl sayde, "So god as Gawayn gaynly is halden, [Fol. 108b.] & cortaysye is closed so clene in hym-seluen, [C] Couth not ly3tly haf lenged so long wyth a lady, 1300 Bot he had craued a cosse, bi his courtaysye, Bi sum towch of summe tryfle, at sum tale3 ende." [D] en quod Wowen, "I-wysse, wore as yow lyke3, I schal kysse at your comaundement, as a kny3t falle3, 1304 & fire[1] lest he displese yow, so[2] plede hit no more." [E] Ho comes nerre with at, & cache3 hym in arme3, Loute3 luflych adoun, & e leude kysse3; ay comly bykennen to Kryst ayer oer; 1308 Ho dos hir forth at e dore, with-outen dyn more. & he ryches hym to ryse, & rapes hym sone, [F] Clepes to his chamberlayn, choses his wede, Bo3e3 forth, quen he wat3 boun, blyely to masse, 1312 & enne he meued to his mete, at menskly hym keped, [G] & made myry al day til e mone rysed, with game; With[3] neuer freke fayrer fonge, 1316 [H] Bitwene two so dyngne dame, e alder & e 3onge, Much solace set ay same.

[Sidenote A: With a laughing glance, she says,] [Sidenote B: "I am doubtful whether ye be Gawayne.] [Sidenote C: Were it he, surely, ere this, he would have craved a kiss."] [Sidenote D: "I shall kiss," says the knight, "at your commandment."] [Sidenote E: With that the lady catches him in her arms and kisses him.] [Sidenote F: Gawayne then rises and goes to mass.] [Sidenote G: He makes mirth all day till the moon rises,] [Sidenote H: between the "two dames," the older and the younger.] [Footnote 1: fere (?).] [Footnote 2: fo, in MS.] [Footnote 3: Was (?) Nas (?).]

VIII.

[A] And ay e lorde of e londe is lent on his gamne3, 1320 To hunt in holte3 & hee, at hynde3 barayne, Such a sowme he er slowe bi at e sunne heldet, Of dos & of oer dere, to deme were wonder. enne fersly ay flokked in folk at e laste, 1324 [B] & quykly of e quelled dere a querre ay maked; e best bo3ed erto, with burne3 in-noghe, [C] Gedered e grattest of gres at er were, & didden hem derely vndo, as e dede aske3; 1328 [D] Serched hem at e asay, summe at er were, Two fyngeres ay fonde of e fowlest of alle; [E] Syen ay slyt e slot, sesed e erber, [F] Schaued wyth a scharp knyf, & e schyre knitten; 1332 Syen rytte ay e foure lymmes, & rent of e hyde, [G] en brek ay e bale, e bale3 out token, [H] Lystily forlancyng, & bere of e knot; [Fol. 109.] ay gryped to e gargulun, & grayely departed 1336 [I] e wesaunt fro e wynt-hole, & walt out e gutte3; en scher ay out e schuldere3 with her scharp knyue3, [J] Haled hem by a lyttel hole, to haue hole sydes; Sien britned ay e brest, & brayden hit in twynne, 1340 & eft at e gargulun bigyne3 on enne, [K] Ryue3 hit vp radly, ry3t to e by3t, Voyde3 out e a-vanters, & verayly erafter Alle e ryme3 by e rybbe3 radly ay lance; 1344 So ryde ay of by resoun bi e rygge bone3, Euenden to e haunche, at henged alle samen, & heuen hit vp al hole, & hwen hit of ere, & at ayneme for e noumbles, bi nome as I trowe, 1348 bi kynde; [L] Bi e by3t al of e y3es, e lappe3 ay lance bi-hynde, [M] To hewe hit in two ay hy3es, 1352 Bi e bak-bon to vnbynde.

[Sidenote A: Meanwhile the lord of the land and his men hunt in woods and heaths.] [Sidenote B: Quickly of the killed a "quarry" they make.] [Sidenote C: Then they set about breaking the deer.] [Sidenote D: They take away the assay or fat,] [Sidenote E: then they slit the slot and remove the erber.] [Sidenote F: They afterwards rip the four limbs and rend off the hide.] [Sidenote G: They next open the belly] [Sidenote H: and take out the bowels.] [Sidenote I: They then separate the weasand from the windhole and throw out the guts.] [Sidenote J: The shoulders are cut out, and the breast divided into halves.] [Sidenote K: The numbles are next removed.] [Sidenote L: By the fork of the thighs,] [Sidenote M: the flaps are hewn in two by the backbone.]

IX.

[A] Boe e hede & e hals ay hwen of enne, & syen sunder ay e syde3 swyft fro e chyne, & e corbeles fee ay kest in a greue;[1] 1356 enn urled ay ayer ik side ur3, bi e rybbe, & henged enne a[y]er bi ho3es of e fourche3, Vche freke for his fee, as falle3 forto haue. Vpon a felle of e fayre best, fede ay ayr houndes, 1360 [B] Wyth e lyuer & e ly3te3, e leer of e paunche3, & bred baed in blod, blende er amonge3; Baldely ay blw prys, bayed ayr rachche3, [C] Syen fonge ay her flesche folden to home, 1364 Strakande ful stoutly mony stif mote3. Bi at e dayly3t wat3 done, e douthe wat3 al wonen In-to e comly castel, er e kny3t bide3 ful stille; 1368 Wyth blys & bry3t fyr bette, e lord is comen er-tylle, [D] When Gawayn wyth hym mette, er wat3 bot wele at wylle.

[Sidenote A: After this the head and neck are cut off, and the sides severed from the chine.] [Sidenote B: With the liver, lights and paunches, they feed the hounds.] [Sidenote C: Then they make for home.] [Sidenote D: Gawayne goes out to meet his host.] [Footnote 1: grene (?).]

X.

1372 [A] Thenne comaunded e lorde in at sale to samen alle e meny,[Fol.] Boe e ladyes on loghe to ly3t with her burdes, [109b.] [B] Bi-fore alle e folk on e flette, freke3 he bedde3 Verayly his venysoun to fech hym byforne; 1376 [C] & al godly in gomen Gaway[n] he called, Teche3 hym to e tayles of ful tayt bestes, Schewe3 hym e schyree grece schorne vpon rybbes. [D] "How paye3 yow is play? haf I prys wonnen? 1380 Haue I ryuandely onk ur3 my craft serued?" "3e I-wysse," quod at oer wy3e, "here is wayth fayrest [E] at I se3 is seuen 3ere in sesoun of wynter." "& al I gif yow, Gawayn," quod e gome enne, 1384 "For by a-corde of couenaunt 3e craue hit as your awen." "is is soth," quod e segge, "I say yow atilke, &[1] I haf worthyly is wone3 wyth-inne, [F] I-wysse with as god wylle hit wore3 to 3oure3." 1388 He hasppe3 his fayre hals his arme3 wyth-inne, & kysses hym as comlyly as he[2] coue awyse: "Tas yow ere my cheuicaunce, I cheued no more, I wowche hit saf fynly, a3 feler hit were." 1392 "Hit is god," quod e god mon, "grant mercy erfore, [G] Hit may be such, hit is e better, &[1] 3e me breue wolde Where 3e wan is ilk wele, biwytte of hor[3] seluen?" [H] "at wat3 not forward," quod he, "frayst me no more, 1396 For 3e haftan at yow tyde3, trawe3e non oer 3e mowe." ay la3ed, & made hem blye, [I] Wyth lote3 at were to lowe, 1400 To soper ay 3ede asswye, Wyth dayntes nwe in-nowe.

[Sidenote A: The lord commands all his household to assemble,] [Sidenote B: and the venison to be brought before him.] [Sidenote C: He calls Gawayne,] [Sidenote D: and asks him whether he does not deserve much praise for his success in the chase.] [Sidenote E: On the knight expressing himself satisfied, he is told to take the whole according to a former agreement between them.] [Sidenote F: Gawayne gives the knight a comely kiss in return.] [Sidenote G: His host desires to know where he has gotten such weal.] [Sidenote H: As this does not enter into the covenant, he gets no answer to his question.] [Sidenote I: They then proceed to supper, where were dainties new and enough.] [Footnote 1: And = an.] [Footnote 2: ho, in MS.] [Footnote 3: your (?).]

XI.

[A] And syen by e chymne in chamber ay seten. [B] Wy3e3 e walle wyn we3ed to hem oft, 1404 & efte in her bourdyng ay bayen in e morn, To fylle e same forwarde3 at ay by-fore maden, [C] at chaunce so bytyde3 hor cheuysaunce to chaunge, What nwe3 so ay nome, at na3t quen ay metten 1408 ay acorded of e couenaunte3 byfore e court alle; e beuerage wat3 bro3t forth in bourde at at tyme; [Fol. 110.] [D] enne ay louelych le3ten leue at e last, Vche burne to his bedde busked bylyue. 1412 [E] Bi at e coke hade crowe3[1] & cakled bot ryse, e lorde wat3 lopen of his bedde, [&] e leude3 vch one, So at e mete & e masse wat3 metely delyuered; e douthe dressed to e wod, er any day sprenged, 1416 to chace; [F] He3 with hunte & horne3, ur3 playne3 ay passe in space, Vn-coupled among o orne3, 1420 Rache3 at ran on race.

[Sidenote A: By the hearth they sit.] [Sidenote B: Wine is carried round.] [Sidenote C: Again Sir Gawayne and his host renew their agreement.] [Sidenote D: Then they take leave of each other and hasten to bed.] [Sidenote E: Scarce had the cock cackled thrice when the lord was up.] [Sidenote F: With his hunters and horns they pursue the chase.] [Footnote 1: crowed (?).]

XII.

[A] Sone ay calle of a quest in aker syde, e hunt re-hayted e hounde3, at hit fyrst mynged, [B] Wylde worde3 hym warp wyth a wrast noyce; 1424 e hownde3 at hit herde, hastid ider swye, & fellen as fast to e fuyt, fourty at ones; enne such a glauerande glam of gedered rachche3 Ros, at e rochere3 rungen aboute; 1428 Huntere3 hem hardened with horne & wyth muthe. [C] en al in a semble sweyed to-geder, Bitwene a flosche in at fryth, & a foo cragge; In a knot, bi a clyffe, at e kerre syde, 1432 er as e rogh rocher vn-rydely wat3 fallen, [ay] ferden to e fyndyng, & freke3 hem after; [D] ay vmbe-kesten e knarre & e knot boe. Wy3e3, whyl ay wysten wel wyt inne hem hit were, 1436 e best at er breued wat3 wyth e blod hounde3. [E] enne ay beten on e buske3, & bede hym vp ryse, & he vnsoundyly out so3t segge3 ouer-wert, [F] On e sellokest swyn swenged out ere, 1440 Long sythen for[1] e sounder at wi3t for-olde, For he wat3 b[este &] bor aler grattest, [And eue]re quen he gronyed, enne greued mony, [G] For [re a]t e fyrst rast he ry3t to e ere, 1444 & [sped hym] forth good sped, boute spyt more, [Ande ay] halowed hyghe ful hy3e & hay! hay! cryed Haden horne3 to moue heterly rechated; [Fol. 110b.] [H] Mony wat3 e myry mouthe of men & of hounde3, 1448 at buskke3 after is bor, with bost & wyth noyse, To quelle; Ful oft he byde3 e baye, & mayme3 e mute Inn-melle, 1452 [I] He hurte3 of e hounde3, & ay Ful 3omerly 3aule & 3elle.

[Sidenote A: The hunters cheer on the hounds,] [Sidenote B: which fall to the scent forty at once.] [Sidenote C: All come together by the side of a cliff.] [Sidenote D: They look about on all sides,] [Sidenote E: and beat on the bushes.] [Sidenote F: Out there rushes a fierce wild boar,] [Sidenote G: At the first thrust he fells three to the ground.] [Sidenote H: Full quickly the hunters pursue him.] [Sidenote I: However, he attacks the hounds, causing them to yowl and yell.] [Footnote 1: fro (?).]

XIII.

[A] Schalke3 to schote at hym schowen to enne, Haled to hym of her arewe3, hitten hym oft; 1456 Bot e poynte3 payred at e pyth at py3t in his schelde3, & e barbe3 of his browe bite non wolde, [B] a3 e schauen schaft schyndered in pece3, e hede hypped a3ayn, were-so-euer hit hitte; 1460 [C] Bot quon e dynte3 hym dered of her dry3e stroke3, en, brayn-wod for bate, on burne3 he rase3, [D] Hurte3 hem ful heterly er he forth hy3e3, & mony ar3ed erat, & on-lyte dro3en. 1464 Bot e lorde on a ly3t horce launces hym after, [E] As burne bolde vpon bent his bugle he blowe3, He rechated, & r[ode][1] ur3 rone3 ful yk, Suande is wy[ld]e swyn til e sunne schafted. 1468 [F] is day wyth is ilk dede ay dryuen on is wyse, Whyle oure luflych lede lys in his bedde, [G] Gawayn grayely at home, in gere3 ful ryche of hewe; 1472 e lady no3t for3ate, Com to hym to salue, Ful erly ho wat3 hym ate, His mode forto remwe.

[Sidenote A: The bowmen send their arrows after this wild swine,] [Sidenote B: but they glide off shivered in pieces.] [Sidenote C: Enraged with the blows,] [Sidenote D: he attacks the hunters.] [Sidenote E: The lord of the land blows his bugle,] [Sidenote F: and pursues the boar.] [Sidenote G: All this time Gawayne lies a-bed.] [Footnote 1: The MS. is here almost illegible.]

XIV.

1476 [A] Ho commes to e cortyn, & at e kny3t totes, Sir Wawen her welcumed wory on fyrst, & ho hym 3elde3 a3ayn, ful 3erne of hir worde3, [B] Sette3 hir sof[t]ly by his syde, & swyely ho la3e3, 1480 & wyth a luflych loke ho layde[1] hym yse worde3: "Sir, 3if 3e be Wawen, wonder me ynkke3, Wy3e at is so wel wrast alway to god, & conne3 not of compaynye e coste3 vnder-take, 1484 & if mon kennes yow hom to knowe, 3e kest hom of your mynde;[Fol.] [C] ou hat3 for-3eten 3ederly at 3isterday I ta3tte [111] alder-truest token of talk at I cowe." "What is at?" quod e wyghe, "I-wysse I wot neuer, 1488 If hit be sothe at 3e breue, e blame is myn awen." [D] "3et I kende yow of kyssyng," quod e clere enne, "Quere-so countenaunce is coue, quikly to clayme, at bicumes vche a kny3t, at cortaysy vses." 1492 "Do way," quod at derf mon, "my dere, at speche, [E] For at durst I not do, lest I denayed were, If I were werned, I were wrang I-wysse, 3if I profered." "Ma fay," quod e mere wyf, "3e may not be werned, 1496 [F] 3e ar stif in-noghe to constrayne wyth strenke, 3if yow lyke3, 3if any were so vilanous at yow denaye[2] wolde." "3e, be God," quod Gawayn, "good is your speche, Bot rete is vn-ryuande in ede er I lende, 1500 [G] & vche gift at is geuen not with goud wylle; I am at your comaundement, to kysse quen yow lyke3, 3e may lach quen yow lyst, & leue quen yow ynkke3, in space." 1504 [H] e lady loute3 a-doun, & comlyly kysses his face, Much speche ay er expoun, Of druryes greme & grace.

[Sidenote A: The lady of the castle again visits Sir Gawayne.] [Sidenote B: Softly she sits by his side,] [Sidenote C: and tells the knight that he has forgotten what she taught him the day before.] [Sidenote D: "I taught you of kissing," she says, "that becomes every knight."] [Sidenote E: Gawayne says that he must not take that which is forbidden.] [Sidenote F: He is told that he is strong enough to enforce it.] [Sidenote G: The knight replies that every gift is worthless that is not given willingly.] [Sidenote H: The lady stoops down and kisses him.] [Footnote 1: sayde (?).] [Footnote 2: de vaye, in MS.]

XV.

1508 [A] "I woled[1] wyt at yow, wy3e," at wory er sayde, "& yow wrathed not er-wyth, what were e skylle, at so 3ong & so 3epe, as 3e [ar] at is tyme, So cortayse, so kny3tyly, as 3e ar knowen oute, 1512 [B] & of alle cheualry to chose, e chef yng a-losed, Is[2] e lel layk of luf, e lettrure of armes; F[or] to telle of is tenelyng of is trwe kny3te3, Hit is e tytelet, token, & tyxt of her werkke3, 1516 How le[des] for her lele luf hor lyue3 han auntered, Endured for her drury dulful stounde3, & after wenged with her walour & voyded her care, [C] & bro3t blysse in-to boure, with bountees hor awen. 1520 & 3e ar kny3t com-lokest kyd of your elde, Your worde & your worchip walke3 ay quere, [Fol. 111b.] & I haf seten by your-self here sere twyes, [D] 3et herde I neuer of your hed helde no worde3 1524 at euer longed to luf, lasse ne more; [E] & 3e, at ar so cortays & coynt of your hetes, Oghe to a 3onke ynk 3ern to schewe, & teche sum tokene3 of trweluf craftes. 1528 Why ar 3e lewed, at alle e los welde3, Oer elles 3e demen me to dille, your dalyaunce to herken? for schame! I com hider sengel, & sitte, 1532 To lerne at yow sum game, [F] Dos, teche3 me of your wytte, Whil my lorde is fro hame."

[Sidenote A: "I would learn," she says, "why you, who are so young and active,] [Sidenote B: so skilled in the true sport of love,] [Sidenote C: and so renowned a knight,] [Sidenote D: have never talked to me of love.] [Sidenote E: You ought to show a young thing like me some token of 'true-love's crafts.'] [Sidenote F: So teach me of your 'wit' while my lord is from home."] [Footnote 1: wolde (?).] [Footnote 2: In (?).]

XVI.

[A] "In goud faye," quod Gawayn, "God yow for3elde, 1536 Gret is e gode gle, & gomen to me huge, at so wory as 3e wolde wynne hidere, & pyne yow with so pouer a mon, as play wyth your kny3t, With any skynne3 countenaunce, hit keuere3 me ese; 1540 [B] Bot to take e toruayle[1] to my-self, to trwluf expoun, & towche e teme3 of tyxt, & tale3 of arme3, To yow at, I wot wel, welde3 more sly3t Of at art, bi e half, or a hundreth of seche 1544 As I am, oer euer schal, in erde er I leue, Hit were a fole fele-folde, my fre, by my trawe. [C] I wolde yowre wylnyng worche at my my3t, As I am hy3ly bihalden, & euer-more wylle 1548 [D] Be seruaunt to your-seluen, so saue me dry3tyn!" us hym frayned at fre, & fondet hym ofte, Forto haf wonnen hym to wo3e, what-so scho o3t elle3, [E] Bot he de fended hym so fayr, at no faut semed, 1552 Ne non euel on nawer halue, nawer ay wysten, bot blysse; ay la3ed & layked longe, At e last scho con hym kysse, 1556 [F] Hir leue fayre con scho fonge, & went hir waye Iwysse.

[Sidenote A: "It is a great pleasure to me," says Sir Gawayne, "to hear you talk,] [Sidenote B: but I cannot undertake the task to expound true-love and tales of arms.] [Sidenote C: I will, however, act according to your will,] [Sidenote D: and ever be your servant."] [Sidenote E: Thus Gawayne defends himself.] [Sidenote F: The lady having kissed the knight, takes leave of him.] [Footnote 1: tornayle (?).]

XVII.

[A] Then rues hym e renk, & ryses to e masse, & sien hor diner wat3 dy3t & derely serued. [Fol. 112.] 1560 [B] e lede with e ladye3 layked alle day, Bot e lorde ouer e londe3 launced ful ofte, Swe3 his vncely swyn, at swynge3 bi e bonkke3, [C] & bote e best of his brache3 e bakke3 in sunder; 1564 er he bode in his bay, tel[1] bawe-men hit breken, & made[2] hym, maw-gref his bed, forto mwe vtter; [D] So felle flone3 per flete, when e folk gedered; Bot 3et e styffest to start bi stounde3 he made, 1568 Til at e last he wat3 so mat, he my3t no more renne, [E] Bot in e hast at he my3t, he to a hole wynne3, Of a rasse, bi a rokk, er renne3 e boerne, He gete e bonk at his bak, bigyne3 to scrape, 1572 [F] e froe femed[3] at his mouth vnfayre bi e wyke3, Whette3 his whyte tusche3; with hym en irked Alle e burne3 so bolde, at hym by stoden, [G] To nye hym on-ferum, bot ne3e hym non durst 1576 for woe; He hade hurt so mony byforne, at al u3t[4] enne ful loe, [H] Be more wyth his tusche3 torne, 1580 at breme wat3 [&] brayn-wod bothe.

[Sidenote A: Gawayne rises, hears mass, and then dines.] [Sidenote B: Meanwhile the lord pursues the wild boar,] [Sidenote C: that bit the backs of his hounds asunder,] [Sidenote D: and caused the stiffest of the hunters to start.] [Sidenote E: The boar runs into a hole in a rock by the side of a brook.] [Sidenote F: The froth foams at his mouth.] [Sidenote G: None durst approach him,] [Sidenote H: so many had he torn with his tusks.] [Footnote 1: til (?).] [Footnote 2: madee, in MS.] [Footnote 3: fomed (?).] [Footnote 4: o3t (?).]

XVIII.

[A] Til e kny3t com hym-self, kachande his blonk, Sy3 hym byde at e bay, his burne3 bysyde, [B] He ly3tes luflych[1] adoun, leue3 his corsour, 1584 Brayde3 out a bry3t bront, & bigly forth stryde3, Founde3 fast ur3 e forth, er e felle byde3, [C] e wylde wat3 war of e wy3e with weppen in honde, Hef hy3ly e here, so hetterly he fnast, 1588 at fele ferde for e freke3,[2] lest felle hym e worre; [D] e swyn sette3 hym out on e segge euen, at e burne & e bor were boe vpon hepe3, In e wy3t-est of e water, e worre hade at oer; 1592 [E] For e mon merkke3 hym wel, as ay mette fyrst, Set sadly e scharp in e slot euen, [F] Hit hym vp to e hult, at e hert schyndered, & he 3arrande hym 3elde, & 3edoun[3] e water, 1596 ful tyt; A hundreth hounde3 hym hent, [Fol. 112b.] [G] at bremely con hym bite, Burne3 him bro3t to bent, 1600 & dogge3 to dethe endite.

[Sidenote A: The knight, seeing the boar at bay,] [Sidenote B: alights from his horse,] [Sidenote C: and seeks to attack him with his sword.] [Sidenote D: The "swine sets out" upon the man,] [Sidenote E: who, aiming well,] [Sidenote F: wounds him in the pit of the stomach.] [Sidenote G: The boar is soon bitten to death by a hundred hounds.] [Footnote 1: MS. luslych.] [Footnote 2: freke (?).] [Footnote 3: 3ede doun (?).]

XIX.

[A] There wat3 blawyng of prys in mony breme home, He3e halowing on hi3e, with haele3 at my3t; [B] Brachetes bayed at best, as bidden e maystere3, 1604 Of at chargeaunt chace at were chef huntes. [C] enne a wy3e at wat3 wys vpon wod crafte3, To vnlace is bor lufly bigynne3; [D] Fyrst he hewes of his hed, & on hi3e sette3, 1608 & syen rende3 him al roghe bi e rygge after, [E] Brayde3 out e boweles, brenne3 hom on glede, With bred blent er-with his braches rewarde3; Syen he britne3 out e brawen in bry3t brode [s]chelde3, 1612 [F] & hat3 out e hastlette3, as hi3tly biseme3; [G] & 3et hem halche3 al hole e halue3 to-geder, & syen on a stif stange stoutly hem henges. Now with is ilk swyn ay swengen to home; 1616 [H] e bores hed wat3 borne bifore e burnes seluen, at him for-ferde in e fore, ur3 forse of his honde, so stronge; Til he se3 sir Gawayne, 1620 In halle hym o3t ful longe, [I] He calde, & he com gayn, His fee3 er for to fonge.

[Sidenote A: Then was there blowing of horns] [Sidenote B: and baying of hounds.] [Sidenote C: One wise in woodcraft begins to unlace the boar.] [Sidenote D: First he hews off the head, then rends him by the back.] [Sidenote E: He next removes the bowels, broils them on the ashes, and therewith rewards his hounds.] [Sidenote F: Then the hastlets are removed.] [Sidenote G: The two halves are next bound together and hung upon a pole.] [Sidenote H: The boar's head is borne before the knight, who hastens home.] [Sidenote I: Gawayne is called to receive the spoil.]

XX.

[A] e lorde ful lowde with lote, & la3ed myry, 1624 When he se3e sir G: with solace he speke3; e goude ladye3 were geten, & gedered e meyny, [B] He schewe3 hem e schelde3, & schapes hem e tale, Of e largesse, & e lene, e lierne3 alse, 1628 Of e were of e wylde swyn, in wod er he fled. at oer kny3t ful comly comended his dede3, & praysed hit as gret prys, at he proued hade; [C] For suche a brawne of a best, e bolde burne sayde, 1632 Ne such sydes of a swyn, segh he neuer are. enne hondeled ay e hoge hed, e hende mon hit praysed, & let lodly erat e lorde forte here: [Fol. 113.] [D] "Now Gawayn," quod e god mon, "is gomen is your awen, 1636 Bi fyn for-warde & faste, faythely 3e knowe." "Hit is sothe," quod e segge, "& as siker trwe; Alle my get I schal yow gif agayn, bi my trawe." [E] He [hent] e hael aboute e halse, & hendely hym kysses, 1640 & efter-sones of e same he serued hym ere. "Now ar we euen," quod e hael, "in is euen-tide, Of alle e couenauntes at we knyt, syen I com hider, bi lawe;" 1644 [F] e lorde sayde, "bi saynt Gile, 3e ar e best at I knowe, 3e ben ryche in a whyle, Such chaffer & 3e drowe."

[Sidenote A: The lord of the land is well pleased when he sees Sir Gawayne,] [Sidenote B: He shows him the shields of the wild boar, and tells him of its length and breadth.] [Sidenote C: Such a "brawn of a beast," Sir Gawayne says, he never has seen.] [Sidenote D: Gawayne takes possession of it according to covenant,] [Sidenote E: and in return kisses his host,] [Sidenote F: who declares his guest to be the best he knows.]

XXI.

1648 [A] enne ay teldet table3 [on] trestes alofte, [B] Kesten cloe3 vpon, clere ly3t enne [C] Wakned bi wo3e3, waxen torches Segge3 sette, & serued in sale al aboute; 1652 [D] Much glam & gle glent vp er-inne, Aboute e fyre vpon flet, & on fele wyse, [E] At e soper & after, mony ael songe3, As coundutes of kryst-masse, & carole3 newe, 1656 With alle e manerly mere at mon may of telle. [F] & euer oure luflych kny3t e lady bi-syde; Such semblaunt to at segge semly ho made, [G] Wyth stille stollen countenaunce, at stalworth to plese, 1660 at al for-wondered wat3 e wy3e, & wroth with hym-seluen, Bot he nolde not for his nurture nurne hir a-3ayne3, Bot dalt with hir al in daynte, how-se-euer e dede turned to wrast; 1664 [H] Quen ay hade played in halle, As longe as hor wylle hom last, [I] To chambre he[1] con hym calle, & to e chem-ne ay past.

[Sidenote A: Tables are raised aloft,] [Sidenote B: cloths cast upon them,] [Sidenote C: and torches are lighted.] [Sidenote D: With much mirth and glee,] [Sidenote E: supper is served in the hall,] [Sidenote F: and ever our lovely knight by the lady sits,] [Sidenote G: who does all she can to please her companion.] [Sidenote H: When they had long played in the hall,] [Sidenote I: they proceeded "to chamber."] [Footnote 1: ho (?).]

XXII.

1668 [A] Ande er ay dronken, & dalten, & demed eft nwe, To norne on e same note, on nwe3ere3 euen; [B] Bot e kny3t craued leue, to kayre on e morn, For hit wat3 ne3 at e terme, at he to[1] schulde. 1672 e lorde hym letted of at, to lenge hym resteyed, [Fol. 113b.] [C] & sayde, "as I am trwe segge, I siker my trawe, [D] ou schal cheue to e grene chapel, y charres to make, Leude, on nw3ere3 ly3t, longe bifore pryme: 1676 For-y ow lye in y loft, & lach yn ese, & I schal hunt in is holt, & halde e towche3, Chaunge wyth e cheuisaunce, bi at I charre hider; For I haf fraysted e twys, & faythful I fynde e, 1680 Now rid tyme rowe best enk on e morne, Make we mery quyl we may, & mynne vpon Ioye, For e lur may mon lach, when so mon lyke3." is wat3 grayely graunted, & Gawayn is lenged, 1684 [E] Blie bro3t wat3 hym drynk, & ay to bedde 3eden, with li3t; [F] Sir G: lis & slepes, Ful stille & softe al ni3t; 1688 [G] e lorde at his crafte3 kepes, Ful erly he wat3 di3t.

[Sidenote A: There they drank and discoursed.] [Sidenote B: Gawayne begs leave to depart on the morrow.] [Sidenote C: His host swears to him,] [Sidenote D: that he shall come to the Green Chapel on New Year's morn long before prime.] [Sidenote E: Our knight consents to remain for another night.] [Sidenote F: Full still and softly he sleeps all night.] [Sidenote G: Early in the morning the lord is up.] [Footnote 1: te (?).]

XXIII.

[A] After messe a morsel[1] he & his men token, Miry wat3 e mornyng, his mounture he askes; 1692 [B] Alle e haeles at on horse schulde helden hym after, Were boun busked on hor blonkke3, bi-fore[2] e halle 3ate3; [C] Ferly fayre wat3 e folde, for e forst clenged, In rede rudede vpon rak rises e sunne, 1696 [D] & ful clere coste3[3] e clowdes of e welkyn. Hunteres vnhardeled bi a holt syde, Rocheres roungen bi rys, for rurde of her hornes; [E] Summe fel in e fute, er e fox bade, 1700 Trayle3 ofte a trayteres[4], bi traunt of her wyles; A kenet kryes erof, e hunt on hym calles, His fela3es fallen hym to, at fnasted ful ike, [F] Runnen forth in a rabel, in his ry3t fare; 1704 & he fyske3 hem by-fore, ay founden hym sone, [G] & quen ay seghe hym with sy3t, ay sued hym fast, Wre3ande h[ym] ful [w]eterly with a wroth noyse; [H] & he trantes & tornayee3 ur3 mony tene greue; 1708 Hamloune3, & herkene3, bi hegge3 ful ofte; [I] At e last bi a littel dich he lepe3 ouer a spenne, [Fol. 114.] Stele3 out ful stilly bi a strothe rande, [J] Went haf wylt of e wode, with wyle3 fro e houndes, 1712 enne wat3 he went, er he wyst, to[5] a wale tryster, [K] er re ro at a rich rat hym at ones, al graye; [L] He blenched a3ayn bilyue, 1716 & stifly start onstray, With alle e wo on lyue, [M] To e wod he went away.

[Sidenote A: After mass, a morsel he take with his men.] [Sidenote B: Then were all on their horses before the hall-gates.] [Sidenote C: It was a clear frosty morning.] [Sidenote D: The hunters, dispersed by a wood's side,] [Sidenote E: come upon the track of a fox,] [Sidenote F: which is followed up by the hounds.] [Sidenote G: They soon get sight of the game,] [Sidenote H: and pursue him through many a rough grove.] [Sidenote I: The fox at last leaps over a spinny,] [Sidenote J: and by a rugged path seeks to get clear from the hounds.] [Sidenote K: He comes upon one of the hunting stations, where he is attacked by the dogs.] [Sidenote L: However, he slips them,] [Sidenote M: and makes again for the wood.] [Footnote 1: MS. nnorsel.] [Footnote 2: bi-forere, in MS.] [Footnote 3: caste3 (?).] [Footnote 4: trayveres (?).] [Footnote 5: to to, in MS.]

XXIV.

[A] Thenne wat3 hit lif vpon list to lyen e hounde3, 1720 When alle e mute hade hym met, menged to-geder, Suche a sor3e at at sy3t ay sette on his hede, As alle e clamberande clyffes hade clatered on hepes; [B] Here he wat3 halawed, when haele3 hym metten, 1724 Loude he wat3 3ayned, with 3arande speche; [C] er he wat3 reted, & ofte ef called, & ay e titleres at his tayl, at tary he ne my3t; Ofte he wat3 runnen at, when he out rayked, 1728 [D] & ofte reled in a3ayn, so reniarde wat3 wyle. [E] & 3e he lad hem bi lag, mon, e lorde & his meyny; On is maner bi e mountes, quyle myd, ouer, vnder, [F] Whyle e hende kny3t at home holsumly slepe3, 1732 With-inne e comly cortynes, on e colde morne. Bot e lady for luf let not to slepe, Ne e purpose to payre, at py3t in hir hert, Bot ros hir vp radly, rayked hir eder, 1736 [G] In a mery mantyle, mete to e ere, at wat3 furred ful fyne with felle3, wel pured, No hwe3 goud on hir hede, bot e ha3er stones Trased aboute hir tressour, be twenty in clusteres; 1740 [H] Hir ryuen face & hir rote rowen al naked, Hir brest bare bifore, & bihinde eke. [I] Ho come3 with-inne e chambre dore, & closes hit hir after, [J] Wayne3[1] vp a wyndow, & on e wy3e calle3, 1744 & radly us re-hayted hym, with hir riche worde3, with[2] chere; [K] "A! mon, how may ou slepe, [L] is morning is so clere?" [Fol. 114b.] 1748 He wat3 in drowping depe, Bot enne he con hir here.

[Sidenote A: Then was it fine sport to listen to the hounds,] [Sidenote B: and the hallooing of the hunters.] [Sidenote C: There the fox was threatened and called a thief.] [Sidenote D: But Reynard was wily,] [Sidenote E: and led them astray over mounts.] [Sidenote F: Meanwhile the knight at home soundly sleeps within his comely curtains.] [Sidenote G: The lady of the castle, clothed in a rich mantle,] [Sidenote H: her throat and bosom all bare,] [Sidenote I: comes to Gawayne's chamber,] [Sidenote J: opens a window, and says,] [Sidenote K: "Ah! man, how canst thou sleep,] [Sidenote L: this morning is so clear?"] [Footnote 1: wayue3(?).] [Footnote 2: bi, a sec. manu.]

XXV.

[A] In dre3 droupyng of dreme draueled at noble, As mon at wat3 in mornyng of mony ro o3tes, 1752 How at destine schulde at day [dy3t] his wyrde, At e grene chapel, when he e gome metes, & bi-houes his buffet abide, with-oute debate more; [B] Bot quen at comly he keuered his wyttes, 1756 Swenges out of e sweuenes, & sware3 with hast. e lady luflych com la3ande swete, [C] Felle ouer his fayre face, & fetly him kyssed; He welcume3 hir worily, with a wale chere; 1760 He se3 hir so glorious, & gayly atyred, So fautles of hir fetures, & of so fyne hewes, [D] Wi3t wallande Ioye warmed his hert; With smoe smylyng & smolt ay smeten in-to mere, 1764 at al wat3 blis & bonchef, at breke hem bi-twene, & wynne, ay lanced wordes gode, Much wele en wat3 er-inne, 1768 [E] Gret perile bi-twene hem stod, Nif mare of hir kny3t mynne.

[Sidenote A: The knight was then dreaming of his forthcoming adventure at the Green Chapel.] [Sidenote B: He awakes and speaks to his fair visitor,] [Sidenote C: who sweetly kisses him.] [Sidenote D: Great joy warms the heart of Sir Gawayne,] [Sidenote E: and "great peril between them stood."]

XXVI.

[A] For at prynce of pris de-presed hym so ikke. Nurned hym so ne3e e red, at nede hym bi-houed, 1772 Oer lach er hir luf, oer lodly re-fuse; He cared for his cortaysye, lest craayn he were, [B] & more for his meschef, 3if he schulde make synne, & be traytor to at tolke, at at telde a3t. 1776 "God schylde," quod e schalk, "at schal not be-falle!" With luf-la3yng a lyt, he layd hym by-syde Alle e speche3 of specialte at sprange of her mouthe. Quod at burde to e burne, "blame 3e disserue, 1780 3if 3e luf not at lyf at 3e lye nexte, Bifore alle e wy3e3 in e worlde, wounded in hert, [C] Bot if 3e haf a lemman, a leuer, at yow lyke3 better, & folden fayth to at fre, festned so harde, 1784 at yow lausen ne lyst, & at I leue noue; [Fol. 115.] And at 3e telle me at, now trwly I pray yow, For alle e lufe3 vpon lyue, layne not e soe, for gile." 1788 [D] e kny3t sayde, "be sayn Ion," & smeely con he smyle, "In fayth I welde ri3t non, Ne non wil welde e quile."

[Sidenote A: The knight is sorely pressed.] [Sidenote B: He fears lest he should become a traitor to his host.] [Sidenote C: The lady inquire whether he has a mistress that he loves better than her.] [Sidenote D: Sir Gawayne swears by St. John that he neither has nor desires one.]

XXVII.

1792 "at is a worde," quod at wy3t, "at worst is of alle, Bot I am swared for soe, at sore me inkke3; [A] Kysse me now coraly, & I schal cach heen, I may bot mourne vpon molde, as may at much louyes." 1796 Sykande ho swe3e doun, & semly hym kyssed, & sien ho seueres hym fro, & says as ho stondes, "Now, dere, at is de-partyng, do me is ese, [B] Gif me sumquat of y gifte, i gloue if[1] hit were, 1800 [C] at I may mynne on e mon, my mournyng to lassen." "Now Iwysse," quod at wy3e, "I wolde I hade here e leuest ing for y luf, at I in londe welde, [D] For 3e haf deserued, forsoe, sellyly ofte 1804 More rewarde bi resoun, en I reche my3t, Bot to dele yow for drurye, at dawed bot neked; Hit is not your honour to haf at is tyme A gloue for a garysoun, of Gawayne3 gifte3, 1808 & I am here [on] an erande in erde3 vncoue, [E] & haue no men wyth no male3, with menskful inge3; at mislyke3 me, lade, for luf at is tyme,[2] Iche tolke mon do as he is tan, tas to non ille, 1812 ne pine." [F] "Nay, hende of hy3e honours," Quod at lufsum vnder lyne, [G] "a3 I hade o3t[3] of youre3, 1816 3et schulde 3e haue of myne."

[Sidenote A: She then kisses him, sighing for sorrow.] [Sidenote B: She desires some gift,] [Sidenote C: by which to remember him.] [Sidenote D: Gawayne tells her that she is worthy of a better gift than he can bestow.] [Sidenote E: He has no men with mails containing precious things.] [Sidenote F: Then says that lovesome,] [Sidenote G: "Though I had nought of yours, yet should ye have of mine."] [Footnote 1: of, in MS.] [Footnote 2: tyne, in MS.] [Footnote 3: no3t (?).]

XXVIII.

[A] Ho ra3t hym a riche rynk[1] of red golde werke3, Wyth a starande ston, stondande alofte, at bere blusschande beme3 as e bry3t sunne; 1820 Wyt 3e wel, hit wat3 worth wele ful hoge. [B] Bot e renk hit renayed, & redyly he sayde, "I wil no gifte3 for gode, my gay, at is tyme; [Fol. 115b.] [C] I haf none yow to norne, ne no3t wyl I take." 1824 Ho bede hit hym ful bysily, & he hir bode wernes, & swere swyftel[y] his sothe, at he hit sese nolde; [D] & ho sore at he forsoke, & sayde er-after, "If 3e renay my rynk, to ryche for hit seme3, 1828 3e wolde not so hy3ly halden be to me, I schal gif yow my girdel, at gaynes yow lasse." Ho la3t a lace ly3tly, at[2] leke vmbe hir syde3, [E] Knit vpon hir kyrtel, vnder e clere mantyle, 1832 Gered hit wat3 with grene sylke, & with golde schaped, No3t bot arounde brayden, beten with fyngre3; & at ho bede to e burne, & blyely bi-so3t [F] a3 hit vn-wori were, at he hit take wolde. 1836 & he nay at he nolde neghe in no wyse, [G] Nauer golde ne garysoun, er God hym grace sende, To acheue to e chaunce at he hade chosen ere. "& erfore, I pray yow, displese yow no3t, 1840 & lette3 be your bisinesse, for I baye hit yow neuer to graunte; I am derely to yow biholde, Bi-cause of your sembelaunt, 1844 [H] & euer in hot & colde To be your trwe seruaunt.

[Sidenote A: She offers him a gold ring,] [Sidenote B: but he refuses to accept it,] [Sidenote C: as he has none to give in return.] [Sidenote D: Very sorrowful was that fair one on account of his refusal.] [Sidenote E: She takes off her "girdle,"] [Sidenote F: and beseeches him to take it.] [Sidenote G: Gawayne again refuses to accept anything,] [Sidenote H: but promises, "ever in hot and in cold, to be her true servant."] [Footnote 1: ryng (?).] [Footnote 2: at at, in MS.]

XXIX.

[A] "Now forsake 3e is silke." sayde e burde enne, "For hit is symple in hit-self. & so hit wel seme3? 1848 Lo! so hit is littel, & lasse hit is wory; [B] Bot who-so knew e costes at knit ar er-inne, He wolde hit prayse at more prys, parauenture; [C] For quat gome so is gorde with is grene lace, 1852 While he hit hade hemely halched aboute, er is no hael vnder heuen to-hewe hym at my3t; [D] For he my3t not he slayn, for sly3t vpon ere." en kest e kny3t, & hit come to his hert, 1856 [E] Hit were a Iuel for e Ioparde, at hym iugged were, When he acheued to e chapel, his chek forto fech; [F] My3[1] he haf slypped to e vn-slayn, e sle3t were noble. enne ho ulged with hir repe, & oled hir to speke, [Fol. 116.] 1860 & ho bere on hym e belt, & bede hit hym swye, [G] & he granted, & [ho] hym gafe with a goud wylle, & biso3t hym, for hir sake, disceuer hit neuer, Bot to lelly layne for[2] hir lorde; e leude hym acorde3. 1864 at neuer wy3e schulde hit wyt, Iwysse, bot ay twayne, for no3te; He onkked hir oft ful swye, Ful ro with hert & o3t. 1868 [H] Bi at on rynne sye, He hat3 kyst e kny3t so to3t.

[Sidenote A: "Do you refuse it," says the lady, because it is simple?] [Sidenote B: Whoso knew the virtues that it possesses, would highly prize it.] [Sidenote C: For he who is girded with this green lace,] [Sidenote D: cannot be wounded or slain."] [Sidenote E: The knight thinks of his adventure at the Green Chapel.] [Sidenote F: The lady presses him to accept the lace.] [Sidenote G: He consents not only to take the girdle, but to keep the possession of it a secret.] [Sidenote H: By that time the lady has kissed him thrice.] [Footnote 1: my3t (?).] [Footnote 2: fro (?).]

XXX.

[A] Thenne lachche3 ho hir leue, & leue3 hym ere, For more myre of at mon mo3t ho not gete; 1872 [B] When ho[1] wat3 gon, sir G. gere3 hym sone, Rises, & riches hym in araye noble, [C] Lays vp e luf-lace, e lady hym ra3t, Hid hit ful holdely, er he hit eft fonde; 1876 Syen cheuely to e chapel choses he e waye, [D] Preuely aproched to a prest, & prayed hym ere at he wolde lyfte[2] his lyf, & lern hym better, How his sawle schulde be saued, when he schuld seye heen. 1880 [E] ere he schrof hym schyrly, & schewed his mysdede3, Of e more & e mynne, & merci beseche3, [F] & of absolucioun he on e segge calles; & he asoyled hym surely, & sette hym so clene, 1884 [G] As dome3-day schulde haf ben di3t on e morn. & syen he mace hym as mery among e fre ladyes, [H] With comlych caroles, & alle kynnes ioye, As neuer he did bot at daye, to e derk ny3t, 1888 with blys; Vche mon hade daynte are, [I] Of hym, & sayde Iwysse, [J] us myry he wat3 neuer are, 1892 Syn he com hider, er is.

[Sidenote A: Then she takes her leave.] [Sidenote B: Gawayne then dresses himself,] [Sidenote C: and conceals the love-lace about his person.] [Sidenote D: He then hies to mass,] [Sidenote E: and shrives him of his misdeeds.] [Sidenote F: and prays for absolution.] [Sidenote G: He returns to the hall, and makes himself so merry among the ladies,] [Sidenote H: with comely carols,] [Sidenote I: that they said,] [Sidenote J: "Thus merry was he never before since hither he came."] [Footnote 1: he, in MS.] [Footnote 2: lyste (?).]

XXXI.

[A] Now hym lenge in at lee, er luf hym bi-tyde; 3et is e lorde on e launde, ledande his gomnes, [B] He hat3 forfaren is fox, at he fol3ed longe; 1896 As he sprent ouer a spenne, to spye e schrewe, er as he herd e howndes, at hasted hym swye, [Fol. 116b.] [C] Renaud com richchande ur3 a ro3e greue, & alle e rabel in a res, ry3t at his hele3. 1900 [D] e wy3e wat3 war of e wylde, & warly abides, & brayde3 out e bry3t bronde, & at e best caste3; & he schunt for e scharp, & schulde haf arered, [E] A rach rapes hym to, ry3t er he my3t, 1904 & ry3t bifore e hors fete ay fel on hym alle, & woried me is wyly wyth a wroth noyse. [F] e lorde ly3te3 bilyue, & cache3 by[1] sone, Rased hym ful radly out of e rach moues, 1908 Halde3 he3e ouer his hede, halowe3 faste, & er bayen hym mony bray[2] hounde3; [G] Huntes hy3ed hem eder, with horne3 ful mony, Ay re-chatande ary3t til ay e renk se3en; 1912 Bi at wat3 comen his compeyny noble, Alle at euer ber bugle blowed at ones, [H] & alle ise oer halowed, at hade no hornes, Hit wat3 e myriest mute at euer men herde, 1916 e rich rurd at er wat3 raysed for renaude saule, with lote; [I] Hor hounde3 ay er rewarde, Her[3] hede3 ay fawne & frote, 1920 [J] & syen ay tan reynarde, & tyrnen of his cote.

[Sidenote A: Gawayne's host is still in the field.] [Sidenote B: He has destroyed the fox.] [Sidenote C: He spied Reynard coming through a "rough grove,"] [Sidenote D: and tried to hit him with his sword.] [Sidenote E: The fox "shunts," and is seized by one of the dogs.] [Sidenote F: The lord takes him out of the hound's mouth.] [Sidenote G: Hunters hasten thither with horns full many.] [Sidenote H: It was the merriest meet that ever was heard.] [Sidenote I: The hounds are rewarded,] [Sidenote J: and then they take Reynard and "turn off his coat."] [Footnote 1: hym (?).] [Footnote 2: bra (?).] [Footnote 3: Her her, in MS.]

XXXII.

[A] & enne ay helden to home, for hit wat3 nie3 ny3t, Strakande ful stoutly in hor store horne3; 1924 [B] e lorde is ly3t at e laste at hys lef home, Fynde3 fire vpon flet, e freke er by-side, Sir Gawayn e gode, at glad wat3 with alle, [C] Among e ladies for luf he ladde much ioye, 1928 He were a bleaunt of blwe, at bradde to e ere, His surkot semed hym wel, at softe wat3 forred, & his hode of at ilke henged on his schulder, [D] Blande al of blaunner were boe al aboute. 1932 He mete3 me is god mon in mydde3 e flore, & al with gomen he hym gret, & goudly he sayde, "I schal fylle vpon fyrst oure forwarde3 noue, at we spedly han spoken, er spared wat3 no drynk;" [Fol. 117.] 1936 [E] en acoles he [e] kny3t, & kysses hym ryes, [F] As sauerly & sadly as he hem sette coue. [G] "Bi Kryst," quod at oer kny3t, "3e cach much sele, In cheuisaunce of is chaffer, 3if 3e hade goud chepe3." 1940 "3e of e chepe no charg," quod chefly at oer, "As is pertly payed e chepe3 at I a3te." "Mary," quod at oer mon, "myn is bi-hynde, [H] For I haf hunted al is day, & no3t haf I geten, 1944 [I] Bot is foule fox felle, e fende haf e gode3, [J] & at is ful pore, for to pay for suche prys inges, As 3e haf ry3t me here, ro suche re cosses, so gode." 1948 "I-no3," quod sir Gawayn, "I onk yow, bi e rode;" [K] & how e fox wat3 slayn, He tolde hym, as ay stode.

[Sidenote A: The hunters then hasten home.] [Sidenote B: The lord at last alights at his dear home,] [Sidenote C: where he finds Gawayne amusing the ladies.] [Sidenote D: The knight comes forward and welcomes his host,] [Sidenote E: and according to covenant kisses him thrice.] [Sidenote F: (See l. 1868.)] [Sidenote G: "By Christ," says the other, "ye have had much bliss!"] [Sidenote H: I have hunted all day and have gotten nothing,] [Sidenote I: but the skin of this foul fox,] [Sidenote J: a poor reward for three such kisses."] [Sidenote K: He then tells him how the fox was slain.]

XXXIII.

1952 [A] With mere & mynstralsye, wyth mete3 at hor wylle, ay maden as mery as any men mo3ten, With la3yng of ladies, with lote3 of bordes; Gawayn & e gode mon so glad were ay boe, 1956 Bot if e douthe had doted, oer dronken ben oer, Boe e mon & e meyny maden mony iape3, [B] Til e sesoun wat3 se3en, at ay seuer moste; Burne3 to hor bedde be-houed at e laste. 1960 [C] enne lo3ly his leue at e lorde fyrst Fochche3 is fre mon, & fayre he hym onkke3; [D] "Of such a sellyly[1] soiorne, as I haf hade here, Your honour, at is hy3e fest, e hy3e kyng yow 3elde! 1964 I 3ef yow me for on of youre3, if yowre-self lyke3, For I mot nedes, as 3e wot, meue to morne; [E] & 3e me take sum tolke, to teche, as 3e hy3t, e gate to e grene chapel, as god wyl me suffer 1968 To dele, on nw3ere3 day, e dome of my wyrdes." "In god faye," quod e god mon. "wyth a goud wylle; Al at euer I yow hy3t, halde schal I rede." [F] er asyngnes he a seruaunt, to sett hym in e waye, 1972 & coundue hym by e downe3, at he no drechch had, [Fol. 117b.] For to f[e]rk ur3 e fryth, & fare at e gaynest, bi greue. e lorde Gawayn con onk, 1976 Such worchip he wolde hym weue; [G] en at o ladye3 wlonk. e kny3t hat3 tan his leue.

[Sidenote A: With much mirth and minstrelsy they made merry,] [Sidenote B: until the time came for them to part.] [Sidenote C: Gawayne takes leave of his host.] [Sidenote D: and thanks him for his happy "sojourn."] [Sidenote E: He asks for a man to teach him the way to the Green Chapel.] [Sidenote F: A servant is assigned to him,] [Sidenote G: and then he takes leave of the ladies,] [Footnote 1: selly (?).]

XXXIV.

[A] With care & wyth kyssyng he carppe3 hem tille, 1980 & fele ryuande onkke3 he rat hom to haue, & ay 3elden hym a3ay[n] 3eply at ilk; [B] ay bikende hym to Kryst, with ful colde sykynge3. [C] Syen fro e meyny he menskly de-partes; 1984 Vche mon at he mette, he made hem a onke, For his seruyse, & his solace, & his sere pyne, at ay wyth busynes had ben, aboute hym to serue; & vche segge as sore, to seuer with hym ere, 1988 As ay hade wonde woryly with at wlonk euer. [D] en with ledes & ly3t he wat3 ladde to his chambre, & blybely bro3t to his bedde, to be at his rest; 3if he ne slepe soundyly, say ne dar I, 1992 [E] For he hade muche on e morn to mynne, 3if he wolde, in o3t; [F] Let hym ly3e ere stille, He hat3[1] nere at he so3t, 1996 [G] & 3e wyl a whyle be stylle, I schal telle yow how ay wro3t.

[Sidenote A: kissing them sorrowfully.] [Sidenote B: They commend him to Christ.] [Sidenote C: He then departs, thanking each one he meets "for his service and solace."] [Sidenote D: He retires to rest but sleeps but little,] [Sidenote E: for much has he to think of on the morrow.] [Sidenote F: Let him there lie still.] [Sidenote G: Be still awhile, and I shall tell how they wrought.] [Footnote 1: wat3 (?).]

[FYTTE THE FOURTH.]

I.

[A] Now ne3e3 e nw3ere, & e ny3t passe3, e day dryue3 to e derk, as dry3tyn bidde3; 2000 [B] Bot wylde wedere3 of e worlde wakned eroute, Clowdes kesten kenly e colde to e ere, Wyth ny3e[1] in-noghe of e nore, e naked to tene; [C] e snawe snitered ful snart, at snayped e wylde; 2004 e werbelande wynde wapped fro e hy3e, [D] & drof vche dale ful of dryftes ful grete. e leude lystened ful wel, at le3 in his bedde, [E] a3 he lowke3 his lidde3, ful lyttel he slepes; 2008 Bi vch kok at crue, he knwe wel e steuen. De-liuerly he dressed vp, er e day sprenged, [Fol. 118.] For ere wat3 ly3t of a lau[m]pe, at lemed in his chambre; [F] He called to his chamberlayn, at cofly hym swared, 2012 & bede hym bryng hym his bruny, & his blonk sadel; at oer ferke3 hym vp, & feche3 hym his wede3, & graye3 me sir Gawayn vpon a grett wyse. Fyrst he clad hym in his cloe3, e colde for to were; 2016 & syen his oer harnays, at holdely wat3 keped, Boe his paunce, & his plate3, piked ful clene, [G] e rynge3[2] rokked of e roust, of his riche bruny; & al wat3 fresch as vpon fyrst, & he wat3 fayn enne 2020 to onk; He hade vpon vche pece, Wypped ful wel & wlonk; [H] e gayest in to Grece, 2024 e burne bede bryng his blonk.

[Sidenote A: New Year's Day approaches.] [Sidenote B: The weather is stormy.] [Sidenote C: Snow falls.] [Sidenote D: The dales are full of drift.] [Sidenote E: Gawayne in his bed hears each cock that crows.] [Sidenote F: He calls for his chamberlain, and bids him bring him his armour.] [Sidenote G: Men knock off the rust from his rich habergeon.] [Sidenote H: The knight then calls for his steed.] [Footnote 1: nywe (?).] [Footnote 2: rynke3 (?).]

II.

[A] Whyle e wlonkest wedes he warp on hym-seluen; His cote, wyth be conysaunce of e clere werke3, Ennurned vpon veluet vertuuus[1] stone3, 2028 Aboute beten, & bounden, enbrauded seme3, & fayre furred with-inne wyth fayre pelures. [B] 3et laft he not e lace, e ladie3 gifte, at for-gat not Gawayn, for gode of hym-seluen; 2032 Bi he hade belted e bronde vpon his bal3e haunche3, [C] enn dressed he his drurye double hym aboute; Swye sweled vmbe his swange swetely, at kny3t, e gordel of e grene silke, at gay wel bisemed, 2036 Vpon at ryol red cloe, at ryche wat3 to schewe. [D] Bot wered not is ilk wy3e for wele is gordel, For pryde of e pendaunte3, a3 polyst ay were, & a3 e glyterande golde glent vpon ende3, 2040 [E] Bot forto sauen hym-self, when suffer hym by-houed, To byde bale with-oute dabate, of bronde hym to were, oer knyffe; Bi at e bolde mon boun, 2044 Wynne3 eroute bilyue, [F] Alle e meyny of renoun, He onkke3 ofte ful ryue.

[Sidenote A: While he clothed himself in his rich weeds,] [Sidenote B: he forgot not the "lace," the lady's gift,] [Sidenote C: but with it doubly girded his loins.] [Sidenote D: He wore it not for its rich ornaments,] [Sidenote E: "but to save himself when it behoved him to suffer."] [Sidenote F: All the renowned assembly he thanks full oft.] [Footnote 1: vertuous (?).]

III.

[A] Thenne wat3 Gryngolet graye, at gret wat3 & huge, [Fol. 118b.] 2048 & hade ben soiourned sauerly, & in a siker wyse, [B] Hym lyst prik for poynt, at proude hors enne; e wy3e wynne3 hym to, & wyte3 on his lyre, & sayde soberly hym-self, & by his soth swere3, 2052 "Here is a meyny in is mote, at on menske enkke3, [C] e mon hem maynteines, ioy mot ay haue; e leue lady, on lyue luf hir bityde; 3if ay for charyte cherysen a gest, 2056 & halden honour in her honde, e hael hem 3elde, at halde3 e heuen vpon hy3e, & also yow alle! & 3if I my3t lyf vpon londe lede any quyle, I schuld rech yow sum rewarde redyly, if I my3t." 2060 [D] enn steppe3 he in-to stirop, & stryde3 alofte; His schalk schewed hym his schelde, on schulder he hit la3t, Gorde3 to Gryngolet, with his gilt hele3, [E] & he starte3 on e ston, stod he no lenger, 2064 to praunce; His hael on hors wat3 enne, at bere his spere & launce. [F] "is kastel to Kryst I kenne, 2068 He gef hit ay god chaunce!"

[Sidenote A: Then was Gringolet arrayed,] [Sidenote B: full ready to prick on.] [Sidenote C: Gawayne returns thanks for the honour and kindness shown to him by all.] [Sidenote D: He then steps into his saddle,] [Sidenote E: and "starts on the stone" without more delay.] [Sidenote F: "This castle to Christ I commend; may he give it ever good chance!"]

IV.

[A] The brygge wat3 brayde doun, & e brode 3ate3 Vnbarred, & born open, vpon boe halue; [B] e burne blessed hym bilyue, & e brede3 passed; 2072 Prayses e porter, bifore e prynce kneled, Gef hym God & goud day, at Gawayn he saue; [C] & went on his way, with his wy3e one, at schulde teche hym to tourne to at tene place, 2076 er e ruful race he schulde re-sayue. ay bo3en bi bonkke3, er bo3e3 ar bare, [D] ay clomben bi clyffe3, er clenge3 e colde; e heuen wat3 vp halt, bot vgly er vnder, 2080 Mist muged on e mor, malt on e mounte3, [E] Vch hille hade a hatte, a myst-hakel huge; Broke3 byled, & breke, bi bonkke3 aboute, Schyre schaterande on schore3, er ay doun schowued. 2084 Welawylle wat3 e way, er ay bi wod schulden, [Fol. 119.] [F] Til hit wat3 sone sesoun, at e sunne ryses, at tyde; [G] ay were on a hille ful hy3e, 2088 e quyte snaw lay bisyde; [H] e burne at rod hym by Bede his mayster abide.

[Sidenote A: The gates are soon opened.] [Sidenote B: The knight passes thereout,] [Sidenote C: and goes on his way accompanied by his guide.] [Sidenote D: They climb by cliffs,] [Sidenote E: where each "hill had a hat and a mist-cloak,"] [Sidenote F: until daylight.] [Sidenote G: They were then on a "hill full high."] [Sidenote H: The servant bade his master abide, saying,]

V.

[A] "For I haf wonnen yow hider, wy3e, at is tyme, 2092 & now nar 3e not fer fro at note place, [B] at 3e han spied & spuryed so specially after; Bot I schal say yow for soe, syen I yow knowe, & 3e ar a lede vpon lyue, at I wel louy, 2096 Wolde 3e worch bi my wytte, 3e wored e better. [C] e place at 3e prece to, ful perelous is halden; [D] er wone3 a wy3e in at waste, e worst vpon ere; For he is stiffe, & sturne, & to strike louies, 2100 & more he is en any mon vpon myddelerde, [E] & his body bigger en e best fowre. at ar in Arure3 hous, Hestor[1] oer oer. He cheue3 at chaunce at e chapel grene; 2104 [F] er passes non bi at place, so proude in his armes, at he ne dynne3 hym to dee, with dynt of his honde; For he is a mon methles, & mercy non vses, [G] For be hit chorle, oer chaplayn, at bi e chapel rydes, 2108 Monk, oer masse-prest, oer any mon elles, Hym ynk as queme hym to quelle, as quyk go hym seluen. For-y I say e as soe as 3e in sadel sitte, Com 3e ere, 3e be kylled, [I] may e kny3t rede, 2112 Trawe 3e me at trwely, a3 3e had twenty lyues to spende; [H] He hat3 wonyd here ful 3ore, On bent much baret bende, 2116 [I] A3ayn his dynte3 sore, 3e may not yow defende."

[Sidenote A: "I have brought you hither,] [Sidenote B: ye are not now far from the noted place.] [Sidenote C: Full perilous is it esteemed.] [Sidenote D: The lord of that 'waste' is stiff and stern.] [Sidenote E: His body is bigger 'than the best four in Arthur's house.'] [Sidenote F: None passes by the Green Chapel, 'that he does not ding to death with dint of his hand.'] [Sidenote G: For be it churl or chaplain, monk, mass-priest, 'or any man else,' he kills them all.] [Sidenote H: He has lived there full long.] [Sidenote I: Against his dints sore ye may not defend you.] [Footnote 1: Hector (?).]

VI.

[A] "For-y, goude sir Gawayn, let e gome one, & got3 a-way sum oer gate; vpon Godde3 halue; 2120 [B] Cayre3 bi sum oer kyth, er Kryst mot yow spede; & I schal hy3 me hom a3ayn, & hete yow fyrre, [C] at I schal swere bi God, & alle his gode hal3e3, [Fol. 119b.] As help me God & e halydam, & oe3 in-noghe, 2124 at I schal lelly yow layne, & lance neuer tale, at euer 3e fondet to fle, for freke at I wyst." "Grant merci;" quod Gawayn, & gruchyng he sayde, "Wel worth e wy3e, at wolde3 my gode, 2128 & at lelly me layne, I leue wel ou wolde3! [D] Bot helde ou hit neuer so holde, & I here passed, Founded for ferde for to fle, in fourme at ou telle3, I were a kny3t kowarde, I my3t not[1] be excused. 2132 [E] Bot I wy1 to e chape1, for chaunce at may falle, & talk wyth at ilk tulk e tale at me lyste, Wore hit wele, oer wo, as e wyrde lyke3 hit hafe; 2136 [F] a3e he be a sturn knape, To sti3tel, &[2] stad with staue, [G] Ful wel con dry3tyn schape, His seruaunte3 forto saue."

[Sidenote A: Wherefore, good Sir Gawayne, let this man alone.] [Sidenote B: Go by some other region,] [Sidenote C: I swear by God and all His saints, that I will never say that ever ye attempted to flee from any man."] [Sidenote D: Gawayne replies that to shun this danger would mark him as a "coward knight."] [Sidenote E: To the Chapel, therefore, he will go,] [Sidenote F: though the owner thereof were a stern knave.] [Sidenote G: "Full well can God devise his servants for to save."] [Footnote 1: mot, in MS.] [Footnote 2: & &, in MS.]

VII.

2140 [A] "Mary!" quod at oer mon, "now ou so much spelle3, at ou wylt yn awen nye nyme to y-seluen, & e lyst lese y lyf, e lette I ne kepe; [B] Haf here i helme on y hede, i spere in i honde, 2144 & ryde me doun is ilk rake, bi 3on rokke syde, [C] Til ou be bro3t to e boem of e brem valay; [D] enne loke a littel on e launde, on i lyfte honde, [E] & ou schal se in at slade e self chapel, 2148 & e borelych burne on bent, at hit kepe3. Now fare3 wel on Gode3 half, Gawayn e noble, For alle e golde vpon grounde I nolde go with e, Ne bere e fela3schip ur3 is fryth on fote fyrre." 2152 [F] Bi at e wy3e in e wod wende3 his brydel, Hit e hors with e hele3, as harde as he my3t, Lepe3 hym ouer e launde, & leue3 e kny3t ere, al one. 2156 [G] "Bi Godde3 self," quod Gawayn, "I wyl nauer grete ne grone, [H] To Godde3 wylle I am ful bayn, & to hym I haf me tone."

[Sidenote A: "Mary!" quoth the other, "since it pleases thee to lose thy life,] [Sidenote B: take thy helmet on thy head, and thy spear in thy hand, and ride down this path by yon rock-side,] [Sidenote C: till thou come to the bottom of the valley;] [Sidenote D: look a little to the left,] [Sidenote E: and thou shalt see the Chapel itself and the man that guards it."] [Sidenote F: Having thus spoken the guide takes leave of the knight.] [Sidenote G: "By God's self," says Sir Gawayne, "I will neither weep nor groan.] [Sidenote H: To God's will I am full ready."]

VIII.

2160 [A] Thenne gyrde3 he to Gryngolet, & gedere3 e rake, [Fol. 120.] Schowue3 in bi a schore, at a scha3e syde, [B] Ride3 ur3 e ro3e bonk, ry3t to e dale; & enne he wayted hym aboute, & wylde hit hym o3t, 2164 [C] & se3e no syngne of resette, bisyde3 nowhere, Bot hy3e bonkke3 & brent, vpon boe halue, & ru3e knokled knarre3, with knorned stone3; e skwe3 of e scowtes skayued[1] hym o3t. 2168 enne he houed, & wyth-hylde his hors at at tyde, & ofte chaunged his cher, e chapel to seche; [D] He se3 non suche in no syde, & selly hym o3t, Sone a lyttel on a launde, a lawe as hit we[re]; 2172 [E] A bal3 ber3, bi a bonke, e brymme by-syde, Bi a for3 of a flode, at ferked are; e borne blubred er-inne, as hit boyled hade. [F] e kny3t kache3 his caple, & com to e lawe, 2176 [G] Li3te3 doun luflyly, & at a lynde tache3 e rayne, & his riche, with a ro3e braunche; [H] en[n]e he bo3e3 to e ber3e, aboute hit he walke, D[e]batande with hym-self, quat hit be my3t. 2180 Hit hade a hole on e ende, & on ayer syde, & ouer-growen with gresse in glodes ay where, & al wat3 hol3 in-with, nobot an olde caue, [I] Or a creuisse of an olde cragge, he coue hit no3t deme 2184 with spelle, "We,[2] lorde," quod e gentyle kny3t, "Wheer is be e grene chapelle; [J] He my3t aboute myd-ny3t, 2188 []e dele his matynnes telle!"

[Sidenote A: Then he pursues his journey,] [Sidenote B: rides through the dale, and looks about.] [Sidenote C: He sees no sign of a resting-place, but only high and steep banks.] [Sidenote D: No chapel could he discern.] [Sidenote E: At last he sees a hill by the side of a stream;] [Sidenote F: thither he goes,] [Sidenote G: alights and fastens his horse to a branch of a tree.] [Sidenote H: He walks around the hill, debating with himself what it might be,] [Sidenote I: and at last finds an old cave in the crag.] [Sidenote J: He prays that about midnight he may tell his matins.] [Footnote 1: skayned (?).] [Footnote 2: wel (?).]

IX.

[A] "Now i-wysse," quod Wowayn, "wysty is here; is oritore is vgly, with erbe3 ouer-growen; [B] Wel biseme3 e wy3e wruxled in grene 2192 Dele here his deuocioun, on e deuele3 wyse; Now I fele hit is e fende, in my fyue wytte3, at hat3 stoken me is steuen, to strye me here; [C] is is a chapel of meschaunce, at chekke hit by-tyde, 2196 Hit is e corsedest kyrk, at euer i com inne!" With he3e helme on his hede, his launce in his honde, [Fol. 120b.] [D] He rome3 vp to e rokke of o ro3 wone3; ene herde he of at hy3e hil, in a harde roche, 2200 [E] Bi3onde e broke, in a bonk, a wonder breme noyse, [F] Quat! hit clatered in e clyff, as hit cleue schulde, As one vpon a gryndelston hade grounden a sye; [G] What! hit wharred, & whette, as water at a mulne, 2204 What! hit rusched, & ronge, rawe to here. enne "bi Godde," quod Gawayn, "at gere as[1] I trowe, Is ryched at e reuerence, me renk to mete, bi rote; 2208 Let God worche we loo, [H] Hit helppe3 me not a mote, My lif a3 I for-goo, Drede dot3 me no lote."

[Sidenote A: "Truly," says Sir Gawayne, "a desert is here,] [Sidenote B: a fitting place for the man in green to 'deal here his devotions in devil fashion.'] [Sidenote C: It is most cursed kirk that ever I entered."] [Sidenote D: Roaming about he hears a loud noise,] [Sidenote E: from beyond the brook.] [Sidenote F: It clattered like the grinding of a scythe on a grindstone.] [Sidenote G: It whirred like a mill-stream.] [Sidenote H: "Though my life I forgo," says the knight, "no noise shall terrify me."] [Footnote 1: at, in MS.]

X.

2212 [A] Thenne e kny3t con calle ful hy3e, [B] "Who sti3tle3 in is sted, me steuen to holde? [C] For now is gode Gawayn goande ry3t here, If any wy3e o3t wyl wynne hider fast, 2216 Oer now, oer neuer, his nede3 to spede." [D] "Abyde," quod on on e bonke, abouen ouer his hede, "& ou schal haf al in hast, at I e hy3t ones." 3et he rusched on at rurde, rapely a rowe, 2220 & wyth quettyng a-wharf, er he wolde ly3t; [E] & syen he keuere3 bi a cragge, & come3 of a hole, Whyrlande out of a wro, wyth a felle weppen, [F] A dene3 ax nwe dy3t, e dynt with [t]o 3elde 2224 With a borelych bytte, bende by e halme, Fyled in a fylor, fowre fote large, Hit wat3 no lasse, bi at lace at lemed ful bry3t. [G] & e gome in e erene gered as fyrst, 2228 Boe e lyre & e legge3, lokke3, & berde, Saue at fayre on his fote he founde3 on e ere, Sette e stele to e stone, & stalked bysyde. [H] When he wan to e watter, er he wade nolde, 2232 He hypped ouer on hys ax, & orpedly stryde3, Bremly broe on a bent, at brode wat3 a-boute, on snawe. [I] Sir Gawayn e kny3t con mete. [Fol. 121.] 2236 He ne lutte hym no yng lowe, [J] at oer sayde, "now, sir swete, Of steuen mon may e trowe."

[Sidenote A: Then cried he aloud,] [Sidenote B: "Who dwells here discourse with me to hold?"] [Sidenote C: Now is the good Gawayne going aright] [Sidenote D: He hears a voice commanding him to abide where he is.] [Sidenote E: Soon there comes out of a hole, with a fell weapon,] [Sidenote F: a Danish axe, quite new,] [Sidenote G: the "knight in green," clothed as before.] [Sidenote H: When he reaches the stream, he hops over and strides about.] [Sidenote I: He meets Sir Gawayne without obeisance.] [Sidenote J: The other tells him that he is now ready for conversation]

XI.

[A] "Gawayn," quod at grene gome, "God e mot loke! 2240 I-wysse ou art welcom,[1] wy3e, to my place, [B] & ou hat3 tymed i trauayl as true[2] mon schulde; [C] & ou knowe3 e couenaunte3 kest vus by-twene, At is tyme twelmonyth ou toke at e falled, 2244 [D] & I schulde at is nwe 3ere 3eply e quyte. [E] & we ar in is valay, verayly oure one, Here ar no renkes vs to rydde, rele as vus like3; [F] Haf y[3] helme of y hede, & haf here y pay; 2248 Busk no more debate en I e bede enne, "When ou wypped of my hede at a wap one." [G] "Nay, bi God," quod Gawayn, "at me gost lante, I schal gruch e no grwe, for grem at falle3; 2252 Botsty3tel e vpon on strok, & I schal stonde stylle, & warp e no wernyng, to worch as e lyke3, no whare." [H] He lened with e nek, & lutte, 2256 & schewed at schyre al bare, & lette as he no3t dutte, [I] For drede he wolde not dare.

[Sidenote A: "God preserve thee!" says the Green Knight,] [Sidenote B: "as a true knight 'thou hast timed thy travel'] [Sidenote C: Thou knowest the covenant between us,] [Sidenote D: that on New Year's day I should return thy blow] [Sidenote E: Here we are alone,] [Sidenote F: Have off thy helmet and take thy pay at once."] [Sidenote G: "By God," quoth Sir Gawayne, "I shall not begrudge thee thy will."] [Sidenote H: Then he shows his bare neck,] [Sidenote I: and appears undaunted.] [Footnote 1: welcon, in MS.] [Footnote 2: truee in MS.] [Footnote 3: MS. y y.]

XII.

[A] Then e gome in e grene grayed hym swye, 2260 Gedere3 yp hys grymme tole, Gawayn to smyte; [B] With alle e bur in his body he ber hit on lofte, Munt as ma3tyly, as marre hym he wolde; Hade hit dryuen adoun, as dre3 as he atled, 2264 er hade ben ded of his dynt, at do3ty wat3 euer. Bot Gawayn on at giserne glyfte hym bysyde, [C] As hit com glydande adoun, on glode hym to schende, [D] & schranke a lytel with e schulderes, for e scharp yrne. 2268 at oer schalk wyth a schunt e schene wythhalde3, [E] & enne repreued he e prynce with mony prowde worde3: [F] "ou art not Gawayn," quod e gome, "at is so goud halden, at neuer ar3ed for no here, by hylle ne be vale, 2272 [G] & now ou fles for ferde, er ou fele harme3; [Fol. 121b.] Such cowardise of at kny3t cowe I neuer here. [H] Nawer fyked I, ne fla3e, freke, quen ou myntest, Ne kest no kauelacion, in kynge3 hous Arthor, 2276 [I] My hede fla3 to my fote, & 3et fla3 I neuer; & ou, er any harme hent, ar3e3 in hert, [J] Wherfore e better burne me burde be called er-fore." 2280 [K] Quod G:, "I schunt one3, & so wyl I no more, Bot pa3 my hede falle on e stone3, I con not hit restore.

[Sidenote A: Then the man in green seizes his grim tool.] [Sidenote B: With all his force he raises it aloft.] [Sidenote C: As it came gliding down,] [Sidenote D: Sir Gawayne shrank a little with his shoulders.] [Sidenote E: The other reproved him, saying,] [Sidenote F: "Thou art not Gawayne that is so good esteemed,] [Sidenote G: for thou fleest for fear before thou feelest harm.] [Sidenote H: I never flinched when thou struckest.] [Sidenote I: My head flew to my foot, yet I never fled,] [Sidenote J: wherefore I ought to be called the better man."] [Sidenote K: "I shunted once," says Gawayne, "but will no more.]

XIII.

2284 [A] Bot busk, burne, bi i fayth, & bryng me to e poynt, Dele to me my destine, & do hit out of honde, For I schal stonde e a strok, & start no more, Til yn ax haue me hitte, haf here my trawe." 2288 [B] "Haf at e enne," quod at oer, & heue3 hit alofte, & wayte3 as wroely, as he wode were; [C] He mynte3 at hym ma3tyly, bot not e mon ryue3,[1] With-helde heterly h[i]s honde, er hit hurt my3t. 2292 [D] Gawayn grayely hit byde3, & glent with no membre, Bot stode stylle as e ston, oer a stubbe auer, at raeled is in roche grounde, with rote3 a hundreth. en muryly efte con he mele, e mon in e grene, 2296 [E] "So now ou hat3 i hert holle, hitte me bihou[e]s; Halde e now e hy3e hode, at Arur e ra3t, & kepe y kanel at is kest, 3if hit keuer may." G: ful gryndelly with greme enne sayde, 2300 [F] "Wy resch on, ou ro mon, ou rete3 to longe, I hope at i hert ar3e wyth yn awen seluen." "For soe," quod at oer freke, "so felly ou speke3, I wyl no lenger on lyte lette in ernde, 2304 ri3t nowe." [G] enne tas he[2] hym strye to stryke, & frounses boe lyppe & browe, No meruayle a3 hym myslyke, 2308 at hoped of no rescowe.

[Sidenote A: Bring me to the point; deal me my destiny at once."] [Sidenote B: "Have at thee, then," says the other.] [Sidenote C: With that he aims at him a blow.] [Sidenote D: Gawayne never flinches, but stands as still as a stone.] [Sidenote E: "Now," says the Green Knight, "I must hit thee, since thy heart is whole."] [Sidenote F: "Thrash on," says the other.] [Sidenote G: Then the Green Knight makes ready to strike.] [Footnote 1: ? ryne3 = touches.] [Footnote 2: he he, in MS.]

XIV.

[A] He lyftes ly3tly his lome, & let hit doun fayre, [B] With e barbe of e bitte bi e bare nek [Fol. 122.] a3 he homered heterly, hurt hym no more, 2312 Bot snyrt hym on at on syde, at seuered e hyde; [C] e scharp schrank to e flesche ur3 e schyre grece, at e schene blod over his schulderes schot to e ere. [D] & quen e burne se3 e blode blenk on e snawe, 2316 He sprit forth spenne fote more en a spere lene, Hent heterly his helme, & on his hed cast, Schot with his schuldere3 his fayre schelde vnder, [E] Brayde3 out a bry3t sworde, & bremely he speke3; 2320 Neuer syn at he wat3 burne borne of his moder, Wat3 he neuer in is worlde, wy3e half so blye:— [F] "Blynne, burne, of y bur, bede me no mo; I haf a stroke in is sted with-oute stryf hent, 2324 [G] & if ow reche3 me any mo, I redyly schal quyte, & 3elde 3ederly a3ayn, & er to 3e tryst, & foo; [H] Bot on stroke here me falle3, 2328 e couenaunt schop ry3t so, [Sikered][1] in Arure3 halle3, & er-fore, hende, now hoo!"

[Sidenote A: He let fall his loom on the bare] [Sidenote B: neck of Sir Gawayne.] [Sidenote C: The sharp weapon pierced the flesh so that the blood flowed.] [Sidenote D: When the knight saw the blood on the snow,] [Sidenote E: he unsheathed his sword, and thus spake:] [Sidenote F: "Cease, man, of thy blow.] [Sidenote G: If thou givest me any more, readily shall I requite thee.] [Sidenote H: Our agreement stipulates only one stroke."] [Footnote 1: Illegible.]

XV.

[A] The hael heldet hym fro, & on his ax rested, 2332 Sette e schaft vpon schore, & to be scharp lened, [B] & loked to e leude, at on e launde 3ede, How at do3ty dredles deruely er stonde3, Armed ful a3le3; in hert hit hym lyke3. 2336 enn he mele3 muryly, wyth a much steuen, [C] & wyth a r[a]ykande rurde he to e renk sayde, "Bolde burne, on is bent be not so gryndel; No mon here vn-manerly e mys-boden habbe, 2340 Ne kyd, bot as couenaunde, at kynge3 kort schaped; [D] I hy3t e a strok, & ou hit hat3, halde e wel payed, I relece e of e remnaunt, of ry3tes alle oer; 3if[1] I deliuer had bene, a boffet, paraunter, 2344 [E] I coue wroeloker haf waret, [&] to e haf wro3t anger.[2] Fyrst I mansed e muryly, with a mynt one, [F] & roue e wyth no rof, sore with ry3t I e profered, For e forwarde that we fest in e fyrst ny3t, [Fol. 122b.] 2348 & ou trystyly e trawe & trwly me halde3, Al e gayne ow me gef, as god mon shulde; [G] at oer munt for e morne, mon, I e profered, ou kyssedes my clere wyf, e cosse3 me ra3te3, 2352 For boe two here I e bede bot two bare myntes, boute scae; [H] Trwe mon trwe restore, enne ar mon drede no wae; 2356 [I] At e rid ou fayled ore, & er-for at tappe ta e.

[Sidenote A: The Green Knight rested on his axe,] [Sidenote B: looked on Sir Gawayne, who appeared bold and fearless,] [Sidenote C: and addressed him as follows: "Bold knight, be not so wroth,] [Sidenote D: I promised thee a stroke and thou hast it, be satisfied.] [Sidenote E: I could have dealt worse with thee.] [Sidenote F: I menaced thee with one blow for the covenant between us on the first night.] [Sidenote G: Another I aimed at thee because thou kissedst my wife.] [Sidenote H: A true man should restore truly, and then he need fear no harm.] [Sidenote I: Thou failedst at the third time, and therefore take thee that tap. (See l. 1861.)] [Footnote 1: uf, in MS.] [Footnote 2: This word is doubtful.]

XVI.

[A] For hit is my wede at ou were3, at ilke wouen girdel, Myn owen wyf hit e weued, I wot wel forsoe; 2360 [B] Now know I wel y cosses, & y costes als, & e wowyng of my wyf, I wro3t hit myseluen; [C] I sende hir to asay e, & sothly me ynkke3, On e fautlest freke, at euer on fote 3ede; 2364 As perle bi e quite pese is of prys more, So is Gawayn, in god fayth, bi oer gay kny3te3. [D] Bot here you lakked a lyttel, sir, & lewte yow wonted, Bot at wat3 for no wylyde werke, ne wowyng nauer, 2368 [E] Bot for 3e lufed your lyf, e lasse I yow blame." at oer stif mon in study stod a gret whyle; So agreued for greme he gryed with-inne, [F] Alle e blode of his brest blende in his face, 2372 at al he schrank for schome, at e schalk talked. e forme worde vpon folde, at e freke meled,— [G] "Corsed worth cowarddyse & couetyse boe! In yow is vylany & vyse, at vertue disstrye3." 2376 [H] enne he ka3t to e knot, & e kest lawse3, Brayde broely e belt to e burne seluen: "Lo! er e falssyng, foule mot hit falle! [I] For care of y knokke cowardyse me ta3t 2380 To a-corde me with couetyse, my kynde to for-sake, at is larges & lewte, at longe3 to kny3te3. [J] Now am I fawty, & falce, & ferde haf ben euer; Of trecherye & vn-trawe boe bityde sor3e 2384 & care! [K] I bi-knowe yow, kny3t, here stylle, [Fol. 123.] Al fawty is my fare, Lete3 me ouer-take your wylle, 2388 & efle I schal be ware."

[Sidenote A: For my weed (woven by my wife) thou wearest.] [Sidenote B: I know thy kisses and my wife's wooing.] [Sidenote C: I sent her to try thee, and faultless I found thee.] [Sidenote D: But yet thou sinnedst a little,] [Sidenote E: for love of thy life."] [Sidenote F: Gawayne stands confounded.] [Sidenote G: "Cursed," he says, "be cowardice and covetousness both!"] [Sidenote H: Then he takes off the girdle and throws it to the knight.] [Sidenote I: He curses his cowardice,] [Sidenote J: and confesses himself to have been guilty of untruth.] [Sidenote K: ]