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diff --git a/old/14568-0.txt b/old/14568-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 929bc39..0000000 --- a/old/14568-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5329 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight - An Alliterative Romance-Poem (c. 1360 A.D.) - -Author: Anonymous - -Release Date: January 3, 2005 [eBook #14568] -[Most recently updated: April 22, 2021] - -Language: English, Middle (1100-1500) - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Ted Garvin, Keith Edkins and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team and David Widger - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIR GAWAYNE AND THE GREEN KNIGHT *** - - - - -Sir Gawayne - -and - -The Green Knight: - - -AN ALLITERATIVE ROMANCE-POEM, -(AB. 1360 A.D.) - - -BY THE AUTHOR OF -"EARLY ENGLISH ALLITERATIVE POEMS." - - -RE-EDITED FROM COTTON. MS. NERO, A.x., IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM, -BY -RICHARD MORRIS, -EDITOR OF HAMPOLE'S "PRICKE OF CONSCIENCE," -"EARLY ENGLISH ALLITERATIVE POEMS," ETC.; -MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF THE PHILOLOGICAL SOCIETY. - - -SECOND EDITION, REVISED, 1869. - -LONDON -MDCCCLXIV. - -JOHN CHILDS AND SON, PRINTERS. - - - * * * * * - -PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. - -In re-editing the present romance-poem I have been saved all labour of -transcription by using the very accurate text contained in Sir F. Madden's -"Syr Gawayne." - -I have not only read his copy with the manuscript, but also the -proof-sheets as they came to hand, hoping by this means to give the reader -a text free from any errors of transcription. - -The present edition differs from that of the earlier one in having the -contractions of the manuscript expanded and side-notes added to the text to -enable the reader to follow with some degree of ease the author's pleasant -narrative of Sir Gawayne's adventures. - -The Glossary is taken from Sir F. Madden's "Syr Gawayne,"[1] to which, for -the better interpretation of the text, I have made several additions, and -have, moreover, glossed nearly all the words previously left unexplained. - -For a description of the Manuscript, and particulars relating to the -authorship and dialect of the present work, the reader is referred to the -preface to Early English Alliterative Poems. - -R.M. - - LONDON, - December 22, 1864. - - [Footnote 1: Sir F. Madden has most generously placed at the disposal of - the Early English Text Society any of his works which it may determine to - re-edit.] - - * * * * * - -INTRODUCTION. - -No Knight of the Round Table has been so highly honoured by the old -Romance-writers as Sir Gawayne, the son of Loth, and nephew to the renowned -Arthur. They delighted to describe him as Gawayne the good, a man matchless -on mould, the most gracious that under God lived, the hardiest of hand, the -most fortunate in arms, and the most polite in hall, whose knowledge, -knighthood, kindly works, doings, doughtiness, and deeds of arms were known -in all lands. - -When Arthur beheld the dead body of his kinsman lying on the ground bathed -in blood, he is said to have exclaimed, "O righteous God, this blood were -worthy to be preserved and enshrined in gold!" Our author, too, loves to -speak of his hero in similar terms of praise, calling him the knight -faultless in his five wits, void of every offence, and adorned with every -earthly virtue. He represents him as one whose trust was in the five -wounds, and in whom the five virtues which distinguished the true knight -were more firmly established than in any other on earth. - -The author of the present story, who, as we know from his religious poems, -had an utter horror of moral impurity, could have chosen no better subject -for a romance in which amusement and moral instruction were to be combined. -In the following tale he shows how the true knight, though tempted sorely -not once alone, but twice, nay thrice, breaks not his vow of chastity, but -turns aside the tempter's shafts with the shield of purity and arm of -faith, and so passes scatheless through the perilous defile of trial and -opportunity seeming safe. - -But while our author has borrowed many of the details of his story from the -"Roman de Perceval" by Chrestien de Troyes, he has made the narrative more -attractive by the introduction of several original and highly interesting -passages which throw light on the manners and amusements of our ancestors. - -The following elaborate descriptions are well deserving of especial -notice:-- - - I. The mode of completely arming a knight (ll. 568-589). - - II. The hunting and breaking the deer (ll. 1126-1359). - - III. The hunting and unlacing the wild boar (ll. 1412-1614). - - IV. A fox hunt (ll. 1675-1921). - -The following is an outline of the story of Gawayne's adventures, more or -less in the words of the writer himself:-- - - Arthur, the greatest of Britain's kings, holds the Christmas festival - at Camelot, surrounded by the celebrated knights of the Round Table, - noble lords, the most renowned under heaven, and ladies the loveliest - that ever had life (ll. 37-57). This noble company celebrate the New - Year by a religious service, by the bestowal of gifts, and the most - joyous mirth. Lords and ladies take their seats at the table--Queen - Guenever, the grey-eyed, gaily dressed, sits at the daïs, the high - table, or table of state, where too sat Gawayne and Ywain together with - other worthies of the Round Table (ll. 58-84, 107-115). Arthur, in mood - as joyful as a child, his blood young and his brain wild, declares that - he will not eat nor sit long at the table until some adventurous thing, - some uncouth tale, some great marvel, or some encounter of arms has - occurred to mark the return of the New Year (ll. 85-106). - - The first course was announced with cracking of trumpets, with the - noise of nakers and noble pipes. - - "Each two had dishes twelve, - Good beer and bright wine both." - - Scarcely was the first course served when another noise than that of - music was heard. There rushes in at the hall-door a knight of gigantic - stature--the greatest on earth--in measure high. He was clothed - entirely in green, and rode upon a green foal (ll. 116-178). Fair wavy - hair fell about the shoulders of the Green Knight, and a great beard - like a bush hung upon his breast (ll. 179-202). - - The knight carried no helmet, shield, or spear, but in one hand a holly - bough, and in the other an axe "huge and unmeet," the edge of which was - as keen as a sharp razor (ll. 203-220). Thus arrayed, the Green Knight - enters the hall without saluting any one. The first word that he - uttered was, "Where is the govenour of this gang? gladly would I see - him and with himself speak reason." To the knights he cast his eye, - looking for the most renowned. Much did the noble assembly marvel to - see a man and a horse of such a hue, green as the grass. Even greener - they seemed than green enamel on bright gold. Many marvels had they - seen, but none such as this. They were afraid to answer, but sat - stone-still in a dead silence, as if overpowered by sleep; - - "Not all from fear, but some for courtesy" (ll. 221-249). - - Then Arthur before the high daïs salutes the Green Knight, bids him - welcome, and entreats him to stay awhile at his Court. The knight says - that his errand is not to abide in any dwelling, but to seek the most - valiant of the heroes of the Round Table that he may put his courage to - the proof, and thus satisfy himself as to the fame of Arthur's court. - "I come," he says, "in peace, as ye may see by this branch that I bear - here. Had I come with hostile intentions, I should not have left my - hauberk, helmet, shield, sharp spear, and other weapons behind me. But - because I desire no war, 'my weeds are softer.' If thou be so bold as - all men say, thou wilt grant me the request I am about to make." "Sir - courteous knight," replies Arthur, "if thou cravest battle only, here - failest thou not to fight." "Nay," says the Green Knight, "I seek no - fighting. Here about on this bench are only beardless children. Were I - arrayed in arms on a high steed no man here would be a match for me - (ll. 250-282). But it is now Christmas time, and this is the New Year, - and I see around me many brave ones;--if any be so bold in his blood - that dare strike a stroke for another, I shall give him this rich axe - to do with it whatever he pleases. I shall abide the first blow just as - I sit, and will stand him a stroke, stiff on this floor, provided that - I deal him another in return. - - And yet give I him respite, - A twelvemonth and a day; - Now haste and let see tite (soon) - Dare any here-in ought say.'" - - If he astounded them at first, much more so did he after this speech, - and fear held them all silent. The knight, righting himself in his - saddle, rolls fiercely his red eyes about, bends his bristly green - brows, and strokes his beard awaiting a reply. But finding none that - would carp with him, he exclaims, "What! is this Arthur's house, the - fame of which has spread through so many realms? Forsooth, the renown - of the Round Table is overturned by the word of one man's speech, for - all tremble for dread without a blow being struck!" (ll. 283-313). With - this he laughed so loud that Arthur blushed for very shame, and waxed - as wroth as the wind. "I know no man," he says, "that is aghast at thy - great words. Give me now thy axe and I will grant thee thy request!" - Arthur seizes the axe, grasps the handle, and sternly brandishes it - about, while the Green Knight, with a stern cheer and a dry - countenance, stroking his beard and drawing down his coat, awaits the - blow (ll. 314-335). Sir Gawayne, the nephew of the king, beseeches his - uncle to let him undertake the encounter; and, at the earnest entreaty - of his nobles, Arthur consents "to give Gawayne the game" (ll. - 336-365). - - Sir Gawayne then takes possession of the axe, but, before the blow is - dealt, the Green Knight asks the name of his opponent. "In good faith," - answers the good knight, "Gawayne I am called, that bids thee to this - buffet, whatever may befall after, and at this time twelvemonth will - take from thee another, with whatever weapon thou wilt, and with no - wight else alive." "By Gog," quoth the Green Knight, "it pleases me - well that I shall receive at thy fist that which I have sought - here--moreover thou hast truly rehearsed the terms of the - covenant,--but thou shalt first pledge me thy word that thou wilt seek - me thyself, wheresoever on earth thou believest I may be found, and - fetch thee such wages as thou dealest me to-day before this company of - doughty ones." "Where should I seek thee?" replies Gawayne, "where is - thy place? I know not thee, thy court, or thy name. I wot not where - thou dwellest, but teach me thereto, tell me how thou art called, and I - shall endeavour to find thee,--and that I swear thee for truth and by - my sure troth." "That is enough in New Year," says the groom in green, - "if I tell thee when I have received the tap. When thou hast smitten - me, then smartly I will teach thee of my house, my home, and my own - name, so that thou mayest follow my track and fulfil the covenant - between us. If I spend no speech, then speedest thou the better, for - then mayest thou remain in thy own land and seek no further; but cease - thy talking[1] (ll. 366-412). Take now thy grim tool to thee and let us - see how thou knockest." "Gladly, sir, for sooth," quoth Gawayne, and - his axe he brandishes. - - [Footnote 1: This, I think, is the true explanation of slokes.] - - The Green Knight adjusts himself on the ground, bends slightly his - head, lays his long lovely locks over his crown, and lays bare his neck - for the blow. Gawayne then gripped the axe, and, raising it on high, - let it fall quickly upon the knight's neck and severed the head from - the body. The fair head fell from the neck to the earth, and many - turned it aside with their feet as it rolled forth. The blood burst - from the body, yet the knight never faltered nor fell; but boldly he - started forth on stiff shanks and fiercely rushed forward, seized his - head, and lifted it up quickly. Then he runs to his horse, the bridle - he catches, steps into his stirrups and strides aloft. His head by the - hair he holds in his hands, and sits as firmly in his saddle as if no - mishap had ailed him, though headless he was (ll. 413-439). He turned - his ugly trunk about--that ugly body that bled,--and holding the head - in his hand, he directed the face toward the "dearest on the dais." The - head lifted up its eyelids and looked abroad, and thus much spoke with - its mouth as ye may now hear: - - "Loke, Gawayne, thou be prompt to go as thou hast promised, and seek - till thou find me according to thy promise made in the hearing of these - knights. Get thee to the Green Chapel, I charge thee, to fetch such a - dint as thou hast dealt, to be returned on New Year's morn. As the - Knight of the Green Chapel I am known to many, wherefore if thou - seekest thou canst not fail to find me. Therefore come, or recreant be - called." With a fierce start the reins he turns, rushes out of the - hall-door, his head in his hand, so that the fire of the flint flew - from the hoofs of his foal. To what kingdom he belonged knew none - there, nor knew they from whence he had come. What then? - - "The king and Gawayne there - At that green (one) they laugh and grin." - - Though Arthur wondered much at the marvel, he let no one see that he - was at all troubled about it, but full loudly thus spake to his comely - queen with courteous speech: - - "Dear dame, to-day be never dismayed, well happens such craft at - Christmas time. I may now proceed to meat, for I cannot deny that I - have witnessed a wondrous adventure this day" (ll. 440-475). - - He looked upon Sir Gawayne and said, "Now, sir, hang up thine axe, for - enough has it hewn." So the weapon was hung up on high that all might - look upon it, and "by true title thereof tell the wonder." Then all the - knights hastened to their seats at the table, so did the king and our - good knight, and they were there served with all dainties, "with all - manner of meat and minstrelsy." - - Though words were wanting when they first to seat went, now are their - hands full of stern work, and the marvel affords them good subject for - conversation. But a year passes full quickly and never returns,--the - beginning is seldom like the end; wherefore this Christmas passed away - and the year after, and each season in turn followed after another (ll. - 476-520). Thus winter winds round again, and then Gawayne thinks of his - wearisome journey (ll. 521-535). On All-hallows day Arthur entertains - right nobly the lords and ladies of his court in honour of his nephew, - for whom all courteous knights and lovely ladies were in great grief. - Nevertheless they spoke only of mirth, and, though joyless themselves, - made many a joke to cheer the good Sir Gawayne (ll. 536-565). Early on - the morrow Sir Gawayne, with great ceremony, is arrayed in his armour - (ll. 566-589), and thus completely equipped for his adventure he first - hears mass, and afterwards takes leave of Arthur, the knights of the - Round Table, and the lords and ladies of the court, who kiss him and - commend him to Christ. He bids them all good day, as he thought, for - evermore (ll. 590-669); - - "Very much was the warm water that poured from eyes that day." - - Now rides our knight through the realms of England with no companion - but his foal, and no one to hold converse with save God alone. From - Camelot, in Somersetshire, he proceeds through Gloucestershire and the - adjoining counties into Montgomeryshire, and thence through North Wales - to Holyhead, adjoining the Isle of Anglesea (ll. 670-700), from which - he passes into the very narrow peninsula of Wirral, in Cheshire, where - dwelt but few that loved God or man. Gawayne enquires after the Green - Knight of the Green Chapel, but all the inhabitants declare that they - have never seen "any man of such hues of green." - - The knight thence pursues his journey by strange paths, over hill and - moor, encountering on his way not only serpents, wolves, bulls, bears, - and boars, but wood satyrs and giants. But worse than all those, - however, was the sharp winter, "when the cold clear water shed from the - clouds, and froze ere it might fall to the earth. Nearly slain with the - sleet he slept in his armour, more nights than enough, in naked rocks" - (ll. 701-729). - - Thus in peril and plight the knight travels on until Christmas-eve, and - to Mary he makes his moan that she may direct him to some abode. On the - morn he arrives at an immense forest, wondrously wild, surrounded by - high hills on every side, where he found hoary oaks full huge, a - hundred together. The hazel and the hawthorn intermingled were all - overgrown with moss, and upon their boughs sat many sad birds that - piteously piped for pain of the cold. Gawayne besought the Lord and - Mary to guide him to some habitation where he might hear mass (ll. - 730-762). Scarcely had he crossed himself thrice, when he perceived a - dwelling in the wood set upon a hill. It was the loveliest castle he - had ever beheld. It was pitched on a prairie, with a park all about it, - enclosing many a tree for more than two miles. It shone as the sun - through the bright oaks (ll. 763-772). - - Gawayne urges on his steed Gringolet, and finds himself at the "chief - gate." He called aloud, and soon there appeared a "porter" on the wall, - who demanded his errand. - - "Good sir," quoth Gawayne, "wouldst thou go to the high lord of this - house, and crave a lodging for me?" - - "Yea, by Peter!" replied the porter, "well I know that thou art welcome - to dwell here as long as thou likest." - - The drawbridge is soon let down, and the gates opened wide to receive - the knight. Many noble ones hasten to bid him welcome (ll. 773-825). - They take away his helmet, sword, and shield, and many a proud one - presses forward to do him honour. They bring him into the hall, where a - fire was brightly burning upon the hearth. Then the lord of the land[1] - comes from his chamber and welcomes Sir Gawayne, telling him that he is - to consider the place as his own. Our knight is next conducted to a - bright bower, where was noble bedding--curtains of pure silk, with - golden hems, and Tarsic tapestries upon the walls and the floors (ll. - 826-859). Here the knight doffed his armour and put on rich robes, - which so well became him, that all declared that a more comely knight - Christ had never made (ll. 860-883). - - [Footnote 1: Gawayne is now in the castle of the Green Knight, who, - divested of his elvish or supernatural character, appears to our - knight merely as a bold one with a beaver-hued beard.] - - A table is soon raised, and Gawayne, having washed, proceeds to meat. - Many dishes are set before him--"sews" of various kinds, fish of all - kinds, some baked in bread, others broiled on the embers, some boiled, - and others seasoned with spices. The knight expresses himself well - pleased, and calls it a most noble and princely feast. - - After dinner, in reply to numerous questions, he tells his host that he - is Gawayne, one of the Knights of the Round Table. When this was made - known great was the joy in the hall. Each one said softly to his - companion, "Now we shall see courteous behaviour and learn the terms of - noble discourse, since we have amongst us 'that fine father of - nurture.' Truly God has highly favoured us in sending us such a noble - guest as Sir Gawayne" (ll. 884-927). At the end of the Christmas - festival Gawayne desires to take his departure from the castle, but his - host persuades him to stay, promising to direct him to the Green Chapel - (about two miles from the castle), that he may be there by the - appointed time (ll. 1029-1082). - - A covenant is made between them, the terms of which were that the lord - of the castle should go out early to the chase, that Gawayne meanwhile - should lie in his loft at his ease, then rise at his usual hour, and - afterwards sit at table with his hostess, and that at the end of the - day they should make an exchange of whatever they might obtain in the - interim. "Whatever I win in the wood," says the lord, "shall be yours, - and what thou gettest shall be mine" (ll. 1083-1125). - - Full early before daybreak the folk uprise, saddle their horses, and - truss their mails. The noble lord of the land, arrayed for riding, eats - hastily a sop, and having heard mass, proceeds with a hundred hunters - to hunt the wild deer (ll. 1126-1177). - - All this time Gawayne lies in his gay bed. His nap is disturbed by a - little noise at the door, which is softly opened. He heaves up his head - out of the clothes, and, peeping through the curtains, beholds a most - lovely lady (the wife of his host). She came towards the bed, and the - knight laid himself down quickly, pretending to be asleep. The lady - stole to the bed, cast up the curtains, crept within, sat her softly on - the bed-side, and waited some time till the knight should awake. After - lurking awhile under the clothes considering what it all meant, Gawayne - unlocked his eyelids, and put on a look of surprise, at the same time - making the sign of the cross, as if afraid of some hidden danger (ll. - 1178-1207). "Good morrow, sir," said that fair lady, "ye are a careless - sleeper to let one enter thus. I shall bind you in your bed, of that be - ye sure." "Good morrow," quoth Gawayne, "I shall act according to your - will with great pleasure, but permit me to rise that I may the more - comfortably converse with you." "Nay, beau sir," said that sweet one, - "ye shall not rise from your bed, for since I have caught my knight I - shall hold talk with him. I ween well that ye are Sir Gawayne that all - the world worships, whose honour and courtesy are so greatly praised. - Now ye are here, and we are alone (my lord and his men being afar off, - other men, too, are in bed, so are my maidens), and the door is safely - closed, I shall use my time well while it lasts. Ye are welcome to my - person to do with it as ye please, and I will be your servant" (ll. - 1208-1240). - - Gawayne behaves most discreetly, for the remembrance of his forthcoming - adventure at the Green Chapel prevents him from thinking of love (ll. - 1205-1289). At last the lady takes leave of the knight by catching him - in her arms and kissing him (ll. 1290-1307). The day passes away - merrily, and at dusk the Lord of the castle returns from the chase. He - presents the venison to Gawayne according to the previous covenant - between them. Our knight gives his host a kiss as the only piece of - good fortune that had fallen to him during the day. "It is good," says - the other, "and would be much better if ye would tell me where ye won - such bliss" (ll. 1308-1394). "That was not in our covenant," replies - Gawayne, "so try me no more." After much laughing on both sides they - proceed to supper, and afterwards, while the choice wine is being - carried round, Gawayne and his host renew their agreement. Late at - night they take leave of each other and hasten to their beds. "By the - time that the cock had crowed and cackled thrice" the lord was up, and - after "meat and mass" were over the hunters make for the woods, where - they give chase to a wild boar who had grown old and mischievous (ll. - 1395-1467). - - While the sportsmen are hunting this "wild swine" our lovely knight - lies in his bed. He is not forgotten by the lady, who pays him an early - visit, seeking to make further trial of his virtues. She sits softly by - his side and tells him that he has forgotten what she taught him the - day before (ll. 1468-1486). "I taught you of kissing," says she; "that - becomes every courteous knight." Gawayne says that he must not take - that which is forbidden him. The lady replies that he is strong enough - to enforce his own wishes. Our knight answers that every gift not given - with a good will is worthless. His fair visitor then enquires how it is - that he who is so skilled in the true sport of love and so renowned a - knight, has never talked to her of love (ll. 1487-1524). "You ought," - she says, "to show and teach a young thing like me some tokens of - true-love's crafts; I come hither and sit here alone to learn of you - some game; do teach me of your wit while my lord is from home." Gawayne - replies that he cannot undertake the task of expounding true-love and - tales of arms to one who has far more wisdom than he possesses. Thus - did our knight avoid all appearance of evil, though sorely pressed to - do what was wrong (ll. 1525-1552). The lady, having bestowed two kisses - upon Sir Gawayne, takes her leave of him (ll. 1553-1557). - - At the end of the day the lord of the castle returns home with the - shields and head of the wild boar. He shows them to his guest, who - declares that "such a brawn of a beast, nor such sides of a swine," he - never before has seen. Gawayne takes possession of the spoil according - to covenant, and in return he bestows two kisses upon his host, who - declares that his guest has indeed been rich with "such chaffer" (ll. - 1558-1647). - - After much persuasion, Gawayne consents to stop at the castle another - day (ll. 1648-1685). Early on the morrow the lord and his men hasten to - the woods, and come upon the track of a fox, the hunting of which - affords them plenty of employment and sport (ll. 1686-1730). Meanwhile - our good knight sleeps soundly within his comely curtains. He is again - visited by the lady of the castle. So gaily was she attired, and so - "faultless of her features," that great joy warmed the heart of Sir - Gawayne. With soft and pleasant smiles "they smite into mirth," and are - soon engaged in conversation. Had not Mary thought of her knight, he - would have been in great peril (ll. 1731-1769). So sorely does the fair - one press him with her love, that he fears lest he should become a - traitor to his host. The lady enquires whether he has a mistress to - whom he has plighted his troth. The knight swears by St John that he - neither has nor desires one. This answer causes the dame to sigh for - sorrow, and telling him that she must depart, she asks for some gift, - if it were only a glove, by which she might "think on the knight and - lessen her grief" (ll. 1770-1800). Gawayne assures her that he has - nothing worthy of her acceptance; that he is on an "uncouth errand," - and therefore has "no men with no mails containing precious things," - for which he is truly sorry. - - Quoth that lovesome (one)-- - - "Though I had nought of yours, - Yet should ye have of mine. - - Thus saying, she offers him a rich ring of red gold "with a shining - stone standing aloft," that shone like the beams of the bright sun. The - knight refused the gift, as he had nothing to give in return. "Since ye - refuse my ring," says the lady, "because it seems too rich, and ye - would not be beholden to me, I shall give you my girdle that is less - valuable" (ll. 1801-1835). But Gawayne replies that he will not accept - gold or reward of any kind, though "ever in hot and in cold" he will be - her true servant. - - "Do ye refuse it," asks the lady, "because it seems simple and of - little value? Whoso knew the virtues that are knit therein would - estimate it more highly. For he who is girded with this green lace - cannot be wounded or slain by any man under heaven." The knight thinks - awhile, and it strikes him that this would be a "jewel for the - jeopardy" that he had to undergo at the Green Chapel. So he not only - accepts the lace, but promises to keep the possession of it a secret - (ll. 1836-1865). By that time the lady had kissed him thrice, and she - then takes "her leave and leaves him there." - - Gawayne rises, dresses himself in noble array, and conceals the "love - lace" where he might find it again. He then hies to mass, shrives him - of his misdeeds, and obtains absolution. On his return to the hall he - solaces the ladies with comely carols and all kinds of joy (ll. - 1866-1892). The dark night came, and then the lord of the castle, - having slain the fox, returns to his "dear home," where he finds a fire - brightly turning and his guest amusing the ladies (ll. 1893-1927). - Gawayne, in fulfilment of his agreement, kisses his host thrice.[1] "By - Christ," quoth the other knight, "ye have caught much bliss. I have - hunted all this day and nought have I got but the skin of this foul fox - (the devil have the goods!), and that is full poor for to pay for such - precious things" (ll. 1928-1951). - - After the usual evening's entertainment, Gawayne retires to rest. The - next morning, being New Year's day, is cold and stormy. Snow falls, and - the dales are full of drift. Our knight in his bed locks his eyelids, - but full little he sleeps. By each cock that crows he knows the hour, - and before day-break he calls for his chamberlain, who quickly brings - him his armour (ll. 1952-2014). While Gawayne clothed himself in his - rich weeds he forgot not the "lace, the lady's gift," but with it - doubly girded his loins. He wore it not for its rich ornaments, "but to - save himself when it behoved him to suffer," and as a safeguard against - sword or knife (ll. 2015-2046). - - Having thanked his host and all the renowned assembly for the great - kindness he had experienced at their hands, "he steps into stirrups and - strides aloft" (ll. 2047-2068). - - The drawbridge is let down, and the broad gates unbarred and borne open - upon both sides, and the knight, after commending the castle to Christ, - passes thereout and goes on his way accompanied by his guide, that - should teach him to turn to that place where he should receive the - much-dreaded blow. They climb over cliffs, where each hill had a hat - and a mist-cloak, until the next morn, when they find themselves on a - full high hill covered with snow. The servant bids his master remain - awhile, saying, "I have brought you hither at this time, and now ye are - not far from that noted place that ye have so often enquired after. The - place that ye press to is esteemed full perilous, and there dwells a - man in that waste the worst upon earth, for he is stiff and stern and - loves to strike, and greater is he than any man upon middle-earth, and - his body is bigger than the best four in Arthur's house. He keeps the - Green Chapel; there passes none by that place, however proud in arms, - that he does not 'ding him to death with dint of his hand.' He is a man - immoderate and 'no mercy uses,' for be it churl or chaplain that by the - chapel rides, monk or mass-priest, or any man else, it is as pleasant - to him to kill them as to go alive himself. Wherefore I tell thee - truly, 'come ye there, ye be killed, though ye had twenty lives to - spend. He has dwelt there long of yore, and on field much sorrow has - wrought. Against his sore dints ye may not defend you' (ll. 2069-2117). - Therefore, good Sir Gawayne, let the man alone, and for God's sake go - by some other path, and then I shall hie me home again. I swear to you - by - - [Footnote 1: He only in part keeps to his covenant, as he holds back - the love-lace.] - - God and all His saints that I will never say that ever ye attempted to - flee from any man." - - Gawayne thanks his guide for his well-meant kindness, but declares that - to the Green Chapel he will go, though the owner thereof be "a stern - knave," for God can devise means to save his servants. - - "Mary!" quoth the other, "since it pleases thee to lose thy life I will - not hinder thee. Have thy helmet on thy head, thy spear in thy hand, - and ride down this path by yon rock-side, till thou be brought to the - bottom of the valley. Then look a little on the plain, on thy left - hand, and thou shalt see in that slade the chapel itself, and the burly - knight that guards it (ll. 2118-2148). Now, farewell Gawayne the noble! - for all the gold upon ground I would not go with thee nor bear thee - fellowship through this wood 'on foot farther.'" Thus having spoken, he - gallops away and leaves the knight alone. - - Gawayne now pursues his journey, rides through the dale, and looks - about. He sees no signs of a resting-place, but only high and steep - banks, and the very shadows of the high woods seemed wild and - distorted. No chapel, however, could he discover. After a while he sees - a round hill by the side of a stream; thither he goes, alights, and - fastens his horse to the branch of a tree. He walks about the hill, - debating with himself what it might be. It had a hole in the one end - and on each side, and everywhere overgrown with grass, but whether it - was only an old cave or a crevice of an old crag he could not tell (ll. - 2149-2188). - - "Now, indeed," quoth Gawayne, "a desert is here; this oratory is ugly - with herbs overgrown. It is a fitting place for the man in green to - 'deal here his devotions after the devil's manner.' Now I feel it is - the fiend (the devil) in my five wits that has covenanted with me that - he may destroy me. This is a chapel of misfortune--evil betide it! It - is the most cursed kirk that ever I came in." With his helmet on his - head, and spear in his hand, he roams up to the rock, and then he hears - from that high hill beyond the brook a wondrous wild noise. Lo! it - clattered in the cliff as if one upon a grindstone were grinding a - scythe. It whirred like the water at a mill, and rushed and re-echoed, - terrible to hear. "Though my life I forgo," says Gawayne, "no noise - shall cause me to fear." - - Then he cried aloud, "Who dwells in this place, discourse with me to - hold? For now is good Gawayne going right here if any brave wight will - hie him hither, either now or never" (ll. 2189-2216). - - "Abide," quoth one on the bank above, over his head, "and thou shalt - have all in haste that I promised thee once." - - Soon there comes out of a hole in the crag, with a fell weapon a Danish - axe quite new, the "man in the green," clothed as at first as his legs, - locks and beard. But now he is on foot and walks on the earth. When he - reaches the stream, he hops over and boldly strides about. He meets Sir - Gawayne, who tells him that he is quite ready to fulfil his part of the - compact. "Gawayne," quoth that 'green gome' (man), "may God preserve - thee! Truly thou art welcome to my place, 'and thou hast timed thy - travel' as a true man should. Thou knowest the covenants made between - us, at this time twelve-month, that on New Year's day I should return - thee thy blow. We are now in this valley by ourselves, and can do as we - please (ll. 2217-2246). Have, therefore, thy helmet off thy head, and - 'have here thy pay.' Let us have no more talk than when thou didst - strike off my head with a single blow." - - "Nay, by God!" quoth Gawayne, "I shall not begrudge thee thy will for - any harm that may happen, but will stand still while thou strikest." - - Then he stoops a little and shows his bare neck, unmoved by any fear. - The Green Knight takes up his "grim tool," and with all his force - raises it aloft, as if he meant utterly to destroy him. As the axe came - gliding down Gawayne "shrank a little with the shoulders from the sharp - iron." The other withheld his weapon, and then reproved the prince with - many proud words. "Thou art not Gawayne that is so good esteemed, that - never feared for no host by hill nor by vale, for now thou fleest for - fear before thou feelest harm (ll. 2247-2272). Such cowardice of that - knight did I never hear. I never flinched nor fled when thou didst aim - at me in King Arthur's house. My head flew to my feet and yet I never - fled, wherefore I deserve to be called the better man." - - Quoth Gawayne, "I shunted once, but will do so no more, though my head - fall on the stones. But hasten and bring me to the point; deal me my - destiny, and do it out of hand, for I shall stand thee a stroke and - start no more until thine axe has hit me--have here my troth." "Have at - thee, then," said the other, and heaves the axe aloft, and looks as - savagely as if he were mad. He aims at the other mightily, but - withholds his hand ere it might hurt. Gawayne readily abides the blow - without flinching with any member, and stood still as a stone or a tree - fixed in rocky ground with a hundred roots. - - Then merrily the other did speak, "Since now thou hast thy heart whole - it behoves me to strike, so take care of thy neck." Gawayne answers - with great wroth, "Thrash on, thou fierce man, thou threatenest too - long; I believe thy own heart fails thee." - - "Forsooth," quoth the other, "since thou speakest so boldly, I will no - longer delay" (ll. 2273-2304). Then, contracting "both lips and brow," - he made ready to strike, and let fall his axe on the bare neck of Sir - Gawayne. "Though he hammered" fiercely, he only "severed the hide," - causing the blood to flow. When Gawayne saw his blood on the snow, he - quickly seized his helmet and placed it on his head. Then he drew out - his bright sword, and thus angrily spoke: "Cease, man, of thy blow, bid - me no more. I have received a stroke in this place without opposition, - but if thou givest me any more readily shall I requite thee, of that be - thou sure. Our covenant stipulates one stroke, and therefore now - cease." - - The Green Knight, resting on his axe, looks on Sir Gawayne, as bold and - fearless he there stood, and then with a loud voice thus addresses the - knight: "Bold knight, be not so wroth, no man here has wronged thee - (ll. 2305-2339); I promised thee a stroke, and thou hast it, so hold - thee well pleased. I could have dealt much worse with thee, and caused - thee much sorrow. Two blows I aimed at thee, for twice thou kissedst my - fair wife; but I struck thee not, because thou restoredst them to me - according to agreement. At the third time thou failedst, and therefore - I have given thee that tap. That woven girdle, given thee by my own - wife, belongs to me. I know well thy kisses, thy conduct also, and the - wooing of my wife, for I wrought it myself. I sent her to try thee, and - truly methinks thou art the most faultless man that ever on foot went. - Still, sir, thou wert wanting in good faith; but as it proceeded from - no immorality, thou being only desirous of saving thy life, the less I - blame thee." - - Gawayne stood confounded, the blood rushed into his face, and he shrank - within himself for very shame. "Cursed," he cried, "be cowardice and - covetousness both; in you are villany and vice, that virtue destroy." - Then he takes off the girdle and throws it to the knight in green, - cursing his cowardice and covetousness. The Green Knight, laughing, - thus spoke: "Thou hast confessed so clean, and acknowledged thy faults, - that I hold thee as pure as thou hadst never forfeited since thou wast - first born. I give thee, sir, the gold-hemmed girdle as a token of thy - adventure at the Green Chapel. Come now to my castle, and we shall - enjoy together the festivities of the New Year" (ll. 2340-2406). - - "Nay, forsooth," quoth the knight, "but for your kindness may God - requite you. Commend me to that courteous one your comely wife, who - with her crafts has beguiled me. But it is no uncommon thing for a man - to come to sorrow through women's wiles; for so was Adam beguiled with - one, and Solomon with many. Samson was destroyed by Delilah, and David - suffered much through Bathsheba. 'It were indeed great bliss for a - man to love them well and believe them not.' Since the greatest - upon earth were so beguiled, methinks I should be excused. But God - reward you for your girdle, which I will ever wear in remembrance of my - fault, and when pride shall exalt me, a look to this love-lace shall - lessen it (ll. 2407-2438). But since ye are the lord of yonder land, - from whom I have received so much honour, tell me truly your right - name, and I shall ask no more questions." - - Quoth the other, "I am called Bernlak de Hautdesert, through might of - Morgain la Fay, who dwells in my house. Much has she learnt of Merlin, - who knows all your knights at home. She brought me to your hall for to - essay the prowess of the Round Table. She wrought this wonder to - bereave you of your wits, hoping to have grieved Guenever and - affrighted her to death by means of the man that spoke with his head in - his hand before the high table. She is even thine aunt, Arthur's half - sister; wherefore come to thine aunt, for all my household love thee." - - Gawayne refuses to accompany the Green Knight, and so, with many - embraces and kind wishes, they separate--the one to his castle, the - other to Arthur's court. - - After passing through many wild ways, our knight recovers from the - wound in his neck, and at last comes safe and sound to the court of - King Arthur. Great then was the joy of all; the king and queen kiss - their brave knight, and make many enquiries about his journey. He tells - them of his adventures, hiding nothing--"the chance of the chapel, the - cheer of the knight, the love of the lady, and lastly of the lace." - Groaning for grief and shame he shows them the cut in his neck, which - he had received for his unfaithfulness (ll. 2439-2504). The king and - his courtiers comfort the knight--they laugh loudly at his adventures, - and unanimously agree that those lords and ladies that belonged to the - Round Table, and each knight of the brotherhood should ever after wear - a bright green belt for Gawayne's sake. And he upon whom it was - conferred honoured it evermore after. - - Thus in Arthur's time this adventure befell, whereof the "Brutus Books" - bear witness (ll. 2505-2530). - -I need not say that the Brutus Books we possess do not contain the -legend here set forth, though it is not much more improbable than some of -the statements contained in them. If the reader desires to know the -relation in which this and the like stories stand to the original Arthur -legends, he will find it discussed in Sir F. Madden's Preface to his -edition of "Syr Gawayne," which also contains a sketch of the very -different views taken of Sir Gawayne by the different Romance writers. - -Into this and other literary questions I do not enter here, as I -have nothing to add to Sir F. Madden's statements; but in the text of the -Poem I have differed from him in some few readings, which will be found -noticed in the Notes and Glossary. - -As the manuscript is fast fading, I am glad that the existence of the Early -English Text Society has enabled us to secure a wider diffusion of its -contents before the original shall be no longer legible. - -We want nothing but an increased supply of members to enable us to give to -a large circle of readers many an equally interesting record of Early -English minds. - - * * * * * - - -NOTE: The Old English "yogh" characters have been translated both -upper and lower-case yoghs to digit 3's. There are Unicode -allocations for these (in HTML Ȝ and ȝ) but at present -no font which implements these. Substiting the digit 3 seemed a -workable compromise which anybody can read. The linked html -"Old English 'yogh' file" uses Ȝ and ȝ representations, -and is included for users with specialist fonts. - - - * * * * * - - - - - -SYR GAWAYN AND THE GRENE KNY3T. - -[FYTTE THE FIRST.] - - I. - - [A] Siþen þe sege & þe assaut wat3 sesed at Troye, [Fol. 91a.] - Þe bor3 brittened & brent to bronde3 & aske3, - Þe tulk þat þe trammes of tresoun þer wro3t, - 4 Wat3 tried for his tricherie, þe trewest on erthe; - Hit wat3 Ennias þe athel, & his highe kynde, - Þat siþen depreced prouinces, & patrounes bicome - Welne3e of al þe wele in þe west iles, - 8 [B] Fro riche Romulus to Rome ricchis hym swyþe, - With gret bobbaunce þat bur3e he biges vpon fyrst, - & neuenes hit his aune nome, as hit now hat; - Ticius to Tuskan [turnes,] & teldes bigynnes; - 12 Langaberde in Lumbardie lyftes vp homes; - [C] & fer ouer þe French flod Felix Brutus - On mony bonkkes ful brode Bretayn he sette3, - wyth wynne; - 16 [D] Where werre, & wrake, & wonder, - Bi syþe3 hat3 wont þer-inne, - [E] & oft boþe blysse & blunder - Ful skete hat3 skyfted synne. - -[Sidenote A: After the siege of Troy] -[Sidenote B: Romulus built Rome,] -[Sidenote C: and Felix Brutus founded Britain,] -[Sidenote D: a land of war and wonder,] -[Sidenote E: and oft of bliss and blunder.] - - II. - - 20 Ande quen þis Bretayn wat3 bigged bi þis burn rych, - [A] Bolde bredden þer-inne, baret þat lofden, - In mony turned tyme tene þat wro3ten; - Mo ferlyes on þis folde han fallen here oft - 24 [B] Þen in any oþer þat I wot, syn þat ilk tyme. - [C] Bot of alle þat here bult of Bretaygne kynges - Ay wat3 Arthur þe hendest; as I haf herde telle; - For-þi an aunter in erde I attle to schawe, [Fol. 91b.] - 28 Þat a selly in si3t summe men hit holden, - & an outtrage awenture of Arthure3 wondere3; - [D] If 3e wyl lysten þis laye bot on littel quile, - I schal telle hit, as-tit, as I in toun herde, - 32 with tonge; - As hit is stad & stoken, - In stori stif & stronge, - With lel letteres loken, - 36 In londe so hat3 ben longe. - -[Sidenote A: Bold men increased in the Land,] -[Sidenote B: and many marvels happened.] -[Sidenote C: Of all Britain's kings Arthur was the noblest.] -[Sidenote D: Listen a while and ye shall hear the story of an "outrageous - adventure."] - - III. - - [A] Þis kyng lay at Camylot vpon kryst-masse, - With mony luflych lorde, lede3 of þe best, - [B] Rekenly of þe rounde table alle þo rich breþer, - 40 With rych reuel ory3t, & rechles merþes; - Þer tournayed tulkes bi-tyme3 ful mony, - Iusted ful Iolilé þise gentyle kni3tes, - Syþen kayred to þe court, caroles to make. - 44 [C] For þer þe fest wat3 ilyche ful fiften dayes, - With alle þe mete & þe mirþe þat men couþe a-vyse; - Such glaumande gle glorious to here, - Dere dyn vp-on day, daunsyng on ny3tes, - 48 [D] Al wat3 hap vpon he3e in halle3 & chambre3, - With lorde3 & ladies, as leuest him þo3t; - With all þe wele of þe worlde þay woned þer samen, - [E] Þe most kyd kny3te3 vnder kryste seluen, - 52 & þe louelokkest ladies þat euer lif haden, - & he þe comlokest kyng þat þe court haldes; - For al wat3 þis fayre folk in her first age, - on sille; - 56 [F] Þe hapnest vnder heuen, - Kyng hy3est mon of wylle, - Hit were[1] now gret nye to neuen - So hardy a here on hille. - -[Sidenote A: Arthur held at Camelot his Christmas feast,] -[Sidenote B: with all the knights of the Round Table,] -[Sidenote C: full fifteen days.] -[Sidenote D: All was joy in hall and chamber,] -[Sidenote E: among brave knights and lovely ladies,] -[Sidenote F: the happiest under heaven.] -[Footnote 1: MS. werere.] - - IV. - - 60 [A] Wyle nw 3er wat3 so 3ep þat hit wat3 nwe cummen, - Þat day doubble on þe dece wat3 þe douth serued, - Fro þe kyng wat3 cummen with kny3tes in to þe halle, - Þe chauntre of þe chapel cheued to an ende; - 64 Loude crye wat3 þer kest of clerke3 & oþer, - Nowel nayted o-newe, neuened ful ofte; [Fol. 92] - & syþen riche forth runnen to reche honde-selle, - [B] 3e3ed 3eres 3iftes on hi3, 3elde hem bi hond, - 68 Debated busyly aboute þo giftes; - Ladies la3ed ful loude, þo3 þay lost haden, - & he þat wan wat3 not wrothe, þat may 3e wel trawe. - [C] Alle þis mirþe þay maden to þe mete tyme; - 72 When þay had waschen, worþyly þay wenten to sete, - Þe best burne ay abof, as hit best semed; - [D] Whene Guenore ful gay, grayþed in þe myddes. - Dressed on þe dere des, dubbed al aboute, - 76 Smal sendal bisides, a selure hir ouer - Of tryed Tolouse, of Tars tapites in-noghe, - Þat were enbrawded & beten wyth þe best gemmes, - Þat my3t be preued of prys wyth penyes to bye, - 80 in daye; - [E] Þe comlokest to discrye, - Þer glent with y3en gray, - A semloker þat euer he sy3e, - 84 Soth mo3t no mon say. - -[Sidenote A: They celebrate the New Year with great joy.] -[Sidenote B: Gifts are demanded and bestowed.] -[Sidenote C: Lords and ladies take their seats at the table.] -[Sidenote D: Queen Guenever appears gaily dressed.] -[Sidenote E: A lady fairer of form might no one say he had ever before - seen.] - - V. - - [A] Bot Arthure wolde not ete til al were serued, - He wat3 so Ioly of his Ioyfnes, & sum-quat child gered, - His lif liked hym ly3t, he louied þe lasse - 88 [B] Auþer to lenge lye, or to longe sitte, - So bi-sied him his 3onge blod & his brayn wylde; - & also anoþer maner meued him eke, - Þat he þur3 nobelay had nomen, ho wolde neuer ete - 92 Vpon such a dere day, er hym deuised were - [C] Of sum auenturus þyng an vncouþe tale, - Of sum mayn meruayle, þat he my3t trawe, - Of[1] alderes, of armes, of oþer auenturus, - 96 Oþer sum segg hym bi-so3t of sum siker kny3t, - To Ioyne wyth hym in iustyng in Iopardé to lay, - Lede lif for lyf, leue vchon oþer, - As fortune wolde fulsun hom þe fayrer to haue. - 100 Þis wat3 [þe] kynges countenaunce where he in court were, - At vch farand fest among his fre meny, - in halle; [Fol. 92b.] - [D] Þer-fore of face so fere. - 104 He sti3tle3 stif in stalle, - Ful 3ep in þat nw 3ere, - Much mirthe he mas with alle. - -[Sidenote A: Arthur would not eat,] -[Sidenote B: nor would he long sit] -[Sidenote C: until he had witnessed a "wondrous adventure" of some kind.] -[Sidenote D: He of face so bold makes much mirth with all.] -[Footnote 1: Of of, in MS.] - - VI. - - [A] Thus þer stondes in stale þe stif kyng his-seluen, - 108 Talkkande bifore þe hy3e table of trifles ful hende - [B] There gode Gawan wat3 grayþed, Gwenore bisyde - [C] & Agrauayn a la dure mayn on þat oþer syde sittes - Boþe þe kynges sister sunes, & ful siker kni3tes; - 112 [D] Bischop Bawdewyn abof bi-gine3 þe table, - [E] & Ywan, Vryn son, ette wit hym-seluen; - Þise were di3t on þe des, & derworþly serued, - & siþen mony siker segge at þe sidborde3. - 116 [F] Þen þe first cors come with crakkyng of trumpes, - Wyth mony baner ful bry3t, þat þer-bi henged, - Nwe nakryn noyse with þe noble pipes, - Wylde werbles & wy3t wakned lote, - 120 Þat mony hert ful hi3e hef at her towches; - [G] Dayntes dryuen þer-wyth of ful dere metes, - Foysoun of þe fresche, & on so fele disches, - Þat pine to fynde þe place þe peple bi-forne - 124 For to sette þe syluener,[1] þat sere sewes halden, - on clothe; - Iche lede as he loued hym-selue - Þer laght with-outen loþe, - 128 [H] Ay two had disches twelue, - [I] Good ber, & bry3t wyn boþe. - -[Sidenote A: The king talks with his knights.] -[Sidenote B: Gawayne,] -[Sidenote C: Agravayn,] -[Sidenote D: Bishop Bawdewyn,] -[Sidenote E: and Ywain sit on the dais.] -[Sidenote F: The first course is served with cracking of trumpets.] -[Sidenote G: It consisted of all dainties in season.] -[Sidenote H: Each two had dishes twelve,] -[Sidenote I: good beer and bright wine both.] -[Footnote 1: svlueren (?) (dishes).] - - VII. - - [A] Now wyl I of hor seruise say yow no more, - For veh wy3e may wel wit no wont þat þer were; - 132 [B] An oþer noyse ful newe ne3ed biliue, - Þat þe lude my3t haf leue lif-lode to cach. - For vneþe wat3 þe noyce not a whyle sesed, - & þe fyrst cource in þe court kyndely serued, - 136 [C] Þer hales in at þe halle dor an aghlich mayster, - On þe most on þe molde on mesure hyghe; - Fro þe swyre to þe swange so sware & so þik, - [D] & his lyndes & his lymes so longe & so grete, - 140 Half etayn in erde I hope þat he were. [Fol. 93.] - [E] Bot mon most I algate mynn hym to bene, - & þat þe myriest in his muckel þat my3t ride; - [F] For of bak & of brest al were his bodi sturne, - 144 [G] Bot his wombe & his wast were worthily smale, - & alle his fetures fol3ande, in forme þat he hade, - ful clene; - For wonder of his hwe men hade, - 148 Set in his semblaunt sene; - He ferde as freke were fade, - & ouer-al enker grene. - -[Sidenote A: There was no want of anything.] -[Sidenote B: Scarcely had the first course commenced,] -[Sidenote C: when there rushes in at the hall-door a knight;] -[Sidenote D: the tallest on earth] -[Sidenote E: he must have been.] -[Sidenote F: His back and breast were great,] -[Sidenote G: but his belly and waist were small.] - - VIII. - - [A] Ande al grayþed in grene þis gome & his wedes, - 152 A strayt cote ful stre3t, þat stek on his sides, - A mere mantile abof, mensked with-inne, - With pelure pured apert þe pane ful clene, - With blyþe blaunner ful bry3t, & his hod boþe, - 156 Þat wat3 la3t fro his lokke3, & layde on his schulderes - Heme wel haled, hose of þat same grene, - [B] Þat spenet on his sparlyr, & clene spures vnder, - Of bry3t golde, vpon silk bordes, barred ful ryche - 160 & scholes vnder schankes, þere þe schalk rides; - & alle his vesture uerayly wat3 clene verdure, - Boþe þe barres of his belt & oþer blyþe stones, - Þat were richely rayled in his aray clene, - 164 [C] Aboutte hym-self & his sadel, vpon silk werke3, - Þat were to tor for to telle of tryfles þe halue, - Þat were enbrauded abof, wyth bryddes & fly3es, - With gay gaudi of grene, þe golde ay in myddes; - 168 Þe pendauntes of his payttrure, þe proude cropure - His molaynes, & alle þe metail anamayld was þenne - Þe steropes þat he stod on, stayned of þe same, - & his arsoun3 al after, & his aþel sturtes, - 172 Þat euer glemered[1] & glent al of grene stones. - [D] Þe fole þat he ferkkes on, fyn of þat ilke, - sertayn; - A grene hors gret & þikke, - 176 [E] A stede ful stif to strayne, - In brawden brydel quik, - To þe gome he wat3 ful gayn. [Fol. 93b.] - -[Sidenote A: He was clothed entirely in green.] -[Sidenote B: His spurs were of bright gold.] -[Sidenote C: His saddle was embroidered with birds and flies.] -[Sidenote D: The foal that he rode upon was green;] -[Sidenote E: it was a steed full stiff to guide.] -[Footnote 1: glemed (?).] - - IX. - - [A] Wel gay wat3 þis gome gered in grene, - 180 & þe here of his hed of his hors swete; - Fayre fannand fax vmbe-foldes his schulderes; - [B] A much berd as[1] a busk ouer his brest henges, - Þat wyth his hi3lich here, þat of his hed reches, - 184 Wat3 euesed al vmbe-torne, a-bof his elbowes, - Þat half his armes þer vnder were halched in þe wyse - Of a kynge3 capados, þat closes his swyre. - [C] Þe mane of þat mayn hors much to hit lyke, - 188 Wel cresped & cemmed wyth knottes ful mony, - Folden in wyth fildore aboute þe fayre grene, - Ay a herle of þe here, an oþer of golde; - [D] Þe tayl & his toppyng twynnen of a sute, - 192 & bounden boþe wyth a bande of a bry3t grene, - Dubbed wyth ful dere stone3, as þe dok lasted, - Syþen þrawen wyth a þwong a þwarle knot alofte, - Þer mony belle3 ful bry3t of brende golde rungen. - 196 [E] Such a fole vpon folde, ne freke þat hym rydes, - Wat3 neuer sene in þat sale wyth sy3t er þat tyme, - with y3e; - He loked as layt so ly3t, - 200 So sayd al þat hym sy3e, - [F] Hit semed as no mon my3t, - Vnder his dyntte3 dry3e. - -[Sidenote A: Gaily was the knight attired.] -[Sidenote B: His great beard, like a bush, hung on his breast.] -[Sidenote C: The horse's mane was decked with golden threads.] -[Sidenote D: Its tail was bound with a green band.] -[Sidenote E: Such a foal nor a knight were never before seen.] -[Sidenote F: It seemed that no man might endure his dints.] -[Footnote 1: as as, in MS.] - - X. - - [A] Wheþer hade he no helme ne hawb[e]rgh nauþer, - 204 Ne no pysan, ne no plate þat pented to armes, - Ne no schafte, ne no schelde, to schwne ne to smyte, - [B] Bot in his on honde he hade a holyn bobbe, - Þat is grattest in grene, when greue3 ar bare, - 208 [C] & an ax in his oþer, a hoge & vn-mete, - A spetos sparþe to expoun in spelle quo-so my3t; - Þe hede of an eln3erde þe large lenkþe hade, - Þe grayn al of grene stele & of golde hewen, - 212 [D] Þe bit burnyst bry3t, with a brod egge, - As wel schapen to schere as scharp rasores; - Þe stele of a stif staf þe sturne hit bi-grypte, - Þat wat3 wounden wyth yrn to þe wande3 ende, [Fol. 94.] - 216 [E] & al bigrauen with grene, in gracios[1] werkes; - A lace lapped aboute, þat louked at þe hede, - & so after þe halme halched ful ofte, - Wyth tryed tassele3 þerto tacched in-noghe, - 220 [F] On botoun3 of þe bry3t grene brayden ful ryche. - Þis haþel helde3 hym in, & þe halle entres, - Driuande to þe he3e dece, dut he no woþe, - [G] Haylsed he neuer one, bot he3e he ouer loked. - 224 Þe fyrst word þat he warp, "wher is," he sayd, - [H] "Þe gouernour of þis gyng? gladly I wolde - Se þat segg in sy3t, & with hym self speke - raysoun." - 228 To kny3te3 he kest his y3e, - & reled hym vp & doun, - [I] He stemmed & con studie, - Quo walt þer most renoun. - -[Sidenote A: The knight carried neither spear nor shield,] -[Sidenote B: In one hand was a holly bough,] -[Sidenote C: in the other an axe,] -[Sidenote D: the edge of which was as keen as a sharp razor,] -[Sidenote E: and the handle was encased in iron, curiously "graven with - green, in gracious works."] -[Sidenote F: Thus arrayed the Green Knight enters the hall,] -[Sidenote G: without saluting any one.] -[Sidenote H: He asks for the "governor" of the company,] -[Sidenote I: and looks for the most renowned.] -[Footnote 1: looks like gracons in MS.] - - XI. - - 232 [A] Ther wat3 lokyng on lenþe, þe lude to be-holde, - For vch mon had meruayle quat hit mene my3t, - Þat a haþel & a horse my3t such a hwe lach, - [B] As growe grene as þe gres & grener hit semed, - 236 Þen grene aumayl on golde lowande bry3ter; - Al studied þat þer stod, & stalked hym nerre, - [C] Wyth al þe wonder of þe worlde, what he worch schulde. - For fele sellye3 had þay sen, bot such neuer are, - 240 For-þi for fantoum & fayry3e þe folk þere hit demed; - [D] Þer-fore to answare wat3 ar3e mony aþel freke, - & al stouned at his steuen, & stonstil seten, - [E] In a swoghe sylence þur3 þe sale riche - 244 As al were slypped vpon slepe so slaked hor lote3 - in hy3e; - I deme hit not al for doute, - [F] Bot sum for cortaysye, - 248 Bot let hym þat al schulde loute, - Cast vnto þat wy3e. - -[Sidenote A: Much they marvel to see a man and a horse] -[Sidenote B: as green as grass.] -[Sidenote C: Never before had they seen such a sight as this.] -[Sidenote D: They were afraid to answer,] -[Sidenote E: and were as silent as if sleep had taken possession of them;] -[Sidenote F: some from fear and others from courtesy.] - - XII. - - [A] Þenn Arþour bifore þe hi3 dece þat auenture byholde3, - & rekenly hym reuerenced, for rad was he neuer, - 252 & sayde, "wy3e, welcum iwys to þis place, - [B] Þe hede of þis ostel Arthour I hat, [Fol. 94b.] - Li3t luflych adoun, & lenge, I þe praye, - & quat so þy wylle is, we schal wyt after." - 256 [C] "Nay, as help me," quod þe haþel, "he þat on hy3e syttes, - To wone any quyle in þis won, hit wat3 not myn ernde; - Bot for þe los of þe lede is lyft vp so hy3e, - & þy bur3 & þy burnes best ar holden, - 260 Stifest vnder stel-gere on stedes to ryde, - [D] Þe wy3test & þe worþyest of þe worldes kynde, - Preue for to play wyth in oþer pure layke3; - & here is kydde cortaysye, as I haf herd carp, - 264 & þat hat3 wayned me hider, I-wyis, at þis tyme. - 3e may be seker bi þis braunch þat I bere here, - [E] Þat I passe as in pes, & no ply3t seche; - For had I founded in fere, in fe3tyng wyse, - 268 [F] I haue a hauberghe at home & a helme boþe, - A schelde, & a scharp spere, schinande bry3t, - Ande oþer weppenes to welde, I wene wel als, - Bot for I wolde no were, my wede3 ar softer. - 272 Bot if þou be so bold as alle burne3 tellen, - Þou wyl grant me godly þe gomen þat I ask, - bi ry3t." - [G] Arthour con onsware, - 276 & sayd, "sir cortays kny3t, - If þou craue batayl bare, - Here fayle3 þou not to fy3t." - -[Sidenote A: Arthur salutes the Green Knight.] -[Sidenote B: bids him welcome, and invites him to stay awhile.] -[Sidenote C: The knight says that he will not tarry.] -[Sidenote D: He seeks the most valiant that he may prove him.] -[Sidenote E: He comes in peace.] -[Sidenote F: At home, however, he has both shield and spear.] -[Sidenote G: Arthur assures him that he shall not fail to find an opponent - worthy of him.] - - XIII. - - [A] "Nay, frayst I no fy3t, in fayth I þe telle, - 280 [B] Hit arn aboute on þis bench bot berdle3 chylder; - If I were hasped in armes on a he3e stede, - [C] Here is no mon me to mach, for my3te3 so[1] wayke. - For-þy I craue in þis court a crystmas gomen, - 284 [D] For hit is 3ol & nwe 3er, & here ar 3ep mony; - If any so hardy in þis hous holde3 hym-seluen, - [E] Be so bolde in his blod, brayn in hys hede, - Þat dar stifly strike a strok for an oþer, - 288 I schal gif hym of my gyft þys giserne ryche, - [F] Þis ax, þat is heué in-nogh, to hondele as hym lykes, - & I schal bide þe fyrst bur, as bare as I sitte. [Fol. 95.] - If any freke be so felle to fonde þat I telle, - 292 Lepe ly3tly me to, & lach þis weppen, - I quit clayme hit for euer, kepe hit as his auen, - [G] & I schal stonde hym a strok, stif on þis flet, - Elle3 þou wyl di3t me þe dom to dele hym an oþer, - 296 barlay; - & 3et gif hym respite, - [H] A twelmonyth & a day;-- - Now hy3e, & let se tite - 300 Dar any her-inne o3t say." - -[Sidenote A: "I seek no fight," says the knight.] -[Sidenote B: "'Here are only beardless children.'] -[Sidenote C: Here is no man to match me.] -[Sidenote D: Here are brave ones many,] -[Sidenote E: if any be bold enough to 'strike a stroke for another,'] -[Sidenote F: this axe shall be his;] -[Sidenote G: but I shall give him a 'stroke' in return] -[Sidenote H: within a twelvemonth and a day."] -[Footnote 1: MS. fo.] - - XIV. - - [A] If he hem stowned vpon fyrst, stiller were þanne - Alle þe hered-men in halle, þe hy3 & þe lo3e; - [B] Þe renk on his rounce hym ruched in his sadel, - 304 & runisch-ly his rede y3en he reled aboute, - [C] Bende his bresed bro3e3, bly-cande grene, - [D] Wayued his berde for to wayte quo-so wolde ryse. - When non wolde kepe hym with carp he co3ed ful hy3e, - 308 Ande rimed hym ful richley, & ry3t hym to speke: - [E] "What, is þis Arþures hous," quod þe haþel þenne, - "Þat al þe rous rennes of, þur3 ryalmes so mony? - Where is now your sourquydrye & your conquestes, - 312 Your gry[n]del-layk, & your greme, & your grete wordes? - [F] Now is þe reuel & þe renoun of þe rounde table - Ouer-walt wyth a worde of on wy3es speche; - For al dares for drede, with-oute dynt schewed!" - 316 Wyth þis he la3es so loude, þat þe lorde greued; - [G] Þe blod schot for scham in-to his schyre face - & lere; - [H] He wex as wroth as wynde, - 320 So did alle þat þer were - Þe kyng as kene bi kynde, - Þen stod þat stif mon nere. - -[Sidenote A: Fear kept all silent.] -[Sidenote B: The knight rolled his red eyes about,] -[Sidenote C: and bent his bristly green brows.] -[Sidenote D: Waving his beard awhile, he exclaimed:] -[Sidenote E: "What! is this Arthur's court?] -[Sidenote F: Forsooth the renown of the Round Table is overturned 'with a - word of one man's speech.'"] -[Sidenote G: Arthur blushes for shame.] -[Sidenote H: He waxes as wroth as the wind.] - - XV. - - [A] Ande sayde, "haþel, by heuen þyn askyng is nys, - 324 & as þou foly hat3 frayst, fynde þe be-houes; - I know no gome þat is gast of þy grete wordes. - Gif me now þy geserne, vpon gode3 halue, - & I schal bayþen þy bone, þat þou boden habbes." - 328 Ly3tly lepe3 he hym to, & la3t at his honde; [Fol. 95b.] - Þen feersly þat oþer freke vpon fote ly3tis. - [B] Now hat3 Arthure his axe, & þe halme grype3, - & sturnely sture3 hit aboute, þat stryke wyth hit þo3t. - 332 Þe stif mon hym bifore stod vpon hy3t, - Herre þen ani in þe hous by þe hede & more; - [C] Wyth sturne schere[1] þer he stod, he stroked his berde, - & wyth a countenaunce dry3e he dro3 doun his cote, - 336 No more mate ne dismayd for hys mayn dinte3, - Þen any burne vpon bench hade bro3t hym to drynk - of wyne, - [D] Gawan, þat sate bi þe quene, - 340 To þe kyng he can enclyne, - "I be-seche now with sa3e3 sene, - Þis melly mot be myne." - -[Sidenote A: He assures the knight that no one is afraid of his great - words.] -[Sidenote B: Arthur seizes his axe.] -[Sidenote C: The knight, stroking his beard, awaits the blow, and with a - "dry countenance" draws down his coat.] -[Sidenote D: Sir Gawayne beseeches the king to let him undertake the blow.] -[Footnote 1: chere (?).] - - XVI. - - "Wolde 3e, worþilych lorde," quod Gawan to þe kyng, - 344 [A] "Bid me bo3e fro þis benche, & stonde by yow þere, - Þat I wyth-oute vylanye my3t voyde þis table, - & þat my legge lady lyked not ille, - I wolde com to your counseyl, bifore your cort ryche. - 348 [B] For me þink hit not semly, as hit is soþ knawen, - Þer such an askyng is heuened so hy3e in your sale, - Þa33e 3our-self be talenttyf to take hit to your-seluen, - [C] Whil mony so bolde yow aboute vpon bench sytten, - 352 Þat vnder heuen, I hope, non ha3er er of wylle, - Ne better bodyes on bent, þer baret is rered; - [D] I am þe wakkest, I wot, and of wyt feblest, - & lest lur of my lyf, quo laytes þe soþe, - 356 Bot for as much as 3e ar myn em, I am only to prayse, - No bounté bot your blod I in my bodé knowe; - & syþen þis note is so nys, þat no3t hit yow falles, - & I haue frayned hit at yow fyrst, folde3 hit to me, - 360 & if I carp not comlyly, let alle þis cort rych, - bout blame." - [E] Ryche to-geder con roun, - & syþen þay redden alle same, - 364 To ryd þe kyng wyth croun, - & gif Gawan þe game. - -[Sidenote A: He asks permission to leave the table; he says,] -[Sidenote B: it is not meet that Arthur should be active in the matter,] -[Sidenote C: while so many bold ones sit upon bench.] -[Sidenote D: Although the weakest, he is quite ready to meet the Green - Knight.] -[Sidenote E: The nobles entreat Arthur to "give Gawayne the game."] - - XVII. - - Þen comaunded þe kyng þe kny3t for to ryse; [Fol. 96.] - & he ful radly vp ros, & ruchched hym fayre, - 368 [A] Kneled doun bifore þe kyng, & cache3 þat weppen; - & he luflyly hit hym laft, & lyfte vp his honde, - & gef hym godde3 blessyng, & gladly hym biddes - [B] Þat his hert & his honde schulde hardi be boþe. - 372 "Kepe þe cosyn," quod þe kyng, "þat þou on kyrf sette, - & if þou rede3 hym ry3t, redly I trowe, - Þat þou schal byden þe bur þat he schal bede after. - Gawan got3 to þe gome, with giserne in honde, - 376 & he baldly hym byde3, he bayst neuer þe helder - [C] Þen carppe3 to sir Gawan þe kny3t in þe grene, - "Refourme we oure for-wardes, er we fyrre passe. - Fyrst I eþe þe, haþel, how þat þou hattes, - 380 Þat þou me telle truly, as I tryst may?" - [D] "In god fayth," quod þe goode kny3t, "Gawan I hatte, - Þat bede þe þis buffet, quat-so bi-falle3 after, - & at þis tyme twelmonyth take at þe anoþer, - 384 Wyth what weppen so[1] þou wylt, & wyth no wy3 elle3, - on lyue." - Þat oþer on-sware3 agayn, - "Sir Gawan, so mot I þryue, - 388 [E] As I am ferly fayn. - Þis dint þat þou schal dryue." - -[Sidenote A: The king gives his nephew his weapon,] -[Sidenote B: and tells him to keep heart and hand steady.] -[Sidenote C: The Green Knight enquires the name of his opponent.] -[Sidenote D: Sir Gawayne tells him his name, and declares that he is - willing to give and receive a blow.] -[Sidenote E: The other thereof is glad.] -[Footnote 1: MS. fo.] - - XVIII. - - [A] "Bigog," quod þe grene kny3t, "sir Gawan, melykes, - Þat I schal fange at þy fust þat I haf frayst here; - 392 & þou hat3 redily rehersed, bi resoun ful trwe, - Clanly al þe couenaunt þat I þe kynge asked, - Saf þat þou schal siker me, segge, bi þi trawþe, - Þat þou schal seche me þi-self, where-so þou hopes - 396 I may be funde vpon folde, & foch þe such wages - [B] As þou deles me to day, bifore þis douþe ryche." - [C] "Where schulde I wale þe," quod Gauan, "where is þy place? - I wot neuer where þou wonyes, bi hym þat me wro3t, - 400 Ne I know not þe, kny3t, þy cort, ne þi name. - [D] Bot teche me truly þer-to, & telle me howe þou hattes, - & I schal ware alle my wyt to wynne me þeder, - & þat I swere þe for soþe, & by my seker traweþ." [Fol. 96b.] - 404 "Þat is in-nogh in nwe 3er, hit nedes no more," - Quod þe gome in þe grene to Gawan þe hende, - [E] "3if I þe telle trwly, quen I þe tape haue, - & þou me smoþely hat3 smyten, smartly I þe teche - 408 Of my hous, & my home, & myn owen nome, - Þen may þou frayst my fare, & forwarde3 holde, - [F] & if I spende no speche, þenne spede3 þou þe better, - For þou may leng in þy londe, & layt no fyrre, - 412 bot slokes; - [G] Ta now þy grymme tole to þe, - & let se how þou cnoke3." - "Gladly sir, for soþe," - 416 Quod Gawan; his ax he strokes. - -[Sidenote A: "It pleases me well, Sir Gawayne," says the Green Knight, - "that I shall receive a blow from thy fist; but thou must swear that thou - wilt seek me,] -[Sidenote B: to receive the blow in return."] -[Sidenote C: "Where shall I seek thee?" says Sir Gawayne;] -[Sidenote D: "tell me thy name and abode and I will find thee."] -[Sidenote E: "When thou hast smitten me," says the knight, "then tell I - thee of my home and name;] -[Sidenote F: if I speak not at all, so much the better for thee.] -[Sidenote G: Take now thy grim tool, and let us see how thou knockest."] - - XIX. - - [A] The grene kny3t vpon grounde grayþely hym dresses, - A littel lut with þe hede, þe lere he discouere3, - [B] His longe louelych lokke3 he layd ouer his croun. - 420 Let þe naked nec to þe note schewe. - Gauan gripped to his ax, & gederes hit on hy3t, - Þe kay fot on þe folde he be-fore sette, - [C] Let hit doun ly3tly ly3t on þe naked, - 424 Þat þe scharp of þe schalk schyndered þe bones, - [D] & schrank þur3 þe schyire grece, & scade hit in twynne, - Þat þe bit of þe broun stel bot on þe grounde. - [E] Þe fayre hede fro þe halce hit [felle] to þe erþe, - 428 [F] Þat fele hit foyned wyth her fete, þere hit forth roled; - Þe blod brayd fro þe body, þat blykked on þe grene; - [G] & nawþer faltered ne fel þe freke neuer þe helder, - Bot styþly he start forth vpon styf schonkes, - 432 [H] & ru[n]yschly he ra3t out, þere as renkke3 stoden, - La3t to his lufly hed, & lyft hit vp sone; - & syþen bo3e3 to his blonk, þe brydel he cachche3, - [I] Steppe3 in to stel bawe & stryde3 alofte, - 436 [J] & his hede by þe here in his honde halde3; - & as sadly þe segge hym in his sadel sette, - As non vnhap had hym ayled, þa3 hedle3 he[1] we[re], - in stedde; - 440 [K] He brayde his bluk[2] aboute, - Þat vgly bodi þat bledde, [Fol. 97.] - Moni on of hym had doute, - Bi þat his resoun3 were redde. - -[Sidenote A: The Green Knight] -[Sidenote B: puts his long lovely locks aside and lays bare his neck.] -[Sidenote C: Sir Gawayne lets fall his axe] -[Sidenote D: and severs the head from the body.] -[Sidenote E: The head falls to the earth.] -[Sidenote F: Many kick it aside with their feet.] -[Sidenote G: The knight never falters;] -[Sidenote H: he rushes forth, seizes his head,] -[Sidenote I: steps into the saddle,] -[Sidenote J: holding the while the head in his hand by the hair,] -[Sidenote K: and turns his horse about.] -[Footnote 1: MS. ho.] -[Footnote 2: blunk (?).] - - XX. - - 444 For þe hede in his honde he halde3 vp euen, - [A] To-ward þe derrest on þe dece he dresse3 þe face, - & hit lyfte vp þe y3e-lydde3, & loked ful brode, - [B] & meled þus much with his muthe, as 3e may now here. - 448 "Loke, Gawan, þou be grayþe to go as þou hette3, - & layte as lelly til þou me, lude, fynde, - [C] As þou hat3 hette in þis halle, herande þise kny3tes; - [D] To þe grene chapel þou chose, I charge þe to fotte, - 452 Such a dunt as þou hat3 dalt disserued þou habbe3, - [E] To be 3ederly 3olden on nw 3eres morn; - Þe kny3t of þe grene chapel men knowen me mony; - [F] For-þi me forto fynde if þou frayste3, fayle3 þou neuer, - 456 [G] Þer-fore com, oþer recreaunt be calde þe be-houeus." - With a runisch rout þe rayne3 he torne3, - [H] Halled out at þe hal-dor, his hed in his hande, - Þat þe fyr of þe flynt fla3e fro fole houes. - 460 To quat kyth he be-com, knwe non þere, - Neuermore þen þay wyste fram queþen. he wat3 wonnen; - what þenne? - Þe kyng & Gawen þare, - 464 [I] At þat grene þay la3e & grenne, - 3et breued wat3 hit ful bare, - A meruayl among þo menne. - -[Sidenote A: The head lifts up its eyelids,] -[Sidenote B: and addresses Sir Gawayne; "Look thou, be ready to go as thou - hast promised,] -[Sidenote C: and seek till thou findest me.] -[Sidenote D: Get thee to the Green Chapel,] -[Sidenote E: there to receive a blow on New Year's morn.] -[Sidenote F: Fail thou never;] -[Sidenote G: come, or recreant be called."] -[Sidenote H: The Green Knight then rushes out of the hall, his head in his - hand.] -[Sidenote I: At that green one Arthur and Gawayne "laugh and grin."] - - XXI. - - [A] Þa3 Arþer þe hende kyng at hert hade wonder, - 468 He let no semblaunt be sene, bot sayde ful hy3e - To þe comlych quene, wyth cortays speche, - [B] "Dere dame, to day demay yow neuer; - Wel by-commes such craft vpon cristmasse, - 472 Laykyng of enterlude3, to la3e & to syng. - Among þise, kynde caroles of kny3te3 & ladye3; - [C] Neuer-þe-lece to my mete I may me wel dres, - For I haf sen a selly, I may not for-sake." - 476 He glent vpon sir Gawen, & gaynly he sayde, - [D] "Now sir, heng vp þyn ax, þat hat3 in-nogh hewen." - & hit wat3 don abof þe dece, on doser to henge, [Fol. 97b.] - Þer alle men for meruayl my3t on hit loke, - 480 & bi trwe tytel þer-of to telle þe wonder. - [E] Þenne þay bo3ed to a borde þise burnes to-geder, - Þe kyng & þe gode kny3t, & kene men hem serued - Of alle dayntye3 double, as derrest my3t falle, - 484 Wyth alle maner of mete & mynstralcie boþe; - Wyth wele walt þay þat day, til worþed an ende, - in londe. - [F] Now þenk wel, sir Gawan, - 488 For woþe þat þou ne wonde, - Þis auenture forto frayn, - Þat þou hat3 tan on honde. - -[Sidenote A: Arthur addresses the queen:] -[Sidenote B: "Dear dame, be not dismayed; such marvels well become the - Christmas festival;] -[Sidenote C: I may now go to meat.] -[Sidenote D: Sir Gawayne, hang up thine axe.] -[Sidenote E: The king and his knights sit feasting at the board till day is - ended.] -[Sidenote F: Now beware, Sir Gawayne, lest thou fail to seek the adventure - that thou hast taken in hand.] - -[FYTTE THE SECOND.] - - I. - - [A] This hanselle hat3 Arthur of auenturus on fyrst, - 492 In 3onge 3er, for he 3erned 3elpyng to here, - Tha3 hym worde3 were wane, when þay to sete wenten; - Now ar þay stoken of sturne werk staf-ful her hond. - Gawan wat3 glad to be-gynne þose gomne3 in halle, - 496 Bot þa3 þe ende be heuy, haf 3e no wonder; - For þa3 men ben mery in mynde, quen þay han mayn drynk, - [B] A 3ere 3ernes ful 3erne, & 3elde3 neuer lyke, - Þe forme to þe fynisment folde3 ful selden. - 500 For-þi þis 3ol ouer-3ede, & þe 3ere after, - & vche sesoun serlepes sued after oþer; - [C] After crysten-masse com þe crabbed lentoun, - Þat frayste3 flesch wyth þe fysche & fode more symple - 504 Bot þenne þe weder of þe worlde wyth wynter hit þrepe3, - [D] Colde clenge3 adoun, cloude3 vp-lyften, - Schyre schede3 þe rayn in schowre3 ful warme, - Falle3 vpon fayre flat, flowre3 þere schewen, - 508 [E] Boþe grounde3 & þe greue3 grene ar her wede3, - [F] Brydde3 busken to bylde, & bremlych syngen, - [G] For solace of þe softe somer þat sues þer after, - bi bonk; - 512 [H] & blossume3 bolne to blowe, - Bi rawe3 rych & ronk, - [I] Þen note3 noble in-no3e, - Ar herde in wod so wlonk. [Fol. 98] - -[Sidenote A: This marvel serves to keep up a brisk conversation in Court.] -[Sidenote B: The year passes full quickly and never returns.] -[Sidenote C: After Christmas comes the "crabbed Lenten."] -[Sidenote D: Spring sets in and warm showers descend;] -[Sidenote E: the groves become green,] -[Sidenote F: birds build and sing,] -[Sidenote G: for joy of the summer that follows;] -[Sidenote H: blossoms begin to bloom,] -[Sidenote I: and noble notes are heard in the woods] - - II. - - 516 [A] After þe sesoun of somer wyth þe soft wynde3, - Quen 3eferus syfle3 hym-self on sede3 & erbe3, - [B] Wela-wynne is þe wort þat woxes þer-oute. - When þe donkande dewe drope3 of þe leue3, - 520 To bide a blysful blusch of þe bry3t sunne. - [C] Bot þen hy3es heruest, & hardenes hym sone. - Warne3 hym for þe wynter to wax ful rype; - [D] He dryues wyth dro3t þe dust for to ryse. - 524 Fro þe face of þe folde to fly3e ful hy3e; - Wroþe wynde of þe welkyn wrastele3 with þe sunne, - [E] Þe leue3 lancen fro þe lynde, & ly3ten on þe grounde, - [F] & al grayes þe gres, þat grene wat3 ere; - 528 Þenne al rype3 & rote3 þat ros vpon fyrst, - & þus 3irne3 þe 3ere in 3isterdaye3 mony, - [G] & wynter wynde3 a3ayn, as þe worlde aske3 - no sage. - 532 Til me3el-mas mone, - Wat3 cumen wyth wynter wage; - [H] Þen þenkke3 Gawan ful sone, - Of his anious uyage. - -[Sidenote A: Then the soft winds of summer,] -[Sidenote B: beautiful are the flowers wet with dew-drops.] -[Sidenote C: But harvest approaches soon,] -[Sidenote D: and drives the dust about.] -[Sidenote E: The leaves drop off the trees,] -[Sidenote F: the grass becomes gray, and all ripens and rots.] -[Sidenote G: Winter winds round again,] -[Sidenote H: and then Sir Gawayne thinks of his dread journey.] - - III. - - 536 [A] 3et quyl al-hal-day with Arþer he lenges, - & he made a fare on þat fest, for þe freke3 sake, - With much reuel & ryche of þe rounde table; - Kny3te3 ful cortays & comlych ladies, - 540 Al for luf of þat lede in longynge þay were, - Bot neuer-þe-lece ne þe later þay neuened bot merþe, - Mony ioyle3 for þat ientyle iape3 þer maden. - [B] For aftter mete, with mournyng he mele3 to his eme, - 544 & speke3 of his passage, & pertly he sayde, - [C] "Now, lege lorde of my lyf, leue I yow ask; - 3e knowe þe cost of þis cace, kepe I no more - To telle yow tene3 þer-of neuer bot trifel; - 548 [D] Bot I am boun to þe bur barely to morne, - To sech þe gome of þe grene, as god wyl me wysse." - Þenne þe best of þe bur3 bo3ed to-geder, - Aywan, & Errik, & oþer ful mony, - 552 Sir Doddinaual de Sauage, þe duk of Clarence, [Fol. 98b.] - Launcelot, & Lyonel, & Lucan þe gode, - Sir Boos, & sir Byduer, big men boþe, - [E] & mony oþer menskful, with Mador de la Port. - 556 Alle þis compayny of court com þe kyng nerre, - For to counseyl þe kny3t, with care at her hert; - [F] Þere wat3 much derue[1] doel driuen in þe sale, - Þat so worthe as Wawan schulde wende on þat ernde, - 560 To dry3e a delful dynt, & dele no more - wyth bronde. - Þe kny3t mad ay god chere, - & sayde, "quat schuld I wonde, - 564 [G] Of destines derf & dere, - What may mon do bot fonde?" - -[Sidenote A: On All-hallows day Arthur makes a feast for his nephew's - sake.] -[Sidenote B: After meat, Sir Gawayne thus speaks to his uncle:] -[Sidenote C: "Now, liege lord, I ask leave of you,] -[Sidenote D: for I am bound on the morn to seek the Green Knight."] -[Sidenote E: Many nobles, the best of the court, counsel and comfort him.] -[Sidenote F: Much sorrow prevails in the hall.] -[Sidenote G: Gawayne declares that he has nothing to fear.] -[Footnote 1: derne (?).] - - IV. - - [A] He dowelle3 þer al þat day, and dresse3 on þe morn, - Aske3 erly hys arme3, & alle were þay bro3t - 568 [B] Fyrst a tule tapit, ty3t ouer þe flet, - & miche wat3 þe gyld gere þat glent þer alofte; - [C] Þe stif mon steppe3 þeron, & þe stel hondole3, - [D] Dubbed in a dublet of a dere tars, - 572 & syþen a crafty capados, closed aloft, - Þat wyth a bry3t blaunner was bounden with-inne; - [E] Þenne set þay þe sabatoun3 vpon þe segge fote3, - His lege3 lapped in stel with luflych greue3, - 576 With polayne3 piched þer-to, policed ful clene, - Aboute his kne3 knaged wyth knote3 of golde; - [F] Queme quyssewes þen, þat coyntlych closed - His thik þrawen þy3e3 with þwonges to-tachched; - 580 [G] & syþen þe brawden bryne of bry3t stel rynge3, - Vmbe-weued þat wy3, vpon wlonk stuffe; - [H] & wel bornyst brace vpon his boþe armes, - With gode cowters & gay, & gloue3 of plate, - 584 & alle þe godlych gere þat hym gayn schulde - Þat tyde; - [I] Wyth ryche cote armure, - [J] His gold spore3 spend with pryde, - 588 [K] Gurde wyth a bront ful sure, - With silk sayn vmbe his syde. - -[Sidenote A: On the morn he asks for his arms.] -[Sidenote B: A carpet is spread on the floor,] -[Sidenote C: and he steps thereon.] -[Sidenote D: He is dubbed in a doublet of Tarsic silk, and a well-made - hood.] -[Sidenote E: They set steel slices on his feet, and lap his legs in steel - greaves.] -[Sidenote F: Fair cuisses enclose his thighs,] -[Sidenote G: and afterwards they put on the steel habergeon,] -[Sidenote H: well-burnished braces, elbow pieces, and gloves of plate.] -[Sidenote I: Over all this is placed the coat armour.] -[Sidenote J: His spurs are then fixed,] -[Sidenote K: and his sword is attached to his side by a silken girdle.] - - V. - - [A] When he wat3 hasped in armes, his harnays wat3 ryche, [Fol. 99a.] - Þe lest lachet ou[þ]er loupe lemed of golde; - 592 So harnayst as he wat3 he herkne3 his masse, - Offred & honoured at þe he3e auter; - [B] Syþen he come3 to þe kyng & to his cort fere3, - Lache3 lufly his leue at lorde3 & ladye3; - 596 & þay hym kyst & conueyed, bikende hym to kryst. - [C] Bi þat wat3 Gryngolet grayth, & gurde with a sadel, - Þat glemed ful gayly with mony golde frenges, - Ay quere naylet ful nwe for þat note ryched; - 600 Þe brydel barred aboute, with bry3t golde bounden; - [D] Þe apparayl of þe payttrure, & of þe proude skyrte3, - Þe cropore, & þe couertor, acorded wyth þe arsoune3; - & al wat3 rayled on red ryche golde nayle3, - 604 Þat al glytered & glent as glem of þe sunne. - [E] Þenne hentes he þe holme, & hastily hit kysses, - Þat wat3 stapled stifly, & stoffed wyth-inne: - Hit wat3 hy3e on his hede, hasped bihynde, - 608 [F] Wyth a ly3tli vrysoun ouer þe auentayle, - [G] Enbrawden & bounden wyth þe best gemme3, - On brode sylkyn borde, & brydde3 on seme3, - As papiaye3 paynted pernyng bitwene, - 612 Tortors & trulofe3 entayled so þyk, - As mony burde þer aboute had ben seuen wynter - in toune; - [H] Þe cercle wat3 more o prys, - 616 Þat vmbe-clypped hys croun, - Of diamaunte3 a deuys, - Þat boþe were bry3t & broun. - -[Sidenote A: Thus arrayed the knight hears mass,] -[Sidenote B: and afterwards takes leave of Arthur and his court.] -[Sidenote C: By that time his horse Gringolet was ready,] -[Sidenote D: the harness of which glittered like the "gleam of the sun."] -[Sidenote E: Then Sir Gawayne sets his helmet upon his head,] -[Sidenote F: fastened behind with a "urisoun,"] -[Sidenote G: richly embroidered with gems.] -[Sidenote H: The circle around the helmet was decked with diamonds.] - - VI. - - [A] Then þay schewed hym þe schelde, þat was of schyr goule3, - 620 Wyth þe pentangel de-paynt of pure golde hwe3; - He brayde3 hit by þe baude-ryk, aboute þe hals kestes, - Þat bisemed þe segge semlyly fayre. - [B] & quy þe pentangel apende3 to þat prynce noble, - 624 I am in tent yow to telle, þof tary hyt me schulde; - Hit is a syngne þat Salamon set sum-quyle, - In bytoknyng of trawþe, bi tytle þat hit habbe3, - For hit is a figure þat halde3 fyue poynte3, [Fol. 99b] - 628 & vche lyne vmbe-lappe3 & louke3 in oþer, - [C] & ay quere hit is endele3,[1] & Englych hit callen - Ouer-al, as I here, þe endeles knot. - For-þy hit acorde3 to þis kny3t, & to his cler arme3, - 632 For ay faythful in fyue & sere fyue syþe3, - [D] Gawan wat3 for gode knawen, & as golde pured, - Voyded of vche vylany, wyth vertue3[2] ennourned - in mote; - 636 For-þy þe pen-tangel nwe - He ber in schelde & cote, - [E] As tulk of tale most trwe, - & gentylest kny3t of lote. - -[Sidenote A: Then they show him his shield with the "pentangle" of pure - gold.] -[Sidenote B: The "pentangle" was devised by Solomon as a token of truth.] -[Sidenote C: It is called the endless knot] -[Sidenote D: It well becomes the good Sir Gawayne,] -[Sidenote E: a knight the truest of speech and the fairest of form.] -[Footnote 1: MS emdele3.] -[Footnote 2: MS verertue3] - - VII. - - 640 [A] Fyrst he wat3 funden fautle3 in his fyue wytte3, - & efte fayled neuer þe freke in his fyue fyngres, - [B] & alle his afyaunce vpon folde wat3 in þe fyue wounde3 - Þat Cryst ka3t on þe croys, as þe crede telle3; - 644 & quere-so-euer þys mon in melly wat3 stad, - His þro þo3t wat3 in þat, þur3 alle oþer þynge3, - Þat alle his forsnes he fong at þe fyue ioye3, - Þat þe hende heuen quene had of hir chylde; - 648 At þis cause þe kny3t comlyche hade - [C] In þe more half of his schelde hir ymage depaynted, - Þat quen he blusched þerto, his belde neuer payred. - Þe fyrst[1] fyue þat I finde þat þe frek vsed, - 652 Wat3 fraunchyse, & fela3schyp for-be[2] al þyng; - [D] His clannes & his cortaysye croked were neuer, - & pite, þat passe3 alle poynte3, þyse pure fyue - Were harder happed on þat haþel þen on any oþer. - 656 Now alle þese fyue syþe3, forsoþe, were fetled on þis kny3t, - & vchone halched in oþer, þat non ende hade, - & fyched vpon fyue poynte3, þat fayld neuer, - Ne samned neuer in no syde, ne sundred nouþ[er], - 660 With-outen ende at any noke [a]i quere fynde, - Where-euer þe gomen bygan, or glod to an ende. - [E] Þer-fore on his schene schelde schapen wat3 þe knot, - Þus alle wyth red golde vpon rede gowle3, - 664 Þat is þe pure pentaungel wyth þe peple called, [Fol. 100] - with lore. - Now grayþed is Gawan gay, - [F] & la3t his launce ry3t þore, - 668 & gef hem alle goud day, - He wende for euer more. - -[Sidenote A: He was found faultless in his five wits.] -[Sidenote B: His trust was in the five wounds.] -[Sidenote C: The image of the Virgin was depicted upon his shield.] -[Sidenote D: In cleanness and courtesy he was never found wanting,] -[Sidenote E: therefore was the endless knot fastened on his shield.] -[Sidenote F: Sir Gawayne seizes his lance and bids all "good day."] -[Footnote 1: MS fyft.] -[Footnote 2: for-bi (?).] - - VIII. - - [A] He sperred þe sted with þe spure3, & sprong on his way, - So stif þat þe ston fyr stroke out þer-after; - 672 [B] Al þat se3 þat semly syked in hert, - & sayde soþly al same segges til oþer, - Carande for þat comly, "bi Kryst, hit is scaþe, - Þat þou, leude, schal be lost, þat art of lyf noble! - 676 [C] To fynde hys fere vpon folde, in fayth is not eþe; - Warloker to haf wro3t had more wyt bene, - & haf dy3t 3onder dere a duk to haue worþed; - [D] A lowande leder of lede3 in londe hym wel seme3, - 680 & so had better haf ben þen britned to no3t, - [E] Hadet wyth an aluisch mon, for angarde3 pryde. - Who knew euer any kyng such counsel to take, - As kny3te3 in caueloun3 on cryst-masse gomne3!" - 684 [F] Wel much wat3 þe warme water þat waltered of y3en, - When þat semly syre so3t fro þo wone3 - þat[1] daye; - He made non abode, - 688 Bot wy3tly went hys way, - [G] Mony wylsum way he rode, - Þe bok as I herde say. - -[Sidenote A: He spurs his horse and goes on his way.] -[Sidenote B: All that saw that seemly one mourned in their hearts.] -[Sidenote C: They declared that his equal was not to be found upon earth.] -[Sidenote D: It would have been better for him to have been a leader of - men,] -[Sidenote E: than to die by the hands of "an elvish man."] -[Sidenote F: Much was the warm water that poured from eyes that day.] -[Sidenote G: Meanwhile many a weary way goes Sir Gawayne.] -[Footnote 1: MS. þad.] - - IX. - - [A] Now ride3 þis renk þur3 þe ryalme of Logres, - 692 Sir Gauan on Gode3 halue, þa3 hym no gomen þo3t; - Oft, leudle3 alone, he lenge3 on ny3te3, - Þer he fonde no3t hym byfore þe fare þat he lyked; - [B] Hade he no fere bot his fole, bi frythe3 & doune3, - 696 Ne no gome bot God, bi gate wyth to karp, - [C] Til þat he ne3ed ful noghe[1] in to þe Norþe Wale3; - Alle þe iles of Anglesay on lyft half he halde3, - & fare3 ouer þe forde3 by þe for-londe3, - 700 [D] Ouer at þe Holy-Hede, til he hade eft bonk - In þe wyldrenesse of Wyrale; wonde þer bot lyte - [E] Þat auþer God oþer gome wyth goud hert louied. [Fol. 100b] - & ay he frayned, as he ferde, at freke3 þat he met, - 704 [F] If þay hade herde any karp of a kny3t grene, - In any grounde þer-aboute, of þe grene chapel;[2] - & al nykked hym wyth nay, þat neuer in her lyue - [G] Þay se3e neuer no segge þat wat3 of suche hwe3 - 708 of grene. - Þe kny3t tok gates straunge, - In mony a bonk vnbene, - [H] His cher ful oft con chaunge, - 712 Þat chapel er he my3t sene. - -[Sidenote A: Now rides the knight through the realms of England.] -[Sidenote B: He has no companion but his horse.] -[Sidenote C: No men does he see till he approaches North Wales.] -[Sidenote D: From Holyhead he passes into Wirral.] -[Sidenote E: There he finds but few that loved God or man.] -[Sidenote F: He enquires after the Green Knight of the Green Chapel,] -[Sidenote G: but can gain no tidings of him.] -[Sidenote H: His cheer oft changed before he found the Chapel.] -[Footnote 1: nyghe (?).] -[Footnote 2: MS. clapel.] - - X. - - [A] Mony klyf he ouer-clambe in contraye3 straunge, - Fer floten fro his frende3 fremedly he ryde3; - [B] At vche warþe oþer water þer þe wy3e passed, - 716 He fonde a foo hym byfore, bot ferly hit were, - & þat so foule & so felle, þat fe3t hym by-hode; - [C] So mony meruayl hi mount þer þe mon fynde3, - Hit were to tore for to telle of þe tenþe dole. - 720 [D] Sumwhyle wyth worme3 he werre3, & with wolues als, - Sumwhyle wyth wodwos, þat woned in þe knarre3, - [E] Boþe wyth bulle3 & bere3, & bore3 oþer-quyle, - & etayne3, þat hym a-nelede, of þe he3e felle; - 724 [F] Nade he ben du3ty & dry3e, & dry3tyn had serued, - Douteles he hade ben ded, & dreped ful ofte. - [G] For werre wrathed hym not so much, þat wynter was wors, - When þe colde cler water fro þe cloude3 schadden, - 728 & fres er hit falle my3t to þe fale erþe; - Ner slayn wyth þe slete he sleped in his yrnes, - Mo ny3te3 þen in-noghe in naked rokke3, - Þer as claterande fro þe crest þe colde borne renne3, - 732 & henged he3e ouer his hede in hard ÿsse-ikkles. - [H] Þus in peryl, & payne, & plytes ful harde, - Bi contray carye3 þis kny3t, tyl kryst-masse euen, - al one; - 736 Þe kny3t wel þat tyde, - [I] To Mary made his mone. - Þat ho hym red to ryde, - & wysse hym to sum wone. [Fol. 101.] - -[Sidenote A: Many a cliff he climbed over;] -[Sidenote B: many a ford and stream he crossed, and everywhere he found a - foe.] -[Sidenote C: It were too tedious to tell the tenth part of his adventures] -[Sidenote D: with serpents, wolves, and wild men;] -[Sidenote E: with bulls, bears, and boars.] -[Sidenote F: Had he not been both brave and good, doubtless he had been - dead.] -[Sidenote G: The sharp winter was far worse than any war that ever troubled - him.] -[Sidenote H: Thus in peril he travels till Christmas-eve.] -[Sidenote I: To the Virgin Mary he prays to guide him to some abode.] - - XI. - - 740 [A] Bi a mounte on þe morne meryly he rydes, - Into a forest ful dep, þat ferly wat3 wylde, - Hi3e hille3 on vche a halue, & holt wode3 vnder, - [B] Of hore oke3 fill hoge a hundreth to-geder; - 744 Þe hasel & þe ha3-þorne were harled al samen, - With ro3e raged mosse rayled ay-where, - [C] With mony brydde3 vnblyþe vpon bare twyges, - Þat pitosly þer piped for pyne of þe colde. - 748 Þe gome vpon Gryngolet glyde3 hem vnder, - [D] Þur3 mony misy & myre, mon al hym one, - Carande for his costes, lest he ne keuer schulde, - To se þe seruy[1] of þat syre, þat on þat self ny3t - 752 Of a burde wat3 borne, oure baret to quelle; - [E] & þerfore sykyng he sayde, "I be-seche þe, lorde, - & Mary, þat is myldest moder so dere. - Of sum herber, þer he3ly I my3t here masse. - 756 Ande þy matyne3 to-morne, mekely I ask, - & þer-to prestly I pray my pater & aue, - & crede." - He rode in his prayere, - 760 & cryed for his mysdede, - [F] He sayned hym in syþes sere, - & sayde "cros Kryst me spede!" - -[Sidenote A: On the morn Sir Gawayne finds himself in a deep forest,] -[Sidenote B: where were old oaks many a hundred.] -[Sidenote C: Many sad birds upon bare twigs piped piteously for the cold.] -[Sidenote D: Through many a mire he goes, that he may celebrate the birth - of Christ.] -[Sidenote E: He beseeches the Virgin Mary to direct him to some lodging - where he may hear mass.] -[Sidenote F: Blessing himself, he says, "Cross of Christ, speed me!"] -[Footnote 1: seruyce (?).] - - XII. - - [A] Nade he sayned hym-self, segge, bot þrye, - 764 Er he wat3 war in þe wod of a won in a mote. - [B] Abof a launde, on a lawe, loken vnder bo3e3, - Of mony borelych bole, aboute bi þe diches; - [C] A castel þe comlokest þat euer kny3t a3te, - 768 Pyched on a prayere, a park al aboute, - With a pyked palays, pyned ful þik, - Þat vmbe-te3e mony tre mo þen two myle. - Þat holde on þat on syde þe haþel auysed, - 772 [D] As hit schemered & schon þur3 þe schyre oke3; - Þenne hat3 he hendly of his helme, & he3ly he þonke3 - Iesus & say[nt] Gilyan, þat gentyle ar boþe, - Þat cortaysly hade hym kydde, & his cry herkened. [Fol. 101b.] - 776 "Now bone hostel," coþe þe burne, "I be-seche yow 3ette!" - Þenne gedere3 he to Gryngolet with þe gilt hele3, - [E] & he ful chauncely hat3 chosen to þe chef gate, - Þat bro3t bremly þe burne to þe bryge ende, - 780 in haste; - [F] Þe bryge wat3 breme vp-brayde, - Þe 3ate3 wer stoken faste, - Þe walle3 were wel arayed, - 784 Hit dut no wynde3 blaste. - -[Sidenote A: Scarcely had he blessed himself thrice] -[Sidenote B: when he saw a dwelling in the wood, set on a hill,] -[Sidenote C: the comeliest castle that knight ever owned.] -[Sidenote D: It shone as the sun through the bright oaks.] -[Sidenote E: Sir Gawayne goes to the chief gate,] -[Sidenote F: and finds the draw-bridge raised, and the gates shut fast.] - - XIII. - - [A] Þe burne bode on bonk, þat on blonk houed, - Of þe depe double dich þat drof to þe place, - Þe walle wod in þe water wonderly depe, - 788 [B] Ande eft a ful huge he3t hit haled vpon lofte, - Of harde hewen ston vp to þe table3, - [C] Enbaned vnder þe abataylment, in þe best lawe; - & syþen garyte3 ful gaye gered bi-twene, - 792 Wyth mony luflych loupe, þat louked ful clene; - A better barbican þat burne blusched vpon neuer; - & innermore he be-helde þat halle ful hy3e, - [D] Towre telded bytwene trochet ful þik, - 796 Fayre fylyole3 þat fy3ed, & ferlyly long, - [E] With coruon coprounes, craftyly sle3e; - Chalk whyt chymnees þer ches he in-no3e, - Vpon bastel roue3, þat blenked ful quyte; - 800 So mony pynakle payntet wat3 poudred ay quere, - Among þe castel carnele3, clambred so þik, - Þat pared out of papure purely hit semed. - [F] Þe fre freke on þe fole hit fayr in-n[o]ghe þo3t, - 804 If he my3t keuer to com þe cloyster wyth-inne, - To herber in þat hostel, whyl halyday lested - auinant; - [G] He calde, & sone þer com - 808 A porter pure plesaunt, - On þe wal his ernd he nome, - & haylsed þe kny3t erraunt. - -[Sidenote A: The knight abides on the bank,] -[Sidenote B: and observes the "huge height,"] -[Sidenote C: with its battlements and watch towers.] -[Sidenote D: Bright and long were its round towers,] -[Sidenote E: with their well-made capitals.] -[Sidenote F: He thinks it fair enough if he might only come within the - cloister.] -[Sidenote G: He calls, and soon there comes a porter to know the knight's - errand.] - - XIV. - - [A] "Gode sir," quod Gawan, "wolde3 þou go myn ernde, - 812 To þe he3 lorde of þis hous, herber to craue?" - "3e, Peter," quod þe porter, "& purely I trowe,[1] [Fol. 102.] - [B] Þat 3e be, wy3e, welcum to won quyle yow lyke3." - Þen 3ede þat wy3e a3ayn awyþe, - 816 & folke frely hym wyth, to fonge þe kny3t; - [C] Þay let doun þe grete dra3t, & derely out 3eden, - & kneled doun on her knes vpon þe colde erþe, - To welcum þis ilk wy3, as worþy hom þo3t; - 820 [D] Þay 3olden hym þe brode 3ate, 3arked vp wyde, - & he hem raysed rekenly, & rod ouer þe brygge; - Sere segge3 hym sesed by sadel, quel[2] he ly3t, - [E] & syþen stabeled his stede stif men in-no3e. - 824 [F] Kny3te3 & swyere3 comen doun þenne, - For to bryng þis burne[3] wyth blys in-to halle; - [G] Quen he hef vp his helme, þer hi3ed in-noghe - For to hent hit at his honde, þe hende to seruen, - 828 His bronde & his blasoun boþe þay token. - Þen haylsed he ful hendly þo haþele3 vch one, - & mony proud mon þer presed, þat prynce to honour; - Alle hasped in his he3 wede to halle þay hym wonnen, - 832 Þer fayre fyre vpon flet fersly brenned. - [H] Þenne þe lorde of þe lede loute3 fro his chambre, - For to mete wyth menske þe mon on þe flor; - He sayde, "3e ar welcum to welde as yow lyke3, - 836 Þat here is, al is yowre awen, to haue at yowre wylle - & welde." - "Graunt mercy," quod Gawayn, - "Þer Kryst hit yow for-3elde," - 840 [I] As freke3 þat semed fayn, - Ayþer oþer in arme3 con felde. - -[Sidenote A: "Good sir," says Gawayne, "ask the high lord of this house to - grant me a lodging."] -[Sidenote B: "You are welcome to dwell here as long as you like," replied - the porter.] -[Sidenote C: The draw-bridge is let down,] -[Sidenote D: and the gate is opened wide to receive him.] -[Sidenote E: His horse is well stabled.] -[Sidenote F: Knights and squires bring Gawayne into the hall.] -[Sidenote G: Many a one hastens to take his helmet and sword.] -[Sidenote H: The lord of the country bids him welcome,] -[Sidenote I: and they embrace each other.] -[Footnote 1: trowoe, MS.] -[Footnote 2: quyle (?) or quen (?).] -[Footnote 3: buurne, MS.] - - XV. - - [A] Gawayn gly3t on þe gome þat godly hym gret, - [B] & þu3t hit a bolde burne þat þe bur3 a3te, - 844 A hoge haþel for þe none3, & of hyghe elde;[1] - [C] Brode bry3t wat3 his berde, & al beuer hwed, - Sturne stif on þe stryþþe on stal-worth schonke3, - [D] Felle face as þe fyre, & fre of hys speche; - 848 & wel hym semed for soþe, as þe segge þu3t, - To lede a lortschyp in lee of leude3 ful gode. - [E] Þe lorde hym charred to a chambre, & chefly cumaunde3[2] [Fol.] - To delyuer hym a leude, hym lo3ly to serue; [102b.] - 852 & þere were boun at his bode burne3 in-no3e, - [F] Þat bro3t hym to a bry3t boure, þer beddyng wat3 noble, - Of cortynes of clene sylk, wyth cler golde hemme3, - [G] & couertore3 ful curious, with comlych pane3, - 856 Of bry3t blaunnier a-boue enbrawded bisyde3, - Rudele3 rennande on rope3, red golde rynge3, - [H] Tapyte3 ty3t to þe wo3e, of tuly & tars, - & vnder fete, on þe flet, of fol3ande sute. - 860 [I] Þer he wat3 dispoyled, wyth speche3 of myerþe, - Þe burn of his bruny, & of his bry3t wede3; - [J] Ryche robes ful rad renkke3 hem[3] bro3ten, - For to charge, & to chaunge, & chose of þe best. - 864 Sone as he on hent, & happed þer-inne, - Þat sete on hym[4] semly, wyth saylande skyrte3, - [K] Þe ver by his uisage verayly hit semed - Wel ne3 to vche haþel alle on hwes, - 868 Lowande & lufly, alle his lymme3 vnder, - [L] Þat a comloker kny3t neuer Kryst made, - hem þo3t; - Wheþen in worlde he were, - 872 Hit semed as he my3t - Be prynce with-outen pere, - In felde þer felle men fy3t. - -[Sidenote A: Gawayne looks on his host;] -[Sidenote B: a big bold one he seemed.] -[Sidenote C: Beaver-hued was his broad beard,] -[Sidenote D: and his face as "fell as the fire."] -[Sidenote E: The lord leads Gawayne to a chamber, and assigns him a page to - wait upon him.] -[Sidenote F: In this bright bower was noble bedding;] -[Sidenote G: the curtains were of pure silk with golden hems;] -[Sidenote H: Tarsic tapestries covered the walls and the floor.] -[Sidenote I: Here the knight doffed his armour,] -[Sidenote J: and put on rich robes,] -[Sidenote K: which well became him.] -[Sidenote L: A more comely knight Christ never made.] -[Footnote 1: eldee, MS.] -[Footnote 2: clesly, MS.] -[Footnote 3: hym (?).] -[Footnote 4: MS. hyn.] - - XVI. - - [A] A cheyer by-fore þe chemné, þer charcole brenned, - 876 Wat3 grayþed for sir Gawan, grayþely with cloþe3, - Whyssynes vpon queldepoyntes, þa[t] koynt wer boþe; - [B] & þenne a mere mantyle wat3 on þat mon cast, - Of a broun bleeaunt, enbrauded ful ryche, - 880 & fayre furred wyth-inne with felle3 of þe best, - Alle of ermyn in erde, his hode of þe same; - & he sete in þat settel semlych ryche, - & achaufed hym chefly,[1] & þenne his cher mended. - 884 [C] Sone wat3 telded vp a tapit, on treste3 ful fayre, - [D] Clad wyth a clene cloþe, þat cler quyt schewed, - Sanap, & salure, & syluer-in spone3; - Þe wy3e wesche at his wylle, & went to his mete [Fol. 103.] - 888 Segge3 hym serued semly in-no3e, - [E] Wyth sere sewes & sete,[2] sesounde of þe best, - Double felde, as hit falle3, & fele kyn fische3; - [F] Summe baken in bred, summe brad on þe glede3, - 892 [G] Summe soþen, summe in sewe, sauered with spyces, - & ay sawes[3] so sle3e3, þat þe segge lyked. - Þe freke calde hit a fest ful frely & ofte, - [H] Ful hendely, quen alle þe haþeles re-hayted hym at one3 - 896 as hende; - "Þis penaunce now 3e take, - & eft hit schal amende;" - [I] Þat mon much merþe con make. - 900 For wyn in his hed þat wende. - -[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] Þenne wat3 spyed & spured vpon spare wyse. - Bi preue poynte3 of þat prynce, put to hym-seluen, - Þat he be-knew cortaysly of þe court þat he were, - 904 [B] Þat aþel Arthure þe hende halde3 hym one, - Þat is þe ryche ryal kyng of þe rounde table; - & hit wat3 Wawen hym-self þat in þat won sytte3, - Comen to þat krystmasse, as case hym þen lymped. - 908 [C] When þe lorde hade lerned þat he þe leude hade, - Loude la3ed he þerat, so lef hit hym þo3t, - [D] & alle þe men in þat mote maden much joye, - To apere in his presense prestly þat tyme, - 912 Þat alle prys, & prowes, & pured þewes - Apendes to hys persoun, & praysed is euer, - By-fore alle men vpon molde, his mensk is þe most. - [E] Vch segge ful softly sayde to his fere, - 916 [F] "Now schal we semlych se sle3te3 of þewe3, - & þe teccheles termes of talkyng noble, - Wich spede is in speche, vnspurd may we lerne, - [G] Syn we haf fonged þat fyne fader of nurture; - 920 God hat3 geuen vus his grace godly for soþe, - Þat such a gest as Gawan graunte3 vus to haue, - When burne3 blyþe of his burþe schal sitte - & synge. - 924 In menyng of manere3 mere, - Þis burne now schal vus bryng, [Fol. 103b.] - [H] I hope þat 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 þat þe diner wat3 done, & þe dere vp, - Hit wat3 ne3 at þe niy3t ne3ed þe tyme; - Chaplayne3[1] to þe chapeles chosen þe gate, - Rungen ful rychely, ry3t as þay schulden, - 932 [B] To þe hersum euensong of þe hy3e tyde. - Þe lorde loutes þerto, & þe lady als, - In-to a comly closet coyntly ho entre3; - Gawan glyde3 ful gay, & gos þeder sone; - 936 Þe lorde laches hym by þe lappe, & lede3 hym to sytte, - & couþly hym knowe3, & calle3 hym his nome, - & sayde he wat3 þe welcomest wy3e of þe worlde; - [C] & he hym þonkked þroly, & ayþer halched oþer. - 940 & seten soberly samen þe seruise-quyle; - Þenne lyst þe lady to loke on þe kny3t. - [D] Þenne com ho of hir closet, with mony cler burde3, - Ho wat3 þe fayrest in felle, of flesche & of lyre, - 944 & of compas, & colour, & costes of alle oþer, - [E] & wener þen Wenore, as þe wy3e þo3t. - He ches þur3 þe chaunsel, to cheryche þat hende; - [F] An oþer lady hir lad bi þe lyft honde, - 948 Þat wat3 alder þen ho, an auncian hit semed, - & he3ly honowred with haþele3 aboute. - [G] Bot yn-lyke on to loke þo ladyes were, - [H] For if þe 3onge wat3 3ep, 3ol3e wat3 þat oþer; - 952 Riche red on þat on rayled ay quere, - [I] Rugh ronkled cheke3 þat oþer on rolled; - Kerchofes of þat on wyth mony cler perle3 - [J] Hir brest & hir bry3t þrote bare displayed, - 956 Schon schyrer þen snawe, þat scheder[2] on hille3; - Þat oþer wyth a gorger wat3 gered ouer þe 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] Þat no3t wat3 bare of þat burde bot þe blake bro3es. [Fol. 104.] - Þe tweyne y3en, & þe nase, þe naked lyppe3, - & þose were soure to se, & sellyly blered; - 964 A mensk lady on molde mon may hir calle, - for gode; - [M] Hir body wat3 schort & þik. - [N] Hir buttoke3 bay & brode, - 968 More lykker-wys on to lyk, - Wat3 þat 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 þat gay, þat graciously loked, - Wyth leue la3t of þe lorde he went hem a3aynes; - 972 [B] Þe alder he haylses, heldande ful lowe, - Þe loueloker he lappe3 a lyttel in arme3, - [C] He kysses hir comlyly, & kny3tly he mele3; - Þay kallen hym of a quoyntaunce, & he hit quyk aske3 - 976 [D] To be her seruaunt sothly, if hem-self lyked. - Þay tan hym bytwene hem, wyth talkyng hym leden - [E] To chambre, to chemné, & chefly þay asken - [F] Spyce3, þat vn-sparely men speded hom to bryng, - 980 & þe wynne-lych wyne þer-with vche tyme. - Þe lorde luflych aloft lepe3 ful ofte, - Mynned merthe to be made vpon mony syþe3. - [G] Hent he3ly of his hode, & on a spere henged, - 984 & wayned hom to wynne þe worchip þer-of, - [H] Þat most myrþe my3t mene[1] þat crystenmas whyle; - "& i schal fonde, bi my fayth, to fylter wyth þe best, - Er me wont þe wede3, with help of my frende3." - 988 Þus wyth la3ande lote3 þe lorde hit tayt[2] make3, - [I] For to glade sir Gawayn with gomne3 in halle - þat ny3t; - Til þat hit wat3 tyme, - 992 Þe 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 þe morne, as vch mon myne3 þat tyme, - 996 [B] [Þ]at dry3tyn for oure destyné to de3e wat3 borne, - Wele waxe3 in vche a won in worlde, for his sake; - [C] So did hit þere on þat day, þur3 dayntes mony; - Boþe at mes & at mele, messes ful quaynt [Fol. 104b.] -1000 Derf men vpon dece drest of þe best. - [D] Þe olde auncian wyf he3est ho sytte3; - Þe lorde lufly her by lent, as I trowe; - [E] Gawan & þe gay burde to-geder þay seten, -1004 Euen in-mydde3, as þe messe metely come; - & syþen þur3 al þe sale, as hem best semed, - [F] Bi vche grome at his degre grayþely wat3 serued. - Þer wat3 mete, þer wat3 myrþe, þer wat3 much ioye, -1008 Þat for to telle þerof hit me tene were, - & to poynte hit 3et I pyned me parauenture; - [G] Bot 3et I wot þat Wawen & þe wale burde - Such comfort of her compaynye ca3ten to-geder, -1012 Þur3 her dere dalyaunce of her derne worde3, - Wyth clene cortays carp, closed fro fylþe; - & hor play wat3 passande vche prynce gomen, - in vayres; -1016 [H] Trumpe3 & nakerys, - Much pypyng þer repayres, - Vche mon tented hys, - & þay two tented þayres. - -[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 þer dryuen þat day & þat oþer, - & þe þryd as þro þronge in þerafter; - [B] Þe ioye of sayn Ione3 day wat3 gentyle to here, - & wat3 þe last of þe layk, leude3 þer þo3ten. -1024 Þer wer gestes to go vpon þe gray morne, - For-þy wonderly þay woke, & þe wyn dronken, - Daunsed ful dre3ly wyth dere carole3; - [C] At þe last, when hit wat3 late, þay lachen her leue, -1028 Vchon to wende on his way, þat wat3 wy3e stronge. - Gawan gef hym god-day, þe god mon hym lachche3, - Ledes hym to his awen chambre, þ[e] chymné bysyde, - [D] & þere he dra3e3 hym on-dry3e, & derely hym þonkke3, -1032 Of þe wynne worschip &[1] he hym wayned hade, - As to honour his hous on þat hy3e tyde, - & enbelyse his bur3 with his bele chere. - "I-wysse sir, quyl I leue, me worþe3 þe better, -1036 Þat Gawayn hat3 ben my gest, at Godde3 awen fest." [Fol. 105.] - "Grant merci[2] sir," quod Gawayn, "in god fayth hit is yowre3, - Al þe honour is your awen, þe he3e kyng yow 3elde; - & I am wy3e at your wylle, to worch youre hest, -1040 As I am halden þer-to, in hy3e & in lo3e, - bi ri3t." - [E] Þe lorde fast can hym payne, - To holde lenger þe kny3t, -1044 To hym answre3 Gawayn, - Bi non way þat 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: þat (?).] -[Footnote 2: nerci, in MS.] - - XXII. - - [A] Then frayned þe freke ful fayre at him-seluen, - Quat derne[1] dede had hym dryuen, at þat dere tyme, -1048 So kenly fro þe kynge3 kourt to kayre al his one, - Er þe halidaye3 holly were halet out of toun? - [B] "For soþe sir," quod þe segge, "3e sayn bot þe trawþe - A he3e ernde & a hasty me hade fro þo 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 þe londe in-wyth Logres, so me oure lorde help! -1056 For-þy, sir, þis enquest I require yow here, - [C] Þat 3e me telle with trawþe, if euer 3e tale herde - Of þe grene chapel, quere hit on grounde stonde3, - & of þe kny3t þat hit kepes, of colour of grene? -1060 Þer wat3 stabled bi statut a steuen vus by-twene, - [D] To mete þat mon at þat mere, 3if I my3t last; - & of þat ilk nw3ere hot neked now wonte3, - & I wolde loke on þat lede, if God me let wolde, -1064 Gladloker, bi Godde3 sun, þen any god welde! - For-þi, I-wysse, bi 3owre wylle, wende me bi-houes, - [E] Naf I now to busy bot bare þre daye3, - & me als fayn to falle feye as fayly of myyn ernde." -1068 [F] Þenne la3ande quod þe lorde, "now leng þe by-houes, - For I schal teche yow to þa[t] terme bi þe tyme3 ende, - Þe grene chapayle vpon grounde, greue yow no more; - Bot 3e schal be in yowre bed, burne, at þyn ese, -1072 Quyle forth dayej, & ferk on pe fyrst of pe 3ere, - & cum to þat merk at mydmorn, to make quat yow like3 [Fol. 105b] - in spenne; - Dowelle3 whyle new 3eres daye, -1076 & rys, & rayke3 þenne, - [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] Þenne wat3 Gawan ful glad, & gomenly he la3ed,-- -1080 "Now I þonk yow þryuandely þur3 alle oþer þynge, - [B] Now acheued is my chaunce, I schal at your wylle - Dowelle, & elle3 do quat 3e demen." - Þenne sesed hym þe syre, & set hym bysyde, -1084 [C] Let þe ladie3 be fette, to lyke hem þe better; - Þer wat3 seme solace by hem-self stille; - Þe lorde let for luf lote3 so myry, - As wy3 þat wolde of his wyte, ne wyst quat he my3t. -1088 Þenne he carped to þe kny3t, criande loude, - [D] "3e han demed to do þe dede þat I bidde; - Wyl 3e halde þis hes here at þys one3?" - "3e sir, for-soþe," sayd þe segge trwe, -1092 "Whyl I byde in yowre bor3e, be bayn to 3ow[r]e hest." - "For 3e haf trauayled," quod þe tulk, "towen fro ferre, - & syþen waked me wyth, 3e arn not wel waryst, - [E] Nauþer of sostnaunce ne of slepe, soþly I knowe; -1096 3e schal lenge in your lofte, & ly3e in your ese, - [F] To morn quyle þe messe-quyle, & to mete wende, - When 3e wyl, wyth my wyf, þat 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 þyse, -1104 Hym heldande, as þe 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 þe freke, "a forwarde we make; - Quat-so-euer I wynne in þe wod, hit worþe3 to youre3, - [B] & quat chek so 3e acheue, chaunge me þer-forne; -1108 Swete, swap we so, sware with trawþe, - Queþer, leude, so lymp lere oþer better." - "Bi God," quod Gawayn þe gode, "I grant þer-tylle, - & þat yow lyst forto layke, lef hit me þynkes. [Fol. 106.] -1112 [C] "Who bringe3 vus þis beuerage, þis bargayn is maked:" - So sayde þe lorde of þat lede; þay la3ed vchone, - Þay dronken, & daylyeden, & dalten vnty3tel,[1] - Þise lorde3 & ladye3, quyle þat hem lyked; -1116 & syþen with frenkysch fare & fele fayre lote3 - Þay 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 þe laste, - ful softe; - To bed 3et er þay 3ede, - Recorded couenaunte3 ofte; -1124 Þe olde lorde of þat leude,[2] - Cowþe 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 þe day þe folk vp-rysen, - Gestes þat go wolde, hor grome3 þay calden, -1128 [B] & þay busken vp bilyue, blonkke3 to sadel, - Tyffen he[r] takles, trussen her males, - Richen hem þe rychest, to ryde alle arayde, - Lepen vp ly3tly, lachen her brydeles, -1132 [C] Vche wy3e on his way, þer hym wel lyked. - [D] Þe leue lorde of þe londe wat3 not þe last, - A-rayed for þe 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 þat þat any day-ly3t lemed vpon erþe, - He with his haþeles on hy3e horsses weren. - [G] Þenne þise cacheres þat couþe, cowpled hor hounde3, -1140 Vnclosed þe kenel dore, & calde hem þer-oute, - [H] Blwe bygly in bugle3 þre bare mote; - Braches bayed þerfore, & breme noyse maked, - [I] & þay chastysed, & charred, on chasyng þat went; -1144 A hundreth of hunteres, as I haf herde telle, - of þe best; - [J] To trystors vewters 3od, - Couples huntes of kest, -1148 Þer ros for blaste3 gode, [Fol. 106b.] - [K] Gret rurd in þat 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 þe fyrst quethe of þe quest quaked þe wylde; - Der drof in þe dale, doted for drede, -1152 Hi3ed to þe hy3e, bot heterly þay were - [B] Restayed with þe stablye, þat stoutly ascryed; - [C] Þay let þe hertte3 haf þe gate, with þe hy3e hedes, - Þe breme bukke3 also, with hor brode paume3; -1156 For þe fre lorde hade de-fende in fermysoun tyme, - Þat þer schulde no mon mene[1] to þe male dere. - [D] Þe hinde3 were halden in, with hay & war, - Þe does dryuen with gret dyn to þe depe slade3; -1160 Þer my3t mon se, as þay slypte, slentyng of arwes, - [E] At vche [þat] wende vnder wande wapped a flone, - Þat bigly bote on þe broun, with ful brode hede3, - [F] What! þay brayen, & bleden, bi bonkke3 þay 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 þat schotten, -1168 Wat3 al to-raced & rent, at þe resayt. - Bi þay were tened at þe hy3e, & taysed to þe wattre3, - Þe lede3 were so lerned at þe lo3e trysteres, - & þe gre-hounde3 so grete, þat geten hem bylyue, -1172 & hem to fylched, as fast as freke3 my3t loke, - þer ry3t. - [H] Þe lorde for blys abloy - Ful oft con launce & ly3t, -1176 [I] & drof þat day wyth Ioy - Thus to þe 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] Þus layke3 þis lorde by lynde wode3 eue3, - & G. þe god mon, in gay bed lyge3, -1180 [B] Lurkke3 quyl þe day-ly3t lemed on þe 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 þe cloþes, - A corner of þe cortyn he ca3t vp a lyttel, [Fol. 107.] - & wayte3 warly þider-warde, quat hit be my3t. - [D] Hit wat3 þe ladi, loflyest to be-holde, -1188 Þat dro3 þe dor after hir ful dernly[1] & stylle, - [E] & bo3ed to-warde þe bed; & þe burne schamed. - & layde hym doun lystyly, & let as he slepte. - [F] & ho stepped stilly. & stel to his bedde, -1192 [G] Kest vp þe cortyn, & creped with-inne, - & set hir ful softly on þe bed-syde, - & lenged þere selly longe, to loke quen he wakened. - Þe lede lay lurked a ful longe quyle, -1196 [H] Compast in his concience to quat þat cace my3t - Mene oþer amount, to meruayle hym þo3t; - Bot 3et he sayde in hym-self, "more semly hit were - To aspye wyth my spelle [in] space quat ho wolde." -1200 [I] þen he wakenede, & wroth, & to hir warde torned, - [J] & vn-louked his y3e-lydde3, & let as hym wondered, - & sayned hym, as bi his sa3e þe sauer to worthe, - with hande; -1204 Wyth chynne & cheke ful swete, - Boþe 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 þat fayr lady, - "3e ar a sleper vn-sly3e, þat mon may slyde hider; - Now ar 3e tan astyt, bot true vus may schape, - [B] I schal bynde yow in your bedde, þat be 3e trayst:" -1212 Al la3ande þe lady lanced þo bourde3. - [C] "Goud moroun g[aye],"[1] quod Gawayn þe blyþe, - "Me schal worþe at your wille, & þat me wel lyke3, - For I 3elde me 3ederly, & 3e3e after grace, -1216 & þat is þe best, be my dome, for me by-houe3 nede;" - & þus he bourded a-3ayn with mony a blyþe la3ter. - [D] "Bot wolde 3e, lady louely, þen leue me grante, - & de-prece your prysoun, & pray hym to ryse, -1220 I wolde bo3e of þis bed, & busk me better, - I schulde keuer þe more comfort to karp yow wyth." - [E] "Nay, for soþe, beau sir," sayd þat swete, [Fol. 107b] - "3e schal not rise of your bedde, I rych yow better, -1224 [F] I schal happe yow here þat oþer half als, - & syþen karp wyth my kny3t þat I ka3t haue; - [G] For I wene wel, Iwysse, sir Wawen 3e are, - Þat alle þe worlde worchipe3, quere-so 3e ride; -1228 Your honour, your hendelayk is hendely praysed - [H] With lorde3, wyth ladyes, with alle þat lyf bere. - & now 3e ar here, iwysse, & we bot oure one; - [I] "My lorde & his lede3 ar on lenþe faren, -1232 [J] Oþer burne3 in her bedde, & my burde3 als, - [K] Þe dor drawen, & dit with a derf haspe; - [L] & syþen I haue in þis hous hym þat 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 þynkke3, - [A] Þa3 I be not now he þat 3e of speken; - To reche to such reuerence as 3e reherce here -1244 I am wy3e vn-worþy, I wot wel my-seluen; - Bi God, I were glad, & yow god þo3t, - [B] At sa3e oþer at seruyce þat I sette my3t - To þe plesaunce of your prys, hit were a pure ioye." -1248 "In god fayth, sir Gawayn," quod þe gay lady, - "Þe prys & þe prowes þat plese3 al oþer, - If I hit lakked, oþer set at ly3t, hit were littel daynté; - [C] Bot hit ar ladyes in-no3e, þat leuer wer nowþe -1252 Haf þe hende in hor holde, as I þe habbe here, - To daly witt derely your daynté worde3, - Keuer hem comfort, & colen her care3, - [D] Þen much of þe garysourn oþer golde þat[1] þay hauen; -1256 Bot I louue[2] þat ilk lorde þat þe lyfte halde3, - I haf hit holly in my honde þat al desyres, - þur3e grace." - Scho made hym so gret chere, -1260 Þat wat3 so fayr of face, [Fol. 108.] - [E] Þe 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. þat þat.] -[Footnote 2: louie or loune (?).] - - VI. - - [A] "Madame," quod þe myry mon, "Mary yow 3elde, -1264 For I haf founden, in god fayth, yowre fraunchis nobele, - & oþer ful much of oþer folk fongen hor dede3; - Bot þe daynté þat þay delen for my disert nysen, - Hit is þe worchyp of your-self, þat no3t hot wel conne3." -1268 [B] "Bi Mary," quod þe menskful, "me þynk hit anoþer; - For were I worth al þe wone of wymmen alyue, - & al þe wele of þe worlde were in my honde, - [C] & I schulde chepen & chose, to cheue me a lorde, -1272 For þe costes þat I haf knowen vpun þe kny3t here, - Of bewté, & debonerté, & blyþe semblaunt, - [D] & þat I haf er herkkened, & halde hit here trwee, - Þer schulde no freke vpon folde bifore yow be chosen." -1276 "I-wysse, worþy," quod þe wy3e, "3e haf waled wel better, - [E] Bot I am proude of þe prys þat 3e put on me, - & soberly your seruaunt my souerayn I holde yow, - & yowre kny3t I be-com, & Kryst yow for-3elde." -1280 Þus þay meled of much-quat, til myd-morn paste, - & ay þe lady let lyk, a[1] hym loued mych; - [F] Þe freke ferde with defence, & feted ful fayre. - Þa3 I were burde bry3test, þe burde in mynde hade, -1284 Þe lasse luf in his lode, for lur þat he so3t, - boute hone; - Þe dunte þat schulde[2] hym deue, - & nede3 hit most be done; -1288 [G] Þe lady þenn 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] Þenne ho gef hym god-day, & wyth a glent la3ed. - & as ho stod, ho stonyed hym wyth ful stor worde3: -1292 [B] "Now he þat spede3 vche spech, þis disport 3elde yow! - Bot þat 3e be Gawan, hit got3 in mynde." - "Quer-fore?" quod þe freke, & freschly he aske3, - Ferde lest he hade fayled in fourme of his castes; -1296 Bot þe burde hym blessed, & bi þis 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] Þen quod Wowen, "I-wysse, worþe 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 þat, & cache3 hym in arme3, - Loute3 luflych adoun, & þe leude kysse3; - Þay comly bykennen to Kryst ayþer oþer; -1308 Ho dos hir forth at þe 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, blyþely to masse, -1312 & þenne he meued to his mete, þat menskly hym keped, - [G] & made myry al day til þe mone rysed, - with game; - With[3] neuer freke fayrer fonge, -1316 [H] Bitwene two so dyngne dame, - Þe alder & þe 3onge, - Much solace set þay 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 þe lorde of þe londe is lent on his gamne3, -1320 To hunt in holte3 & heþe, at hynde3 barayne, - Such a sowme he þer slowe bi þat þe sunne heldet, - Of dos & of oþer dere, to deme were wonder. - Þenne fersly þay flokked in folk at þe laste, -1324 [B] & quykly of þe quelled dere a querré þay maked; - Þe best bo3ed þerto, with burne3 in-noghe, - [C] Gedered þe grattest of gres þat þer were, - & didden hem derely vndo, as þe dede aske3; -1328 [D] Serched hem at þe asay, summe þat þer were, - Two fyngeres þay fonde of þe fowlest of alle; - [E] Syþen þay slyt þe slot, sesed þe erber, - [F] Schaued wyth a scharp knyf, & þe schyre knitten; -1332 Syþen rytte þay þe foure lymmes, & rent of þe hyde, - [G] Þen brek þay þe bale, þe bale3 out token, - [H] Lystily forlancyng, & bere of þe knot; [Fol. 109.] - Þay gryped to þe gargulun, & grayþely departed -1336 [I] Þe wesaunt fro þe wynt-hole, & walt out þe gutte3; - Þen scher þay out þe schuldere3 with her scharp knyue3, - [J] Haled hem by a lyttel hole, to haue hole sydes; - Siþen britned þay þe brest, & brayden hit in twynne, -1340 & eft at þe gargulun bigyne3 on þenne, - [K] Ryue3 hit vp radly, ry3t to þe by3t, - Voyde3 out þe a-vanters, & verayly þerafter - Alle þe ryme3 by þe rybbe3 radly þay lance; -1344 So ryde þay of by resoun bi þe rygge bone3, - Euenden to þe haunche, þat henged alle samen, - & heuen hit vp al hole, & hwen hit of þere, - & þat þayneme for þe noumbles, bi nome as I trowe, -1348 bi kynde; - [L] Bi þe by3t al of þe þy3es, - Þe lappe3 þay lance bi-hynde, - [M] To hewe hit in two þay hy3es, -1352 Bi þe 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] Boþe þe hede & þe hals þay hwen of þenne, - & syþen sunder þay þe syde3 swyft fro þe chyne, - & þe corbeles fee þay kest in a greue;[1] -1356 Þenn þurled þay ayþer þik side þur3, bi þe rybbe, - & henged þenne a[y]þer bi ho3es of þe fourche3, - Vche freke for his fee, as falle3 forto haue. - Vpon a felle of þe fayre best, fede þay þayr houndes, -1360 [B] Wyth þe lyuer & þe ly3te3, þe leþer of þe paunche3, - & bred baþed in blod, blende þer amonge3; - Baldely þay blw prys, bayed þayr rachche3, - [C] Syþen fonge þay her flesche folden to home, -1364 Strakande ful stoutly mony stif mote3. - Bi þat þe dayly3t wat3 done, þe douthe wat3 al wonen - In-to þe comly castel, þer þe kny3t bide3 - ful stille; -1368 Wyth blys & bry3t fyr bette, - Þe lord is comen þer-tylle, - [D] When Gawayn wyth hym mette, - Þer 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 þe lorde in þat sale to samen alle þe meny,[Fol.] - Boþe þe ladyes on loghe to ly3t with her burdes, [109b.] - [B] Bi-fore alle þe folk on þe flette, freke3 he bedde3 - Verayly his venysoun to fech hym byforne; -1376 [C] & al godly in gomen Gaway[n] he called, - Teche3 hym to þe tayles of ful tayt bestes, - Schewe3 hym þe schyree grece schorne vpon rybbes. - [D] "How paye3 yow þis play? haf I prys wonnen? -1380 Haue I þryuandely þonk þur3 my craft serued?" - "3e I-wysse," quod þat oþer wy3e, "here is wayth fayrest - [E] Þat I se3 þis seuen 3ere in sesoun of wynter." - "& al I gif yow, Gawayn," quod þe gome þenne, -1384 "For by a-corde of couenaunt 3e craue hit as your awen." - "Þis is soth," quod þe segge, "I say yow þatilke, - &[1] I haf worthyly þis wone3 wyth-inne, - [F] I-wysse with as god wylle hit worþe3 to 3oure3." -1388 He hasppe3 his fayre hals his arme3 wyth-inne, - & kysses hym as comlyly as he[2] couþe awyse: - "Tas yow þere my cheuicaunce, I cheued no more, - I wowche hit saf fynly, þa3 feler hit were." -1392 "Hit is god," quod þe god mon, "grant mercy þerfore, - [G] Hit may be such, hit is þe better, &[1] 3e me breue wolde - Where 3e wan þis ilk wele, biwytte of hor[3] seluen?" - [H] "Þat wat3 not forward," quod he, "frayst me no more, -1396 For 3e haftan þat yow tyde3, trawe3e non oþer - 3e mowe." - Þay la3ed, & made hem blyþe, - [I] Wyth lote3 þat were to lowe, -1400 To soper þay 3ede asswyþe, - 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 syþen by þe chymné in chamber þay seten. - [B] Wy3e3 þe walle wyn we3ed to hem oft, -1404 & efte in her bourdyng þay bayþen in þe morn, - To fylle þe same forwarde3 þat þay by-fore maden, - [C] Þat chaunce so bytyde3 hor cheuysaunce to chaunge, - What nwe3 so þay nome, at na3t quen þay metten -1408 Þay acorded of þe couenaunte3 byfore þe court alle; - Þe beuerage wat3 bro3t forth in bourde at þat tyme; [Fol. 110.] - [D] Þenne þay louelych le3ten leue at þe last, - Vche burne to his bedde busked bylyue. -1412 [E] Bi þat þe coke hade crowe3[1] & cakled bot þryse, - Þe lorde wat3 lopen of his bedde, [&] þe leude3 vch one, - So þat þe mete & þe masse wat3 metely delyuered; - Þe douthe dressed to þe wod, er any day sprenged, -1416 to chace; - [F] He3 with hunte & horne3, - Þur3 playne3 þay passe in space, - Vn-coupled among þo þorne3, -1420 Rache3 þat 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 þay calle of a quest in aker syde, - Þe hunt re-hayted þe hounde3, þat hit fyrst mynged, - [B] Wylde worde3 hym warp wyth a wrast noyce; -1424 Þe hownde3 þat hit herde, hastid þider swyþe, - & fellen as fast to þe fuyt, fourty at ones; - Þenne such a glauerande glam of gedered rachche3 - Ros, þat þe rochere3 rungen aboute; -1428 Huntere3 hem hardened with horne & wyth muthe. - [C] Þen al in a semblé sweyed to-geder, - Bitwene a flosche in þat fryth, & a foo cragge; - In a knot, bi a clyffe, at þe kerre syde, -1432 Þer as þe rogh rocher vn-rydely wat3 fallen, - [Þay] ferden to þe fyndyng, & freke3 hem after; - [D] Þay vmbe-kesten þe knarre & þe knot boþe. - Wy3e3, whyl þay wysten wel wyt inne hem hit were, -1436 Þe best þat þer breued wat3 wyth þe blod hounde3. - [E] Þenne þay beten on þe buske3, & bede hym vp ryse, - & he vnsoundyly out so3t segge3 ouer-þwert, - [F] On þe sellokest swyn swenged out þere, -1440 Long sythen for[1] þe sounder þat wi3t for-olde, - For he wat3 b[este &] bor alþer grattest, - [And eue]re quen he gronyed, þenne greued mony, - [G] For [þre a]t þe fyrst þrast he þry3t to þe erþe, -1444 & [sped hym] forth good sped, boute spyt more, - [Ande þay] halowed hyghe ful hy3e & hay! hay! cryed - Haden horne3 to mouþe heterly rechated; [Fol. 110b.] - [H] Mony wat3 þe myry mouthe of men & of hounde3, -1448 Þat buskke3 after þis bor, with bost & wyth noyse, - To quelle; - Ful oft he byde3 þe baye, - & mayme3 þe mute Inn-melle, -1452 [I] He hurte3 of þe hounde3, & þay - 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 þenne, - Haled to hym of her arewe3, hitten hym oft; -1456 Bot þe poynte3 payred at þe pyth þat py3t in his schelde3, - & þe barbe3 of his browe bite non wolde, - [B] Þa3 þe schauen schaft schyndered in pece3, - Þe hede hypped a3ayn, were-so-euer hit hitte; -1460 [C] Bot quon þe dynte3 hym dered of her dry3e stroke3, - Þen, brayn-wod for bate, on burne3 he rase3, - [D] Hurte3 hem ful heterly þer he forth hy3e3, - & mony ar3ed þerat, & on-lyte dro3en. -1464 Bot þe lorde on a ly3t horce launces hym after, - [E] As burne bolde vpon bent his bugle he blowe3, - He rechated, & r[ode][1] þur3 rone3 ful þyk, - Suande þis wy[ld]e swyn til þe sunne schafted. -1468 [F] Þis day wyth þis ilk dede þay dryuen on þis wyse, - Whyle oure luflych lede lys in his bedde, - [G] Gawayn grayþely at home, in gere3 ful ryche - of hewe; -1472 Þe 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 þe cortyn, & at þe kny3t totes, - Sir Wawen her welcumed worþy on fyrst, - & ho hym 3elde3 a3ayn, ful 3erne of hir worde3, - [B] Sette3 hir sof[t]ly by his syde, & swyþely ho la3e3, -1480 & wyth a luflych loke ho layde[1] hym þyse worde3: - "Sir, 3if 3e be Wawen, wonder me þynkke3, - Wy3e þat is so wel wrast alway to god, - & conne3 not of compaynye þe coste3 vnder-take, -1484 & if mon kennes yow hom to knowe, 3e kest hom of your mynde;[Fol.] - [C] Þou hat3 for-3eten 3ederly þat 3isterday I ta3tte [111] - alder-truest token of talk þat I cowþe." - "What is þat?" quod þe wyghe, "I-wysse I wot neuer, -1488 If hit be sothe þat 3e breue, þe blame is myn awen." - [D] "3et I kende yow of kyssyng," quod þe clere þenne, - "Quere-so countenaunce is couþe, quikly to clayme, - Þat bicumes vche a kny3t, þat cortaysy vses." -1492 "Do way," quod þat derf mon, "my dere, þat speche, - [E] For þat durst I not do, lest I denayed were, - If I were werned, I were wrang I-wysse, 3if I profered." - "Ma fay," quod þe mere wyf, "3e may not be werned, -1496 [F] 3e ar stif in-noghe to constrayne wyth strenkþe, 3if yow lyke3, - 3if any were so vilanous þat yow denaye[2] wolde." - "3e, be God," quod Gawayn, "good is your speche, - Bot þrete is vn-þryuande in þede þer I lende, -1500 [G] & vche gift þat 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 þynkke3, - in space." -1504 [H] Þe lady loute3 a-doun, - & comlyly kysses his face, - Much speche þay þer 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," þat worþy þer sayde, - "& yow wrathed not þer-wyth, what were þe skylle, - Þat so 3ong & so 3epe, as 3e [ar] at þis tyme, - So cortayse, so kny3tyly, as 3e ar knowen oute, -1512 [B] & of alle cheualry to chose, þe chef þyng a-losed, - Is[2] þe lel layk of luf, þe lettrure of armes; - F[or] to telle of þis tenelyng of þis trwe kny3te3, - Hit is þe 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 Þat euer longed to luf, lasse ne more; - [E] & 3e, þat ar so cortays & coynt of your hetes, - Oghe to a 3onke þynk 3ern to schewe, - & teche sum tokene3 of trweluf craftes. -1528 Why ar 3e lewed, þat alle þe los welde3, - Oþer 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 fayþe," quod Gawayn, "God yow for3elde, -1536 Gret is þe gode gle, & gomen to me huge, - Þat so worþy 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 þe toruayle[1] to my-self, to trwluf expoun, - & towche þe teme3 of tyxt, & tale3 of arme3, - To yow þat, I wot wel, welde3 more sly3t - Of þat art, bi þe half, or a hundreth of seche -1544 As I am, oþer euer schal, in erde þer I leue, - Hit were a fole fele-folde, my fre, by my trawþe. - [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!" - Þus hym frayned þat fre, & fondet hym ofte, - Forto haf wonnen hym to wo3e, what-so scho þo3t elle3, - [E] Bot he de fended hym so fayr, þat no faut semed, -1552 Ne non euel on nawþer halue, nawþer þay wysten, - bot blysse; - Þay la3ed & layked longe, - At þe 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 ruþes hym þe renk, & ryses to þe masse, - & siþen hor diner wat3 dy3t & derely serued. [Fol. 112.] -1560 [B] Þe lede with þe ladye3 layked alle day, - Bot þe lorde ouer þe londe3 launced ful ofte, - Swe3 his vncely swyn, þat swynge3 bi þe bonkke3, - [C] & bote þe best of his brache3 þe bakke3 in sunder; -1564 Þer 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 þe folk gedered; - Bot 3et þe styffest to start bi stounde3 he made, -1568 Til at þe last he wat3 so mat, he my3t no more renne, - [E] Bot in þe hast þat he my3t, he to a hole wynne3, - Of a rasse, bi a rokk, þer renne3 þe boerne, - He gete þe bonk at his bak, bigyne3 to scrape, -1572 [F] Þe froþe femed[3] at his mouth vnfayre bi þe wyke3, - Whette3 his whyte tusche3; with hym þen irked - Alle þe burne3 so bolde, þat hym by stoden, - [G] To nye hym on-ferum, bot ne3e hym non durst -1576 for woþe; - He hade hurt so mony byforne, - Þat al þu3t[4] þenne ful loþe, - [H] Be more wyth his tusche3 torne, -1580 Þat 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: þo3t (?).] - - XVIII. - - [A] Til þe kny3t com hym-self, kachande his blonk, - Sy3 hym byde at þe bay, his burne3 bysyde, - [B] He ly3tes luflych[1] adoun, leue3 his corsour, -1584 Brayde3 out a bry3t bront, & bigly forth stryde3, - Founde3 fast þur3 þe forth, þer þe felle byde3, - [C] Þe wylde wat3 war of þe wy3e with weppen in honde, - Hef hy3ly þe here, so hetterly he fnast, -1588 Þat fele ferde for þe freke3,[2] lest felle hym þe worre; - [D] Þe swyn sette3 hym out on þe segge euen, - Þat þe burne & þe bor were boþe vpon hepe3, - In þe wy3t-est of þe water, þe worre hade þat oþer; -1592 [E] For þe mon merkke3 hym wel, as þay mette fyrst, - Set sadly þe scharp in þe slot euen, - [F] Hit hym vp to þe hult, þat þe hert schyndered, - & he 3arrande hym 3elde, & 3edoun[3] þe water, -1596 ful tyt; - A hundreth hounde3 hym hent, [Fol. 112b.] - [G] Þat 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 haþele3 þat my3t; - [B] Brachetes bayed þat best, as bidden þe maystere3, -1604 Of þat chargeaunt chace þat were chef huntes. - [C] Þenne a wy3e þat wat3 wys vpon wod crafte3, - To vnlace þis bor lufly bigynne3; - [D] Fyrst he hewes of his hed, & on hi3e sette3, -1608 & syþen rende3 him al roghe bi þe rygge after, - [E] Brayde3 out þe boweles, brenne3 hom on glede, - With bred blent þer-with his braches rewarde3; - Syþen he britne3 out þe brawen in bry3t brode [s]chelde3, -1612 [F] & hat3 out þe hastlette3, as hi3tly biseme3; - [G] & 3et hem halche3 al hole þe halue3 to-geder, - & syþen on a stif stange stoutly hem henges. - Now with þis ilk swyn þay swengen to home; -1616 [H] Þe bores hed wat3 borne bifore þe burnes seluen, - Þat him for-ferde in þe forþe, þur3 forse of his honde, - so stronge; - Til he se3 sir Gawayne, -1620 In halle hym þo3t ful longe, - [I] He calde, & he com gayn, - His fee3 þer 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] Þe lorde ful lowde with lote, & la3ed myry, -1624 When he se3e sir G: with solace he speke3; - Þe goude ladye3 were geten, & gedered þe meyny, - [B] He schewe3 hem þe schelde3, & schapes hem þe tale, - Of þe largesse, & þe lenþe, þe liþerne3 alse, -1628 Of þe were of þe wylde swyn, in wod þer he fled. - Þat oþer kny3t ful comly comended his dede3, - & praysed hit as gret prys, þat he proued hade; - [C] For suche a brawne of a best, þe bolde burne sayde, -1632 Ne such sydes of a swyn, segh he neuer are. - Þenne hondeled þay þe hoge hed, þe hende mon hit praysed, - & let lodly þerat þe lorde forte here: [Fol. 113.] - [D] "Now Gawayn," quod þe god mon, "þis gomen is your awen, -1636 Bi fyn for-warde & faste, faythely 3e knowe." - "Hit is sothe," quod þe segge, "& as siker trwe; - Alle my get I schal yow gif agayn, bi my trawþe." - [E] He [hent] þe haþel aboute þe halse, & hendely hym kysses, -1640 & efter-sones of þe same he serued hym þere. - "Now ar we euen," quod þe haþel, "in þis euen-tide, - Of alle þe couenauntes þat we knyt, syþen I com hider, - bi lawe;" -1644 [F] Þe lorde sayde, "bi saynt Gile, - 3e ar þe best þat 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] Þenne þay teldet table3 [on] trestes alofte, - [B] Kesten cloþe3 vpon, clere ly3t þenne - [C] Wakned bi wo3e3, waxen torches - Segge3 sette, & serued in sale al aboute; -1652 [D] Much glam & gle glent vp þer-inne, - Aboute þe fyre vpon flet, & on fele wyse, - [E] At þe soper & after, mony aþel songe3, - As coundutes of kryst-masse, & carole3 newe, -1656 With alle þe manerly merþe þat mon may of telle. - [F] & euer oure luflych kny3t þe lady bi-syde; - Such semblaunt to þat segge semly ho made, - [G] Wyth stille stollen countenaunce, þat stalworth to plese, -1660 Þat al for-wondered wat3 þe 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 þe dede turned - to wrast; -1664 [H] Quen þay hade played in halle, - As longe as hor wylle hom last, - [I] To chambre he[1] con hym calle, - & to þe chem-ne þay 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 þer þay dronken, & dalten, & demed eft nwe, - To norne on þe same note, on nwe3ere3 euen; - [B] Bot þe kny3t craued leue, to kayre on þe morn, - For hit wat3 ne3 at þe terme, þat he to[1] schulde. -1672 Þe lorde hym letted of þat, to lenge hym resteyed, [Fol. 113b.] - [C] & sayde, "as I am trwe segge, I siker my trawþe, - [D] Þou schal cheue to þe grene chapel, þy charres to make, - Leude, on nw3ere3 ly3t, longe bifore pryme: -1676 For-þy þow lye in þy loft, & lach þyn ese, - & I schal hunt in þis holt, & halde þe towche3, - Chaunge wyth þe cheuisaunce, bi þat I charre hider; - For I haf fraysted þe twys, & faythful I fynde þe, -1680 Now þrid tyme þrowe best þenk on þe morne, - Make we mery quyl we may, & mynne vpon Ioye, - For þe lur may mon lach, when so mon lyke3." - Þis wat3 grayþely graunted, & Gawayn is lenged, -1684 [E] Bliþe bro3t wat3 hym drynk, & þay to bedde 3eden, - with li3t; - [F] Sir G: lis & slepes, - Ful stille & softe al ni3t; -1688 [G] Þe lorde þat 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 þe mornyng, his mounture he askes; -1692 [B] Alle þe haþeles þat on horse schulde helden hym after, - Were boun busked on hor blonkke3, bi-fore[2] þe halle 3ate3; - [C] Ferly fayre wat3 þe folde, for þe forst clenged, - In rede rudede vpon rak rises þe sunne, -1696 [D] & ful clere coste3[3] þe clowdes of þe welkyn. - Hunteres vnhardeled bi a holt syde, - Rocheres roungen bi rys, for rurde of her hornes; - [E] Summe fel in þe fute, þer þe fox bade, -1700 Trayle3 ofte a trayteres[4], bi traunt of her wyles; - A kenet kryes þerof, þe hunt on hym calles, - His fela3es fallen hym to, þat fnasted ful þike, - [F] Runnen forth in a rabel, in his ry3t fare; -1704 & he fyske3 hem by-fore, þay founden hym sone, - [G] & quen þay seghe hym with sy3t, þay sued hym fast, - Wre3ande h[ym] ful [w]eterly with a wroth noyse; - [H] & he trantes & tornayee3 þur3 mony tene greue; -1708 Hamloune3, & herkene3, bi hegge3 ful ofte; - [I] At þe last bi a littel dich he lepe3 ouer a spenné, [Fol. 114.] - Stele3 out ful stilly bi a strothe rande, - [J] Went haf wylt of þe wode, with wyle3 fro þe houndes, -1712 Þenne wat3 he went, er he wyst, to[5] a wale tryster, - [K] Þer þre þro at a þrich þrat hym at ones, - al graye; - [L] He blenched a3ayn bilyue, -1716 & stifly start onstray, - With alle þe wo on lyue, - [M] To þe 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 lyþen þe hounde3, -1720 When alle þe mute hade hym met, menged to-geder, - Suche a sor3e at þat sy3t þay sette on his hede, - As alle þe clamberande clyffes hade clatered on hepes; - [B] Here he wat3 halawed, when haþele3 hym metten, -1724 Loude he wat3 3ayned, with 3arande speche; - [C] Þer he wat3 þreted, & ofte þef called, - & ay þe titleres at his tayl, þat tary he ne my3t; - Ofte he wat3 runnen at, when he out rayked, -1728 [D] & ofte reled in a3ayn, so reniarde wat3 wylé. - [E] & 3e he lad hem bi lag, mon, þe lorde & his meyny; - On þis maner bi þe mountes, quyle myd, ouer, vnder, - [F] Whyle þe hende kny3t at home holsumly slepe3, -1732 With-inne þe comly cortynes, on þe colde morne. - Bot þe lady for luf let not to slepe, - Ne þe purpose to payre, þat py3t in hir hert, - Bot ros hir vp radly, rayked hir þeder, -1736 [G] In a mery mantyle, mete to þe erþe, - Þat wat3 furred ful fyne with felle3, wel pured, - No hwe3 goud on hir hede, bot þe ha3er stones - Trased aboute hir tressour, be twenty in clusteres; -1740 [H] Hir þryuen face & hir þrote þrowen al naked, - Hir brest bare bifore, & bihinde eke. - [I] Ho come3 with-inne þe chambre dore, & closes hit hir after, - [J] Wayne3[1] vp a wyndow, & on þe wy3e calle3, -1744 & radly þus re-hayted hym, with hir riche worde3, - with[2] chere; - [K] "A! mon, how may þou slepe, - [L] Þis morning is so clere?" [Fol. 114b.] -1748 He wat3 in drowping depe, - Bot þenne 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, à sec. manu.] - - XXV. - - [A] In dre3 droupyng of dreme draueled þat noble, - As mon þat wat3 in mornyng of mony þro þo3tes, -1752 How þat destiné schulde þat day [dy3t] his wyrde, - At þe grene chapel, when he þe gome metes, - & bi-houes his buffet abide, with-oute debate more; - [B] Bot quen þat comly he keuered his wyttes, -1756 Swenges out of þe sweuenes, & sware3 with hast. - Þe lady luflych com la3ande swete, - [C] Felle ouer his fayre face, & fetly him kyssed; - He welcume3 hir worþily, 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 smoþe smylyng & smolt þay smeten in-to merþe, -1764 Þat al wat3 blis & bonchef, þat breke hem bi-twene, - & wynne, - Þay lanced wordes gode, - Much wele þen wat3 þer-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 þat prynce of pris de-presed hym so þikke. - Nurned hym so ne3e þe þred, þat nede hym bi-houed, -1772 Oþer lach þer hir luf, oþer lodly re-fuse; - He cared for his cortaysye, lest craþayn he were, - [B] & more for his meschef, 3if he schulde make synne, - & be traytor to þat tolke, þat þat telde a3t. -1776 "God schylde," quod þe schalk, "þat schal not be-falle!" - With luf-la3yng a lyt, he layd hym by-syde - Alle þe speche3 of specialté þat sprange of her mouthe. - Quod þat burde to þe burne, "blame 3e disserue, -1780 3if 3e luf not þat lyf þat 3e lye nexte, - Bifore alle þe wy3e3 in þe worlde, wounded in hert, - [C] Bot if 3e haf a lemman, a leuer, þat yow lyke3 better, - & folden fayth to þat fre, festned so harde, -1784 Þat yow lausen ne lyst, & þat I leue nouþe; [Fol. 115.] - And þat 3e telle me þat, now trwly I pray yow, - For alle þe lufe3 vpon lyue, layne not þe soþe, - for gile." -1788 [D] Þe kny3t sayde, "be sayn Ion," - & smeþely con he smyle, - "In fayth I welde ri3t non, - Ne non wil welde þe 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 "Þat is a worde," quod þat wy3t, "þat worst is of alle, - Bot I am swared for soþe, þat sore me þinkke3; - [A] Kysse me now coraly, & I schal cach heþen, - I may bot mourne vpon molde, as may þat much louyes." -1796 Sykande ho swe3e doun, & semly hym kyssed, - & siþen ho seueres hym fro, & says as ho stondes, - "Now, dere, at þis de-partyng, do me þis ese, - [B] Gif me sumquat of þy gifte, þi gloue if[1] hit were, -1800 [C] Þat I may mynne on þe mon, my mournyng to lassen." - "Now Iwysse," quod þat wy3e, "I wolde I hade here - Þe leuest þing for þy luf, þat I in londe welde, - [D] For 3e haf deserued, forsoþe, sellyly ofte -1804 More rewarde bi resoun, þen I reche my3t, - Bot to dele yow for drurye, þat dawed bot neked; - Hit is not your honour to haf at þis tyme - A gloue for a garysoun, of Gawayne3 gifte3, -1808 & I am here [on] an erande in erde3 vncouþe, - [E] & haue no men wyth no male3, with menskful þinge3; - Þat mislyke3 me, ladé, for luf at þis tyme,[2] - Iche tolke mon do as he is tan, tas to non ille, -1812 ne pine." - [F] "Nay, hende of hy3e honours," - Quod þat lufsum vnder lyne, - [G] "Þa3 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, - Þat bere blusschande beme3 as þe bry3t sunne; -1820 Wyt 3e wel, hit wat3 worth wele ful hoge. - [B] Bot þe renk hit renayed, & redyly he sayde, - "I wil no gifte3 for gode, my gay, at þis 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, þat he hit sese nolde; - [D] & ho sore þat he forsoke, & sayde þer-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, þat gaynes yow lasse." - Ho la3t a lace ly3tly, þat[2] leke vmbe hir syde3, - [E] Knit vpon hir kyrtel, vnder þe clere mantyle, -1832 Gered hit wat3 with grene sylke, & with golde schaped, - No3t bot arounde brayden, beten with fyngre3; - & þat ho bede to þe burne, & blyþely bi-so3t - [F] Þa3 hit vn-worþi were, þat he hit take wolde. -1836 & he nay þat he nolde neghe in no wyse, - [G] Nauþer golde ne garysoun, er God hym grace sende, - To acheue to þe chaunce þat he hade chosen þere. - "& þerfore, I pray yow, displese yow no3t, -1840 & lette3 be your bisinesse, for I bayþe 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: þat þat, in MS.] - - XXIX. - - [A] "Now forsake 3e þis silke." sayde þe burde þenne, - "For hit is symple in hit-self. & so hit wel seme3? -1848 Lo! so hit is littel, & lasse hit is worþy; - [B] Bot who-so knew þe costes þat knit ar þer-inne, - He wolde hit prayse at more prys, parauenture; - [C] For quat gome so is gorde with þis grene lace, -1852 While he hit hade hemely halched aboute, - Þer is no haþel vnder heuen to-hewe hym þat my3t; - [D] For he my3t not he slayn, for sly3t vpon erþe." - Þen kest þe kny3t, & hit come to his hert, -1856 [E] Hit were a Iuel for þe Iopardé, þat hym iugged were, - When he acheued to þe chapel, his chek forto fech; - [F] My3[1] he haf slypped to þe vn-slayn, þe sle3t were noble. - Þenne ho þulged with hir þrepe, & þoled hir to speke, [Fol. 116.] -1860 & ho bere on hym þe belt, & bede hit hym swyþe, - [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; þe leude hym acorde3. -1864 Þat neuer wy3e schulde hit wyt, Iwysse, bot þay twayne, - for no3te; - He þonkked hir oft ful swyþe, - Ful þro with hert & þo3t. -1868 [H] Bi þat on þrynne syþe, - He hat3 kyst þe 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 þere, - For more myrþe of þat 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 þe luf-lace, þe lady hym ra3t, - Hid hit ful holdely, þer he hit eft fonde; -1876 Syþen cheuely to þe chapel choses he þe waye, - [D] Preuely aproched to a prest, & prayed hym þere - Þat he wolde lyfte[2] his lyf, & lern hym better, - How his sawle schulde be saued, when he schuld seye heþen. -1880 [E] Þere he schrof hym schyrly, & schewed his mysdede3, - Of þe more & þe mynne, & merci beseche3, - [F] & of absolucioun he on þe segge calles; - & he asoyled hym surely, & sette hym so clene, -1884 [G] As dome3-day schulde haf ben di3t on þe morn. - & syþen he mace hym as mery among þe fre ladyes, - [H] With comlych caroles, & alle kynnes ioye, - As neuer he did bot þat daye, to þe derk ny3t, -1888 with blys; - Vche mon hade daynte þare, - [I] Of hym, & sayde Iwysse, - [J] Þus myry he wat3 neuer are, -1892 Syn he com hider, er þis. - -[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 þat lee, þer luf hym bi-tyde; - 3et is þe lorde on þe launde, ledande his gomnes, - [B] He hat3 forfaren þis fox, þat he fol3ed longe; -1896 As he sprent ouer a spenné, to spye þe schrewe, - Þer as he herd þe howndes, þat hasted hym swyþe, [Fol. 116b.] - [C] Renaud com richchande þur3 a ro3e greue, - & alle þe rabel in a res, ry3t at his hele3. -1900 [D] Þe wy3e wat3 war of þe wylde, & warly abides, - & brayde3 out þe bry3t bronde, & at þe best caste3; - & he schunt for þe scharp, & schulde haf arered, - [E] A rach rapes hym to, ry3t er he my3t, -1904 & ry3t bifore þe hors fete þay fel on hym alle, - & woried me þis wyly wyth a wroth noyse. - [F] Þe lorde ly3te3 bilyue, & cache3 by[1] sone, - Rased hym ful radly out of þe rach mouþes, -1908 Halde3 he3e ouer his hede, halowe3 faste, - & þer bayen hym mony bray[2] hounde3; - [G] Huntes hy3ed hem þeder, with horne3 ful mony, - Ay re-chatande ary3t til þay þe renk se3en; -1912 Bi þat wat3 comen his compeyny noble, - Alle þat euer ber bugle blowed at ones, - [H] & alle þise oþer halowed, þat hade no hornes, - Hit wat3 þe myriest mute þat euer men herde, -1916 Þe rich rurd þat þer wat3 raysed for renaude saule, - with lote; - [I] Hor hounde3 þay þer rewarde, - Her[3] hede3 þay fawne & frote, -1920 [J] & syþen þay 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: braþ (?).] -[Footnote 3: Her her, in MS.] - - XXXII. - - [A] & þenne þay helden to home, for hit wat3 nie3 ny3t, - Strakande ful stoutly in hor store horne3; -1924 [B] Þe lorde is ly3t at þe laste at hys lef home, - Fynde3 fire vpon flet, þe freke þer by-side, - Sir Gawayn þe gode, þat glad wat3 with alle, - [C] Among þe ladies for luf he ladde much ioye, -1928 He were a bleaunt of blwe, þat bradde to þe erþe, - His surkot semed hym wel, þat softe wat3 forred, - & his hode of þat ilke henged on his schulder, - [D] Blande al of blaunner were boþe al aboute. -1932 He mete3 me þis god mon in mydde3 þe flore, - & al with gomen he hym gret, & goudly he sayde, - "I schal fylle vpon fyrst oure forwarde3 nouþe, - Þat we spedly han spoken, þer spared wat3 no drynk;" [Fol. 117.] -1936 [E] Þen acoles he [þe] kny3t, & kysses hym þryes, - [F] As sauerly & sadly as he hem sette couþe. - [G] "Bi Kryst," quod þat oþer kny3t, "3e cach much sele, - In cheuisaunce of þis chaffer, 3if 3e hade goud chepe3." -1940 "3e of þe chepe no charg," quod chefly þat oþer, - "As is pertly payed þe chepe3 þat I a3te." - "Mary," quod þat oþer mon, "myn is bi-hynde, - [H] For I haf hunted al þis day, & no3t haf I geten, -1944 [I] Bot þis foule fox felle, þe fende haf þe gode3, - [J] & þat is ful pore, for to pay for suche prys þinges, - As 3e haf þry3t me here, þro suche þre cosses, - so gode." -1948 "I-no3," quod sir Gawayn, - "I þonk yow, bi þe rode;" - [K] & how þe fox wat3 slayn, - He tolde hym, as þay 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 merþe & mynstralsye, wyth mete3 at hor wylle, - Þay maden as mery as any men mo3ten, - With la3yng of ladies, with lote3 of bordes; - Gawayn & þe gode mon so glad were þay boþe, -1956 Bot if þe douthe had doted, oþer dronken ben oþer, - Boþe þe mon & þe meyny maden mony iape3, - [B] Til þe sesoun wat3 se3en, þat þay seuer moste; - Burne3 to hor bedde be-houed at þe laste. -1960 [C] Þenne lo3ly his leue at þe lorde fyrst - Fochche3 þis fre mon, & fayre he hym þonkke3; - [D] "Of such a sellyly[1] soiorne, as I haf hade here, - Your honour, at þis hy3e fest, þe 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, - Þe gate to þe grene chapel, as god wyl me suffer -1968 To dele, on nw3ere3 day, þe dome of my wyrdes." - "In god fayþe," quod þe god mon. "wyth a goud wylle; - Al þat euer I yow hy3t, halde schal I rede." - [F] Þer asyngnes he a seruaunt, to sett hym in þe waye, -1972 & coundue hym by þe downe3, þat he no drechch had, [Fol. 117b.] - For to f[e]rk þur3 þe fryth, & fare at þe gaynest, - bi greue. - Þe lorde Gawayn con þonk, -1976 Such worchip he wolde hym weue; - [G] Þen at þo ladye3 wlonk. - Þe 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 þryuande þonkke3 he þrat hom to haue, - & þay 3elden hym a3ay[n] 3eply þat ilk; - [B] Þay bikende hym to Kryst, with ful colde sykynge3. - [C] Syþen fro þe meyny he menskly de-partes; -1984 Vche mon þat he mette, he made hem a þonke, - For his seruyse, & his solace, & his sere pyne, - Þat þay wyth busynes had ben, aboute hym to serue; - & vche segge as sore, to seuer with hym þere, -1988 As þay hade wonde worþyly with þat wlonk euer. - [D] Þen 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 þe morn to mynne, 3if he wolde, - in þo3t; - [F] Let hym ly3e þere stille, - He hat3[1] nere þat he so3t, -1996 [G] & 3e wyl a whyle be stylle, - I schal telle yow how þay 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 þe nw3ere, & þe ny3t passe3, - Þe day dryue3 to þe derk, as dry3tyn bidde3; -2000 [B] Bot wylde wedere3 of þe worlde wakned þeroute, - Clowdes kesten kenly þe colde to þe erþe, - Wyth ny3e[1] in-noghe of þe norþe, þe naked to tene; - [C] Þe snawe snitered ful snart, þat snayped þe wylde; -2004 Þe werbelande wynde wapped fro þe hy3e, - [D] & drof vche dale ful of dryftes ful grete. - Þe leude lystened ful wel, þat le3 in his bedde, - [E] Þa3 he lowke3 his lidde3, ful lyttel he slepes; -2008 Bi vch kok þat crue, he knwe wel þe steuen. - De-liuerly he dressed vp, er þe day sprenged, [Fol. 118.] - For þere wat3 ly3t of a lau[m]pe, þat lemed in his chambre; - [F] He called to his chamberlayn, þat cofly hym swared, -2012 & bede hym bryng hym his bruny, & his blonk sadel; - Þat oþer ferke3 hym vp, & feche3 hym his wede3, - & grayþe3 me sir Gawayn vpon a grett wyse. - Fyrst he clad hym in his cloþe3, þe colde for to were; -2016 & syþen his oþer harnays, þat holdely wat3 keped, - Boþe his paunce, & his plate3, piked ful clene, - [G] Þe rynge3[2] rokked of þe roust, of his riche bruny; - & al wat3 fresch as vpon fyrst, & he wat3 fayn þenne -2020 to þonk; - He hade vpon vche pece, - Wypped ful wel & wlonk; - [H] Þe gayest in to Grece, -2024 Þe 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 þe wlonkest wedes he warp on hym-seluen; - His cote, wyth be conysaunce of þe 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 þe lace, þe ladie3 gifte, - Þat for-gat not Gawayn, for gode of hym-seluen; -2032 Bi he hade belted þe bronde vpon his bal3e haunche3, - [C] Þenn dressed he his drurye double hym aboute; - Swyþe sweþled vmbe his swange swetely, þat kny3t, - Þe gordel of þe grene silke, þat gay wel bisemed, -2036 Vpon þat ryol red cloþe, þat ryche wat3 to schewe. - [D] Bot wered not þis ilk wy3e for wele þis gordel, - For pryde of þe pendaunte3, þa3 polyst þay were, - & þa3 þe 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, - oþer knyffe; - Bi þat þe bolde mon boun, -2044 Wynne3 þeroute bilyue, - [F] Alle þe meyny of renoun, - He þonkke3 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 grayþe, þat gret wat3 & huge, [Fol. 118b.] -2048 & hade ben soiourned sauerly, & in a siker wyse, - [B] Hym lyst prik for poynt, þat proude hors þenne; - Þe wy3e wynne3 hym to, & wyte3 on his lyre, - & sayde soberly hym-self, & by his soth swere3, -2052 "Here is a meyny in þis mote, þat on menske þenkke3, - [C] Þe mon hem maynteines, ioy mot þay haue; - Þe leue lady, on lyue luf hir bityde; - 3if þay for charyté cherysen a gest, -2056 & halden honour in her honde, þe haþel hem 3elde, - Þat halde3 þe 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] Þenn 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 þe ston, stod he no lenger, -2064 to praunce; - His haþel on hors wat3 þenne, - Þat bere his spere & launce. - [F] "Þis 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, & þe brode 3ate3 - Vnbarred, & born open, vpon boþe halue; - [B] Þe burne blessed hym bilyue, & þe brede3 passed; -2072 Prayses þe porter, bifore þe prynce kneled, - Gef hym God & goud day, þat Gawayn he saue; - [C] & went on his way, with his wy3e one, - Þat schulde teche hym to tourne to þat tene place, -2076 Þer þe ruful race he schulde re-sayue. - Þay bo3en bi bonkke3, þer bo3e3 ar bare, - [D] Þay clomben bi clyffe3, þer clenge3 þe colde; - Þe heuen wat3 vp halt, bot vgly þer vnder, -2080 Mist muged on þe mor, malt on þe mounte3, - [E] Vch hille hade a hatte, a myst-hakel huge; - Broke3 byled, & breke, bi bonkke3 aboute, - Schyre schaterande on schore3, þer þay doun schowued. -2084 Welawylle wat3 þe way, þer þay bi wod schulden, [Fol. 119.] - [F] Til hit wat3 sone sesoun, þat þe sunne ryses, - þat tyde; - [G] Þay were on a hille ful hy3e, -2088 Þe quyte snaw lay bisyde; - [H] Þe burne þat 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 þis tyme, -2092 & now nar 3e not fer fro þat note place, - [B] Þat 3e han spied & spuryed so specially after; - Bot I schal say yow for soþe, syþen I yow knowe, - & 3e ar a lede vpon lyue, þat I wel louy, -2096 Wolde 3e worch bi my wytte, 3e worþed þe better. - [C] Þe place þat 3e prece to, ful perelous is halden; - [D] Þer wone3 a wy3e in þat waste, þe worst vpon erþe; - For he is stiffe, & sturne, & to strike louies, -2100 & more he is þen any mon vpon myddelerde, - [E] & his body bigger þen þe best fowre. - Þat ar in Arþure3 hous, Hestor[1] oþer oþer. - He cheue3 þat chaunce at þe chapel grene; -2104 [F] Þer passes non bi þat place, so proude in his armes, - Þat he ne dynne3 hym to deþe, with dynt of his honde; - For he is a mon methles, & mercy non vses, - [G] For be hit chorle, oþer chaplayn, þat bi þe chapel rydes, -2108 Monk, oþer masse-prest, oþer any mon elles, - Hym þynk as queme hym to quelle, as quyk go hym seluen. - For-þy I say þe as soþe as 3e in sadel sitte, - Com 3e þere, 3e be kylled, [I] may þe kny3t rede, -2112 Trawe 3e me þat trwely, þa3 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-þy, goude sir Gawayn, let þe gome one, - & got3 a-way sum oþer gate; vpon Godde3 halue; -2120 [B] Cayre3 bi sum oþer kyth, þer Kryst mot yow spede; - & I schal hy3 me hom a3ayn, & hete yow fyrre, - [C] Þat I schal swere bi God, & alle his gode hal3e3, [Fol. 119b.] - As help me God & þe halydam, & oþe3 in-noghe, -2124 Þat I schal lelly yow layne, & lance neuer tale, - Þat euer 3e fondet to fle, for freke þat I wyst." - "Grant merci;" quod Gawayn, & gruchyng he sayde, - "Wel worth þe wy3e, þat wolde3 my gode, -2128 & þat lelly me layne, I leue wel þou wolde3! - [D] Bot helde þou hit neuer so holde, & I here passed, - Founded for ferde for to fle, in fourme þat þou telle3, - I were a kny3t kowarde, I my3t not[1] be excused. -2132 [E] Bot I wy1 to þe chape1, for chaunce þat may falle, - & talk wyth þat ilk tulk þe tale þat me lyste, - Worþe hit wele, oþer wo, as þe wyrde lyke3 - hit hafe; -2136 [F] Þa3e 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 þat oþer mon, "now þou so much spelle3, - Þat þou wylt þyn awen nye nyme to þy-seluen, - & þe lyst lese þy lyf, þe lette I ne kepe; - [B] Haf here þi helme on þy hede, þi spere in þi honde, -2144 & ryde me doun þis ilk rake, bi 3on rokke syde, - [C] Til þou be bro3t to þe boþem of þe brem valay; - [D] Þenne loke a littel on þe launde, on þi lyfte honde, - [E] & þou schal se in þat slade þe self chapel, -2148 & þe borelych burne on bent, þat hit kepe3. - Now fare3 wel on Gode3 half, Gawayn þe noble, - For alle þe golde vpon grounde I nolde go with þe, - Ne bere þe fela3schip þur3 þis fryth on fote fyrre." -2152 [F] Bi þat þe wy3e in þe wod wende3 his brydel, - Hit þe hors with þe hele3, as harde as he my3t, - Lepe3 hym ouer þe launde, & leue3 þe kny3t þere, - al one. -2156 [G] "Bi Godde3 self," quod Gawayn, - "I wyl nauþer 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 þe rake, [Fol. 120.] - Schowue3 in bi a schore, at a scha3e syde, - [B] Ride3 þur3 þe ro3e bonk, ry3t to þe dale; - & þenne he wayted hym aboute, & wylde hit hym þo3t, -2164 [C] & se3e no syngne of resette, bisyde3 nowhere, - Bot hy3e bonkke3 & brent, vpon boþe halue, - & ru3e knokled knarre3, with knorned stone3; - Þe skwe3 of þe scowtes skayued[1] hym þo3t. -2168 Þenne he houed, & wyth-hylde his hors at þat tyde, - & ofte chaunged his cher, þe chapel to seche; - [D] He se3 non suche in no syde, & selly hym þo3t, - Sone a lyttel on a launde, a lawe as hit we[re]; -2172 [E] A bal3 ber3, bi a bonke, þe brymme by-syde, - Bi a for3 of a flode, þat ferked þare; - Þe borne blubred þer-inne, as hit boyled hade. - [F] Þe kny3t kache3 his caple, & com to þe lawe, -2176 [G] Li3te3 doun luflyly, & at a lynde tache3 - Þe rayne, & his riche, with a ro3e braunche; - [H] Þen[n]e he bo3e3 to þe ber3e, aboute hit he walke, - D[e]batande with hym-self, quat hit be my3t. -2180 Hit hade a hole on þe ende, & on ayþer 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 couþe hit no3t deme -2184 with spelle, - "We,[2] lorde," quod þe gentyle kny3t, - "Wheþer þis be þe grene chapelle; - [J] He my3t aboute myd-ny3t, -2188 [Þ]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; - Þis oritore is vgly, with erbe3 ouer-growen; - [B] Wel biseme3 þe wy3e wruxled in grene -2192 Dele here his deuocioun, on þe deuele3 wyse; - Now I fele hit is þe fende, in my fyue wytte3, - Þat hat3 stoken me þis steuen, to strye me here; - [C] Þis is a chapel of meschaunce, þat chekke hit by-tyde, -2196 Hit is þe corsedest kyrk, þat euer i com inne!" - With he3e helme on his hede, his launce in his honde, [Fol. 120b.] - [D] He rome3 vp to þe rokke of þo ro3 wone3; - Þene herde he of þat hy3e hil, in a harde roche, -2200 [E] Bi3onde þe broke, in a bonk, a wonder breme noyse, - [F] Quat! hit clatered in þe clyff, as hit cleue schulde, - As one vpon a gryndelston hade grounden a syþe; - [G] What! hit wharred, & whette, as water at a mulne, -2204 What! hit rusched, & ronge, rawþe to here. - Þenne "bi Godde," quod Gawayn, "þat gere as[1] I trowe, - Is ryched at þe reuerence, me renk to mete, - bi rote; -2208 Let God worche we loo, - [H] Hit helppe3 me not a mote, - My lif þa3 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 þe kny3t con calle ful hy3e, - [B] "Who sti3tle3 in þis sted, me steuen to holde? - [C] For now is gode Gawayn goande ry3t here, - If any wy3e o3t wyl wynne hider fast, -2216 Oþer now, oþer neuer, his nede3 to spede." - [D] "Abyde," quod on on þe bonke, abouen ouer his hede, - "& þou schal haf al in hast, þat I þe hy3t ones." - 3et he rusched on þat rurde, rapely a þrowe, -2220 & wyth quettyng a-wharf, er he wolde ly3t; - [E] & syþen he keuere3 bi a cragge, & come3 of a hole, - Whyrlande out of a wro, wyth a felle weppen, - [F] A dene3 ax nwe dy3t, þe dynt with [t]o 3elde -2224 With a borelych bytte, bende by þe halme, - Fyled in a fylor, fowre fote large, - Hit wat3 no lasse, bi þat lace þat lemed ful bry3t. - [G] & þe gome in þe erene gered as fyrst, -2228 Boþe þe lyre & þe legge3, lokke3, & berde, - Saue þat fayre on his fote he founde3 on þe erþe, - Sette þe stele to þe stone, & stalked bysyde. - [H] When he wan to þe watter, þer he wade nolde, -2232 He hypped ouer on hys ax, & orpedly stryde3, - Bremly broþe on a bent, þat brode wat3 a-boute, - on snawe. - [I] Sir Gawayn þe kny3t con mete. [Fol. 121.] -2236 He ne lutte hym no þyng lowe, - [J] Þat oþer sayde, "now, sir swete, - Of steuen mon may þe 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 þat grene gome, "God þe mot loke! -2240 I-wysse þou art welcom,[1] wy3e, to my place, - [B] & þou hat3 tymed þi trauayl as true[2] mon schulde; - [C] & þou knowe3 þe couenaunte3 kest vus by-twene, - At þis tyme twelmonyth þou toke þat þe falled, -2244 [D] & I schulde at þis nwe 3ere 3eply þe quyte. - [E] & we ar in þis valay, verayly oure one, - Here ar no renkes vs to rydde, rele as vus like3; - [F] Haf þy[3] helme of þy hede, & haf here þy pay; -2248 Busk no more debate þen I þe bede þenne, - "When þou wypped of my hede at a wap one." - [G] "Nay, bi God," quod Gawayn, "þat me gost lante, - I schal gruch þe no grwe, for grem þat falle3; -2252 Botsty3tel þe vpon on strok, & I schal stonde stylle, - & warp þe no wernyng, to worch as þe lyke3, - no whare." - [H] He lened with þe nek, & lutte, -2256 & schewed þat 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. þy þy.] - - XII. - - [A] Then þe gome in þe grene grayþed hym swyþe, -2260 Gedere3 yp hys grymme tole, Gawayn to smyte; - [B] With alle þe 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 Þer hade ben ded of his dynt, þat do3ty wat3 euer. - Bot Gawayn on þat giserne glyfte hym bysyde, - [C] As hit com glydande adoun, on glode hym to schende, - [D] & schranke a lytel with þe schulderes, for þe scharp yrne. -2268 Þat oþer schalk wyth a schunt þe schene wythhalde3, - [E] & þenne repreued he þe prynce with mony prowde worde3: - [F] "Þou art not Gawayn," quod þe gome, "þat is so goud halden, - Þat neuer ar3ed for no here, by hylle ne be vale, -2272 [G] & now þou fles for ferde, er þou fele harme3; [Fol. 121b.] - Such cowardise of þat kny3t cowþe I neuer here. - [H] Nawþer fyked I, ne fla3e, freke, quen þou myntest, - Ne kest no kauelacion, in kynge3 hous Arthor, -2276 [I] My hede fla3 to my fote, & 3et fla3 I neuer; - & þou, er any harme hent, ar3e3 in hert, - [J] Wherfore þe better burne me burde be called - þer-fore." -2280 [K] Quod G:, "I schunt one3, - & so wyl I no more, - Bot pa3 my hede falle on þe 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 þi fayth, & bryng me to þe poynt, - Dele to me my destiné, & do hit out of honde, - For I schal stonde þe a strok, & start no more, - Til þyn ax haue me hitte, haf here my trawþe." -2288 [B] "Haf at þe þenne," quod þat oþer, & heue3 hit alofte, - & wayte3 as wroþely, as he wode were; - [C] He mynte3 at hym ma3tyly, bot not þe mon ryue3,[1] - With-helde heterly h[i]s honde, er hit hurt my3t. -2292 [D] Gawayn grayþely hit byde3, & glent with no membre, - Bot stode stylle as þe ston, oþer a stubbe auþer, - Þat raþeled is in roche grounde, with rote3 a hundreth. - Þen muryly efte con he mele, þe mon in þe grene, -2296 [E] "So now þou hat3 þi hert holle, hitte me bihou[e]s; - Halde þe now þe hy3e hode, þat Arþur þe ra3t, - & kepe þy kanel at þis kest, 3if hit keuer may." - G: ful gryndelly with greme þenne sayde, -2300 [F] "Wy þresch on, þou þro mon, þou þrete3 to longe, - I hope þat þi hert ar3e wyth þyn awen seluen." - "For soþe," quod þat oþer freke, "so felly þou speke3, - I wyl no lenger on lyte lette þin ernde, -2304 ri3t nowe." - [G] Þenne tas he[2] hym stryþe to stryke, - & frounses boþe lyppe & browe, - No meruayle þa3 hym myslyke, -2308 Þat 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 þe barbe of þe bitte bi þe bare nek [Fol. 122.] - Þa3 he homered heterly, hurt hym no more, -2312 Bot snyrt hym on þat on syde, þat seuered þe hyde; - [C] Þe scharp schrank to þe flesche þur3 þe schyre grece, - Þat þe schene blod over his schulderes schot to þe erþe. - [D] & quen þe burne se3 þe blode blenk on þe snawe, -2316 He sprit forth spenne fote more þen a spere lenþe, - 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 þat he wat3 burne borne of his moder, - Wat3 he neuer in þis worlde, wy3e half so blyþe:-- - [F] "Blynne, burne, of þy bur, bede me no mo; - I haf a stroke in þis sted with-oute stryf hent, -2324 [G] & if þow reche3 me any mo, I redyly schal quyte, - & 3elde 3ederly a3ayn, & þer to 3e tryst, - & foo; - [H] Bot on stroke here me falle3, -2328 Þe couenaunt schop ry3t so, - [Sikered][1] in Arþure3 halle3, - & þer-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 haþel heldet hym fro, & on his ax rested, -2332 Sette þe schaft vpon schore, & to be scharp lened, - [B] & loked to þe leude, þat on þe launde 3ede, - How þat do3ty dredles deruely þer stonde3, - Armed ful a3le3; in hert hit hym lyke3. -2336 þenn he mele3 muryly, wyth a much steuen, - [C] & wyth a r[a]ykande rurde he to þe renk sayde, - "Bolde burne, on þis bent be not so gryndel; - No mon here vn-manerly þe mys-boden habbe, -2340 Ne kyd, bot as couenaunde, at kynge3 kort schaped; - [D] I hy3t þe a strok, & þou hit hat3, halde þe wel payed, - I relece þe of þe remnaunt, of ry3tes alle oþer; - 3if[1] I deliuer had bene, a boffet, paraunter, -2344 [E] I couþe wroþeloker haf waret, [&] to þe haf wro3t anger.[2] - Fyrst I mansed þe muryly, with a mynt one, - [F] & roue þe wyth no rof, sore with ry3t I þe profered, - For þe forwarde that we fest in þe fyrst ny3t, [Fol. 122b.] -2348 & þou trystyly þe trawþe & trwly me halde3, - Al þe gayne þow me gef, as god mon shulde; - [G] Þat oþer munt for þe morne, mon, I þe profered, - Þou kyssedes my clere wyf, þe cosse3 me ra3te3, -2352 For boþe two here I þe bede bot two bare myntes, - boute scaþe; - [H] Trwe mon trwe restore, - Þenne þar mon drede no waþe; -2356 [I] At þe þrid þou fayled þore, - & þer-for þat tappe ta þe. - -[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 þat þou were3, þat ilke wouen girdel, - Myn owen wyf hit þe weued, I wot wel forsoþe; -2360 [B] Now know I wel þy cosses, & þy costes als, - & þe wowyng of my wyf, I wro3t hit myseluen; - [C] I sende hir to asay þe, & sothly me þynkke3, - On þe fautlest freke, þat euer on fote 3ede; -2364 As perle bi þe quite pese is of prys more, - So is Gawayn, in god fayth, bi oþer gay kny3te3. - [D] Bot here you lakked a lyttel, sir, & lewte yow wonted, - Bot þat wat3 for no wylyde werke, ne wowyng nauþer, -2368 [E] Bot for 3e lufed your lyf, þe lasse I yow blame." - Þat oþer stif mon in study stod a gret whyle; - So agreued for greme he gryed with-inne, - [F] Alle þe blode of his brest blende in his face, -2372 Þat al he schrank for schome, þat þe schalk talked. - Þe forme worde vpon folde, þat þe freke meled,-- - [G] "Corsed worth cowarddyse & couetyse boþe! - In yow is vylany & vyse, þat vertue disstrye3." -2376 [H] Þenne he ka3t to þe knot, & þe kest lawse3, - Brayde broþely þe belt to þe burne seluen: - "Lo! þer þe falssyng, foule mot hit falle! - [I] For care of þy knokke cowardyse me ta3t -2380 To a-corde me with couetyse, my kynde to for-sake, - Þat is larges & lewte, þat longe3 to kny3te3. - [J] Now am I fawty, & falce, & ferde haf ben euer; - Of trecherye & vn-trawþe boþe 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: ] - - XVII. - - [A] Thenne lo3e þat oþer leude, & luflyly sayde, - "I halde hit hardily[1] hole, þe harme þat I hade; - [B] Þou art confessed so clene, be-knowen of þy mysses, -2392 & hat3 þe penaunce apert, of þe poynt of myn egge, - [C] I halde þe polysed of þat ply3t, & pured as clene, - As þou hade3 neuer forfeted, syþen þou wat3 fyrst borne. - [D] & I gif þe, sir, þe gurdel þat is golde hemmed; -2396 For hit is grene as my goune, sir G:, 3e maye - Þenk vpon þis ilke þrepe, þer þou forth þrynge3 - Among prynces of prys, & þis a pure token - [E] Of þe chaunce of þe grene chapel, at cheualrous kny3te3; -2400 [F] & 3e schal in þis nwe 3er a3ayn to my wone3, - & we schyn reuel þe remnaunt of þis ryche fest, - ful bene." - Þer laþed hym fast þe lorde, -2404 & sayde, "with my wyf, I wene, - We schal yow wel acorde, - Þat wat3 your enmy kene." - -[Sidenote A: Then the other, laughing, thus spoke:] -[Sidenote B: "Thou art confessed so clean,] -[Sidenote C: that I hold thee as pure as if thou hadst never been guilty.] -[Sidenote D: I give thee, sir, the gold-hemmed girdle,] -[Sidenote E: as a token of thy adventure at the Green Chapel.] -[Sidenote F: Come again to my abode, and abide there for the remainder of - the festival."] -[Footnote 1: hardilyly, in MS.] - - XVIII. - - [A] "Nay, for soþe," quod þe segge, & sesed hys helme, -2408 & hat3 hit of hendely, & þe haþel þonkke3, - [B] "I haf soiorned sadly, sele yow bytyde, - & he 3elde hit yow 3are, þat 3arkke3 al menskes! - [C] & comaunde3 me to þat cortays, your comlych fere, -2412 Boþe þat on & þat oþer, myn honoured ladye3. - Þat þus hor kny3t wyth hor kest han koyntly bigyled. - [D] Bot hit is no ferly, þa3 a fole madde, - & þur3 wyles of wymmen be wonen to sor3e; -2416 [E] For so wat3 Adam in erde with one bygyled, - & Salamon with fele sere, & Samson eft sone3, - Dalyda dalt hym hys wyrde, & Dauyth þer-after - Wat3 blended with Barsabe, þat much bale þoled. -2420 Now þese were wrathed wyth her wyles, hit were a wynne huge, - [F] To luf hom wel, & leue hem not, a leude þat couþe, - For þes wer forne[1] þe freest þat fol3ed alle þe sele, [Fol.] - Ex-ellently of alle þyse oþer, vnder heuen-ryche, [123b.] -2424 þat mused; - & alle þay were bi-wyled, - With[2] wymmen þat þay vsed, - [G] Þa3 I be now bigyled, -2428 Me þink me burde be excused." - -[Sidenote A: "Nay, forsooth," says Gawayne,] -[Sidenote B: "I have sojourned sadly, but bliss betide thee!] -[Sidenote C: Commend me to your comely wife and that other lady who have - beguiled me.] -[Sidenote D: But it is no marvel for a man to be brought to grief through a - woman's wiles.] -[Sidenote E: Adam, Solomon, Samson, and David were beguiled by women.] -[Sidenote F: How could a man love them and believe them not?] -[Sidenote G: Though I be now beguiled, methinks I should be excused.] -[Footnote 1: forme (?)] -[Footnote 2: with wyth, in MS.] - - XIX. - - [A] "Bot your gordel," quod G: "God yow for-3elde! - Þat wyl I welde wyth good wylle, not for þe wynne golde, - Ne þe saynt, ne þe sylk, ne þe syde pendaundes, -2432 For wele, ne for worchyp, ne for þe wlonk werkke3, - [B] Bot in syngne of my surfet I schal se hit ofte; - When I ride in renoun, remorde to myseluen - Þe faut & þe fayntyse of þe flesche crabbed, -2436 How tender hit is to entyse teches of fylþe; - [C] & þus, quen pryde schal me pryk, for prowes of armes, - [D] Þe loke to þis luf lace schal leþe my hert. - Bot on I wolde yow pray, displeses yow neuer; -2440 Syn 3e be lorde of þe 3onde[r] londe, þer I haf lent inne, - Wyth yow wyth worschyp,--þe wy3e hit yow 3elde - Þat vp-halde3 þe heuen, & on hy3 sitte3,-- - [E] How norne 3e yowre ry3t nome, & þenne no more?" -2444 "Þat schal I telle þe trwly," quod þat oþer þenne, - [F] "Bernlak de Hautdesert I hat in þis londe, - Þur3 my3t of Morgne la Faye, þat in my hous lenges, - &[1] koyntyse of clergye, bi craftes wel lerned, -2448 Þe maystres of Merlyn, mony ho[2] taken; - For ho hat3 dalt drwry ful dere sum tyme, - With þat conable klerk, þat knowes alle your kny3te3 - at hame; -2452 Morgne þe goddes, - Þer-fore hit is hir name; - [G] Welde3 non so hy3e hawtesse, - Þat ho ne con make ful tame. - -[Sidenote A: But God reward you for your girdle.] -[Sidenote B: I will wear it in remembrance of my fault.] -[Sidenote C: And when pride shall prick me,] -[Sidenote D: a look to this lace shall abate it.] -[Sidenote E: But tell me your right name and I shall have done."] -[Sidenote F: The Green Knight replies, "I am called Bernlak de Hautdesert, - through might of Morgain la Fey, the pupil of Merlin.] -[Sidenote G: She can tame even the haughtiest.] -[Footnote 1: in (?).] -[Footnote 2: ho hat3 (?).] - - XX. - -2456 [A] Ho wayned me vpon þis wyse to your wynne halle, - For to assay þe surquidre, 3if hit soth were, - Þat rennes of þe grete renoun of þe Rounde Table; - Ho wayned me þis wonder, your wytte3 to reue, -2460 [B] For to haf greued Gaynour, & gart hir to dy3e. [Fol. 124.] - With gopnyng[1] of þat ilke gomen, þat gostlych speked, - With his hede in his honde, bifore þe hy3e table. - Þat is ho þat is at home, þe auncian lady; -2464 [C] Ho is euen þyn aunt, Arþure3 half suster, - Þe duches do3ter of Tyntagelle, þat dere Vter after - [D] Hade Arþur vpon, þat aþel is nowþe. - Þerfore I eþe þe, haþel, to com to þy naunt, -2468 Make myry in my hous, my meny þe louies, - & I wol þe as wel, wy3e, bi my faythe, - As any gome vnder God, for þy grete trauþe." - [E] & he nikked hym naye, he nolde bi no wayes; -2472 Þay acolen & kyssen, [bikennen] ayþer oþer - To þe prynce of paradise, & parten ry3t þere, - on coolde; - [F] Gawayn on blonk ful bene, -2476 To þe kynge3 bur3 buske3 bolde, - & þe kny3t in þe enker grene, - Whider-warde so euer he wolde. - -[Sidenote A: It was she who caused me to test the renown of the Round - Table,] -[Sidenote B: hoping to grieve Guenever and cause her death through fear.] -[Sidenote C: She is even thine aunt.] -[Sidenote D: Therefore come to her and make merry in my house."] -[Sidenote E: Gawayne refuses to return with the Green Knight.] -[Sidenote F: On horse full fair he bends to Arthur's hall.] -[Footnote 1: glopnyng (?).] - - XXI. - - [A] Wylde waye3 in þe worlde Wowen now ryde3, -2480 On Gryngolet, þat þe grace hade geten of his lyue; - [B] Ofte he herbered in house, & ofte al þeroute, - & mony a-venture in vale, & venquyst ofte, - Þat I ne ty3t, at þis tyme, in tale to remene. -2484 [C] Þe hurt wat3 hole, þat he hade hent in his nek, - [D] & þe blykkande belt he bere þeraboute, - A belef as a bauderyk, bounden bi his syde, - Loken vnder his lyfte arme, þe lace, with a knot, -2488 [E] In tokenyng he wat3 tane in tech of a faute; - [F] & þus he commes to þe court, kny3t al in sounde. - [G] Þer wakned wele in þat wone, when wyst þe grete, - Þat gode G: wat3 commen, gayn hit hym þo3t; -2492 [H] Þe kyng kysse3 þe kny3t, & þe whene alce, - & syþen mony syker kny3t, þat so3t hym to haylce, - [I] Of his fare þat hym frayned, & ferlyly he telles; - Biknowo3 alle þe costes of care þat he hade,-- -2496 Þe chaunce of þe chapel, þe chere of þe kny3t, - [J] Þe luf of þe ladi, þe lace at þe last. [Fol. 124b.] - Þe nirt in þe nek he naked hem schewed, - [K] Þat he la3t for his vnleute at þe leudes hondes, -2500 for blame; - He tened quen he schulde telle, - [L] He groned for gref & grame; - Þe blod in his face con melle, -2504 When he hit schulde schewe, for schame. - -[Sidenote A: Wild ways now Gawayne rides.] -[Sidenote B: Oft he harboured in house and oft thereout.] -[Sidenote C: The wound in his neck became whole.] -[Sidenote D: He still carried about him the belt,] -[Sidenote E: in token of his fault.] -[Sidenote F: Thus he comes to the Court of King Arthur.] -[Sidenote G: Great then was the joy of all.] -[Sidenote H: The king and his knights ask him concerning his journey.] -[Sidenote I: Gawayne tells them of his adventures,] -[Sidenote J: the love of the lady, and lastly of the lace.] -[Sidenote K: He showed them the cut in his neck.] -[Sidenote L: He groaned for grief and shame, and the blood rushed into his - face.] - - XXII. - - [A] "Lo! lorde," quod þe leude, & þe lace hondeled, - "Þis is þe bende of þis blame I bere [in] my nek, - Þis is þe laþe & þe losse, þat I la3t haue, -2508 [B] Of couardise & couetyse, þat I haf ca3t þare, - Þis is þe token of vn-trawþe, þat I am tan inne, - [C] & I mot nede3 hit were, wyle I may last; - For non may hyden his harme, bot vnhap ne may hit, -2512 For þer hit one3 is tachched, twynne wil hit neuer." - [D] Þe kyng comforte3 þe kny3t, & alle þe court als, - La3en loude þer-at, & luflyly acorden, - Þat lordes & ladis, þat longed to þe Table, -2516 [E] Vche burne of þe broþer-hede a bauderyk schulde haue, - A bende, a belef hym aboute, of a bry3t grene, - [F] & þat, for sake of þat segge, in swete to were. - For þat wat3 acorded þe renoun of þe Rounde Table, -2520 [G] & he honoured þat hit hade, euer-more after, - As hit is breued in þe best boke of romaunce. - [H] Þus in Arthurus day þis aunter bitidde, - Þe Brutus bokees þer-of beres wyttenesse; -2524 Syþen Brutus, þe bolde burne, bo3ed hider fyrst, - After þe segge & þe asaute wat3 sesed at Troye, - I-wysse; - Mony auntere3 here bi-forne, -2528 Haf fallen suche er þis: - [I] Now þat bere þe croun of þorne, - He bryng vus to his blysse! AMEN. - -[Sidenote A: "Lo!" says he, handling the lace, "this is the band of blame,] -[Sidenote B: a token of my cowardice and covetousness,] -[Sidenote C: I must needs wear it as long as I live."] -[Sidenote D: The king comforts the knight, and all the court too.] -[Sidenote E: Each knight of the brotherhood agrees to wear a bright green - belt,] -[Sidenote F: for Gawayne's sake,] -[Sidenote G: who ever more honoured it.] -[Sidenote H: Thus in Arthur's day this adventure befell.] -[Sidenote I: He that bore the crown of thorns bring us to His bliss!] - - * * * * * - -NOTES. - -Line 8 Ricchis turns, goes, - The king ... - Ricchis his reynys and the Renke metys: - Girden to gedur with þere grete speires.--T.B. l. 1232. - -37 Þis kyng lay at Camylot vpon kryst-masse. - Camalot, in Malory's "Morte Arthure," is said to be the same as - Winchester. Ritson supposes it to be Caer-went, in Monmouthshire, - and afterwards confounded with Caer-wynt, or Winchester. But - popular tradition here seems the best guide, which assigned the site - of Camalot to the ruins of a castle on a hill, near the church of - South Cadbury, in Somersetshire (Sir F. Madden). - -65 Nowel nayted o-newe, neuened ful ofte. - Christmas celebrated anew, mentioned full often. - Sir F. Madden leaves the word nayted unexplained in his Glossary - to "Syr Gawayne." - -124 syluener = sylueren, i.e. silver dishes. - -139 lyndes = lendes, loins. - -142 in his muckel, in his greatness. - -184 Wat3 euesed al umbe-torne--? was trimmed, all cut evenly around; - umbe-torne may be an error for vmbe-corue = cut round. - -216 in gracios werkes. Sir F. Madden reads gracons for gracios, and - suggests Greek as the meaning of it. - -244-5 As al were slypped vpon slepe so slaked hor lote3 - in hy3e. - As all were fallen asleep so ceased their words - in haste (suddenly). - Sir F. Madden reads slaked horlote3, instead of slaked hor lote3, - which, according to his glossary, signifies drunken vagabonds. - He evidently takes horlote3 to be another (and a very uncommon) form - of harlote3 = harlots. But harlot, or vagabond, would be a very - inappropriate term to apply to the noble Knights of the Round Table. - Moreover, slaked never, I think, means drunken. The general sense of - the verb slake is to let loose, lessen, cease. Cf. lines 411-2, - where sloke, another form of slake, occurs with a similar meaning: - -- layt no fyrre; - bot slokes. - -- seek no further, - but stop (cease). - Sir F. Madden suggests blows as the explanation of slokes. It - is, however, a verb in the imperative mood. - -286 Brayn. Mätzner suggests brayn-wod. - -296 barlay = par loi. This word is exceedingly common in the T. Book - (see l. 3391). - I bid you now, barlay, with besines at all - Þat ye set you most soverainly my suster to gete.--T.B. l. 2780. - -394 siker. Sir F. Madden reads swer. - -440 bluk. Sir F. Madden suggests blunk (horse). I am inclined to keep to - the reading of the MS., and explain bluk as = bulk = trunk. Cf. the - use of the word Blok in "Early English Alliterative Poems," - p. 100, l. 272. - -558 derue doel, etc. = great grief. Sir F. Madden reads derne, i.e. secret, - instead of derue (= derf). Cf. line 564. - -577 knaged, fastened. - The braunches were borly, sum of bright gold, - With leuys full luffly, light of the same; - With burions aboue bright to beholde; - And fruit on yt fourmyt of fairest of shap, - Of mony kynd that was knyt, knagged aboue.--T.B. l. 4973. - -629 & ay quere hit is endele3, etc. - And everywhere it is endless, etc. - Sir F. Madden reads emdele3, i.e. with equal sides. - -652 for-be = for-bi = surpassing, beyond. - -681 for Hadet read Halet = haled = exiled (?). See line 1049. - -806 auinant = auenaunt, pleasantly. Sir F. Madden reads amnant. - -954 of. Should we not read on (?). - -957 Þat oþer wyth a gorger wat3 gered ouer þe swyre. - The gorger or wimple is stated first to have appeared in Edward the - First's reign, and an example is found on the monument of Aveline, - Countess of Lancaster, who died in 1269. From the poem, however, it - would seem that the gorger was confined to elderly ladies (Sir F. - Madden). - -968 More lykker-wys on to lyk, - Wat3 þat scho had on lode. - - A more pleasant one to like, - Was that (one) she had under her control. - -988 tayt = lively, and hence pleasant, agreeable. - -1015 in vayres, in purity. - -1020 dut = dunt (?) = dint (?), referring to sword-sports. - -1022 sayn[t] Ione3 day. This is the 27th of December, and the last of the - feast. Sometimes the Christmas festivities were prolonged to New - Year's Day (Sir F. Madden). - -1047 derne dede = secret deed. I would prefer to read derue dede = - great deed. Cf. lines 558, 564. - -1053 I wot in worlde, etc. = I not (I know not) in worlde, etc. - -1054 I nolde, bot if I hit negh my3t on nw3eres morne, - For alle þe londe in-wyth Logres, etc. - I would not [delay to set out], unless I might approach it on New - Year's morn, for all the lands within England, etc. - -1074 in spenne = in space = in the interval = meanwhile. See line 1503. - -1160 slentyng of arwes. Sir F. Madden reads sleutyng. - "Of drawyn swordis sclentyng to and fra, - The brycht mettale, and othir armouris seir, - Quharon the sonnys blenkis betis cleir, - Glitteris and schane, and vnder bemys brycht, - Castis ane new twynklyng or a lemand lycht." - (G. Douglas' Æneid, Vol. i, p. 421.) - -1281 let lyk = appeared pleased. - -1283 Þa3 I were burde bry3test, þe burde in mynde hade, etc. - The sense requires us to read: - Þa3 ho were burde bry3test, þe burne in mynde hade, etc. - i.e., Though she were lady fairest, the knight in mind had, etc. - -1440 Long sythen [seuered] for þe sounder þat wi3t for-olde - Long since separated from the sounder or herd that fierce (one) - for-aged (grew very old). - "Now to speke of the boore, the fyrste year he is - A pygge of the sounder callyd, as haue I blys; - The secounde yere an hogge, and soo shall he be, - And an hoggestere, whan he is of yeres thre; - And when he is foure yere, a boor shall he be, - From the sounder of the swyne thenne departyth he; - A synguler is he soo, for alone he woll go." - (Book of St. Alban's, ed. 1496, sig. d., i.) - -1476 totes = looks, toots. - Sho went up wightly by a walle syde. - To the toppe of a toure and tot ouer the water.--T.B. l. 862. - -1623 A verb [? lalede = cried] seems wanting after lorde. - -1702 fnasted, breathed. - These balfull bestes were, as the boke tellus, - Full flaumond of fyre with fnastyng of logh.--T.B. l. 168. - -1710 a strothe rande = a rugged path. Cf. the phrases tene greue, l. 1707; - ro3e greue, l. 1898. - -1719 Thenne wat3 hit lif vpon list, etc. - Should we not read: - Thenne wat3 hit list vpon lif, etc. - i.e., Then was there joy in life, etc. - -1729 bi lag = be-lagh(?) = below (?). - -1780 lyf = lef(?), beloved (one). - -1869 Ho hat3 kyst þe kny3t so to3t. - She has kissed the knight so courteous. - Sir F. Madden explains to3t, promptly. To3t seems to be the same as - the Northumbrian taght in the following extract from the "Morte - Arthure": - "There come in at the fyrste course, before the kyng seluene, - Bare hevedys that ware bryghte, burnyste with sylver, - Alle with taghte mene and towne in togers fulle ryche."--(p. 15.) - The word towne (well-behaved) still exists in wan-ton, the - original meaning of which was ill-mannered, ill-bred. - -1909 bray hounde3 = braþ hounde3, i.e. fierce hounds. - -1995 He hat3 nere þat he so3t = He wat3 nere þat he so3t = He was near to - that which he sought. - -2160 gedere3 þe rake = takes the path or way. - -2167 Þe skwe3 of þe scowtes skayued hym þo3t. - The shadows of the hills appeared wild (desolate) to him. Sir F. - Madden reads skayned, of which he gives no explanation. - Skayued = skayfed, seems to be the N. Prov. English scafe, wild. - Scotch schaivie, wild, mad. O.N. skeifr. Sw. skef, awry, distorted. - -2204 ronge = clattered. - -2211 Drede dot3 me no lote = - No noise shall cause me to dread (fear). - -2357 & þer-for þat tappe ta þe. - And therefore take thee that tap. - ta þe = take thee. Sir F. Madden reads taþe = taketh. See l. 413, - where to þe rhymes with sothe. We have no imperatives in th in - this poem. - -2401 We schyn reuel, etc. Sir F. Madden reads wasch yn reuel. - But schyn = shall. See Glossary to "Alliterative Poems." - -2474 on-coolde = on-colde = coldly = sorrowfully. - -2489 in-sounde = soundly, well. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight<br /> -An Alliterative Romance-Poem (c. 1360 A.D.)</div> -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Anonymous</div> -<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0'>Release Date: January 3, 2005 [eBook #14568]<br /> -[Most recently updated: April 22, 2021]</div> -<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0'>Language: English, Middle (1100-1500)</div> -<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Ted Garvin, Keith Edkins and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team and David Widger</div> -<div style='margin-top:2em;margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIR GAWAYNE AND THE GREEN KNIGHT ***</div> - - <h1> - Sir Gawayne - </h1> - <h3> - and - </h3> - <h1> - The Green Knight: - </h1> - <h2> - AN ALLITERATIVE ROMANCE-POEM, - </h2> - <h4> - (AB. 1360 A.D.) - </h4> - <h4> - BY THE AUTHOR OF - </h4> - <h2> - "EARLY ENGLISH ALLITERATIVE POEMS." - </h2> - <h3> - RE-EDITED FROM COTTON. MS. NERO, A.x., IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM, - </h3> - <h4> - BY - </h4> - <h2> - RICHARD MORRIS, - </h2> - <h5> - EDITOR OF HAMPOLE'S "PRICKE OF CONSCIENCE," "EARLY ENGLISH ALLITERATIVE - POEMS," ETC.; - </h5> - <h5> - MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF THE PHILOLOGICAL SOCIETY. - </h5> - <h3> - SECOND EDITION, REVISED, 1869. - </h3> - <h2> - LONDON - </h2> - <h3> - PUBLISHED FOR THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY - </h3> - <h3> - BY N. TRÃœBNER & CO., 60, PATERNOSTER ROW, - </h3> - <h5> - MDCCCLXIV. - </h5> - <hr /> - <h5> - JOHN CHILDS AND SON, PRINTERS. - </h5> - <hr /> - <blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - NOTE: The Old English "yogh" characters have been translated both - upper and lower-case yoghs to digit 3's. There are Unicode allocations - for these (in HTML &#540; and &#541;) but at present no font - which implements these. Substiting the digit 3 seemed a workable - compromise which anybody can read. The linked html <a href="#yogh">"Old - English 'yogh' file"</a> uses &#540; and &#541; - representations, and is included for users with specialist fonts. - </p> - </blockquote> - </blockquote> - <hr /> - <h2> - PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. - </h2> - <p> - In re-editing the present romance-poem I have been saved all labour of - transcription by using the very accurate text contained in Sir F. Madden's - "Syr Gawayne." - </p> - <p> - I have not only read his copy with the manuscript, but also the - proof-sheets as they came to hand, hoping by this means to give the reader - a text free from any errors of transcription. - </p> - <p> - The present edition differs from that of the earlier one in having the - contractions of the manuscript expanded and side-notes added to the text - to enable the reader to follow with some degree of ease the author's - pleasant narrative of Sir Gawayne's adventures. - </p> - <p> - The Glossary is taken from Sir F. Madden's "Syr Gawayne,"<sup>1</sup> to - which, for the better interpretation of the text, I have made several - additions, and have, moreover, glossed nearly all the words previously - left unexplained. - </p> - <p> - For a description of the Manuscript, and particulars relating to the - authorship and dialect of the present work, the reader is referred to the - preface to <i>Early English Alliterative Poems</i>. - </p> - <p> - R.M. - </p> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p> - LONDON, - </p> - <p> - <i>December</i> 22, 1864. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <p> - [<sup>1</sup> Sir F. Madden has most generously placed at the disposal of - the Early English Text Society any of his works which it may determine to - re-edit.] - </p> - <hr /> - <h2> - INTRODUCTION. - </h2> - <p> - No Knight of the Round Table has been so highly honoured by the old - Romance-writers as Sir Gawayne, the son of Loth, and nephew to the - renowned Arthur. They delighted to describe him as Gawayne the good, a man - matchless on mould, the most gracious that under God lived, the hardiest - of hand, the most fortunate in arms, and the most polite in hall, whose - knowledge, knighthood, kindly works, doings, doughtiness, and deeds of - arms were known in all lands. - </p> - <p> - When Arthur beheld the dead body of his kinsman lying on the ground bathed - in blood, he is said to have exclaimed, "O righteous God, this blood were - worthy to be preserved and enshrined in gold!" Our author, too, loves to - speak of his hero in similar terms of praise, calling him the knight - faultless in his five wits, void of every offence, and adorned with every - earthly virtue. He represents him as one whose trust was in the five - wounds, and in whom the five virtues which distinguished the true knight - were more firmly established than in any other on earth. - </p> - <p> - The author of the present story, who, as we know from his religious poems, - had an utter horror of moral impurity, could have chosen no better subject - for a romance in which amusement and moral instruction were to be - combined. In the following tale he shows how the true knight, though - tempted sorely not once alone, but twice, nay thrice, breaks not his vow - of chastity, but turns aside the tempter's shafts with the shield of - purity and arm of faith, and so passes scatheless through the perilous - defile of trial and opportunity seeming safe. - </p> - <p> - But while our author has borrowed many of the details of his story from - the "Roman de Perceval" by Chrestien de Troyes, he has made the narrative - more attractive by the introduction of several original and highly - interesting passages which throw light on the manners and amusements of - our ancestors. - </p> - <p> - The following elaborate descriptions are well deserving of especial - notice:— - </p> - <blockquote> - <p> - I. The mode of completely arming a knight (ll. 568-589). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - II. The hunting and breaking the deer (ll. 1126-1359). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - III. The hunting and unlacing the wild boar (ll. 1412-1614). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - IV. A fox hunt (ll. 1675-1921). - </p> - </blockquote> - <p> - The following is an outline of the story of Gawayne's adventures, more or - less in the words of the writer himself:— - </p> - <blockquote> - <p> - Arthur, the greatest of Britain's kings, holds the Christmas festival at - Camelot, surrounded by the celebrated knights of the Round Table, noble - lords, the most renowned under heaven, and ladies the loveliest that - ever had life (ll. 37-57). This noble company celebrate the New Year by - a religious service, by the bestowal of gifts, and the most joyous - mirth. Lords and ladies take their seats at the table—Queen - Guenever, the grey-eyed, gaily dressed, sits at the daïs, the high - table, or table of state, where too sat Gawayne and Ywain together with - other worthies of the Round Table (ll. 58-84, 107-115). Arthur, in mood - as joyful as a child, his blood young and his brain wild, declares that - he will not eat nor sit long at the table until some adventurous thing, - some uncouth tale, some great marvel, or some encounter of arms has - occurred to mark the return of the New Year (ll. 85-106). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - The first course was announced with cracking of trumpets, with the noise - of nakers and noble pipes. - </p> - </blockquote> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p class="i4"> - "Each two had dishes twelve, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Good beer and bright wine both." - </p> - </div> - </div> - <blockquote> - <p> - Scarcely was the first course served when another noise than that of - music was heard. There rushes in at the hall-door a knight of gigantic - stature—the greatest on earth—in measure high. He was - clothed entirely in green, and rode upon a green foal (ll. 116-178). - Fair wavy hair fell about the shoulders of the Green Knight, and a great - beard like a bush hung upon his breast (ll. 179-202). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - The knight carried no helmet, shield, or spear, but in one hand a holly - bough, and in the other an axe "huge and unmeet," the edge of which was - as keen as a sharp razor (ll. 203-220). Thus arrayed, the Green Knight - enters the hall without saluting any one. The first word that he uttered - was, "Where is the govenour of this gang? gladly would I see him and - with himself speak reason." To the knights he cast his eye, looking for - the most renowned. Much did the noble assembly marvel to see a man and a - horse of such a hue, green as the grass. Even greener they seemed than - green enamel on bright gold. Many marvels had they seen, but none such - as this. They were afraid to answer, but sat stone-still in a dead - silence, as if overpowered by sleep; - </p> - </blockquote> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p class="i4"> - "Not all from fear, but some for courtesy" (ll. 221-249). - </p> - </div> - </div> - <blockquote> - <p> - Then Arthur before the high daïs salutes the Green Knight, bids him - welcome, and entreats him to stay awhile at his Court. The knight says - that his errand is not to abide in any dwelling, but to seek the most - valiant of the heroes of the Round Table that he may put his courage to - the proof, and thus satisfy himself as to the fame of Arthur's court. "I - come," he says, "in peace, as ye may see by this branch that I bear - here. Had I come with hostile intentions, I should not have left my - hauberk, helmet, shield, sharp spear, and other weapons behind me. But - because I desire no war, 'my weeds are softer.' If thou be so bold as - all men say, thou wilt grant me the request I am about to make." "Sir - courteous knight," replies Arthur, "if thou cravest battle only, here - failest thou not to fight." "Nay," says the Green Knight, "I seek no - fighting. Here about on this bench are only beardless children. Were I - arrayed in arms on a high steed no man here would be a match for me (ll. - 250-282). But it is now Christmas time, and this is the New Year, and I - see around me many brave ones;—if any be so bold in his blood that - dare strike a stroke for another, I shall give him this rich axe to do - with it whatever he pleases. I shall abide the first blow just as I sit, - and will stand him a stroke, stiff on this floor, provided that I deal - him another in return. - </p> - </blockquote> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p class="i4"> - And yet give I him respite, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - A twelvemonth and a day; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Now haste and let see tite (soon) - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Dare any here-in ought say.'" - </p> - </div> - </div> - <blockquote> - <p> - If he astounded them at first, much more so did he after this speech, - and fear held them all silent. The knight, righting himself in his - saddle, rolls fiercely his red eyes about, bends his bristly green - brows, and strokes his beard awaiting a reply. But finding none that - would carp with him, he exclaims, "What! is this Arthur's house, the - fame of which has spread through so many realms? Forsooth, the renown of - the Round Table is overturned by the word of one man's speech, for all - tremble for dread without a blow being struck!" (ll. 283-313). With this - he laughed so loud that Arthur blushed for very shame, and waxed as - wroth as the wind. "I know no man," he says, "that is aghast at thy - great words. Give me now thy axe and I will grant thee thy request!" - Arthur seizes the axe, grasps the handle, and sternly brandishes it - about, while the Green Knight, with a stern cheer and a dry countenance, - stroking his beard and drawing down his coat, awaits the blow (ll. - 314-335). Sir Gawayne, the nephew of the king, beseeches his uncle to - let him undertake the encounter; and, at the earnest entreaty of his - nobles, Arthur consents "to give Gawayne the game" (ll. 336-365). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Sir Gawayne then takes possession of the axe, but, before the blow is - dealt, the Green Knight asks the name of his opponent. "In good faith," - answers the good knight, "Gawayne I am called, that bids thee to this - buffet, whatever may befall after, and at this time twelvemonth will - take from thee another, with whatever weapon thou wilt, and with no - wight else alive." "By Gog," quoth the Green Knight, "it pleases me well - that I shall receive at thy fist that which I have sought here—moreover - thou hast truly rehearsed the terms of the covenant,—but thou - shalt first pledge me thy word that thou wilt seek me thyself, - wheresoever on earth thou believest I may be found, and fetch thee such - wages as thou dealest me to-day before this company of doughty ones." - "Where should I seek thee?" replies Gawayne, "where is thy place? I know - not thee, thy court, or thy name. I wot not where thou dwellest, but - teach me thereto, tell me how thou art called, and I shall endeavour to - find thee,—and that I swear thee for truth and by my sure troth." - "That is enough in New Year," says the groom in green, "if I tell thee - when I have received the tap. When thou hast smitten me, then smartly I - will teach thee of my house, my home, and my own name, so that thou - mayest follow my track and fulfil the covenant between us. If I spend no - speech, then speedest thou the better, for then mayest thou remain in - thy own land and seek no further; but cease thy talking<sup>1</sup> (ll. - 366-412). Take now thy grim tool to thee and let us see how thou - knockest." "Gladly, sir, for sooth," quoth Gawayne, and his axe he - brandishes. - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - [<sup>1</sup> This, I think, is the true explanation of <i>slokes</i>.] - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - The Green Knight adjusts himself on the ground, bends slightly his head, - lays his long lovely locks over his crown, and lays bare his neck for - the blow. Gawayne then gripped the axe, and, raising it on high, let it - fall quickly upon the knight's neck and severed the head from the body. - The fair head fell from the neck to the earth, and many turned it aside - with their feet as it rolled forth. The blood burst from the body, yet - the knight never faltered nor fell; but boldly he started forth on stiff - shanks and fiercely rushed forward, seized his head, and lifted it up - quickly. Then he runs to his horse, the bridle he catches, steps into - his stirrups and strides aloft. His head by the hair he holds in his - hands, and sits as firmly in his saddle as if no mishap had ailed him, - though headless he was (ll. 413-439). He turned his ugly trunk about—that - ugly body that bled,—and holding the head in his hand, he directed - the face toward the "dearest on the dais." The head lifted up its - eyelids and looked abroad, and thus much spoke with its mouth as ye may - now hear: - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - "Loke, Gawayne, thou be prompt to go as thou hast promised, and seek - till thou find me according to thy promise made in the hearing of these - knights. Get thee to the Green Chapel, I charge thee, to fetch such a - dint as thou hast dealt, to be returned on New Year's morn. As the - Knight of the Green Chapel I am known to many, wherefore if thou seekest - thou canst not fail to find me. Therefore come, or recreant be called." - With a fierce start the reins he turns, rushes out of the hall-door, his - head in his hand, so that the fire of the flint flew from the hoofs of - his foal. To what kingdom he belonged knew none there, nor knew they - from whence he had come. What then? - </p> - </blockquote> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p class="i4"> - "The king and Gawayne there - </p> - <p class="i4"> - At that green (one) they laugh and grin." - </p> - </div> - </div> - <blockquote> - <p> - Though Arthur wondered much at the marvel, he let no one see that he was - at all troubled about it, but full loudly thus spake to his comely queen - with courteous speech: - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - "Dear dame, to-day be never dismayed, well happens such craft at - Christmas time. I may now proceed to meat, for I cannot deny that I have - witnessed a wondrous adventure this day" (ll. 440-475). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - He looked upon Sir Gawayne and said, "Now, sir, hang up thine axe, for - enough has it hewn." So the weapon was hung up on high that all might - look upon it, and "by true title thereof tell the wonder." Then all the - knights hastened to their seats at the table, so did the king and our - good knight, and they were there served with all dainties, "with all - manner of meat and minstrelsy." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Though words were wanting when they first to seat went, now are their - hands full of stern work, and the marvel affords them good subject for - conversation. But a year passes full quickly and never returns,—the - beginning is seldom like the end; wherefore this Christmas passed away - and the year after, and each season in turn followed after another (ll. - 476-520). Thus winter winds round again, and then Gawayne thinks of his - wearisome journey (ll. 521-535). On All-hallows day Arthur entertains - right nobly the lords and ladies of his court in honour of his nephew, - for whom all courteous knights and lovely ladies were in great grief. - Nevertheless they spoke only of mirth, and, though joyless themselves, - made many a joke to cheer the good Sir Gawayne (ll. 536-565). Early on - the morrow Sir Gawayne, with great ceremony, is arrayed in his armour - (ll. 566-589), and thus completely equipped for his adventure he first - hears mass, and afterwards takes leave of Arthur, the knights of the - Round Table, and the lords and ladies of the court, who kiss him and - commend him to Christ. He bids them all good day, as he thought, for - evermore (ll. 590-669); - </p> - </blockquote> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p class="i4"> - "<i>Very much was the warm water that poured from eyes that day</i>." - </p> - </div> - </div> - <blockquote> - <p> - Now rides our knight through the realms of England with no companion but - his foal, and no one to hold converse with save God alone. From Camelot, - in Somersetshire, he proceeds through Gloucestershire and the adjoining - counties into Montgomeryshire, and thence through North Wales to - Holyhead, adjoining the Isle of Anglesea (ll. 670-700), from which he - passes into the very narrow peninsula of Wirral, in Cheshire, where - dwelt but few that loved God or man. Gawayne enquires after the Green - Knight of the Green Chapel, but all the inhabitants declare that they - have never seen "any man of such hues of green." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - The knight thence pursues his journey by strange paths, over hill and - moor, encountering on his way not only serpents, wolves, bulls, bears, - and boars, but wood satyrs and giants. But worse than all those, - however, was the sharp winter, "when the cold clear water shed from the - clouds, and froze ere it might fall to the earth. Nearly slain with the - sleet he slept in his armour, more nights than enough, in naked rocks" - (ll. 701-729). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Thus in peril and plight the knight travels on until Christmas-eve, and - to Mary he makes his moan that she may direct him to some abode. On the - morn he arrives at an immense forest, wondrously wild, surrounded by - high hills on every side, where he found hoary oaks full huge, a hundred - together. The hazel and the hawthorn intermingled were all overgrown - with moss, and upon their boughs sat many sad birds that piteously piped - for pain of the cold. Gawayne besought the Lord and Mary to guide him to - some habitation where he might hear mass (ll. 730-762). Scarcely had he - crossed himself thrice, when he perceived a dwelling in the wood set - upon a hill. It was the loveliest castle he had ever beheld. It was - pitched on a prairie, with a park all about it, enclosing many a tree - for more than two miles. It shone as the sun through the bright oaks - (ll. 763-772). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Gawayne urges on his steed Gringolet, and finds himself at the "chief - gate." He called aloud, and soon there appeared a "porter" on the wall, - who demanded his errand. - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - "Good sir," quoth Gawayne, "wouldst thou go to the high lord of this - house, and crave a lodging for me?" - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - "Yea, by Peter!" replied the porter, "well I know that thou art welcome - to dwell here as long as thou likest." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - The drawbridge is soon let down, and the gates opened wide to receive - the knight. Many noble ones hasten to bid him welcome (ll. 773-825). - They take away his helmet, sword, and shield, and many a proud one - presses forward to do him honour. They bring him into the hall, where a - fire was brightly burning upon the hearth. Then the lord of the land<sup>1</sup> - comes from his chamber and welcomes Sir Gawayne, telling him that he is - to consider the place as his own. Our knight is next conducted to a - bright bower, where was noble bedding—curtains of pure silk, with - golden hems, and Tarsic tapestries upon the walls and the floors (ll. - 826-859). Here the knight doffed his armour and put on rich robes, which - so well became him, that all declared that a more comely knight Christ - had never made (ll. 860-883). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - [<sup>1</sup> Gawayne is now in the castle of the Green Knight, who, - divested of his elvish or supernatural character, appears to our knight - merely as a bold one with a beaver-hued beard.] - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - A table is soon raised, and Gawayne, having washed, proceeds to meat. - Many dishes are set before him—"sews" of various kinds, fish of - all kinds, some baked in bread, others broiled on the embers, some - boiled, and others seasoned with spices. The knight expresses himself - well pleased, and calls it a most noble and princely feast. - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - After dinner, in reply to numerous questions, he tells his host that he - is Gawayne, one of the Knights of the Round Table. When this was made - known great was the joy in the hall. Each one said softly to his - companion, "Now we shall see courteous behaviour and learn the terms of - noble discourse, since we have amongst us 'that fine father of nurture.' - Truly God has highly favoured us in sending us such a noble guest as Sir - Gawayne" (ll. 884-927). At the end of the Christmas festival Gawayne - desires to take his departure from the castle, but his host persuades - him to stay, promising to direct him to the Green Chapel (about two - miles from the castle), that he may be there by the appointed time (ll. - 1029-1082). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - A covenant is made between them, the terms of which were that the lord - of the castle should go out early to the chase, that Gawayne meanwhile - should lie in his loft at his ease, then rise at his usual hour, and - afterwards sit at table with his hostess, and that at the end of the day - they should make an exchange of whatever they might obtain in the - interim. "Whatever I win in the wood," says the lord, "shall be yours, - and what thou gettest shall be mine" (ll. 1083-1125). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Full early before daybreak the folk uprise, saddle their horses, and - truss their mails. The noble lord of the land, arrayed for riding, eats - hastily a sop, and having heard mass, proceeds with a hundred hunters to - hunt the wild deer (ll. 1126-1177). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - All this time Gawayne lies in his gay bed. His nap is disturbed by a - little noise at the door, which is softly opened. He heaves up his head - out of the clothes, and, peeping through the curtains, beholds a most - lovely lady (the wife of his host). She came towards the bed, and the - knight laid himself down quickly, pretending to be asleep. The lady - stole to the bed, cast up the curtains, crept within, sat her softly on - the bed-side, and waited some time till the knight should awake. After - lurking awhile under the clothes considering what it all meant, Gawayne - unlocked his eyelids, and put on a look of surprise, at the same time - making the sign of the cross, as if afraid of some hidden danger (ll. - 1178-1207). "Good morrow, sir," said that fair lady, "ye are a careless - sleeper to let one enter thus. I shall bind you in your bed, of that be - ye sure." "Good morrow," quoth Gawayne, "I shall act according to your - will with great pleasure, but permit me to rise that I may the more - comfortably converse with you." "Nay, beau sir," said that sweet one, - "ye shall not rise from your bed, for since I have caught my knight I - shall hold talk with him. I ween well that ye are Sir Gawayne that all - the world worships, whose honour and courtesy are so greatly praised. - Now ye are here, and we are alone (my lord and his men being afar off, - other men, too, are in bed, so are my maidens), and the door is safely - closed, I shall use my time well while it lasts. Ye are welcome to my - person to do with it as ye please, and I will be your servant" (ll. - 1208-1240). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Gawayne behaves most discreetly, for the remembrance of his forthcoming - adventure at the Green Chapel prevents him from thinking of love (ll. - 1205-1289). At last the lady takes leave of the knight by catching him - in her arms and kissing him (ll. 1290-1307). The day passes away - merrily, and at dusk the Lord of the castle returns from the chase. He - presents the venison to Gawayne according to the previous covenant - between them. Our knight gives his host a kiss as the only piece of good - fortune that had fallen to him during the day. "It is good," says the - other, "and would be much better if ye would tell me where ye won such - bliss" (ll. 1308-1394). "That was not in our covenant," replies Gawayne, - "so try me no more." After much laughing on both sides they proceed to - supper, and afterwards, while the choice wine is being carried round, - Gawayne and his host renew their agreement. Late at night they take - leave of each other and hasten to their beds. "By the time that the cock - had crowed and cackled thrice" the lord was up, and after "meat and - mass" were over the hunters make for the woods, where they give chase to - a wild boar who had grown old and mischievous (ll. 1395-1467). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - While the sportsmen are hunting this "wild swine" our lovely knight lies - in his bed. He is not forgotten by the lady, who pays him an early - visit, seeking to make further trial of his virtues. She sits softly by - his side and tells him that he has forgotten what she taught him the day - before (ll. 1468-1486). "I taught you of kissing," says she; "that - becomes every courteous knight." Gawayne says that he must not take that - which is forbidden him. The lady replies that he is strong enough to - enforce his own wishes. Our knight answers that every gift not given - with a good will is worthless. His fair visitor then enquires how it is - that he who is so skilled in the true sport of love and so renowned a - knight, has never talked to her of love (ll. 1487-1524). "You ought," - she says, "to show and teach a young thing like me some tokens of - true-love's crafts; I come hither and sit here alone to learn of you - some game; do teach me of your wit while my lord is from home." Gawayne - replies that he cannot undertake the task of expounding true-love and - tales of arms to one who has far more wisdom than he possesses. Thus did - our knight avoid all appearance of evil, though sorely pressed to do - what was wrong (ll. 1525-1552). The lady, having bestowed two kisses - upon Sir Gawayne, takes her leave of him (ll. 1553-1557). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - At the end of the day the lord of the castle returns home with the - shields and head of the wild boar. He shows them to his guest, who - declares that "such a brawn of a beast, nor such sides of a swine," he - never before has seen. Gawayne takes possession of the spoil according - to covenant, and in return he bestows two kisses upon his host, who - declares that his guest has indeed been rich with "such chaffer" (ll. - 1558-1647). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - After much persuasion, Gawayne consents to stop at the castle another - day (ll. 1648-1685). Early on the morrow the lord and his men hasten to - the woods, and come upon the track of a fox, the hunting of which - affords them plenty of employment and sport (ll. 1686-1730). Meanwhile - our good knight sleeps soundly within his comely curtains. He is again - visited by the lady of the castle. So gaily was she attired, and so - "faultless of her features," that great joy warmed the heart of Sir - Gawayne. With soft and pleasant smiles "they smite into mirth," and are - soon engaged in conversation. Had not Mary thought of her knight, he - would have been in great peril (ll. 1731-1769). So sorely does the fair - one press him with her love, that he fears lest he should become a - traitor to his host. The lady enquires whether he has a mistress to whom - he has plighted his troth. The knight swears by St John that he neither - has nor desires one. This answer causes the dame to sigh for sorrow, and - telling him that she must depart, she asks for some gift, if it were - only a glove, by which she might "think on the knight and lessen her - grief" (ll. 1770-1800). Gawayne assures her that he has nothing worthy - of her acceptance; that he is on an "uncouth errand," and therefore has - "no men with no mails containing precious things," for which he is truly - sorry. - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Quoth that lovesome (one)— - </p> - </blockquote> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p class="i4"> - "Though I had nought of yours, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Yet should ye have of mine. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <blockquote> - <p> - Thus saying, she offers him a rich ring of red gold "with a shining - stone standing aloft," that shone like the beams of the bright sun. The - knight refused the gift, as he had nothing to give in return. "Since ye - refuse my ring," says the lady, "because it seems too rich, and ye would - not be beholden to me, I shall give you my girdle that is less valuable" - (ll. 1801-1835). But Gawayne replies that he will not accept gold or - reward of any kind, though "ever in hot and in cold" he will be her true - servant. - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - "Do ye refuse it," asks the lady, "because it seems simple and of little - value? Whoso knew the virtues that are knit therein would estimate it - more highly. For he who is girded with this green lace cannot be wounded - or slain by any man under heaven." The knight thinks awhile, and it - strikes him that this would be a "jewel for the jeopardy" that he had to - undergo at the Green Chapel. So he not only accepts the lace, but - promises to keep the possession of it a secret (ll. 1836-1865). By that - time the lady had kissed him thrice, and she then takes "her leave and - leaves him there." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Gawayne rises, dresses himself in noble array, and conceals the "love - lace" where he might find it again. He then hies to mass, shrives him of - his misdeeds, and obtains absolution. On his return to the hall he - solaces the ladies with comely carols and all kinds of joy (ll. - 1866-1892). The dark night came, and then the lord of the castle, having - slain the fox, returns to his "dear home," where he finds a fire - brightly turning and his guest amusing the ladies (ll. 1893-1927). - Gawayne, in fulfilment of his agreement, kisses his host thrice.<sup>1</sup> - "By Christ," quoth the other knight, "ye have caught much bliss. I have - hunted all this day and nought have I got but the skin of this foul fox - (the devil have the goods!), and that is full poor for to pay for such - precious things" (ll. 1928-1951). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - After the usual evening's entertainment, Gawayne retires to rest. The - next morning, being New Year's day, is cold and stormy. Snow falls, and - the dales are full of drift. Our knight in his bed locks his eyelids, - but full little he sleeps. By each cock that crows he knows the hour, - and before day-break he calls for his chamberlain, who quickly brings - him his armour (ll. 1952-2014). While Gawayne clothed himself in his - rich weeds he forgot not the "lace, the lady's gift," but with it doubly - girded his loins. He wore it not for its rich ornaments, "but to save - himself when it behoved him to suffer," and as a safeguard against sword - or knife (ll. 2015-2046). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Having thanked his host and all the renowned assembly for the great - kindness he had experienced at their hands, "he steps into stirrups and - strides aloft" (ll. 2047-2068). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - The drawbridge is let down, and the broad gates unbarred and borne open - upon both sides, and the knight, after commending the castle to Christ, - passes thereout and goes on his way accompanied by his guide, that - should teach him to turn to that place where he should receive the - much-dreaded blow. They climb over cliffs, where each hill had a hat and - a mist-cloak, until the next morn, when they find themselves on a full - high hill covered with snow. The servant bids his master remain awhile, - saying, "I have brought you hither at this time, and now ye are not far - from that noted place that ye have so often enquired after. The place - that ye press to is esteemed full perilous, and there dwells a man in - that waste the worst upon earth, for he is stiff and stern and loves to - strike, and greater is he than any man upon middle-earth, and his body - is bigger than the best four in Arthur's house. He keeps the Green - Chapel; there passes none by that place, however proud in arms, that he - does not 'ding him to death with dint of his hand.' He is a man - immoderate and 'no mercy uses,' for be it churl or chaplain that by the - chapel rides, monk or mass-priest, or any man else, it is as pleasant to - him to kill them as to go alive himself. Wherefore I tell thee truly, - 'come ye there, ye be killed, though ye had twenty lives to spend. He - has dwelt there long of yore, and on field much sorrow has wrought. - Against his sore dints ye may not defend you' (ll. 2069-2117). - Therefore, good Sir Gawayne, let the man alone, and for God's sake go by - some other path, and then I shall hie me home again. I swear to you by - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - [<sup>1</sup> He only in part keeps to his covenant, as he holds back - the <i>love-lace</i>.] - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - God and all His saints that I will never say that ever ye attempted to - flee from any man." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Gawayne thanks his guide for his well-meant kindness, but declares that - to the Green Chapel he will go, though the owner thereof be "a stern - knave," for God can devise means to save his servants. - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - "Mary!" quoth the other, "since it pleases thee to lose thy life I will - not hinder thee. Have thy helmet on thy head, thy spear in thy hand, and - ride down this path by yon rock-side, till thou be brought to the bottom - of the valley. Then look a little on the plain, on thy left hand, and - thou shalt see in that slade the chapel itself, and the burly knight - that guards it (ll. 2118-2148). Now, farewell Gawayne the noble! for all - the gold upon ground I would not go with thee nor bear thee fellowship - through this wood 'on foot farther.'" Thus having spoken, he gallops - away and leaves the knight alone. - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Gawayne now pursues his journey, rides through the dale, and looks - about. He sees no signs of a resting-place, but only high and steep - banks, and the very shadows of the high woods seemed wild and distorted. - No chapel, however, could he discover. After a while he sees a round - hill by the side of a stream; thither he goes, alights, and fastens his - horse to the branch of a tree. He walks about the hill, debating with - himself what it might be. It had a hole in the one end and on each side, - and everywhere overgrown with grass, but whether it was only an old cave - or a crevice of an old crag he could not tell (ll. 2149-2188). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - "Now, indeed," quoth Gawayne, "a desert is here; this oratory is ugly - with herbs overgrown. It is a fitting place for the man in green to - 'deal here his devotions after the devil's manner.' Now I feel it is the - fiend (the devil) in my five wits that has covenanted with me that he - may destroy me. This is a chapel of misfortune—evil betide it! It - is the most cursed kirk that ever I came in." With his helmet on his - head, and spear in his hand, he roams up to the rock, and then he hears - from that high hill beyond the brook a wondrous wild noise. Lo! it - clattered in the cliff as if one upon a grindstone were grinding a - scythe. It whirred like the water at a mill, and rushed and re-echoed, - terrible to hear. "Though my life I forgo," says Gawayne, "no noise - shall cause me to fear." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Then he cried aloud, "Who dwells in this place, discourse with me to - hold? For now is good Gawayne going right here if any brave wight will - hie him hither, either now or never" (ll. 2189-2216). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - "Abide," quoth one on the bank above, over his head, "and thou shalt - have all in haste that I promised thee once." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Soon there comes out of a hole in the crag, with a fell weapon a Danish - axe quite new, the "man in the green," clothed as at first as his legs, - locks and beard. But now he is on foot and walks on the earth. When he - reaches the stream, he hops over and boldly strides about. He meets Sir - Gawayne, who tells him that he is quite ready to fulfil his part of the - compact. "Gawayne," quoth that 'green gome' (man), "may God preserve - thee! Truly thou art welcome to my place, 'and thou hast timed thy - travel' as a true man should. Thou knowest the covenants made between - us, at this time twelve-month, that on New Year's day I should return - thee thy blow. We are now in this valley by ourselves, and can do as we - please (ll. 2217-2246). Have, therefore, thy helmet off thy head, and - 'have here thy pay.' Let us have no more talk than when thou didst - strike off my head with a single blow." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - "Nay, by God!" quoth Gawayne, "I shall not begrudge thee thy will for - any harm that may happen, but will stand still while thou strikest." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Then he stoops a little and shows his bare neck, unmoved by any fear. - The Green Knight takes up his "grim tool," and with all his force raises - it aloft, as if he meant utterly to destroy him. As the axe came gliding - down Gawayne "shrank a little with the shoulders from the sharp iron." - The other withheld his weapon, and then reproved the prince with many - proud words. "Thou art not Gawayne that is so good esteemed, that never - feared for no host by hill nor by vale, for now thou fleest for fear - before thou feelest harm (ll. 2247-2272). Such cowardice of that knight - did I never hear. I never flinched nor fled when thou didst aim at me in - King Arthur's house. My head flew to my feet and yet I never fled, - wherefore I deserve to be called the better man." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Quoth Gawayne, "I shunted once, but will do so no more, though my head - fall on the stones. But hasten and bring me to the point; deal me my - destiny, and do it out of hand, for I shall stand thee a stroke and - start no more until thine axe has hit me—have here my troth." - "Have at thee, then," said the other, and heaves the axe aloft, and - looks as savagely as if he were mad. He aims at the other mightily, but - withholds his hand ere it might hurt. Gawayne readily abides the blow - without flinching with any member, and stood still as a stone or a tree - fixed in rocky ground with a hundred roots. - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Then merrily the other did speak, "Since now thou hast thy heart whole - it behoves me to strike, so take care of thy neck." Gawayne answers with - great wroth, "Thrash on, thou fierce man, thou threatenest too long; I - believe thy own heart fails thee." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - "Forsooth," quoth the other, "since thou speakest so boldly, I will no - longer delay" (ll. 2273-2304). Then, contracting "both lips and brow," - he made ready to strike, and let fall his axe on the bare neck of Sir - Gawayne. "Though he hammered" fiercely, he only "severed the hide," - causing the blood to flow. When Gawayne saw his blood on the snow, he - quickly seized his helmet and placed it on his head. Then he drew out - his bright sword, and thus angrily spoke: "Cease, man, of thy blow, bid - me no more. I have received a stroke in this place without opposition, - but if thou givest me any more readily shall I requite thee, of that be - thou sure. Our covenant stipulates one stroke, and therefore now cease." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - The Green Knight, resting on his axe, looks on Sir Gawayne, as bold and - fearless he there stood, and then with a loud voice thus addresses the - knight: "Bold knight, be not so wroth, no man here has wronged thee (ll. - 2305-2339); I promised thee a stroke, and thou hast it, so hold thee - well pleased. I could have dealt much worse with thee, and caused thee - much sorrow. Two blows I aimed at thee, for twice thou kissedst my fair - wife; but I struck thee not, because thou restoredst them to me - according to agreement. At the third time thou failedst, and therefore I - have given thee that tap. That woven girdle, given thee by my own wife, - belongs to me. I know well thy kisses, thy conduct also, and the wooing - of my wife, for I wrought it myself. I sent her to try thee, and truly - methinks thou art the most faultless man that ever on foot went. Still, - sir, thou wert wanting in good faith; but as it proceeded from no - immorality, thou being only desirous of saving thy life, the less I - blame thee." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Gawayne stood confounded, the blood rushed into his face, and he shrank - within himself for very shame. "Cursed," he cried, "be cowardice and - covetousness both; in you are villany and vice, that virtue destroy." - Then he takes off the girdle and throws it to the knight in green, - cursing his cowardice and covetousness. The Green Knight, laughing, thus - spoke: "Thou hast confessed so clean, and acknowledged thy faults, that - I hold thee as pure as thou hadst never forfeited since thou wast first - born. I give thee, sir, the gold-hemmed girdle as a token of thy - adventure at the Green Chapel. Come now to my castle, and we shall enjoy - together the festivities of the New Year" (ll. 2340-2406). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - "Nay, forsooth," quoth the knight, "but for your kindness may God - requite you. Commend me to that courteous one your comely wife, who with - her crafts has beguiled me. But it is no uncommon thing for a man to - come to sorrow through women's wiles; for so was Adam beguiled with one, - and Solomon with many. Samson was destroyed by Delilah, and David - suffered much through Bathsheba. <i>'It were indeed great bliss for a - man to love them well and believe them not.'</i> Since the greatest upon - earth were so beguiled, methinks I should be excused. But God reward you - for your girdle, which I will ever wear in remembrance of my fault, and - when pride shall exalt me, a look to this love-lace shall lessen it (ll. - 2407-2438). But since ye are the lord of yonder land, from whom I have - received so much honour, tell me truly your right name, and I shall ask - no more questions." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Quoth the other, "I am called Bernlak de Hautdesert, through might of - Morgain la Fay, who dwells in my house. Much has she learnt of Merlin, - who knows all your knights at home. She brought me to your hall for to - essay the prowess of the Round Table. She wrought this wonder to bereave - you of your wits, hoping to have grieved Guenever and affrighted her to - death by means of the man that spoke with his head in his hand before - the high table. She is even thine aunt, Arthur's half sister; wherefore - come to thine aunt, for all my household love thee." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Gawayne refuses to accompany the Green Knight, and so, with many - embraces and kind wishes, they separate—the one to his castle, the - other to Arthur's court. - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - After passing through many wild ways, our knight recovers from the wound - in his neck, and at last comes safe and sound to the court of King - Arthur. Great then was the joy of all; the king and queen kiss their - brave knight, and make many enquiries about his journey. He tells them - of his adventures, hiding nothing—"the chance of the chapel, the - cheer of the knight, the love of the lady, and lastly of the lace." - Groaning for grief and shame he shows them the cut in his neck, which he - had received for his unfaithfulness (ll. 2439-2504). The king and his - courtiers comfort the knight—they laugh loudly at his adventures, - and unanimously agree that those lords and ladies that belonged to the - Round Table, and each knight of the brotherhood should ever after wear a - bright green belt for Gawayne's sake. And he upon whom it was conferred - honoured it evermore after. - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Thus in Arthur's time this adventure befell, whereof the "Brutus Books" - bear witness (ll. 2505-2530). - </p> - </blockquote> - <p> - I need not say that the <i>Brutus Books</i> we possess do not contain the - legend here set forth, though it is not much more improbable than some of - the statements contained in them. If the reader desires to know the - relation in which this and the like stories stand to the original Arthur - legends, he will find it discussed in Sir F. Madden's Preface to his - edition of "Syr Gawayne," which also contains a sketch of the very - different views taken of Sir Gawayne by the different Romance writers. - </p> - <p> - Into this and other <i>literary</i> questions I do not enter here, as I - have nothing to add to Sir F. Madden's statements; but in the text of the - Poem I have differed from him in some few readings, which will be found - noticed in the Notes and Glossary. - </p> - <p> - As the manuscript is fast fading, I am glad that the existence of the - Early English Text Society has enabled us to secure a wider diffusion of - its contents before the original shall be no longer legible. - </p> - <p> - We want nothing but an increased supply of members to enable us to give to - a large circle of readers many an equally interesting record of Early - English minds. - </p> - <hr /> - <h2> - SYR GAWAYN AND THE GRENE KNY3T. - </h2> - <h2> - [FYTTE THE FIRST.] - </h2> - <h2> - I. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 91<i>a</i>.]<br />After the siege of Troy</span> - <p> - Siþen þe sege & þe assaut wat3 sesed at Troye, - </p> - <p> - Þe bor3 brittened & brent to bronde3 & aske3, - </p> - <p> - Þe tulk þat þe tra<i>m</i>mes of tresou<i>n</i> þ<i>er</i> wro3t, - </p> - <span class="linenum">4</span> - <p> - Wat3 tried for his tricherie, þe trewest on erthe; - </p> - <p> - Hit wat3 Ennias þe athel, & his high<i>e</i> kynde, - </p> - <p> - Þat siþen depreced p<i>ro</i>uinces, & patrou<i>n</i>es bicome - </p> - <p> - Welne3e of al þe wele i<i>n</i> þe west iles, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Romulus built Rome,</span> <span class="linenum">8</span> - <p> - Fro riche Romulus to Rome ricchis hy<i>m</i> swyþe, - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> gret bobbau<i>n</i>ce þat bur3e he biges vpon - fyrst, - </p> - <p> - & neuenes hit his aune nome, as hit now hat; - </p> - <p> - Ticius to Tuskan [turnes,] & teldes bigy<i>n</i>nes; - </p> - <span class="linenum">12</span> - <p> - Langaberde i<i>n</i> Lu<i>m</i>bardie lyftes vp homes; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and Felix Brutus founded Britain,</span> - <p> - & fer ou<i>er</i> þe French flod Felix Brut<i>us</i> - </p> - <p> - On mony bonkkes ful brode Bretayn he sette3, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - wyth wy<i>n</i>ne; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">a land of war and wonder,</span> <span - class="linenum">16</span> - <p class="i4"> - Where werre, & wrake, & wonder, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Bi syþe3 hat3 wont þ<i>er</i>-i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and oft of bliss and blunder.</span> - <p class="i4"> - & oft boþe blysse & blu<i>n</i>der - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ful skete hat3 skyfted sy<i>n</i>ne. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - II. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="linenum">20</span> - <p> - Ande quen þis Bretayn wat3 bigged bi þis burn rych, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Bold men increased in the Land,</span> - <p> - Bolde bredden þer-i<i>n</i>ne, baret þat lofden, - </p> - <p> - In mony turned tyme tene þat wro3ten; - </p> - <p> - Mo ferlyes on þis folde han fallen here oft - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and many marvels happened.</span> <span - class="linenum">24</span> - <p> - Þen in any oþ<i>er</i> þat I wot, syn þat ilk tyme. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Of all Britain's kings Arthur was the noblest.</span> - <p> - Bot of alle þat here bult of Bretaygne ky<i>n</i>ges - </p> - <p> - Ay wat3 Arthur þe hendest; as I haf herde telle; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 91<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p> - For-þi an au<i>n</i>t<i>er</i> in erde I attle to schawe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">28</span> - <p> - Þat a selly in si3t su<i>m</i>me men hit holden, - </p> - <p> - & an outtrage awenture of Arthure3 wond<i>er</i>e3; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Listen a while and ye shall hear the story of an - "outrageous adventure."</span> - <p> - If 3e wyl lysten þis laye bot on littel quile, - </p> - <p> - I schal telle hit, as-tit, as I i<i>n</i> tou<i>n</i> herde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">32</span> - <p class="i8"> - w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> tonge; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - As hit is stad & stoken, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - In stori stif & stronge, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> lel lett<i>er</i>es loken, - </p> - <span class="linenum">36</span> - <p class="i4"> - I<i>n</i> londe so hat3 ben longe. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - III. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Arthur held at Camelot his Christmas feast,</span> - <p> - Þis ky<i>n</i>g lay at Camylot vpon kryst-masse, - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> mony luflych lorde, lede3 of þe best, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">with all the knights of the Round Table,</span> - <p> - Rekenly of þe rou<i>n</i>de table alle þo rich breþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="linenum">40</span> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> rych reuel ory3t, & rechles m<i>er</i>þes; - </p> - <p> - Þ<i>er</i> to<i>ur</i>nayed tulkes bi-tyme3 ful mony, - </p> - <p> - Iusted ful Iolilé þise gentyle kni3tes, - </p> - <p> - Syþen kayred to þe court, caroles to make. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">full fifteen days.</span> <span class="linenum">44</span> - <p> - For þer þe fest wat3 ilyche ful fiften dayes, - </p> - <p> - With alle þe mete & þe mirþe þat me<i>n</i> couþe a-vyse; - </p> - <p> - Such glaumande gle glorio<i>us</i> to here, - </p> - <p> - Dere dyn vp-on day, dau<i>n</i>sy<i>n</i>g on ny3tes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">All was joy in hall and chamber,</span> <span - class="linenum">48</span> - <p> - Al wat3 hap vpon he3e i<i>n</i> halle3 & chambre3, - </p> - <p> - With lorde3 & ladies, as leuest hi<i>m</i> þo3t; - </p> - <p> - With all þe wele of þe worlde þay woned þ<i>er</i> samen, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">among brave knights and lovely ladies,</span> - <p> - Þe most kyd kny3te3 vnder kryst<i>e</i> seluen, - </p> - <span class="linenum">52</span> - <p> - & þe louelokkest ladies þat eu<i>er</i> lif haden, - </p> - <p> - & he þe comlokest ky<i>n</i>g þat þe court haldes; - </p> - <p> - For al wat3 þis fayre folk i<i>n</i> her first age, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - on sille; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">the happiest under heaven.</span> <span - class="linenum">56</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe hapnest vnder heuen, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ky<i>n</i>g hy3est mo<i>n</i> of wylle, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Hit were<sup>1</sup> now gret nye to neue<i>n</i> - </p> - <p class="i4"> - So hardy a here o<i>n</i> hille. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. werere. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - IV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">They celebrate the New Year with great joy.</span> - <span class="linenum">60</span> - <p> - Wyle nw 3er wat3 so 3ep þat h<i>i</i>t wat3 nwe cu<i>m</i>men, - </p> - <p> - Þat day doubble on þe dece wat3 þe douth serued, - </p> - <p> - Fro þe ky<i>n</i>g wat3 cu<i>m</i>men w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> kny3t<i>es</i> - i<i>n</i> to þe halle, - </p> - <p> - Þe chau<i>n</i>tre of þe chapel cheued to an ende; - </p> - <span class="linenum">64</span> - <p> - Loude crye wat3 þer kest of clerke3 & oþer, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 92]</span> - <p> - Nowel nayted o-newe, neuened ful ofte; - </p> - <p> - & syþen riche forth ru<i>n</i>nen to reche honde-selle, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gifts are demanded and bestowed.</span> - <p> - 3e3ed 3eres 3iftes on hi3, 3elde hem bi hond, - </p> - <span class="linenum">68</span> - <p> - Debated busyly aboute þo giftes; - </p> - <p> - Ladies la3ed ful loude, þo3 þay lost haden, - </p> - <p> - & he þat wan wat3 not wrothe, þ<i>a</i>t may 3e wel trawe. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Lords and ladies take their seats at the table.</span> - <p> - Alle þis mirþe þay maden to þe mete tyme; - </p> - <span class="linenum">72</span> - <p> - When þay had waschen, worþyly þay wenten to sete, - </p> - <p> - Þe best burne ay abof, as hit best semed; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Queen Guenever appears gaily dressed.</span> - <p> - Whene Guenore ful gay, grayþed i<i>n</i> þe myddes. - </p> - <p> - Dressed on þe dere des, dubbed al aboute, - </p> - <span class="linenum">76</span> - <p> - Smal sendal bisides, a selure hir ou<i>er</i> - </p> - <p> - Of tryed Tolouse, of Tars tapites i<i>n</i>-nogh<i>e</i>, - </p> - <p> - Þat were enbrawded & beten wyth þe best ge<i>m</i>mes, - </p> - <p> - Þat my3t be preued of prys wyth penyes to bye, - </p> - <span class="linenum">80</span> - <p class="i8"> - in daye; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">A lady fairer of form might no one say he had - ever before seen.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe comlokest to discrye, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þer glent w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> y3en gray, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - A semloker þat eu<i>er</i> he sy3e, - </p> - <span class="linenum">84</span> - <p class="i4"> - Soth mo3t no mon say. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - V. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Arthur would not eat,</span> - <p> - Bot Arthure wolde not ete til al were serued, - </p> - <p> - He wat3 so Ioly of his Ioyfnes, & su<i>m</i>-quat child gered, - </p> - <p> - His lif liked hy<i>m</i> ly3t, he louied þe lasse - </p> - <span class="sidenote">nor would he long sit</span> <span class="linenum">88</span> - <p> - Auþ<i>er</i> to lenge lye, or to longe sitte, - </p> - <p> - So bi-sied him his 3onge blod & his brayn wylde; - </p> - <p> - & also anoþ<i>er</i> maner meued hi<i>m</i> eke, - </p> - <p> - Þat he þur3 nobelay had nomen, ho wolde neu<i>er</i> ete - </p> - <span class="linenum">92</span> - <p> - Vpon such a dere day, er hy<i>m</i> deuised were - </p> - <span class="sidenote">until he had witnessed a "wondrous adventure" of - some kind.</span> - <p> - Of su<i>m</i> auentur<i>us</i> þy<i>n</i>g an vncouþe tale, - </p> - <p> - Of su<i>m</i> mayn m<i>er</i>uayle, þat he my3t trawe, - </p> - <p> - Of<sup>1</sup> alderes, of armes, of oþ<i>er</i> auentur<i>us</i>, - </p> - <span class="linenum">96</span> - <p> - Oþ<i>er</i> sum segg hy<i>m</i> bi-so3t of su<i>m</i> siker kny3t, - </p> - <p> - To Ioyne wyth hy<i>m</i> i<i>n</i> iusty<i>n</i>g in Iopardé to lay, - </p> - <p> - Lede lif for lyf, leue vchon oþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - As fortune wolde fulsu<i>n</i> ho<i>m</i> þe fayrer to haue. - </p> - <span class="linenum">100</span> - <p> - Þis wat3 [þe] ky<i>n</i>ges cou<i>n</i>tenau<i>n</i>ce where he i<i>n</i> - co<i>ur</i>t were, - </p> - <p> - At vch farand fest amo<i>n</i>g his fre meny, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 92<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p class="i8"> - in halle; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He of face so bold makes much mirth with all.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þer-fore of face so fere. - </p> - <span class="linenum">104</span> - <p class="i4"> - He sti3tle3 stif in stalle, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ful 3ep i<i>n</i> þat nw 3ere, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Much mirthe he mas w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> alle. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> Of of, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - VI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The king talks with his knights.</span> - <p> - Thus þ<i>er</i> stondes i<i>n</i> stale þe stif ky<i>n</i>g - his-seluen, - </p> - <span class="linenum">108</span> - <p> - Talkkande bifore þe hy3e table of trifles ful hende - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne,</span> - <p> - There gode Gawan wat3 g<i>ra</i>yþed, Gwenore bisyde - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Agravayn,</span> - <p> - & Ag<i>ra</i>uayn a la dure mayn on þat oþ<i>er</i> syde sittes - </p> - <p> - Boþe þe ky<i>n</i>ges sist<i>er</i> su<i>n</i>es, & ful siker - kni3tes; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Bishop Bawdewyn,</span> <span class="linenum">112</span> - <p> - Bischop Bawdewyn abof bi-gine3 þe table, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and Ywain sit on the dais.</span> - <p> - & Ywan, Vryn son, ette wit hy<i>m</i>-seluen; - </p> - <p> - Þise were di3t on þe des, & derworþly serued, - </p> - <p> - & siþen mony siker segge at þe sidborde3. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The first course is served with cracking of - trumpets.</span> <span class="linenum">116</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i> þe first cors come with crakky<i>n</i>g of tru<i>m</i>pes, - </p> - <p> - Wyth mony baner ful bry3t, þat þer-bi henged, - </p> - <p> - Nwe nakryn noyse w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe noble pipes, - </p> - <p> - Wylde werbles & wy3t wakned lote, - </p> - <span class="linenum">120</span> - <p> - Þat mony hert ful hi3e hef at her towches; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It consisted of all dainties in season.</span> - <p> - Dayntes dryuen þer-wyth of ful dere metes, - </p> - <p> - Foysou<i>n</i> of þe fresche, & on so fele disches, - </p> - <p> - Þat pine to fynde þe place þe peple bi-forne - </p> - <span class="linenum">124</span> - <p> - For to sette þe syluen<i>er</i>,<sup>1</sup> þat sere sewes halden, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - on clothe; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Iche lede as he loued hy<i>m</i>-selue - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þer laght w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-outen loþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Each two had dishes twelve,</span> <span - class="linenum">128</span> - <p class="i4"> - Ay two had disches twelue, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">good beer and bright wine both.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Good ber, & bry3t wyn boþe. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> svlu<i>er</i>en (?) (dishes). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - VII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">There was no want of anything.</span> - <p> - Now wyl I of hor seruise say yow no more, - </p> - <p> - For veh wy3e may wel wit no wont þat þ<i>er</i> were; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Scarcely had the first course commenced,</span> - <span class="linenum">132</span> - <p> - An oþ<i>er</i> noyse ful newe ne3ed biliue, - </p> - <p> - Þat þe lude my3t haf leue lif-lode to cach. - </p> - <p> - For vneþe wat3 þe noyce not a whyle sesed, - </p> - <p> - & þe fyrst co<i>ur</i>ce i<i>n</i> þe co<i>ur</i>t kyndely serued, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">when there rushes in at the hall-door a knight;</span> - <span class="linenum">136</span> - <p> - Þer hales i<i>n</i> at þe halle dor an aghlich mayst<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - On þe most on þe molde on mesure hygh<i>e</i>; - </p> - <p> - Fro þe swyre to þe swange so sware & so þik, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">the tallest on earth</span> - <p> - & his lyndes & his lymes so longe & so grete, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 93.]</span> <span class="linenum">140</span> - <p> - Half etayn i<i>n</i> erde I hope þat he were. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">he must have been.</span> - <p> - Bot mon most I algate my<i>n</i>n hy<i>m</i> to bene, - </p> - <p> - & þat þe myriest i<i>n</i> his muckel þat my3t ride; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">His back and breast were great,</span> - <p> - For of bak & of brest al were his bodi sturne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but his belly and waist were small.</span> <span - class="linenum">144</span> - <p> - Bot his wombe & his wast were worthily smale, - </p> - <p> - & alle his fetures fol3ande, i<i>n</i> forme þat he hade, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - ful clene; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - For wonder of his hwe me<i>n</i> hade, - </p> - <span class="linenum">148</span> - <p class="i4"> - Set i<i>n</i> his semblau<i>n</i>t sene; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He ferde as freke were fade, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & ou<i>er</i>-al enker grene. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - VIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">He was clothed entirely in green.</span> - <p> - Ande al grayþed i<i>n</i> grene þis gome & his wedes, - </p> - <span class="linenum">152</span> - <p> - A strayt cote ful stre3t, þat stek on his sides, - </p> - <p> - A mere mantile abof, mensked w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> pelure pured apert þe pane ful clene, - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> blyþe blau<i>n</i>n<i>er</i> ful bry3t, & his - hod boþe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">156</span> - <p> - Þat wat3 la3t fro his lokke3, & layde on his schulderes - </p> - <p> - Heme wel haled, hose of þat same grene, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">His spurs were of bright gold.</span> - <p> - Þat spenet on his sparlyr, & clene spures vnder, - </p> - <p> - Of bry3t golde, vpon silk bordes, barred ful ryche - </p> - <span class="linenum">160</span> - <p> - & scholes vnder schankes, þere þe schalk rides; - </p> - <p> - & alle his vesture uerayly wat3 clene v<i>er</i>dure, - </p> - <p> - Boþe þe barres of his belt & oþ<i>er</i> blyþe stones, - </p> - <p> - Þ<i>a</i>t were richely rayled i<i>n</i> his aray clene, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">His saddle was embroidered with birds and flies.</span> - <span class="linenum">164</span> - <p> - Aboutte hy<i>m</i>-self & his sadel, vpon silk werke3, - </p> - <p> - Þat were to tor for to telle of tryfles þe halue, - </p> - <p> - Þat were enbrauded abof, wyth bryddes & fly3es, - </p> - <p> - With gay gaudi of grene, þe golde ay i<i>n</i> myddes; - </p> - <span class="linenum">168</span> - <p> - Þe pendau<i>n</i>tes of his payttrure, þe proude cropure - </p> - <p> - His molaynes, & alle þe metail anamayld was þe<i>n</i>ne - </p> - <p> - Þe steropes þat he stod on, stayned of þe same, - </p> - <p> - & his arsou<i>n</i>3 al after, & his aþel sturtes, - </p> - <span class="linenum">172</span> - <p> - Þat euer glem<i>er</i>ed<sup>1</sup> & glent al of grene stones. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The foal that he rode upon was green;</span> - <p> - Þe fole þat he ferkkes on, fyn of þat ilke, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - sertayn; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - A grene hors gret & þikke, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">it was a steed full stiff to guide.</span> <span - class="linenum">176</span> - <p class="i4"> - A stede ful stif to strayne, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - I<i>n</i> brawden brydel quik, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 93<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p class="i4"> - To þe gome he wat3 ful gayn. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> glemed (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - IX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Gaily was the knight attired.</span> - <p> - Wel gay wat3 þis gome gered i<i>n</i> grene, - </p> - <span class="linenum">180</span> - <p> - & þe here of his hed of his hors swete; - </p> - <p> - Fayre fannand fax vmbe-foldes his schulderes; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">His great beard, like a bush, hung on his breast.</span> - <p> - A much berd as<sup>1</sup> a busk ou<i>er</i> his brest henges, - </p> - <p> - Þat wyth his hi3lich here, þat of his hed reches, - </p> - <span class="linenum">184</span> - <p> - Wat3 euesed al vmbe-torne, a-bof his elbowes, - </p> - <p> - Þat half his armes þer vnder were halched i<i>n</i> þe wyse - </p> - <p> - Of a ky<i>n</i>ge3 capados, þat closes his swyre. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The horse's mane was decked with golden threads.</span> - <p> - Þe mane of þat mayn hors much to hit lyke, - </p> - <span class="linenum">188</span> - <p> - Wel cresped & ce<i>m</i>med wyth knottes ful mony, - </p> - <p> - Folden i<i>n</i> wyth fildore aboute þe fayre grene, - </p> - <p> - Ay a herle of þe here, an oþ<i>er</i> of golde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Its tail was bound with a green band.</span> - <p> - Þe tayl & his toppy<i>n</i>g twy<i>n</i>nen of a sute, - </p> - <span class="linenum">192</span> - <p> - & bou<i>n</i>den boþe wyth a bande of a bry3t grene, - </p> - <p> - Dubbed wyth ful dere stone3, as þe dok lasted, - </p> - <p> - Syþen þrawen wyth a þwong a þwarle knot alofte, - </p> - <p> - Þer mony belle3 ful bry3t of brende golde rungen. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Such a foal nor a knight were never before seen.</span> - <span class="linenum">196</span> - <p> - Such a fole vpon folde, ne freke þat hy<i>m</i> rydes, - </p> - <p> - Wat3 neu<i>er</i> sene i<i>n</i> þat sale wyth sy3t er þat tyme, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> y3e; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He loked as layt so ly3t, - </p> - <span class="linenum">200</span> - <p class="i4"> - So sayd al þat hy<i>m</i> sy3e, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It seemed that no man might endure his dints.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Hit semed as no mon my3t, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Vnd<i>er</i> his dyntte3 dry3e. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> as as, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - X. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The knight carried neither spear nor shield,</span> - <p> - Wheþ<i>er</i> hade he no helme ne hawb[e]rgh nauþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="linenum">204</span> - <p> - Ne no pysan, ne no plate þat pented to armes, - </p> - <p> - Ne no schafte, ne no schelde, to schwne ne to smyte, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">In one hand was a holly bough,</span> - <p> - Bot i<i>n</i> his on honde he hade a holyn bobbe, - </p> - <p> - Þat is grattest i<i>n</i> grene, when greue3 ar bare, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">in the other an axe,</span> <span class="linenum">208</span> - <p> - & an ax i<i>n</i> his oþ<i>er</i>, a hoge & vn-mete, - </p> - <p> - A spetos sparþe to expou<i>n</i> i<i>n</i> spelle quo-so my3t; - </p> - <p> - Þe hede of an eln3erde þe large lenkþe hade, - </p> - <p> - Þe grayn al of grene stele & of golde hewen, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">the edge of which was as keen as a sharp razor,</span> - <span class="linenum">212</span> - <p> - Þe bit burnyst bry3t, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> a brod egge, - </p> - <p> - As wel schapen to schere as scharp rasores; - </p> - <p> - Þe stele of a stif staf þe sturne hit bi-grypte, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 94.]</span> - <p> - Þat wat3 wou<i>n</i>den wyth yrn to þe wande3 ende, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and the handle was encased in iron, curiously - "graven with green, in gracious works."</span> <span class="linenum">216</span> - <p> - & al bigrauen w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> grene, i<i>n</i> g<i>ra</i>cios<sup>1</sup> - werkes; - </p> - <p> - A lace lapped aboute, þat louked at þe hede, - </p> - <p> - & so aft<i>er</i> þe halme halched ful ofte, - </p> - <p> - Wyth tryed tassele3 þerto tacched i<i>n</i>-noghe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Thus arrayed the Green Knight enters the hall,</span> - <span class="linenum">220</span> - <p> - On botou<i>n</i>3 of þe bry3t grene brayden ful ryche. - </p> - <p> - Þis haþel helde3 hy<i>m</i> i<i>n</i>, & þe halle entres, - </p> - <p> - Driuande to þe he3e dece, dut he no woþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">without saluting any one.</span> - <p> - Haylsed he neu<i>er</i> one, bot he3e he ou<i>er</i> loked. - </p> - <span class="linenum">224</span> - <p> - Þe fyrst word þat he warp, "wher is," he sayd, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He asks for the "governor" of the company,</span> - <p> - "Þe gou<i>er</i>no<i>ur</i> of þis gy<i>n</i>g? gladly I wolde - </p> - <p> - Se þat segg i<i>n</i> sy3t, & w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hy<i>m</i> self - speke - </p> - <p class="i8"> - raysou<i>n</i>." - </p> - <span class="linenum">228</span> - <p class="i4"> - To kny3te3 he kest his y3e, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & reled hy<i>m</i> vp & dou<i>n</i>, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and looks for the most renowned.</span> - <p class="i4"> - He stemmed & con studie, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Quo walt þer most renou<i>n</i>. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> <i>looks like</i> graco<i>n</i>s <i>in MS</i>. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Much they marvel to see a man and a horse</span> - <span class="linenum">232</span> - <p> - Ther wat3 loky<i>n</i>g on lenþe, þe lude to be-holde, - </p> - <p> - For vch mo<i>n</i> had meruayle quat hit mene my3t, - </p> - <p> - Þat a haþel & a horse my3t such a hwe lach, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">as green as grass.</span> - <p> - As growe grene as þe gres & grener hit semed, - </p> - <span class="linenum">236</span> - <p> - Þen grene aumayl on golde lowande bry3te<i>r</i>; - </p> - <p> - Al studied þat þ<i>er</i> stod, & stalked hy<i>m</i> nerre, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Never before had they seen such a sight as this.</span> - <p> - Wyth al þe wonder of þe worlde, what he worch schulde. - </p> - <p> - For fele sellye3 had þay sen, bot such neu<i>er</i> are, - </p> - <span class="linenum">240</span> - <p> - For-þi for fantou<i>m</i> & fayry3e þe folk þere hit demed; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They were afraid to answer,</span> - <p> - Þer-fore to answare wat3 ar3e mony aþel freke, - </p> - <p> - & al stouned at his steuen, & stonstil seten, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and were as silent as if sleep had taken - possession of them;</span> - <p> - In a swogh<i>e</i> sylence þur3 þe sale riche - </p> - <span class="linenum">244</span> - <p> - As al were slypped vpon slepe so slaked hor lote3 - </p> - <p class="i8"> - i<i>n</i> hy3e; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - I deme hit not al for doute, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">some from fear and others from courtesy.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Bot su<i>m</i> for cortaysye, - </p> - <span class="linenum">248</span> - <p class="i4"> - Bot let hy<i>m</i> þat al schulde loute, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Cast vnto þat wy3e. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Arthur salutes the Green Knight.</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>n Arþo<i>ur</i> bifore þe hi3 dece þat auenture byholde3, - </p> - <p> - & rekenly hy<i>m</i> reu<i>er</i>enced, for rad was he neu<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="linenum">252</span> - <p> - & sayde, "wy3e, welcu<i>m</i> iwys to þis place, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 94<i>b</i>.]<br />bids him welcome, and - invites him to stay awhile.</span> - <p> - Þe hede of þis ostel Artho<i>ur</i> I hat, - </p> - <p> - Li3t luflych adou<i>n</i>, & lenge, I þe praye, - </p> - <p> - & quat so þy wylle is, we schal wyt aft<i>er</i>." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight says that he will not tarry.</span> - <span class="linenum">256</span> - <p> - "Nay, as help me," q<i>uod</i> þe haþel, "he þat on hy3e syttes, - </p> - <p> - To wone any quyle i<i>n</i> þis won, hit wat3 not my<i>n</i> ernde; - </p> - <p> - Bot for þe los of þe lede is lyft vp so hy3e, - </p> - <p> - & þy bur3 & þy burnes best ar holden, - </p> - <span class="linenum">260</span> - <p> - Stifest vnder stel-gere on stedes to ryde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He seeks the most valiant that he may prove him.</span> - <p> - Þe wy3test & þe worþyest of þe worldes kynde, - </p> - <p> - Preue for to play wyth in oþ<i>er</i> pure layke3; - </p> - <p> - & here is kydde cortaysye, as I haf herd carp, - </p> - <span class="linenum">264</span> - <p> - & þat hat3 wayned me hider, I-wyis, at þis tyme. - </p> - <p> - 3e may be seker bi þis brau<i>n</i>ch þat I bere here, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He comes in peace.</span> - <p> - Þat I passe as i<i>n</i> pes, & no ply3t seche; - </p> - <p> - For had I fou<i>n</i>ded i<i>n</i> fere, i<i>n</i> fe3ty<i>n</i>g - wyse, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">At home, however, he has both shield and spear.</span> - <span class="linenum">268</span> - <p> - I haue a haubergh<i>e</i> at home & a helme boþe, - </p> - <p> - A schelde, & a scharp spere, schinande bry3t, - </p> - <p> - Ande oþ<i>er</i> weppenes to welde, I wene wel als, - </p> - <p> - Bot for I wolde no were, my wede3 ar soft<i>er</i>. - </p> - <span class="linenum">272</span> - <p> - Bot if þ<i>o</i>u be so bold as alle burne3 tellen, - </p> - <p> - Þ<i>o</i>u wyl g<i>ra</i>nt me godly þe gomen þat I ask, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - bi ry3t." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Arthur assures him that he shall not fail to find - an opponent worthy of him.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Artho<i>ur</i> con onsware, - </p> - <span class="linenum">276</span> - <p class="i4"> - & sayd, "s<i>ir</i> cortays kny3t, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - If þ<i>o</i>u craue batayl bare, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Here fayle3 þ<i>o</i>u not to fy3t." - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"I seek no fight," says the knight.</span> - <p> - "Nay, frayst I no fy3t, i<i>n</i> fayth I þe telle, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"'Here are only beardless children.'</span> <span - class="linenum">280</span> - <p> - Hit arn aboute on þis bench bot berdle3 chylder; - </p> - <p> - If I were hasped i<i>n</i> armes on a he3e stede, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Here is no man to match me.</span> - <p> - Here is no mon me to mach, for my3te3 so<sup>1</sup> wayke. - </p> - <p> - For-þy I craue i<i>n</i> þis co<i>ur</i>t a crystmas gome<i>n</i>, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Here are brave ones many,</span> <span - class="linenum">284</span> - <p> - For hit is 3ol & nwe 3er, & here ar 3ep mony; - </p> - <p> - If any so hardy i<i>n</i> þis ho<i>us</i> holde3 hy<i>m</i>-seluen, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">if any be bold enough to 'strike a stroke for - another,'</span> - <p> - Be so bolde i<i>n</i> his blod, brayn i<i>n</i> hys hede, - </p> - <p> - Þat dar stifly strike a strok for an oþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="linenum">288</span> - <p> - I schal gif hy<i>m</i> of my gyft þys giserne ryche, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">this axe shall be his;</span> - <p> - Þis ax, þat is heué i<i>n</i>-nogh, to hondel<i>e</i> as hy<i>m</i> - lykes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 95.]</span> - <p> - & I schal bide þe fyrst bur, as bare as I sitte. - </p> - <p> - If any freke be so felle to fonde þat I telle, - </p> - <span class="linenum">292</span> - <p> - Lepe ly3tly me to, & lach þis weppen, - </p> - <p> - I quit clayme hit for eu<i>er</i>, kepe hit as his auen, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but I shall give him a 'stroke' in return</span> - <p> - & I schal stonde hy<i>m</i> a strok, stif on þis flet, - </p> - <p> - Elle3 þ<i>o</i>u wyl di3t me þe dom to dele hy<i>m</i> an oþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="linenum">296</span> - <p class="i8"> - barlay; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & 3et gif hy<i>m</i> respite, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">within a twelvemonth and a day."</span> - <p class="i4"> - A twelmonyth & a day;— - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Now hy3e, & let se tite - </p> - <span class="linenum">300</span> - <p class="i4"> - Dar any her-i<i>n</i>ne o3t say." - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. fo. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XIV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Fear kept all silent.</span> - <p> - If he hem stowned vpon fyrst, stiller were þa<i>n</i>ne - </p> - <p> - Alle þe hered-men i<i>n</i> halle, þe hy3 & þe lo3e; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight rolled his red eyes about,</span> - <p> - Þe renk on his rou<i>n</i>ce hy<i>m</i> ruched i<i>n</i> his sadel, - </p> - <span class="linenum">304</span> - <p> - & runisch-ly his rede y3en he reled aboute, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and bent his bristly green brows.</span> - <p> - Bende his bresed bro3e3, bly-cande grene, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Waving his beard awhile, he exclaimed:</span> - <p> - Wayued his berde for to wayte quo-so wolde ryse. - </p> - <p> - When non wolde kepe hy<i>m</i> w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> carp he co3ed ful - hy3e, - </p> - <span class="linenum">308</span> - <p> - Ande rimed hy<i>m</i> ful richl<i>e</i>y, & ry3t hy<i>m</i> to - speke: - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"What! is this Arthur's court?</span> - <p> - "What, is þis Arþures ho<i>us</i>," q<i>uod</i> þe haþel þe<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - "Þat al þe ro<i>us</i> re<i>n</i>nes of, þur3 ryalmes so mony? - </p> - <p> - Where is now yo<i>ur</i> so<i>ur</i>quydrye & yo<i>ur</i> co<i>n</i>questes, - </p> - <span class="linenum">312</span> - <p> - Yo<i>ur</i> gry[n]del-layk, & yo<i>ur</i> greme, & yo<i>ur</i> - grete wordes? - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Forsooth the renown of the Round Table is - overturned 'with a word of one man's speech.'"</span> - <p> - Now is þe reuel & þe renou<i>n</i> of þe rou<i>n</i>de table - </p> - <p> - Ou<i>er</i>-walt wyth a worde of on wy3es speche; - </p> - <p> - For al dares for drede, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-oute dynt schewed!" - </p> - <span class="linenum">316</span> - <p> - Wyth þis he la3es so loude, þat þe lorde greued; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Arthur blushes for shame.</span> - <p> - Þe blod schot for scham i<i>n</i>-to his schyre face - </p> - <p class="i8"> - & lere; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He waxes as wroth as the wind.</span> - <p class="i4"> - He wex as wroth as wynde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">320</span> - <p class="i4"> - So did alle þat þer were - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe ky<i>n</i>g as kene bi kynde, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe<i>n</i> stod þat stif mon nere. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">He assures the knight that no one is afraid of - his great words.</span> - <p> - Ande sayde, "haþel, by heuen þy<i>n</i> asky<i>n</i>g is nys, - </p> - <span class="linenum">324</span> - <p> - & as þ<i>o</i>u foly hat3 frayst, fynde þe be-houes; - </p> - <p> - I know no gome þat is gast of þy grete wordes. - </p> - <p> - Gif me now þy geserne, vpon gode3 halue, - </p> - <p> - & I schal bayþen þy bone, þat þ<i>o</i>u boden habbes." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 95<i>b</i>.]</span> <span class="linenum">328</span> - <p> - Ly3tly lepe3 he hy<i>m</i> to, & la3t at his honde; - </p> - <p> - Þen feersly þat oþ<i>er</i> freke vpon fote ly3tis. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Arthur seizes his axe.</span> - <p> - Now hat3 Arthure his axe, & þe halme grype3, - </p> - <p> - & sturnely sture3 hit aboute, þat stryke wyth hit þo3t. - </p> - <span class="linenum">332</span> - <p> - Þe stif mon hy<i>m</i> bifore stod vpon hy3t, - </p> - <p> - Herre þen ani in þe ho<i>us</i> by þe hede & more; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight, stroking his beard, awaits the blow, - and with a "dry countenance" draws down his coat.</span> - <p> - Wyth sturne schere<sup>1</sup> þer he stod, he stroked his berde, - </p> - <p> - & wyth a cou<i>n</i>tenau<i>n</i>ce dry3e he dro3 dou<i>n</i> his - cote, - </p> - <span class="linenum">336</span> - <p> - No more mate ne dismayd for hys may<i>n</i> dinte3, - </p> - <p> - Þen any burne vpon bench hade bro3t hy<i>m</i> to drynk - </p> - <p class="i8"> - of wyne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne beseeches the king to let him - undertake the blow.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Gawan, þat sate bi þe quene, - </p> - <span class="linenum">340</span> - <p class="i4"> - To þe ky<i>n</i>g he can enclyne, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - "I be-seche now w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> sa3e3 sene, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þis melly mot be myne." - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> chere (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XVI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p> - "Wolde 3e, worþilych lorde," q<i>uod</i> Gawan to þe ky<i>n</i>g, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He asks permission to leave the table; he says,</span> - <span class="linenum">344</span> - <p> - "Bid me bo3e fro þis benche, & stonde by yow þere, - </p> - <p> - Þat I wyth-oute vylanye my3t voyde þis table, - </p> - <p> - & þat my legge lady lyked not ille, - </p> - <p> - I wolde com to yo<i>ur</i> cou<i>n</i>seyl, bifore yo<i>ur</i> cort - ryche. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">it is not meet that Arthur should be active in - the matter,</span> <span class="linenum">348</span> - <p> - For me þink hit not semly, as hit is soþ knawen, - </p> - <p> - Þer such an asky<i>n</i>g is heuened so hy3e i<i>n</i> yo<i>ur</i> - sale, - </p> - <p> - Þa33e 3o<i>ur</i>-self be talenttyf to take hit to yo<i>ur</i>-seluen, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">while so many bold ones sit upon bench.</span> - <p> - Whil mony so bolde yow aboute vpon bench sytten, - </p> - <span class="linenum">352</span> - <p> - Þat vnder heuen, I hope, non ha3er er of wylle, - </p> - <p> - Ne bett<i>er</i> bodyes on bent, þer baret is rered; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Although the weakest, he is quite ready to meet - the Green Knight.</span> - <p> - I am þe wakkest, I wot, and of wyt feblest, - </p> - <p> - & lest lur of my lyf, quo laytes þe soþe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">356</span> - <p> - Bot for as much as 3e ar myn em, I am only to prayse, - </p> - <p> - No bou<i>n</i>té bot yo<i>ur</i> blod I in my bodé knowe; - </p> - <p> - & syþen þis note is so nys, þ<i>a</i>t no3t hit yow falles, - </p> - <p> - & I haue frayned hit at yow fyrst, folde3 hit to me, - </p> - <span class="linenum">360</span> - <p> - & if I carp not comlyly, let alle þis cort rych, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - bout blame." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The nobles entreat Arthur to "give Gawayne the - game."</span> - <p> - Ryche to-geder con rou<i>n</i>, - </p> - <p> - & syþen þay redden alle same, - </p> - <span class="linenum">364</span> - <p> - To ryd þe ky<i>n</i>g wyth crou<i>n</i>, - </p> - <p> - & gif Gawan þe game. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XVII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 96.]</span> - <p> - Þen comau<i>n</i>ded þe ky<i>n</i>g þe kny3t for to ryse; - </p> - <p> - & he ful radly vp ros, & ruchched hy<i>m</i> fayre, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The king gives his nephew his weapon,</span> - <span class="linenum">368</span> - <p> - Kneled dou<i>n</i> bifore þe ky<i>n</i>g, & cache3 þat weppen; - </p> - <p> - & he luflyly hit hy<i>m</i> laft, & lyfte vp his honde, - </p> - <p> - & gef hy<i>m</i> godde3 blessy<i>n</i>g, & gladly hy<i>m</i> - biddes - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and tells him to keep heart and hand steady.</span> - <p> - Þat his hert & his honde schulde hardi be boþe. - </p> - <span class="linenum">372</span> - <p> - "Kepe þe cosyn," q<i>uod</i> þe ky<i>n</i>g, "þat þ<i>o</i>u on kyrf - sette, - </p> - <p> - & if þou rede3 hy<i>m</i> ry3t, redly I trowe, - </p> - <p> - Þat þou schal byden þe bur þat he schal bede aft<i>er</i>. - </p> - <p> - Gawan got3 to þe gome, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> giserne i<i>n</i> honde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">376</span> - <p> - & he baldly hy<i>m</i> byde3, he bayst neu<i>er</i> þe helder - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The Green Knight enquires the name of his - opponent.</span> - <p> - Þen carppe3 to s<i>ir</i> Gawan þe kny3t i<i>n</i> þe grene, - </p> - <p> - "Refourme we oure for-wardes, er we fyrre passe. - </p> - <p> - Fyrst I eþe þe, haþel, how þat þou hattes, - </p> - <span class="linenum">380</span> - <p> - Þat þ<i>o</i>u me telle truly, as I tryst may?" - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne tells him his name, and declares that - he is willing to give and receive a blow.</span> - <p> - "In god fayth," q<i>uod</i> þe goode kny3t, "Gawan I hatte, - </p> - <p> - Þat bede þe þis buffet, quat-so bi-falle3 aft<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - & at þis tyme twelmonyth take at þe anoþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="linenum">384</span> - <p> - Wyth what weppen so<sup>1</sup> þ<i>o</i>u wylt, & wyth no wy3 - elle3, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - on lyue." - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þat oþ<i>er</i> on-sware3 agayn, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - "Sir Gawan, so mot I þryue, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The other thereof is glad.</span> <span - class="linenum">388</span> - <p class="i4"> - As I am ferly fayn. - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þis dint þat þ<i>o</i>u schal dryue." - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. fo. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XVIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"It pleases me well, Sir Gawayne," says the Green - Knight, "that I shall receive a blow from thy fist; but thou must swear - that thou wilt seek me,</span> - <p> - "Bigog," q<i>uod</i> þe grene kny3t, "s<i>ir</i> Gawan, melykes, - </p> - <p> - Þat I schal fange at þy fust þat I haf frayst here; - </p> - <span class="linenum">392</span> - <p> - & þ<i>o</i>u hat3 redily rehersed, bi resou<i>n</i> ful trwe, - </p> - <p> - Clanly al þe couenau<i>n</i>t þat I þe ky<i>n</i>ge asked, - </p> - <p> - Saf þat þ<i>o</i>u schal siker me, segge, bi þi trawþe, - </p> - <p> - Þat þ<i>o</i>u schal seche me þi-self, where-so þ<i>o</i>u hopes - </p> - <span class="linenum">396</span> - <p> - I may be funde vpon folde, & foch þe such wages - </p> - <span class="sidenote">to receive the blow in return."</span> - <p> - As þ<i>o</i>u deles me to day, bifore þis douþe ryche." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Where shall I seek thee?" says Sir Gawayne;</span> - <p> - "Where schulde I wale þe," q<i>uod</i> Gauan, "where is þy place? - </p> - <p> - I wot neu<i>er</i> where þ<i>o</i>u wonyes, bi hy<i>m</i> þat me - wro3t, - </p> - <span class="linenum">400</span> - <p> - Ne I know not þe, kny3t, þy cort, ne þi name. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"tell me thy name and abode and I will find - thee."</span> - <p> - Bot teche me truly þer-to, & telle me howe þ<i>o</i>u hattes, - </p> - <p> - & I schal ware alle my wyt to wy<i>n</i>ne me þeder, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 96<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p> - & þat I swere þe for soþe, & by my seker traweþ." - </p> - <span class="linenum">404</span> - <p> - "Þat is in-nogh in nwe 3er, hit nedes no more," - </p> - <p> - Q<i>uod</i> þe gome i<i>n</i> þe grene to Gawan þe hende, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"When thou hast smitten me," says the knight, - "then tell I thee of my home and name;</span> - <p> - "3if I þe telle trwly, quen I þe tape haue, - </p> - <p> - & þ<i>o</i>u me smoþely hat3 smyten, smartly I þe teche - </p> - <span class="linenum">408</span> - <p> - Of my ho<i>us</i>, & my home, & myn owen nome, - </p> - <p> - Þen may þ<i>o</i>u frayst my fare, & forwarde3 holde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">if I speak not at all, so much the better for - thee.</span> - <p> - & if I spende no speche, þe<i>n</i>ne spede3 þ<i>o</i>u þe bett<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - For þ<i>o</i>u may leng i<i>n</i> þy londe, & layt no fyrre, - </p> - <span class="linenum">412</span> - <p class="i8"> - bot slokes; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Take now thy grim tool, and let us see how thou - knockest."</span> - <p class="i4"> - Ta now þy gry<i>m</i>me tole to þe, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & let se how þ<i>o</i>u cnoke3." - </p> - <p class="i4"> - "Gladly s<i>ir</i>, for soþe," - </p> - <span class="linenum">416</span> - <p class="i4"> - Q<i>uod</i> Gawan; his ax he strokes. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XIX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The Green Knight</span> - <p> - The grene kny3t vpon grou<i>n</i>de grayþely hy<i>m</i> dresses, - </p> - <p> - A littel lut w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe hede, þe lere he discou<i>er</i>e3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">puts his long lovely locks aside and lays bare - his neck.</span> - <p> - His longe louelych lokke3 he layd ou<i>er</i> his crou<i>n</i>. - </p> - <span class="linenum">420</span> - <p> - Let þe naked nec to þe note schewe. - </p> - <p> - Gauan gripped to his ax, & gederes hit on hy3t, - </p> - <p> - Þe kay fot on þe folde he be-fore sette, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne lets fall his axe</span> - <p> - Let hit dou<i>n</i> ly3tly ly3t on þe naked, - </p> - <span class="linenum">424</span> - <p> - Þat þe scharp of þe schalk schyndered þe bones, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and severs the head from the body.</span> - <p> - & schra<i>n</i>k þur3 þe schyire grece, & scade hit i<i>n</i> - twy<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - Þat þe bit of þe brou<i>n</i> stel bot on þe grou<i>n</i>de. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The head falls to the earth.</span> - <p> - Þe fayre hede fro þe halce hit [felle] to þe erþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Many kick it aside with their feet.</span> <span - class="linenum">428</span> - <p> - Þat fele hit foyned wyth her fete, þere hit forth roled; - </p> - <p> - Þe blod brayd fro þe body, þ<i>a</i>t blykked on þe grene; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight never falters;</span> - <p> - & nawþer falt<i>er</i>ed ne fel þe freke neu<i>er</i> þe helder, - </p> - <p> - Bot styþly he start forth vpon styf schonkes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">he rushes forth, seizes his head,</span> <span - class="linenum">432</span> - <p> - & ru[n]yschly he ra3t out, þere as renkke3 stoden, - </p> - <p> - La3t to his lufly hed, & lyft hit vp sone; - </p> - <p> - & syþen bo3e3 to his blonk, þe brydel he cachche3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">steps into the saddle,</span> - <p> - Steppe3 i<i>n</i> to stel bawe & stryde3 alofte, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">holding the while the head in his hand by the - hair,</span> <span class="linenum">436</span> - <p> - & his hede by þe here i<i>n</i> his honde halde3; - </p> - <p> - & as sadly þe segge hy<i>m</i> i<i>n</i> his sadel sette, - </p> - <p> - As non vnhap had hy<i>m</i> ayled, þa3 hedle3 he<sup>1</sup> we[re], - </p> - <p class="i8"> - i<i>n</i> stedde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and turns his horse about.</span> <span - class="linenum">440</span> - <p class="i4"> - He brayde his bluk<sup>2</sup> aboute, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 97.]</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þat vgly bodi þat bledde, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Moni on of hy<i>m</i> had doute, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Bi þat his resou<i>n</i>3 were redde. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. ho. <sup>2</sup> blunk (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="linenum">444</span> - <p> - For þe hede in his honde he halde3 vp euen, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The head lifts up its eyelids,</span> - <p> - To-ward þe derrest on þe dece he dresse3 þe face, - </p> - <p> - & hit lyfte vp þe y3e-lydde3, & loked ful brode, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and addresses Sir Gawayne; "Look thou, be ready - to go as thou hast promised,</span> - <p> - & meled þ<i>us</i> much w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> his muthe, as 3e may - now here. - </p> - <span class="linenum">448</span> - <p> - "Loke, Gawan, þ<i>o</i>u be grayþe to go as þ<i>o</i>u hette3, - </p> - <p> - & layte as lelly til þ<i>o</i>u me, lude, fynde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and seek till thou findest me.</span> - <p> - As þ<i>o</i>u hat3 hette i<i>n</i> þis halle, herande þise kny3tes; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Get thee to the Green Chapel,</span> - <p> - To þe grene chapel þ<i>o</i>u chose, I charge þe to fotte, - </p> - <span class="linenum">452</span> - <p> - Such a dunt as þ<i>o</i>u hat3 dalt disserued þ<i>o</i>u habbe3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">there to receive a blow on New Year's morn.</span> - <p> - To be 3ederly 3olden on nw 3eres morn; - </p> - <p> - Þe kny3t of þe grene chapel men knowen me mony; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Fail thou never;</span> - <p> - For-þi me forto fynde if þ<i>o</i>u frayste3, fayle3 þ<i>o</i>u neu<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">come, or recreant be called."</span> <span - class="linenum">456</span> - <p> - Þer-fore com, oþ<i>er</i> recreau<i>n</i>t be calde þe be-houe<i>us</i>." - </p> - <p> - With a runisch rout þe rayne3 he torne3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The Green Knight then rushes out of the hall, his - head in his hand.</span> - <p> - Halled out at þe hal-dor, his hed i<i>n</i> his hande, - </p> - <p> - Þat þe fyr of þe flynt fla3e fro fole houes. - </p> - <span class="linenum">460</span> - <p> - To quat kyth he be-com, knwe non þere, - </p> - <p> - Neu<i>er</i>more þen þay wyste fram queþen he wat3 wo<i>n</i>nen; - </p> - <p class="i8"> - what þe<i>n</i>ne? - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe ky<i>n</i>g & Gawen þare, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">At that green one Arthur and Gawayne "laugh and - grin."</span> <span class="linenum">464</span> - <p class="i4"> - At þat grene þay la3e & gre<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - 3et breued wat3 hit ful bare, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - A m<i>er</i>uayl amo<i>ng</i> þo me<i>n</i>ne. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XXI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Arthur addresses the queen:</span> - <p> - Þa3 Arþ<i>er</i> þe hende ky<i>n</i>g at hert hade wonder, - </p> - <span class="linenum">468</span> - <p> - He let no semblau<i>n</i>t be sene, bot sayde ful hy3e - </p> - <p> - To þe comlych quene, wyth cortays speche, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Dear dame, be not dismayed; such marvels well - become the Christmas festival;</span> - <p> - "Dere dame, to day demay yow neu<i>er</i>; - </p> - <p> - Wel by-co<i>m</i>mes such craft vpon c<i>r</i>istmasse, - </p> - <span class="linenum">472</span> - <p> - Layky<i>n</i>g of ent<i>er</i>lude3, to la3e & to syng. - </p> - <p> - Amo<i>n</i>g þise, kynde caroles of kny3te3 & ladye3; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I may now go to meat.</span> - <p> - Neu<i>er</i>-þe-lece to my mete I may me wel dres, - </p> - <p> - For I haf sen a selly, I may not for-sake." - </p> - <span class="linenum">476</span> - <p> - He glent vpon s<i>ir</i> Gawen, & gaynly he sayde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne, hang up thine axe.</span> - <p> - "Now s<i>ir</i>, heng vp þyn ax, þat hat3 i<i>n</i>-nogh hewen." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 97<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p> - & hit wat3 don abof þe dece, on doser to henge, - </p> - <p> - Þer alle men for m<i>er</i>uayl my3t on hit loke, - </p> - <span class="linenum">480</span> - <p> - & bi trwe tytel þ<i>er</i>-of to telle þe wonder. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The king and his knights sit feasting at the - board till day is ended.</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne þay bo3ed to a borde þise burnes to-geder, - </p> - <p> - Þe ky<i>n</i>g & þe gode kny3t, & kene me<i>n</i> he<i>m</i> - serued - </p> - <p> - Of alle dayntye3 double, as derrest my3t falle, - </p> - <span class="linenum">484</span> - <p> - Wyth alle maner of mete & mynstralcie boþe; - </p> - <p> - Wyth wele walt þay þat day, til worþed an ende, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - in londe. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Now beware, Sir Gawayne, lest thou fail to seek - the adventure that thou hast taken in hand.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Now þenk wel, s<i>ir</i> Gawan, - </p> - <span class="linenum">488</span> - <p class="i4"> - For woþe þat þ<i>o</i>u ne wonde, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þis auenture forto frayn, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þat þ<i>o</i>u hat3 tan on honde. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - [FYTTE THE SECOND.] - </h2> - <h2> - I. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">This marvel serves to keep up a brisk - conversation in Court.</span> - <p> - This hansell<i>e</i> hat3 Arthur of auenturus on fyrst, - </p> - <span class="linenum">492</span> - <p> - In 3onge 3er, for he 3erned 3elpy<i>n</i>g to here, - </p> - <p> - Tha3 hym worde3 were wane, when þay to sete wenten; - </p> - <p> - Now ar þay stoken of sturne werk staf-ful her hond. - </p> - <p> - Gawan wat3 glad to be-gy<i>n</i>ne þose gomne3 i<i>n</i> halle, - </p> - <span class="linenum">496</span> - <p> - Bot þa3 þe ende be heuy, haf 3e no wonder; - </p> - <p> - For þa3 men be<i>n</i> mery in my<i>n</i>de, quen þay han mayn drynk, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The year passes full quickly and never returns.</span> - <p> - A 3ere 3ernes ful 3erne, & 3elde3 neu<i>er</i> lyke, - </p> - <p> - Þe forme to þe fynisment folde3 ful selden. - </p> - <span class="linenum">500</span> - <p> - For-þi þis 3ol ou<i>er</i>-3ede, & þe 3ere aft<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - & vche sesou<i>n</i> serlepes sued after oþ<i>er</i>; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">After Christmas comes the "crabbed Lenten."</span> - <p> - After crysten-masse com þe crabbed lentou<i>n</i>, - </p> - <p> - Þat frayste3 flesch wyth þe fysche & fode more symple - </p> - <span class="linenum">504</span> - <p> - Bot þe<i>n</i>ne þe weder of þe worlde wyth wynter hit þrepe3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Spring sets in and warm showers descend;</span> - <p> - Colde clenge3 adou<i>n</i>, cloude3 vp-lyften, - </p> - <p> - Schyre schede3 þe rayn i<i>n</i> schowre3 ful warme, - </p> - <p> - Falle3 vpon fayre flat, flowre3 þere schewen, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">the groves become green,</span> <span - class="linenum">508</span> - <p> - Boþe grou<i>n</i>de3 & þe greue3 grene ar her wede3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">birds build and sing,</span> - <p> - Brydde3 busken to bylde, & bremlych sy<i>n</i>gen, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">for joy of the summer that follows;</span> - <p> - For solace of þe softe som<i>er</i> þat sues þer aft<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - bi bonk; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">blossoms begin to bloom,</span> <span - class="linenum">512</span> - <p class="i4"> - & blossu<i>m</i>e3 bolne to blowe, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Bi rawe3 rych & ronk, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and noble notes are heard in the woods</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe<i>n</i> note3 noble i<i>n</i>-no3e, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 98]</span> - <p class="i4"> - Ar herde in wod so wlonk. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - II. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then the soft winds of summer,</span> <span - class="linenum">516</span> - <p> - After þe sesou<i>n</i> of som<i>er</i> wyth þe soft wynde3, - </p> - <p> - Quen 3efer<i>us</i> syfle3 hy<i>m</i>-self on sede3 & erbe3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">beautiful are the flowers wet with dew-drops.</span> - <p> - Wela-wy<i>n</i>ne is þe wort þat woxes þer-oute. - </p> - <p> - When þe donkande dewe drope3 of þe leue3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">520</span> - <p> - To bide a blysful blusch of þe bry3t su<i>n</i>ne. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">But harvest approaches soon,</span> - <p> - Bot þe<i>n</i> hy3es heruest, & hardenes hy<i>m</i> sone. - </p> - <p> - Warne3 hy<i>m</i> for þe wynter to wax ful rype; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and drives the dust about.</span> - <p> - He dryues wyth dro3t þe dust for to ryse. - </p> - <span class="linenum">524</span> - <p> - Fro þe face of þe folde to fly3e ful hy3e; - </p> - <p> - Wroþe wynde of þe welkyn wrastele3 w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe su<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The leaves drop off the trees,</span> - <p> - Þe leue3 lancen fro þe lynde, & ly3ten on þe grou<i>n</i>de, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">the grass becomes gray, and all ripens and rots.</span> - <p> - & al grayes þe gres, þat grene wat3 ere; - </p> - <span class="linenum">528</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne al rype3 & rote3 þat ros vpon fyrst, - </p> - <p> - & þ<i>us</i> 3irne3 þe 3ere i<i>n</i> 3isterdaye3 mony, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Winter winds round again,</span> - <p> - & wynter wynde3 a3ayn, as þe worlde aske3 - </p> - <p class="i8"> - no sage. - </p> - <span class="linenum">532</span> - <p class="i4"> - Til me3el-mas mone, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Wat3 cu<i>m</i>en wyth wynter wage; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and then Sir Gawayne thinks of his dread journey.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þen þenkke3 Gawan ful sone, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Of his anio<i>us</i> uyage. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - III. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">On All-hallows day Arthur makes a feast for his - nephew's sake.</span> <span class="linenum">536</span> - <p> - 3et quyl al-hal-day w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> Arþ<i>er</i> he lenges, - </p> - <p> - & he made a fare on þ<i>a</i>t fest, for þe freke3 sake, - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> much reuel & ryche of þe rou<i>n</i>de table; - </p> - <p> - Kny3te3 ful cortays & comlych ladies, - </p> - <span class="linenum">540</span> - <p> - Al for luf of þat lede i<i>n</i> longy<i>n</i>ge þay were, - </p> - <p> - Bot neu<i>er</i>-þe-lece ne þe lat<i>er</i> þay neuened bot m<i>er</i>þe, - </p> - <p> - Mony ioyle3 for þat ientyle iape3 þer maden. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">After meat, Sir Gawayne thus speaks to his uncle:</span> - <p> - For aftter mete, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> mo<i>ur</i>ny<i>n</i>g he mele3 to - his eme, - </p> - <span class="linenum">544</span> - <p> - & speke3 of his passage, & pertly he sayde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Now, liege lord, I ask leave of you,</span> - <p> - "Now, lege lorde of my lyf, leue I yow ask; - </p> - <p> - 3e knowe þe cost of þis cace, kepe I no more - </p> - <p> - To telle yow tene3 þer-of neu<i>er</i> bot t<i>r</i>ifel; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">for I am bound on the morn to seek the Green - Knight."</span> <span class="linenum">548</span> - <p> - Bot I am bou<i>n</i> to þe bur barely to morne, - </p> - <p> - To sech þe gome of þe grene, as god wyl me wysse." - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne þe best of þe bur3 bo3ed to-geder, - </p> - <p> - Aywan, & Errik, & oþ<i>er</i> ful mony, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 98<i>b</i>.]</span> <span class="linenum">552</span> - <p> - S<i>ir</i> Doddinaual de Sauage, þe duk of Clarence, - </p> - <p> - Launcelot, & Lyonel, & Lucan þe gode, - </p> - <p> - S<i>ir</i> Boos, & sir Byduer, big me<i>n</i> boþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Many nobles, the best of the court, counsel and - comfort him.</span> - <p> - & mony oþ<i>er</i> menskful, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> Mador de la Port. - </p> - <span class="linenum">556</span> - <p> - Alle þis compayny of court com þe ky<i>n</i>g nerre, - </p> - <p> - For to cou<i>n</i>seyl þe kny3t, with care at her hert; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Much sorrow prevails in the hall.</span> - <p> - Þere wat3 much derue<sup>1</sup> doel driuen i<i>n</i> þe sale, - </p> - <p> - Þat so worthe as Wawan schulde wende on þat ernde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">560</span> - <p> - To dry3e a delful dynt, & dele no more - </p> - <p class="i8"> - wyth bronde. - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe kny3t mad ay god chere, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & sayde, "quat schuld I wonde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne declares that he has nothing to fear.</span> - <span class="linenum">564</span> - <p class="i4"> - Of destines derf & dere, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - What may mon do bot fonde?" - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> derne (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - IV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">On the morn he asks for his arms.</span> - <p> - He dowelle3 þer al þat day, and dresse3 on þe morn, - </p> - <p> - Aske3 erly hys arme3, & alle were þay bro3t - </p> - <span class="sidenote">A carpet is spread on the floor,</span> <span - class="linenum">568</span> - <p> - Fyrst a tule tapit, ty3t ou<i>er</i> þe flet, - </p> - <p> - & miche wat3 þe gyld gere þat glent þer alofte; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and he steps thereon.</span> - <p> - Þe stif mon steppe3 þeron, & þe stel hondole3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He is dubbed in a doublet of Tarsic silk, and a - well-made hood.</span> - <p> - Dubbed i<i>n</i> a dublet of a dere tars, - </p> - <span class="linenum">572</span> - <p> - & syþen a crafty capados, closed aloft, - </p> - <p> - Þat wyth a bry3t blau<i>n</i>ner was bou<i>n</i>den w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-i<i>n</i>ne; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They set steel slices on his feet, and lap his - legs in steel greaves.</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne set þay þe sabatou<i>n</i>3 vpon þe segge fote3, - </p> - <p> - His lege3 lapped i<i>n</i> stel w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> luflych greue3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">576</span> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> polayne3 piched þer-to, policed ful clene, - </p> - <p> - Aboute his kne3 knaged wyth knote3 of golde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Fair cuisses enclose his thighs,</span> - <p> - Queme quyssewes þe<i>n</i>, þat coyntlych closed - </p> - <p> - His thik þrawen þy3e3 w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þwonges to-tachched; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and afterwards they put on the steel habergeon,</span> - <span class="linenum">580</span> - <p> - & syþen þe brawden bryne of bry3t stel ry<i>n</i>ge3, - </p> - <p> - Vmbe-weued þat wy3, vpon wlonk stuffe; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">well-burnished braces, elbow pieces, and gloves - of plate.</span> - <p> - & wel bornyst brace vpon his boþe armes, - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> gode cowters & gay, & gloue3 of plate, - </p> - <span class="linenum">584</span> - <p> - & alle þe godlych gere þat hy<i>m</i> gayn schulde - </p> - <p class="i8"> - Þat tyde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Over all this is placed the coat armour.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Wyth ryche cote armure, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">His spurs are then fixed,</span> - <p class="i4"> - His gold spore3 spend w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> pryde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and his sword is attached to his side by a silken - girdle.</span> <span class="linenum">588</span> - <p class="i4"> - Gurde wyth a bront ful sure, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> silk sayn vmbe his syde. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - V. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 99<i>a</i>.]<br />Thus arrayed the knight - hears mass,</span> - <p> - When he wat3 hasped i<i>n</i> armes, his harnays wat3 ryche, - </p> - <p> - Þe lest lachet ou[þ]<i>er</i> loupe lemed of golde; - </p> - <span class="linenum">592</span> - <p> - So harnayst as he wat3 he herkne3 his masse, - </p> - <p> - Offred & hono<i>ur</i>ed at þe he3e auter; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and afterwards takes leave of Arthur and his - court.</span> - <p> - Syþen he come3 to þe ky<i>n</i>g & to his cort fere3, - </p> - <p> - Lache3 lufly his leue at lorde3 & ladye3; - </p> - <span class="linenum">596</span> - <p> - & þay hy<i>m</i> kyst & conueyed, bikende hy<i>m</i> to kryst. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">By that time his horse Gringolet was ready,</span> - <p> - Bi þat wat3 Gryngolet grayth, & gurde w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> a sadel, - </p> - <p> - Þat glemed ful gayly w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> mony golde frenges, - </p> - <p> - Ay quere naylet ful nwe for þat note ryched; - </p> - <span class="linenum">600</span> - <p> - Þe brydel barred aboute, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> bry3t golde bou<i>n</i>den; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">the harness of which glittered like the "gleam of - the sun."</span> - <p> - Þe apparayl of þe payttrure, & of þe proude skyrte3, - </p> - <p> - Þe cropore, & þe couertor, acorded wyth þe arsou<i>n</i>e3; - </p> - <p> - & al wat3 rayled on red ryche golde nayle3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">604</span> - <p> - Þat al glytered & glent as glem of þe su<i>n</i>ne. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Then Sir Gawayne sets his helmet upon his head,</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne hentes he þe holme, & hastily hit kysses, - </p> - <p> - Þat wat3 stapled stifly, & stoffed wyth-i<i>n</i>ne: - </p> - <p> - Hit wat3 hy3e on his hede, hasped bihynde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">fastened behind with a "urisoun,"</span> <span - class="linenum">608</span> - <p> - Wyth a ly3tli vrysou<i>n</i> ou<i>er</i> þe auentayle, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">richly embroidered with gems.</span> - <p> - Enbrawden & bou<i>n</i>den wyth þe best ge<i>m</i>me3, - </p> - <p> - On brode sylkyn borde, & brydde3 on seme3, - </p> - <p> - As papiaye3 paynted perny<i>n</i>g bitwene, - </p> - <span class="linenum">612</span> - <p> - Tortors & trulofe3 entayled so þyk, - </p> - <p> - As mony burde þer aboute had be<i>n</i> seue<i>n</i> wynt<i>er</i> - </p> - <p class="i8"> - i<i>n</i> tou<i>n</i>e; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The circle around the helmet was decked with - diamonds.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe cercle wat3 more o prys, - </p> - <span class="linenum">616</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þat vmbe-clypped hys crou<i>n</i>, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Of diamau<i>n</i>te3 a deuys, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þat boþe were bry3t & brou<i>n</i>. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - VI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then they show him his shield with the - "pentangle" of pure gold.</span> - <p> - Then þay schewed hy<i>m</i> þe schelde, þat was of schyr goule3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">620</span> - <p> - Wyth þe pentangel de-paynt of pure golde hwe3; - </p> - <p> - He brayde3 hit by þe baude-ryk, aboute þe hals kest<i>es</i>, - </p> - <p> - Þat bisemed þe segge semlyly fayre. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The "pentangle" was devised by Solomon as a token - of truth.</span> - <p> - & quy þe pentangel apende3 to þat prynce noble, - </p> - <span class="linenum">624</span> - <p> - I am i<i>n</i> tent yow to telle, þof tary hyt me schulde; - </p> - <p> - Hit is a sy<i>n</i>gne þat Salamon set su<i>m</i>-quyle, - </p> - <p> - I<i>n</i> bytokny<i>n</i>g of trawþe, bi tytle þat hit habbe3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 99<i>b</i>]</span> - <p> - For hit is a figure þat halde3 fyue poynte3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">628</span> - <p> - & vche lyne vmbe-lappe3 & louke3 i<i>n</i> oþer, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It is called the endless knot</span> - <p> - & ay quere hit is endele3,<sup>1</sup> & Englych hit callen - </p> - <p> - Ou<i>er</i>-al, as I here, þe endeles knot. - </p> - <p> - For-þy hit acorde3 to þis kny3t, & to his cler arme3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">632</span> - <p> - For ay faythful i<i>n</i> fyue & sere fyue syþe3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It well becomes the good Sir Gawayne,</span> - <p> - Gawan wat3 for gode knawen, & as golde pured, - </p> - <p> - Voyded of vche vylany, wyth vertue3<sup>2</sup> e<i>n</i>no<i>ur</i>ned - </p> - <p class="i8"> - i<i>n</i> mote; - </p> - <span class="linenum">636</span> - <p class="i4"> - For-þy þe pen-tangel nwe - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He ber i<i>n</i> schelde & cote, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">a knight the truest of speech and the fairest of - form.</span> - <p class="i4"> - As tulk of tale most trwe, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & gentylest kny3t of lote. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS emdele3. <sup>2</sup> MS v<i>er</i>ertue3 - </p> - </div> - <h2> - VII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">He was found faultless in his five wits.</span> - <span class="linenum">640</span> - <p> - Fyrst he wat3 funden fautle3 i<i>n</i> his fyue wytte3, - </p> - <p> - & efte fayled neu<i>er</i> þe freke i<i>n</i> his fyue fyngres, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">His trust was in the five wounds.</span> - <p> - & alle his afyau<i>n</i>ce vpon folde wat3 i<i>n</i> þe fyue wou<i>n</i>de3 - </p> - <p> - Þat Cryst ka3t on þe croys, as þe crede telle3; - </p> - <span class="linenum">644</span> - <p> - & quere-so-eu<i>er</i> þys mon i<i>n</i> melly wat3 stad, - </p> - <p> - His þro þo3t wat3 i<i>n</i> þat, þur3 alle oþ<i>er</i> þy<i>n</i>ge3, - </p> - <p> - Þat alle his forsnes he fong at þe fyue ioye3, - </p> - <p> - Þat þe hende heuen quene had of hir chylde; - </p> - <span class="linenum">648</span> - <p> - At þis cause þe kny3t comlyche hade - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The image of the Virgin was depicted upon his - shield.</span> - <p> - I<i>n</i> þe more half of his schelde hir ymage depaynted, - </p> - <p> - Þat quen he blusched þerto, his belde neu<i>er</i> payred. - </p> - <p> - Þe fyrst<sup>1</sup> fyue þat I finde þat þe frek vsed, - </p> - <span class="linenum">652</span> - <p> - Wat3 frau<i>n</i>chyse, & fela3schyp for-be<sup>2</sup> al þy<i>n</i>g; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">In cleanness and courtesy he was never found - wanting,</span> - <p> - His clannes & his cortaysye croked were neu<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - & pite, þat passe3 alle poynte3, þyse pure fyue - </p> - <p> - Were harder happed on þat haþel þe<i>n</i> on any oþ<i>er</i>. - </p> - <span class="linenum">656</span> - <p> - Now alle þese fyue syþe3, forsoþe, were fetled on þis kny3t, - </p> - <p> - & vchone halched in oþ<i>er</i>, þat non ende hade, - </p> - <p> - & fyched vpon fyue poynte3, þat fayld neu<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - Ne samned neu<i>er</i> i<i>n</i> no syde, ne sundred nouþ[er], - </p> - <span class="linenum">660</span> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-outen ende at any noke [a]i quere fynde, - </p> - <p> - Where-eu<i>er</i> þe gomen bygan, or glod to an ende. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">therefore was the endless knot fastened on his - shield.</span> - <p> - Þer-fore on his schene schelde schapen wat3 þe knot, - </p> - <p> - Þus alle wyth red golde vpon rede gowle3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 100]</span> <span class="linenum">664</span> - <p> - Þat is þe pure pentaungel wyth þe peple called, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> lore. - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Now grayþed is Gawan gay, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne seizes his lance and bids all "good - day."</span> - <p class="i4"> - & la3t his lau<i>n</i>ce ry3t þore, - </p> - <span class="linenum">668</span> - <p class="i4"> - & gef hem alle goud day, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He wende for eu<i>er</i> more. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS fyft. <sup>2</sup> for-bi (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - VIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">He spurs his horse and goes on his way.</span> - <p> - He sperred þe sted w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe spure3, & sprong on his - way, - </p> - <p> - So stif þat þe ston fyr stroke out þer-aft<i>er</i>; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">All that saw that seemly one mourned in their - hearts.</span> <span class="linenum">672</span> - <p> - Al þat se3 þat semly syked i<i>n</i> hert, - </p> - <p> - & sayde soþly al same segges til oþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - Carande for þat comly, "bi Kryst, hit is scaþe, - </p> - <p> - Þat þ<i>o</i>u, leude, schal be lost, þat art of lyf noble! - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They declared that his equal was not to be found - upon earth.</span> <span class="linenum">676</span> - <p> - To fynde hys fere vpon folde, i<i>n</i> fayth is not eþe; - </p> - <p> - Warloker to haf wro3t had more wyt bene, - </p> - <p> - & haf dy3t 3onder dere a duk to haue worþed; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It would have been better for him to have been a - leader of men,</span> - <p> - A lowande leder of lede3 i<i>n</i> londe hy<i>m</i> wel seme3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">680</span> - <p> - & so had bett<i>er</i> haf ben þe<i>n</i> britned to no3t, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">than to die by the hands of "an elvish man."</span> - <p> - Hadet wyth an aluisch mon, for angarde3 pryde. - </p> - <p> - Who knew eu<i>er</i> any ky<i>n</i>g such cou<i>n</i>sel to take, - </p> - <p> - As kny3te3 i<i>n</i> cauelou<i>n</i>3 on cryst-masse gomne3!" - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Much was the warm water that poured from eyes - that day.</span> <span class="linenum">684</span> - <p> - Wel much wat3 þe warme water þ<i>a</i>t walt<i>er</i>ed of y3en, - </p> - <p> - When þat semly syre so3t fro þo wone3 - </p> - <p class="i8"> - þat<sup>1</sup> daye; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He made non abode, - </p> - <span class="linenum">688</span> - <p class="i4"> - Bot wy3tly went hys way, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Meanwhile many a weary way goes Sir Gawayne.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Mony wylsu<i>m</i> way he rode, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe bok as I herde say. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. þad. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - IX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Now rides the knight through the realms of - England.</span> - <p> - Now ride3 þis renk þur3 þe ryalme of Logres, - </p> - <span class="linenum">692</span> - <p> - S<i>ir</i> Gauan on Gode3 halue, þa3 hy<i>m</i> no gomen þo3t; - </p> - <p> - Oft, leudle3 alone, he lenge3 on ny3te3, - </p> - <p> - Þer he fonde no3t hy<i>m</i> byfore þe fare þat he lyked; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He has no companion but his horse.</span> - <p> - Hade he no fere bot his fole, bi frythe3 & dou<i>n</i>e3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">696</span> - <p> - Ne no gome bot God, bi gate wyth to karp, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">No men does he see till he approaches North - Wales.</span> - <p> - Til þat he ne3ed ful nogh<i>e</i><sup>1</sup> i<i>n</i> to þe Norþe - Wale3; - </p> - <p> - Alle þe iles of Anglesay on lyft half he halde3, - </p> - <p> - & fare3 ou<i>er</i> þe forde3 by þe for-londe3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">From Holyhead he passes into Wirral.</span> <span - class="linenum">700</span> - <p> - Ou<i>er</i> at þe Holy-Hede, til he hade eft bonk - </p> - <p> - I<i>n</i> þe wyldrenesse of Wyrale; wonde þer bot lyte - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 100<i>b</i>]<br />There he finds but few - that loved God or man.</span> - <p> - Þat auþ<i>er</i> God oþ<i>er</i> gome wyth goud hert louied. - </p> - <p> - & ay he frayned, as he ferde, at freke3 þat he met, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He enquires after the Green Knight of the Green - Chapel,</span> <span class="linenum">704</span> - <p> - If þay hade herde any karp of a kny3t grene, - </p> - <p> - I<i>n</i> any grou<i>n</i>de þer-aboute, of þe grene chapel;<sup>2</sup> - </p> - <p> - & al nykked hy<i>m</i> wyth nay, þat neu<i>er</i> i<i>n</i> her - lyue - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but can gain no tidings of him.</span> - <p> - Þay se3e neu<i>er</i> no segge þat wat3 of suche hwe3 - </p> - <span class="linenum">708</span> - <p class="i8"> - of grene. - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe kny3t tok gates straunge, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - I<i>n</i> mony a bonk vnbene, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">His cheer oft changed before he found the Chapel.</span> - <p class="i4"> - His cher ful oft con chau<i>n</i>ge, - </p> - <span class="linenum">712</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þat chapel er he my3t sene. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> nygh<i>e</i> (?). <sup>2</sup> MS. clapel. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - X. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Many a cliff he climbed over;</span> - <p> - Mony klyf he ou<i>er</i>-clambe i<i>n</i> contraye3 strau<i>n</i>ge, - </p> - <p> - Fer floten fro his frende3 fremedly he ryde3; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">many a ford and stream he crossed, and everywhere - he found a foe.</span> - <p> - At vche warþe oþer wat<i>er</i> þer þe wy3e passed, - </p> - <span class="linenum">716</span> - <p> - He fonde a foo hy<i>m</i> byfore, bot ferly hit were, - </p> - <p> - & þat so foule & so felle, þat fe3t hy<i>m</i> by-hode; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It were too tedious to tell the tenth part of his - adventures</span> - <p> - So mony m<i>er</i>uayl hi mou<i>n</i>t þ<i>er</i> þe mon fynde3, - </p> - <p> - Hit were to tore for to telle of þe tenþe dole. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">with serpents, wolves, and wild men;</span> <span - class="linenum">720</span> - <p> - Sumwhyle wyth worme3 he werre3, & w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> wolues als, - </p> - <p> - Su<i>m</i>whyle wyth wodwos, þat woned i<i>n</i> þe knarre3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">with bulls, bears, and boars.</span> - <p> - Boþe wyth bulle3 & bere3, & bore3 oþ<i>er</i>-quyle, - </p> - <p> - & etayne3, þat hy<i>m</i> a-nelede, of þe he3e felle; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Had he not been both brave and good, doubtless he - had been dead.</span> <span class="linenum">724</span> - <p> - Nade he ben du3ty & dry3e, & dry3tyn had serued, - </p> - <p> - Douteles he hade ben ded, & dreped ful ofte. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The sharp winter was far worse than any war that - ever troubled him.</span> - <p> - For werre wrathed hy<i>m</i> not so much, þat wy<i>n</i>t<i>er</i> was - wors, - </p> - <p> - When þe colde cler wat<i>er</i> fro þe cloude3 schadden, - </p> - <span class="linenum">728</span> - <p> - & fres er hit falle my3t to þe fale erþe; - </p> - <p> - Ner slayn wyth þe slete he sleped i<i>n</i> his yrnes, - </p> - <p> - Mo ny3te3 þe<i>n</i> i<i>n</i>-noghe i<i>n</i> naked rokke3, - </p> - <p> - Þ<i>er</i> as clat<i>er</i>ande fro þe crest þe colde borne re<i>n</i>ne3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">732</span> - <p> - & henged he3e ou<i>er</i> his hede i<i>n</i> hard ÿsse-ikkles. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Thus in peril he travels till Christmas-eve.</span> - <p> - Þus i<i>n</i> peryl, & payne, & plytes ful harde, - </p> - <p> - Bi contray carye3 þis kny3t, tyl kryst-masse euen, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - al one; - </p> - <span class="linenum">736</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe kny3t wel þat tyde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">To the Virgin Mary he prays to guide him to some - abode.</span> - <p class="i4"> - To Mary made his mone. - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þat ho hy<i>m</i> red to ryde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 101.]</span> - <p class="i4"> - & wysse hy<i>m</i> to su<i>m</i> wone. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">On the morn Sir Gawayne finds himself in a deep - forest,</span> <span class="linenum">740</span> - <p> - Bi a mou<i>n</i>te on þe morne meryly he rydes, - </p> - <p> - Into a forest ful dep, þat ferly wat3 wylde, - </p> - <p> - Hi3e hille3 on vche a halue, & holt wode3 vnder, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">where were old oaks many a hundred.</span> - <p> - Of hore oke3 fill hoge a hundreth to-geder; - </p> - <span class="linenum">744</span> - <p> - Þe hasel & þe ha3-þorne were harled al samen, - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> ro3e raged mosse rayled ay-where, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Many sad birds upon bare twigs piped piteously - for the cold.</span> - <p> - With mony brydde3 vnblyþe vpon bare twyges, - </p> - <p> - Þat pitosly þer piped for pyne of þe colde. - </p> - <span class="linenum">748</span> - <p> - Þe gome vpon Gryngolet glyde3 hem vnder, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Through many a mire he goes, that he may - celebrate the birth of Christ.</span> - <p> - Þur3 mony misy & myre, mo<i>n</i> al hy<i>m</i> one, - </p> - <p> - Carande for his costes, lest he ne keu<i>er</i> schulde, - </p> - <p> - To se þe seruy<sup>1</sup> of þat syre, þat on þat self ny3t - </p> - <span class="linenum">752</span> - <p> - Of a burde wat3 borne, oure baret to quelle; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He beseeches the Virgin Mary to direct him to - some lodging where he may hear mass.</span> - <p> - & þerfore syky<i>n</i>g he sayde, "I be-seche þe, lorde, - </p> - <p> - & Mary, þat is myldest moder so dere. - </p> - <p> - Of su<i>m</i> herber, þer he3ly I my3t here masse. - </p> - <span class="linenum">756</span> - <p> - Ande þy matyne3 to-morne, mekely I ask, - </p> - <p> - & þer-to prestly I pray my pat<i>er</i> & aue, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - & crede." - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He rode i<i>n</i> his prayere, - </p> - <span class="linenum">760</span> - <p class="i4"> - & cryed for his mysdede, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Blessing himself, he says, "Cross of Christ, - speed me!"</span> - <p class="i4"> - He sayned hy<i>m</i> i<i>n</i> syþes sere, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & sayde "cros Kryst me spede!" - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> seruyce (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Scarcely had he blessed himself thrice</span> - <p> - Nade he sayned hy<i>m</i>-self, segge, bot þrye, - </p> - <span class="linenum">764</span> - <p> - Er he wat3 war i<i>n</i> þe wod of a won i<i>n</i> a mote. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">when he saw a dwelling in the wood, set on a - hill,</span> - <p> - Abof a lau<i>n</i>de, on a lawe, loken vnder bo3e3, - </p> - <p> - Of mony borelych bole, aboute bi þe diches; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">the comeliest castle that knight ever owned.</span> - <p> - A castel þe comlokest þat eu<i>er</i> kny3t a3te, - </p> - <span class="linenum">768</span> - <p> - Pyched on a prayere, a park al aboute, - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> a pyked palays, pyned ful þik, - </p> - <p> - Þat vmbe-te3e mony tre mo þe<i>n</i> two myle. - </p> - <p> - Þat holde on þat on syde þe haþel auysed, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It shone as the sun through the bright oaks.</span> - <span class="linenum">772</span> - <p> - As hit schemered & schon þur3 þe schyre oke3; - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne hat3 he hendly of his helme, & he3ly he þonke3 - </p> - <p> - Iesus & say[nt] Gilyan, þat gentyle ar boþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 101<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p> - Þat cortaysly hade hy<i>m</i> kydde, & his cry herkened. - </p> - <span class="linenum">776</span> - <p> - "Now bone hostel," coþe þe burne, "I be-seche yow 3ette!" - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne gedere3 he to Gryngolet w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe gilt hele3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne goes to the chief gate,</span> - <p> - & he ful chau<i>n</i>cely hat3 chosen to þe chef gate, - </p> - <p> - Þat bro3t bremly þe burne to þe bryge ende, - </p> - <span class="linenum">780</span> - <p class="i8"> - i<i>n</i> haste; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and finds the draw-bridge raised, and the gates - shut fast.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe bryge wat3 breme vp-brayde, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe 3ate3 wer stoken faste, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe walle3 were wel arayed, - </p> - <span class="linenum">784</span> - <p class="i4"> - Hit dut no wynde3 blaste. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The knight abides on the bank,</span> - <p> - Þe burne bode on bonk, þat on blonk houed, - </p> - <p> - Of þe depe double dich þat drof to þe place, - </p> - <p> - Þe walle wod i<i>n</i> þe wat<i>er</i> wonderly depe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and observes the "huge height,"</span> <span - class="linenum">788</span> - <p> - Ande eft a ful huge he3t hit haled vpon lofte, - </p> - <p> - Of harde hewen ston vp to þe table3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">with its battlements and watch towers.</span> - <p> - Enbaned vnder þe abataylme<i>n</i>t, i<i>n</i> þe best lawe; - </p> - <p> - & syþen garyte3 ful gaye gered bi-twene, - </p> - <span class="linenum">792</span> - <p> - Wyth mony luflych loupe, þat louked ful clene; - </p> - <p> - A bett<i>er</i> barbican þat burne blusched vpon neu<i>er</i>; - </p> - <p> - & i<i>n</i>nermore he be-helde þat halle ful hy3e, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Bright and long were its round towers,</span> - <p> - Towre telded bytwene trochet ful þik, - </p> - <span class="linenum">796</span> - <p> - Fayre fylyole3 þat fy3ed, & ferlyly long, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">with their well-made capitals.</span> - <p> - With coruon coprou<i>n</i>es, craftyly sle3e; - </p> - <p> - Chalk whyt chymnees þer ches he i<i>n</i>-no3e, - </p> - <p> - Vpon bastel roue3, þat blenked ful quyte; - </p> - <span class="linenum">800</span> - <p> - So mony pynakle payntet wat3 poudred ay quere, - </p> - <p> - Amo<i>n</i>g þe castel carnele3, clambred so þik, - </p> - <p> - Þat pared out of papure purely hit semed. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He thinks it fair enough if he might only come - within the cloister.</span> - <p> - Þe fre freke on þe fole hit fayr i<i>n</i>-n[o]ghe þo3t, - </p> - <span class="linenum">804</span> - <p> - If he my3t keu<i>er</i> to com þe cloyst<i>e</i>r wyth-i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - To herber i<i>n</i> þat hostel, whyl halyday lested - </p> - <p class="i8"> - auinant; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He calls, and soon there comes a porter to know - the knight's errand.</span> - <p class="i4"> - He calde, & sone þer com - </p> - <span class="linenum">808</span> - <p class="i4"> - A porter pure plesau<i>n</i>t, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - On þe wal his ernd he nome, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & haylsed þe kny3t errau<i>n</i>t. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XIV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"Good sir," says Gawayne, "ask the high lord of - this house to grant me a lodging."</span> - <p> - "Gode s<i>ir</i>," q<i>uod</i> Gawan, "wolde3 þ<i>o</i>u go my<i>n</i> - ernde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">812</span> - <p> - To þe he3 lorde of þis ho<i>us</i>, herber to craue?" - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 102.]</span> - <p> - "3e, Pet<i>er</i>," q<i>uod</i> þe port<i>er</i>, "& purely I - trowe,<sup>1</sup> - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"You are welcome to dwell here as long as you - like," replied the porter.</span> - <p> - Þat 3e be, wy3e, welcu<i>m</i> to won quyle yow lyke3." - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i> 3ede þ<i>a</i>t wy3e a3ayn awyþe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">816</span> - <p> - & folke frely hy<i>m</i> wyth, to fonge þe kny3t; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The draw-bridge is let down,</span> - <p> - Þay let dou<i>n</i> þe grete dra3t, & derely out 3eden, - </p> - <p> - & kneled dou<i>n</i> on her knes vpon þe colde erþe, - </p> - <p> - To welcu<i>m</i> þis ilk wy3, as worþy hom þo3t; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and the gate is opened wide to receive him.</span> - <span class="linenum">820</span> - <p> - Þay 3olden hy<i>m</i> þe brode 3ate, 3arked vp wyde, - </p> - <p> - & he hem raysed rekenly, & rod ou<i>er</i> þe brygge; - </p> - <p> - Sere segge3 hy<i>m</i> sesed by sadel, quel<sup>2</sup> he ly3t, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">His horse is well stabled.</span> - <p> - & syþen stabeled his stede stif me<i>n</i> i<i>n</i>-no3e. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Knights and squires bring Gawayne into the hall.</span> - <span class="linenum">824</span> - <p> - Kny3te3 & swyere3 comen dou<i>n</i> þe<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - For to bry<i>n</i>g þis burne<sup>3</sup> wyth blys i<i>n</i>-to - halle; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Many a one hastens to take his helmet and sword.</span> - <p> - Quen he hef vp his helme, þer hi3ed i<i>n</i>-nogh<i>e</i> - </p> - <p> - For to hent hit at his honde, þe hende to seruen, - </p> - <span class="linenum">828</span> - <p> - His bronde & his blasou<i>n</i> boþe þay token. - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i> haylsed he ful hendly þo haþele3 vch one, - </p> - <p> - & mony proud mon þer p<i>re</i>sed, þat pry<i>n</i>ce to hono<i>ur</i>; - </p> - <p> - Alle hasped i<i>n</i> his he3 wede to halle þay hy<i>m</i> wo<i>n</i>nen, - </p> - <span class="linenum">832</span> - <p> - Þer fayre fyre vpon flet fersly bre<i>n</i>ned. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord of the country bids him welcome,</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne þe lorde of þe lede loute3 fro his chambre, - </p> - <p> - For to mete wyth menske þe mon on þe flor; - </p> - <p> - He sayde, "3e ar welcu<i>m</i> to welde as yow lyke3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">836</span> - <p> - Þat here is, al is yowre awen, to haue at yowre wylle - </p> - <p class="i8"> - & welde." - </p> - <p class="i4"> - "Grau<i>n</i>t mercy," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - "Þer Kryst hit yow for-3elde," - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and they embrace each other.</span> <span - class="linenum">840</span> - <p class="i4"> - As freke3 þat semed fayn, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ayþ<i>er</i> oþ<i>er</i> i<i>n</i> arme3 co<i>n</i> felde. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> trowoe, MS. <sup>2</sup> quyle (?) or quen (?). <sup>3</sup> - buurne, MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne looks on his host;</span> - <p> - Gawayn gly3t on þe gome þat godly hy<i>m</i> gret, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">a big bold one he seemed.</span> - <p> - & þu3t hit a bolde burne þat þe bur3 a3te, - </p> - <span class="linenum">844</span> - <p> - A hoge haþel for þe none3, & of hygh<i>e</i> elde;<sup>1</sup> - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Beaver-hued was his broad beard,</span> - <p> - Brode bry3t wat3 his berde, & al beu<i>er</i> hwed, - </p> - <p> - Sturne stif on þe stryþþe on stal-worth schonke3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and his face as "fell as the fire."</span> - <p> - Felle face as þe fyre, & fre of hys speche; - </p> - <span class="linenum">848</span> - <p> - & wel hy<i>m</i> semed for soþe, as þe segge þu3t, - </p> - <p> - To lede a lortschyp i<i>n</i> lee of leude3 ful gode. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 102<i>b</i>.]<br />The lord leads Gawayne to - a chamber, and assigns him a page to wait upon him.</span> - <p> - Þe lorde hy<i>m</i> charred to a chambre, & chefly cu<i>m</i>au<i>n</i>de3<sup>2</sup> - </p> - <p> - To delyu<i>er</i> hym a leude, hym lo3ly to serue; - </p> - <span class="linenum">852</span> - <p> - & þere were bou<i>n</i> at his bode burne3 i<i>n</i>-no3e, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">In this bright bower was noble bedding;</span> - <p> - Þat bro3t hy<i>m</i> to a bry3t boure, þ<i>er</i> beddy<i>n</i>g wat3 - noble, - </p> - <p> - Of cortynes of clene sylk, wyth cler golde he<i>m</i>me3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">the curtains were of pure silk with golden hems;</span> - <p> - & cou<i>er</i>tore3 ful curious, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> comlych pane3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">856</span> - <p> - Of bry3t blaunni<i>er</i> a-boue enbrawded bisyde3, - </p> - <p> - Rudele3 re<i>n</i>nande on rope3, red golde ry<i>n</i>ge3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Tarsic tapestries covered the walls and the - floor.</span> - <p> - Tapyte3 ty3t to þe wo3e, of tuly & tars, - </p> - <p> - & vnder fete, on þe flet, of fol3ande sute. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Here the knight doffed his armour,</span> <span - class="linenum">860</span> - <p> - Þer he wat3 dispoyled, wyth speche3 of my<i>er</i>þe, - </p> - <p> - Þe burn of his bruny, & of his bry3t wede3; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and put on rich robes,</span> - <p> - Ryche robes ful rad renkke3 hem<sup>3</sup> bro3ten, - </p> - <p> - For to charge, & to chaunge, & chose of þe best. - </p> - <span class="linenum">864</span> - <p> - Sone as he on hent, & happed þ<i>er</i>-i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - Þat sete on hym<sup>4</sup> semly, wyth saylande skyrte3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">which well became him.</span> - <p> - Þe ver by his uisage verayly hit semed - </p> - <p> - Wel ne3 to vche haþel alle on hwes, - </p> - <span class="linenum">868</span> - <p> - Lowande & lufly, alle his ly<i>m</i>me3 vnder, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">A more comely knight Christ never made.</span> - <p> - Þat a comloker kny3t neue<i>r</i> Kryst made, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - hem þo3t; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Wheþen i<i>n</i> worlde he were, - </p> - <span class="linenum">872</span> - <p class="i4"> - Hit semed as he my3t - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Be prynce w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-outen pere, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - I<i>n</i> felde þ<i>er</i> felle me<i>n</i> fy3t. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> eldee, MS. <sup>2</sup> clesly, MS. <sup>3</sup> hym (?). - <sup>4</sup> MS. hyn. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XVI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">A chair is placed for Sir Gawayne before the - fireplace.</span> - <p> - A cheyer by-fore þe chemné, þ<i>er</i> charcole bre<i>n</i>ned, - </p> - <span class="linenum">876</span> - <p> - Wat3 grayþed for s<i>ir</i> Gawan, grayþely w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> cloþe3, - </p> - <p> - Whyssynes vpon queldepoynt<i>es</i>, þa[t] koy<i>n</i>t wer boþe; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">A mantle of fine linen, richly embroidered, is - thrown over him.</span> - <p> - & þe<i>n</i>ne a mere mantyle wat3 on þat mon cast, - </p> - <p> - Of a brou<i>n</i> bleeau<i>n</i>t, enbrauded ful ryche, - </p> - <span class="linenum">880</span> - <p> - & fayre furred wyth-i<i>n</i>ne w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> felle3 of þe - best, - </p> - <p> - Alle of ermyn i<i>n</i> erde, his hode of þe same; - </p> - <p> - & he sete i<i>n</i> þat settel semlych ryche, - </p> - <p> - & achaufed hy<i>m</i> chefly,<sup>1</sup> & þe<i>n</i>ne his - cher mended. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">A table is soon raised,</span> <span - class="linenum">884</span> - <p> - Sone wat3 telded vp a tapit, on treste3 ful fayre, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and the knight, having washed, proceeded to meat.</span> - <p> - Clad wyth a clene cloþe, þat cler quyt schewed, - </p> - <p> - Sanap, & salure, & syluer-i<i>n</i> spone3; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 103.]</span> - <p> - Þe wy3e wesche at his wylle, & went to his mete - </p> - <span class="linenum">888</span> - <p> - Segge3 hym serued semly i<i>n</i>-no3e, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He is served with numerous dishes;</span> - <p> - Wyth sere sewes & sete,<sup>2</sup> sesou<i>n</i>de of þe best, - </p> - <p> - Double felde, as hit falle3, & fele kyn fische3; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">with fish baked and broiled,</span> - <p> - Su<i>m</i>me baken i<i>n</i> bred, su<i>m</i>me brad on þe glede3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">or boiled and seasoned with spices.</span> <span - class="linenum">892</span> - <p> - Su<i>m</i>me soþen, su<i>m</i>me i<i>n</i> sewe, sau<i>er</i>ed w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> - spyces, - </p> - <p> - & ay sawes<sup>3</sup> so sle3e3, þat þe segge lyked. - </p> - <p> - Þe freke calde hit a fest ful frely & ofte, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He calls it a full noble feast,</span> - <p> - Ful hendely, quen alle þe haþeles re-hayted hy<i>m</i> at one3 - </p> - <span class="linenum">896</span> - <p class="i8"> - as hende; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - "Þis penau<i>n</i>ce now 3e take, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & eft hit schal amende;" - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and much mirth he makes, for the wine is in his - head.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þat mon much m<i>er</i>þe con make. - </p> - <span class="linenum">900</span> - <p class="i4"> - For wy<i>n</i> i<i>n</i> his hed þat wende. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. cefly. <sup>2</sup> swete (?). <sup>3</sup> sewes (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XVII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne, in answer to questions put to him,</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne wat3 spyed & spured vpon spare wyse. - </p> - <p> - Bi preue poynte3 of þat prynce, put to hy<i>m</i>-seluen, - </p> - <p> - Þat he be-knew cortaysly of þe court þat he were, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">tells the prince that he is of Arthur's court.</span> - <span class="linenum">904</span> - <p> - Þat aþel Arthure þe hende halde3 hy<i>m</i> one, - </p> - <p> - Þat is þe ryche ryal ky<i>n</i>g of þe rou<i>n</i>de table; - </p> - <p> - & hit wat3 Wawen hy<i>m</i>-self þat i<i>n</i> þat won sytte3, - </p> - <p> - Comen to þat krystmasse, as case hy<i>m</i> þen lymped. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">When this was made known,</span> <span - class="linenum">908</span> - <p> - When þe lorde hade lerned þat he þe leude hade, - </p> - <p> - Loude la3ed he þ<i>er</i>at, so lef hit hy<i>m</i> þo3t, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">great was the joy in the hall.</span> - <p> - & alle þe men i<i>n</i> þat mote maden much joye, - </p> - <p> - To apere i<i>n</i> his presense prestly þat tyme, - </p> - <span class="linenum">912</span> - <p> - Þat alle prys, & prowes, & pured þewes - </p> - <p> - Apendes to hys persou<i>n</i>, & praysed is eu<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - By-fore alle men vpon molde, his mensk is þe most. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Each one said softly to his mate,</span> - <p> - Vch segge ful softly sayde to his fere, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Now we shall see courteous manners and hear - noble speech,</span> <span class="linenum">916</span> - <p> - "Now schal we semlych se sle3te3 of þewe3, - </p> - <p> - & þe teccheles termes of talky<i>n</i>g noble, - </p> - <p> - Wich spede is i<i>n</i> speche, vnspurd may we lerne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">for we have amongst us the 'father of nurture.'</span> - <p> - Sy<i>n</i> we haf fonged þat fyne fader of nurture; - </p> - <span class="linenum">920</span> - <p> - God hat3 geuen v<i>us</i> his g<i>ra</i>ce godly for soþe, - </p> - <p> - Þat such a gest as Gawan grau<i>n</i>te3 v<i>us</i> to haue, - </p> - <p> - When burne3 blyþe of his burþe schal sitte - </p> - <p class="i8"> - & sy<i>n</i>ge. - </p> - <span class="linenum">924</span> - <p class="i4"> - I<i>n</i> meny<i>n</i>g of man<i>er</i>e3 mere, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 103<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þis burne now schal v<i>us</i> bry<i>n</i>g, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He that may him hear shall learn of - love-talking."</span> - <p class="i4"> - I hope þat may hy<i>m</i> here, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Schal lerne of luf-talky<i>n</i>g." - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XVIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">After dinner the company go to the chapel,</span> - <span class="linenum">928</span> - <p> - Bi þat þe diner wat3 done, & þe dere vp, - </p> - <p> - Hit wat3 ne3 at þe niy3t ne3ed þe tyme; - </p> - <p> - Chaplayne3<sup>1</sup> to þe chapeles chosen þe gate, - </p> - <p> - Ru<i>n</i>gen ful rychely, ry3t as þay schulden, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">to hear the evensong of the great season.</span> - <span class="linenum">932</span> - <p> - To þe hersu<i>m</i> euensong of þe hy3e tyde. - </p> - <p> - Þe lorde loutes þerto, & þe lady als, - </p> - <p> - I<i>n</i>-to a comly closet coyntly ho entre3; - </p> - <p> - Gawan glyde3 ful gay, & gos þeder sone; - </p> - <span class="linenum">936</span> - <p> - Þe lorde laches hy<i>m</i> by þe lappe, & lede3 hy<i>m</i> to - sytte, - </p> - <p> - & couþly hy<i>m</i> knowe3, & calle3 hy<i>m</i> his nome, - </p> - <p> - & sayde he wat3 þe welcomest wy3e of þe worlde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord of the castle and Sir Gawayne sit - together during service.</span> - <p> - & he hy<i>m</i> þonkked þroly, & ayþ<i>er</i> halched oþer. - </p> - <span class="linenum">940</span> - <p> - & seten soberly samen þe seruise-quyle; - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne lyst þe lady to loke on þe kny3t. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">His wife, accompanied by her maids, leaves her - seat.</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne com ho of hir closet, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> mony cler - burde3, - </p> - <p> - Ho wat3 þe fayrest i<i>n</i> felle, of flesche & of lyre, - </p> - <span class="linenum">944</span> - <p> - & of compas, & colo<i>ur</i>, & costes of alle oþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">She appeared even fairer than Guenever.</span> - <p> - & wener þen Wenore, as þe wy3e þo3t. - </p> - <p> - He ches þur3 þe chau<i>n</i>sel, to cheryche þat hende; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">An older lady (an ancient one she seemed) led her - by the hand.</span> - <p> - An oþer lady hir lad bi þe lyft honde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">948</span> - <p> - Þat wat3 alder þen ho, an au<i>n</i>cian hit semed, - </p> - <p> - & he3ly honowred w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> haþele3 aboute. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Very unlike were these two.</span> - <p> - Bot yn-lyke on to loke þo ladyes were, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">if the young one was fair the other was yellow,</span> - <p> - For if þe 3onge wat3 3ep, 3ol3e wat3 þ<i>a</i>t oþ<i>er</i>; - </p> - <span class="linenum">952</span> - <p> - Riche red on þat on rayled ay quere, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and had rough and wrinkled cheeks.</span> - <p> - Rugh ronkled cheke3 þat oþ<i>er</i> on rolled; - </p> - <p> - Kerchofes of þat on wyth mony cler perle3 - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The younger had breast and throat "bare - displayed."</span> - <p> - Hir brest & hir bry3t þrote bare displayed, - </p> - <span class="linenum">956</span> - <p> - Schon schyrer þe<i>n</i> snawe, þat scheder<sup>2</sup> on hille3; - </p> - <p> - Þat oþ<i>er</i> wyth a gorger wat3 gered ou<i>er</i> þe swyre, - </p> - <p> - Chymbled ou<i>er</i> hir blake chyn w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> mylk-quyte - vayles, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The ancient one exposed only her "black brows," - her two eyes,</span> - <p> - Hir frou<i>n</i>t folden i<i>n</i> sylk, enfoubled ay quere, - </p> - <span class="linenum">960</span> - <p> - Toret & treieted w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> tryfle3 aboute, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 104.]<br />nose, and naked lips, all sour - and bleared.</span> - <p> - Þat no3t wat3 bare of þat burde bot þe blake bro3es. - </p> - <p> - Þe tweyne y3en, & þe nase, þe naked lyppe3, - </p> - <p> - & þose were soure to se, & sellyly blered; - </p> - <span class="linenum">964</span> - <p> - A mensk lady on molde mo<i>n</i> may hir calle, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - for gode; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Her body was short and thick;</span> - <p class="i4"> - Hir body wat3 schort & þik. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">her buttocks broad and round.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Hir buttoke3 bay & brode, - </p> - <span class="linenum">968</span> - <p class="i4"> - More lykker-wys on to lyk, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Wat3 þat scho hade on lode. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. [claplayne3.] <sup>2</sup> schedes (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XIX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">With permission of the lord,</span> - <p> - When Gawayn gly3t on þ<i>a</i>t gay, þ<i>a</i>t g<i>ra</i>cio<i>us</i>ly - loked, - </p> - <p> - Wyth leue la3t of þe lorde he went hem a3aynes; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne salutes the elder,</span> <span - class="linenum">972</span> - <p> - Þe alder he haylses, heldande ful lowe, - </p> - <p> - Þe loueloker he lappe3 a lyttel i<i>n</i> arme3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but the younger he kisses,</span> - <p> - He kysses hir comlyly, & kny3tly he mele3; - </p> - <p> - Þay kallen hy<i>m</i> of a quoy<i>n</i>tau<i>n</i>ce, & he hit - quyk aske3 - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and begs to be her servant.</span> <span - class="linenum">976</span> - <p> - To be her seruau<i>n</i>t sothly, if hem-self lyked. - </p> - <p> - Þay tan hy<i>m</i> bytwene hem, wyth talky<i>n</i>g hy<i>m</i> leden - </p> - <span class="sidenote">To chamber all go,</span> - <p> - To chambre, to chemné, & chefly þay asken - </p> - <span class="sidenote">where spices and wine are served.</span> - <p> - Spyce3, þat vn-sparely me<i>n</i> speded hom to bry<i>n</i>g, - </p> - <span class="linenum">980</span> - <p> - & þe wy<i>n</i>ne-lych wyne þ<i>er</i>-w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> vche - tyme. - </p> - <p> - Þe lorde luflych aloft lepe3 ful ofte, - </p> - <p> - My<i>n</i>ned m<i>er</i>the to be made vpon mony syþe3. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord takes off his hood and places it on a - spear.</span> - <p> - Hent he3ly of his hode, & on a spere henged, - </p> - <span class="linenum">984</span> - <p> - & wayned hom to wy<i>n</i>ne þe worchip þer-of, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He who makes most mirth is to win it.</span> - <p> - Þat most myrþe my3t mene<sup>1</sup> þ<i>a</i>t crystenmas whyle; - </p> - <p> - "& i schal fonde, bi my fayth, to fylt<i>er</i> wyth þe best, - </p> - <p> - Er me wont þe wede3, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> help of my frende3." - </p> - <span class="linenum">988</span> - <p> - Þ<i>us</i> wyth la3ande lote3 þe lorde hit tayt<sup>2</sup> make3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Night approaches, and then</span> - <p> - For to glade s<i>ir</i> Gawayn w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> gomne3 i<i>n</i> - halle - </p> - <p class="i8"> - þ<i>a</i>t ny3t; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Til þat hit wat3 tyme, - </p> - <span class="linenum">992</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe ky<i>n</i>g comau<i>n</i>det ly3t, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne takes his leave and retires to rest.</span> - <p class="i4"> - S<i>ir</i> Gawen his leue con nyme, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & to his bed hy<i>m</i> di3t. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> meue (?). <sup>2</sup> layt (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">On Christmas morn,</span> - <p> - On þe morne, as vch mon myne3 þat tyme, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">joy reigns in every dwelling in the world.</span> - <span class="linenum">996</span> - <p> - [Þ]at dry3tyn for oure destyné to de3e wat3 borne, - </p> - <p> - Wele waxe3 i<i>n</i> vche a won i<i>n</i> worlde, for his sake; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">So did it in the castle where our knight abode.</span> - <p> - So did hit þere on þat day, þur3 dayntes mony; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 104<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p> - Boþe at mes & at mele, messes ful quaynt - </p> - <span class="linenum">1000</span> - <p> - Derf men vpon dece drest of þe best. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord and "the old ancient wife" sit together.</span> - <p> - Þe olde au<i>n</i>cian wyf he3est ho sytte3; - </p> - <p> - Þe lorde lufly her by lent, as I trowe; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne sits by the wife of his host.</span> - <p> - Gawan & þe gay burde to-geder þay seten, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1004</span> - <p> - Euen i<i>n</i>-mydde3, as þe messe metely come; - </p> - <p> - & syþen þur3 al þe sale, as hem best semed, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It were too tedious to tell of the meat, the - mirth, and the joy that abounded everywhere.</span> - <p> - Bi vche grome at his degre g<i>ray</i>þely wat3 serued. - </p> - <p> - Þ<i>er</i> wat3 mete, þer wat3 myrþe, þ<i>er</i> wat3 much ioye, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1008</span> - <p> - Þat for to telle þerof hit me tene were, - </p> - <p> - & to poynte hit 3et I pyned me p<i>ar</i>aue<i>n</i>ture; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne and his beautiful companion derive much - comfort from each other's conversation.</span> - <p> - Bot 3et I wot þat Wawen & þe wale burde - </p> - <p> - Such comfort of her compaynye ca3ten to-geder, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1012</span> - <p> - Þur3 her dere dalyau<i>n</i>ce of her derne worde3, - </p> - <p> - Wyth clene cortays carp, closed fro fylþe; - </p> - <p> - & hor play wat3 passande vche prynce gomen, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - i<i>n</i> vayres; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Trumpets and nakers give forth their sounds.</span> - <span class="linenum">1016</span> - <p class="i4"> - Tru<i>m</i>pe3 & nakerys, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Much pypy<i>n</i>g þ<i>er</i> repayres, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Vche mo<i>n</i> tented hys, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & þay two te<i>n</i>ted þayres. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XXI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Great was the joy for three days.</span> <span - class="linenum">1020</span> - <p> - Much dut wat3 þer dryuen þat day & þat oþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - & þe þryd as þro þronge i<i>n</i> þeraft<i>er</i>; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">St. John's-day was the last of the Christmas - festival.</span> - <p> - Þe ioye of sayn Ione3 day wat3 gentyle to here, - </p> - <p> - & wat3 þe last of þe layk, leude3 þer þo3ten. - </p> - <span class="linenum">1024</span> - <p> - Þer wer gestes to go vpon þe gray morne, - </p> - <p> - For-þy wonderly þay woke, & þe wyn dronken, - </p> - <p> - Dau<i>n</i>sed ful dre3ly wyth dere carole3; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">On the morrow many of the guests took their - departure from the castle.</span> - <p> - At þe last, when hit wat3 late, þay lachen her leue, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1028</span> - <p> - Vchon to wende on his way, þat wat3 wy3e stronge. - </p> - <p> - Gawan gef hy<i>m</i> god-day, þe god mo<i>n</i> hy<i>m</i> lachche3, - </p> - <p> - Ledes hy<i>m</i> to his awen chambre, þ[e] chy<i>m</i>né bysyde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne is thanked by his host for the honour - and pleasure of his visit.</span> - <p> - & þere he dra3e3 hy<i>m</i> on-dry3e, & derely hy<i>m</i> - þonkke3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1032</span> - <p> - Of þe wy<i>n</i>ne worschip &<sup>1</sup> he hy<i>m</i> wayned - hade, - </p> - <p> - As to hono<i>ur</i> his ho<i>us</i> on þat hy3e tyde, - </p> - <p> - & enbelyse his bur3 w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> his bele chere. - </p> - <p> - "I-wysse s<i>ir</i>, quyl I leue, me worþe3 þe better, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 105.]</span> <span class="linenum">1036</span> - <p> - Þat Gawayn hat3 ben my gest, at Godde3 awen fest." - </p> - <p> - "G<i>ra</i>nt merci<sup>2</sup> s<i>ir</i>," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, "i<i>n</i> - god fayth hit is yowre3, - </p> - <p> - Al þe hono<i>ur</i> is yo<i>ur</i> awen, þe he3e ky<i>n</i>g yow - 3elde; - </p> - <p> - & I am wy3e at yo<i>ur</i> wylle, to worch yo<i>ur</i>e hest, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1040</span> - <p> - As I am halden þ<i>er</i>-to, i<i>n</i> hy3e & i<i>n</i> lo3e, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - bi ri3t." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He endeavours to keep the knight at his court.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe lorde fast can hy<i>m</i> payne, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - To holde lenger þe kny3t, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1044</span> - <p class="i4"> - To hy<i>m</i> answre3 Gawayn, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Bi non way þat he my3t. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> þat (?). <sup>2</sup> nerci, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">He desires to know what had driven Sir Gawayne - from Arthur's court before the end of the Christmas holidays.</span> - <p> - Then frayned þe freke ful fayre at him-selue<i>n</i>, - </p> - <p> - Quat derne<sup>1</sup> dede had hy<i>m</i> dryuen, at þat dere tyme, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1048</span> - <p> - So kenly fro þe ky<i>n</i>ge3 kourt to kayre al his one, - </p> - <p> - Er þe halidaye3 holly were halet out of tou<i>n</i>? - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight replies that "a high errand and a - hasty one" had forced him to leave the court.</span> - <p> - "For soþe s<i>ir</i>," q<i>uod</i> þe segge, "3e sayn bot þe trawþe - </p> - <p> - A he3e ernde & a hasty me hade fro þo wone3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1052</span> - <p> - For I am su<i>m</i>ned my selfe to sech to a place, - </p> - <p> - I wot<sup>2</sup> i<i>n</i> worlde wheder warde to wende, hit to - fynde; - </p> - <p> - I nolde, bot if I hit negh my3t on nw3eres morne, - </p> - <p> - For alle þe londe i<i>n</i>-wyth Logres, so me oure lorde help! - </p> - <span class="linenum">1056</span> - <p> - For-þy, s<i>ir</i>, þis enquest I require yow here, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He asks his host whether he has ever heard of the - Green Chapel,</span> - <p> - Þat 3e me telle w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> trawþe, if eu<i>er</i> 3e tale - herde - </p> - <p> - Of þe grene chapel, quere hit on grou<i>n</i>de stonde3, - </p> - <p> - & of þe kny3t þat hit kepes, of colo<i>ur</i> of grene? - </p> - <span class="linenum">1060</span> - <p> - Þ<i>er</i> wat3 stabled bi statut a steuen v<i>us</i> by-twene, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">for he has to be there on New Year's-day.</span> - <p> - To mete þat mon at þ<i>a</i>t mere, 3if I my3t last; - </p> - <p> - & of þat ilk nw3ere hot neked now wonte3, - </p> - <p> - & I wolde loke on þat lede, if God me let wolde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1064</span> - <p> - Gladloker, bi Godde3 su<i>n</i>, þe<i>n</i> any god welde! - </p> - <p> - For-þi, I-wysse, bi 3owre wylle, wende me bi-houes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He wonld as lief die as fail in his errand.</span> - <p> - Naf I now to busy bot bare þre daye3, - </p> - <p> - & me als fayn to falle feye as fayly of myy<i>n</i> ernde." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The prince tells Sir Gawayne that he will teach - him the way.</span> <span class="linenum">1068</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne la3ande q<i>uod</i> þe lorde, "now leng þe by-houes, - </p> - <p> - For I schal teche yow to þa[t] terme bi þe tyme3 ende, - </p> - <p> - Þe grene chapayle vpon grou<i>n</i>de, greue yow no more; - </p> - <p> - Bot 3e schal be i<i>n</i> yowre bed, burne, at þy<i>n</i> ese, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1072</span> - <p> - Quyle forth dayej, & ferk on pe fyrst of pe 3ere, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 105<i>b</i>]</span> - <p> - & cum to þat merk at mydmorn, to make quat yow like3 - </p> - <p class="i8"> - in spe<i>n</i>ne; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Dowelle3 whyle new 3eres daye, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1076</span> - <p class="i4"> - & rys, & rayke3 þe<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The Green chapel is not more than two miles from - the castle.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Mo<i>n</i> schal yow sette i<i>n</i> waye, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Hit is not two myle he<i>n</i>ne." - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> derue (?). <sup>2</sup> not (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then was Gawayne glad,</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne wat3 Gawan ful glad, & gomenly he la3ed,— - </p> - <span class="linenum">1080</span> - <p> - "Now I þonk yow þryuandely þur3 alle oþ<i>er</i> þy<i>n</i>ge, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and consents to tarry awhile at the castle.</span> - <p> - Now acheued is my chau<i>n</i>ce, I schal at yo<i>ur</i> wylle - </p> - <p> - Dowelle, & elle3 do quat 3e demen." - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne sesed hy<i>m</i> þe syre, & set hy<i>m</i> bysyde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The ladies are brought in to solace him.</span> - <span class="linenum">1084</span> - <p> - Let þe ladie3 be fette, to lyke he<i>m</i> þe bett<i>er</i>; - </p> - <p> - Þer wat3 seme solace by hem-self stille; - </p> - <p> - Þe lorde let for luf lote3 so myry, - </p> - <p> - As wy3 þat wolde of his wyte, ne wyst quat he my3t. - </p> - <span class="linenum">1088</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne he carped to þe kny3t, criande loude, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord of the castle asks the knight to grant - him one request;</span> - <p> - "3e han demed to do þe dede þat I bidde; - </p> - <p> - Wyl 3e halde þis hes here at þys one3?" - </p> - <p> - "3e s<i>ir</i>, for-soþe," sayd þe segge trwe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1092</span> - <p> - "Whyl I byde i<i>n</i> yowre bor3e, be bayn to 3ow[r]e hest." - </p> - <p> - "For 3e haf trauayled," q<i>uod</i> þe tulk, "towen fro ferre, - </p> - <p> - & syþen waked me wyth, 3e arn not wel waryst, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">That he will stay in his chamber during mass - time,</span> - <p> - Nauþ<i>er</i> of sostnau<i>n</i>ce ne of slepe, soþly I knowe; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1096</span> - <p> - 3e schal lenge i<i>n</i> yo<i>ur</i> lofte, & ly3e i<i>n</i> yo<i>ur</i> - ese, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and then go to meat with his hostess.</span> - <p> - To morn quyle þe messe-quyle, & to mete wende, - </p> - <p> - When 3e wyl, wyth my wyf, þat wyth yow schal sitte, - </p> - <p> - & comfort yow w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> compayny, til I to cort torne, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1100</span> - <p class="i8"> - 3e lende; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & I schal erly ryse, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - On hu<i>n</i>ty<i>n</i>g wyl I wende." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne accedes to his request.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Gauayn g<i>ra</i>nte3 alle þyse, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1104</span> - <p class="i4"> - Hy<i>m</i> heldande, as þe hende. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XXIV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"Whatsoever," says the host, "I win in the wood - shall be yours,</span> - <p> - "3et firre," q<i>uod</i> þe freke, "a forwarde we make; - </p> - <p> - Quat-so-euer I wy<i>n</i>ne i<i>n</i> þe wod, hit worþe3 to yo<i>ur</i>e3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and what check you achieve shall be mine."</span> - <p> - & quat chek so 3e acheue, chau<i>n</i>ge me þer-forne; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1108</span> - <p> - Swete, swap we so, sware w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> trawþe, - </p> - <p> - Queþer, leude, so lymp lere oþ<i>er</i> bett<i>er</i>." - </p> - <p> - "Bi God," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn þe gode, "I <i>gra</i>nt þ<i>er</i>-tylle, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 106.]</span> - <p> - & þat yow lyst forto layke, lef hit me þynk<i>es</i>. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">A bargain is made between them.</span> <span - class="linenum">1112</span> - <p> - "Who bri<i>n</i>ge3 v<i>us</i> þis beu<i>er</i>age, þis bargayn is - maked:" - </p> - <p> - So sayde þe lorde of þat lede; þay la3ed vchone, - </p> - <p> - Þay dronken, & daylyeden, & dalten vnty3tel,<sup>1</sup> - </p> - <p> - Þise lorde3 & ladye3, quyle þat hem lyked; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1116</span> - <p> - & syþen w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> frenkysch fare & fele fayre lote3 - </p> - <p> - Þay stoden, & stemed, & stylly speken, - </p> - <p> - Kysten ful comlyly, & ka3ten her leue. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Night approaches and each "to his bed was brought - at the last."</span> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> mony leude ful ly3t, & lemande torches, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1120</span> - <p> - Vche burne to his bed wat3 bro3t at þe laste, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - ful softe; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - To bed 3et er þay 3ede, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Recorded couenau<i>n</i>te3 ofte; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1124</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe olde lorde of þat leude,<sup>2</sup> - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Cowþe wel halde layk a-lofte. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> vntyl ny3te (?). <sup>2</sup> lede (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - [FYTTE THE THIRD.] - </h2> - <h2> - I. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Before day-break folks uprise,</span> - <p> - Ful erly bifore þe day þe folk vp-rysen, - </p> - <p> - Gestes þat go wolde, hor grome3 þay calden, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">saddle their horses, and truss their mails.</span> - <span class="linenum">1128</span> - <p> - & þay busken vp bilyue, blonkke3 to sadel, - </p> - <p> - Tyffen he[r] takles, trussen her males, - </p> - <p> - Richen hem þe rychest, to ryde alle arayde, - </p> - <p> - Lepen vp ly3tly, lachen her brydeles, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Each goes where it pleases him best.</span> <span - class="linenum">1132</span> - <p> - Vche wy3e on his way, þer hy<i>m</i> wel lyked. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The noble lord of the land arrays himself for - riding.</span> - <p> - Þe leue lorde of þe londe wat3 not þe last, - </p> - <p> - A-rayed for þe rydy<i>n</i>g, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> renkke3 ful mony; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He eats a sop hastily and goes to mass.</span> - <p> - Ete a sop hastyly, when he hade herde masse, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1136</span> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> bugle to bent felde he buske3 by-lyue; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Before day-light he and his men are on their - horses.</span> - <p> - By þat þat any day-ly3t lemed vpon erþe, - </p> - <p> - He w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> his haþeles on hy3e horsses weren. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Then the hounds are called out and coupled.</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne þise cacheres þat couþe, cowpled hor hou<i>n</i>de3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1140</span> - <p> - Vnclosed þe kenel dore, & calde hem þ<i>er</i>-oute, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Three short notes are blown by the bugles.</span> - <p> - Blwe bygly i<i>n</i> bugle3 þre bare mote; - </p> - <p> - Braches bayed þ<i>er</i>fore, & breme noyse maked, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">A hundred hunters join in the chase.</span> - <p> - & þay chastysed, & charred, on chasy<i>n</i>g þat went; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1144</span> - <p> - A hundreth of hunt<i>er</i>es, as I haf herde telle, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - of þe best; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">To the stations the "fewters" go,</span> - <p class="i4"> - To trystors vewters 3od, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Couples huntes of kest, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 106<i>b</i>.]</span> <span class="linenum">1148</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þ<i>er</i> ros for blaste3 gode, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and the dogs are cast off.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Gret rurd i<i>n</i> þat forest. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - II. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Roused by the clamour the deer rush to the - heights,</span> - <p> - At þe fyrst quethe of þe quest quaked þe wylde; - </p> - <p> - Der drof i<i>n</i> þe dale, doted for drede, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1152</span> - <p> - Hi3ed to þe hy3e, bot het<i>er</i>ly þay were - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but are soon driven back.</span> - <p> - Restayed w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe stablye, þat stoutly ascryed; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The harts and bucks are allowed to pass,</span> - <p> - Þay let þe hertte3 haf þe gate, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe hy3e hedes, - </p> - <p> - Þe breme bukke3 also, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hor brode paume3; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1156</span> - <p> - For þe fre lorde hade de-fende i<i>n</i> fermysou<i>n</i> tyme, - </p> - <p> - Þ<i>a</i>t þ<i>er</i> schulde no mon mene<sup>1</sup> to þe male dere. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but the hinds and does are driven back to the - shades.</span> - <p> - Þe hinde3 were halden i<i>n</i>, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hay & war, - </p> - <p> - Þe does dryuen w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> gret dyn to þe depe slade3; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1160</span> - <p> - Þer my3t mon se, as þay slypte, slenty<i>n</i>g of arwes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">As they fly they are shot by the bowmen.</span> - <p> - At vche [þat] wende vnder wande wapped a flone, - </p> - <p> - Þat bigly bote on þe brou<i>n</i>, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> ful brode hede3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The hounds and the hunters, with a loud cry, - follow in pursuit.</span> - <p> - What! þay brayen, & bleden, bi bonkke3 þay de3en. - </p> - <span class="linenum">1164</span> - <p> - & ay rachches i<i>n</i> a res radly hem fol3es, - </p> - <p> - Hu<i>n</i>tere3 wyth hy3e horne hasted hem aft<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Those that escaped the arrows are killed by the - hounds.</span> - <p> - Wyth such a crakkande kry, as klyffes haden brusten; - </p> - <p> - What wylde so at-waped wy3es þat schotten, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1168</span> - <p> - Wat3 al to-raced & rent, at þe resayt. - </p> - <p> - Bi þay were tened at þe hy3e, & taysed to þe wattre3, - </p> - <p> - Þe lede3 were so lerned at þe lo3e trysteres, - </p> - <p> - & þe gre-hou<i>n</i>de3 so grete, þat geten hem bylyue, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1172</span> - <p> - & hem to fylched, as fast as freke3 my3t loke, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - þ<i>er</i> ry3t. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord waxes joyful in the chase,</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe lorde for blys abloy - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ful oft con lau<i>n</i>ce & ly3t, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">which lasted till the approach of night.</span> - <span class="linenum">1176</span> - <p class="i4"> - & drof þat day wyth Ioy - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Thus to þe derk ny3t. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> meue (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - III. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">All this time Gawayne lies a-bed.</span> - <p> - Þ<i>us</i> layke3 þis lorde by lynde wode3 eue3, - </p> - <p> - & G. þe god mon, i<i>n</i> gay bed lyge3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">under "coverture full clear".</span> <span - class="linenum">1180</span> - <p> - Lurkke3 quyl þe day-ly3t lemed on þe wowes, - </p> - <p> - Vnder couerto<i>ur</i> ful clere, cortyned aboute; - </p> - <p> - & as i<i>n</i> slom<i>er</i>y<i>n</i>g he slode, sle3ly he herde - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He hears a noise at his door.</span> - <p> - A littel dyn at his dor, & derfly vpon; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1184</span> - <p> - & he heue3 vp his hed out of þe cloþes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 107.]</span> - <p> - A corner of þe cortyn he ca3t vp a lyttel, - </p> - <p> - & wayte3 warly þider-warde, quat hit be my3t. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">A lady, the loveliest to behold, enters softly.</span> - <p> - Hit wat3 þe ladi, loflyest to be-holde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1188</span> - <p> - Þat dro3 þe dor aft<i>er</i> hir ful dernly<sup>1</sup> & stylle, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">She approaches the bed.</span> - <p> - & bo3ed to-warde þe bed; & þe burne schamed. - </p> - <p> - & layde hy<i>m</i> dou<i>n</i> lystyly, & let as he slepte. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne pretends to be asleep.</span> - <p> - & ho stepped stilly. & stel to his bedde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lady casts up the curtain and sits on the - bedside.</span> <span class="linenum">1192</span> - <p> - Kest vp þe cortyn, & creped w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - & set hir ful softly on þe bed-syde, - </p> - <p> - & lenged þere selly longe, to loke que<i>n</i> he wakened. - </p> - <p> - Þe lede lay lurked a ful longe quyle, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne has much wonder thereat.</span> <span - class="linenum">1196</span> - <p> - Compast i<i>n</i> his concience to quat þat cace my3t - </p> - <p> - Mene oþ<i>er</i> amou<i>n</i>t, to m<i>er</i>uayle hy<i>m</i> þo3t; - </p> - <p> - Bot 3et he sayde i<i>n</i> hy<i>m</i>-self, "more semly hit were - </p> - <p> - To aspye wyth my spelle [in] space quat ho wolde." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He rouses himself up,</span> <span class="linenum">1200</span> - <p> - þen he wakenede, & wroth, & to hir warde torned, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">unlocks his eyes, and looks as if he were - astonished.</span> - <p> - & vn-louked his y3e-lydde3, & let as hy<i>m</i> wondered, - </p> - <p> - & sayned hy<i>m</i>, as bi his sa3e þe sau<i>er</i> to worthe, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hande; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1204</span> - <p class="i4"> - Wyth chy<i>n</i>ne & cheke ful swete, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Boþe quit & red i<i>n</i>-blande, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ful lufly con ho lete, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Wyth lyppe3 smal la3ande. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> deruly (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - IV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"Good morrow", says the lady, "ye are a careless - sleeper to let one enter thus.</span> <span class="linenum">1208</span> - <p> - "God morou<i>n</i>, s<i>ir</i> Gawayn," sayde þat fayr lady, - </p> - <p> - "3e ar a slep<i>er</i> vn-sly3e, þat mo<i>n</i> may slyde hider; - </p> - <p> - Now ar 3e tan astyt, bot t<i>r</i>ue v<i>us</i> may schape, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I shall bind you in your bed, of that be ye - sure."</span> - <p> - I schal bynde yow i<i>n</i> yo<i>ur</i> bedde, þat be 3e trayst:" - </p> - <span class="linenum">1212</span> - <p> - Al la3ande þe lady lanced þo bourde3. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Good morrow," says the knight, "I am well - pleased to be at your service;</span> - <p> - "Goud morou<i>n</i> g[aye],"<sup>1</sup> q<i>uod</i> Gawayn þe blyþe, - </p> - <p> - "Me schal worþe at yo<i>ur</i> wille, & þat me wel lyke3, - </p> - <p> - For I 3elde me 3ederly, & 3e3e aft<i>er</i> g<i>ra</i>ce, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1216</span> - <p> - & þat is þe best, be my dome, for me by-houe3 nede;" - </p> - <p> - & þus he bourded a-3ayn w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> mony a blyþe la3t<i>er</i>. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but permit me to rise and dress myself."</span> - <p> - "Bot wolde 3e, lady louely, þe<i>n</i> leue me g<i>ra</i>nte, - </p> - <p> - & de-prece yo<i>ur</i> prysou<i>n</i>, & pray hy<i>m</i> to - ryse, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1220</span> - <p> - I wolde bo3e of þis bed, & busk me bett<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - I schulde keu<i>er</i> þe more comfort to karp yow wyth." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 107b]<br />"Nay, beau sir," said that sweet - one,</span> - <p> - "Nay, for soþe, beau s<i>ir</i>," sayd þat swete, - </p> - <p> - "3e schal not rise of yo<i>ur</i> bedde, I rych yow bett<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"I shall hold talk with you here.</span> <span - class="linenum">1224</span> - <p> - I schal happe yow here þat oþ<i>er</i> half als, - </p> - <p> - & syþen karp wyth my kny3t þat I ka3t haue; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I know well that you are Gawayne that all the - woild worships.</span> - <p> - For I wene wel, Iwysse, s<i>ir</i> Wawen 3e are, - </p> - <p> - Þat alle þe worlde worchipe3, quere-so 3e ride; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1228</span> - <p> - Yo<i>ur</i> hono<i>ur</i>, yo<i>ur</i> hendelayk is hendely praysed - </p> - <span class="sidenote">We are by ourselves;</span> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> lorde3, wyth ladyes, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> alle þat - lyf bere. - </p> - <p> - & now 3e ar here, iwysse, & we bot oure one; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">My lord and his men are far off.</span> - <p> - "My lorde & his lede3 ar on lenþe faren, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Other men are in their beds, so are my maidens.</span> - <span class="linenum">1232</span> - <p> - Oþ<i>er</i> burne3 i<i>n</i> her bedde, & my burde3 als, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The door is safely closed.</span> - <p> - Þe dor drawen, & dit w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> a derf haspe; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Since I have him in house that every one likes, I - shall use my time well while it lasts.</span> - <p> - & syþen I haue i<i>n</i> þis ho<i>us</i> hy<i>m</i> þat al lyke3, - </p> - <p> - I schal ware my whyle wel, quyl hit laste3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1236</span> - <p class="i8"> - w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> tale; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Ye are welcome to my body.</span> - <p class="i4"> - 3e ar welcu<i>m</i> to my cors, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Yowre awen won to wale, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Me be-houe3 of fyne force, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I shall be your servant."</span> <span - class="linenum">1240</span> - <p class="i4"> - Yo<i>ur</i> seruau<i>n</i>t be & schale." - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> This word is illegible in the MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - V. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p> - "In god fayth," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, "gay<i>n</i> hit me þynkke3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"I am unworthy," says Sir Gawayne, "to reach to - such reverence as ye rehearse.</span> - <p> - Þa3 I be not now he þat 3e of speken; - </p> - <p> - To reche to such reuerence as 3e reherce here - </p> - <span class="linenum">1244</span> - <p> - I am wy3e vn-worþy, I wot wel my-seluen; - </p> - <p> - Bi God, I were glad, & yow god þo3t, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I shall be glad, however, to please you by word, - or service."</span> - <p> - At sa3e oþ<i>er</i> at seruyce þat I sette my3t - </p> - <p> - To þe plesau<i>n</i>ce of yo<i>ur</i> prys, hit were a pure ioye." - </p> - <span class="linenum">1248</span> - <p> - "In god fayth, s<i>ir</i> Gawayn," q<i>uod</i> þe gay lady, - </p> - <p> - "Þe prys & þe prowes þat plese3 al oþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - If I hit lakked, oþ<i>er</i> set at ly3t, hit were littel daynté; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"There are ladies," says his visitor, "who would - prefer thy company</span> - <p> - Bot hit ar ladyes i<i>n</i>-no3e, þat leu<i>er</i> wer nowþe - </p> - <span class="linenum">1252</span> - <p> - Haf þe hende i<i>n</i> hor holde, as I þe habbe here, - </p> - <p> - To daly w<i>i</i>t<i>t</i> derely yo<i>ur</i> daynté worde3, - </p> - <p> - Keu<i>er</i> hem comfort, & colen her care3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">to much of the gold that they possess."</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i> much of þe garysour<i>n</i> oþ<i>er</i> golde þat<sup>1</sup> - þay hauen; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1256</span> - <p> - Bot I louue<sup>2</sup> þat ilk lorde þ<i>a</i>t þe lyfte halde3, - </p> - <p> - I haf hit holly i<i>n</i> my honde þ<i>a</i>t al desyres, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - þur3e grace." - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Scho made hy<i>m</i> so gret chere, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 108.]</span> <span class="linenum">1260</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þat wat3 so fayr of face, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight answers the lady's questions.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe kny3t w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> speches skere, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - A[n]swared to vche a cace. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. þat þ<i>a</i>t. <sup>2</sup> louie or loune (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - VI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne tells her that he prefers her - conversation before that of all others.</span> - <p> - "Madame," q<i>uod</i> þe myry mon, "Mary yow 3elde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1264</span> - <p> - For I haf fou<i>n</i>den, i<i>n</i> god fayth, yowre frau<i>n</i>chis - nobele, - </p> - <p> - & oþ<i>er</i> ful much of oþ<i>er</i> folk fongen hor dede3; - </p> - <p> - Bot þe daynté þ<i>a</i>t þay delen for my disert nysen, - </p> - <p> - Hit is þe worchyp of yo<i>ur</i>-self, þ<i>a</i>t no3t hot wel co<i>n</i>ne3." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lady declares by Mary,</span> <span - class="linenum">1268</span> - <p> - "Bi Mary," q<i>uod</i> þe menskful, "me þynk hit anoþ<i>er</i>; - </p> - <p> - For were I worth al þe wone of wy<i>m</i>men alyue, - </p> - <p> - & al þe wele of þe worlde were i<i>n</i> my honde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">that were she about to choose her a lord,</span> - <p> - & I schulde chepen & chose, to cheue me a lorde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1272</span> - <p> - For þe costes þat I haf knowen vpun þe kny3t here, - </p> - <p> - Of bewté, & debonerté, & blyþe semblau<i>n</i>t, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">she would select Gawayne before any man on earth.</span> - <p> - & þat I haf er herkkened, & halde hit here trwee, - </p> - <p> - Þ<i>er</i> schulde no freke vpon folde bifore yow be chosen." - </p> - <span class="linenum">1276</span> - <p> - "I-wysse, worþy," q<i>uod</i> þe wy3e, "3e haf waled wel bett<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne tells her that he will become her own - knight and faithful servant.</span> - <p> - Bot I am proude of þe prys þat 3e put on me, - </p> - <p> - & soberly yo<i>ur</i> seruau<i>n</i>t my sou<i>er</i>ayn I holde - yow, - </p> - <p> - & yowre kny3t I be-com, & Kryst yow for-3elde." - </p> - <span class="linenum">1280</span> - <p> - Þ<i>us</i> þay meled of much-quat, til myd-morn paste, - </p> - <p> - & ay þe lady let lyk, a<sup>1</sup> hy<i>m</i> loued mych; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The remembrance of his adventure prevents him - from thinking of love.</span> - <p> - Þe freke ferde w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> defence, & feted ful fayre. - </p> - <p> - Þa3 I were burde bry3test, þe burde i<i>n</i> mynde hade, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1284</span> - <p> - Þe lasse luf i<i>n</i> his lode, for lur þat he so3t, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - boute hone; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe dunte þat schulde<sup>2</sup> hy<i>m</i> deue, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & nede3 hit most be done; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lady takes leave of Sir Gawayne.</span> <span - class="linenum">1288</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe lady þe<i>n</i>n spek of leue. - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He g<i>ra</i>nted hir ful sone. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> and (?) <sup>2</sup> sclulde, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - VII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">With a laughing glance, she says,</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne ho gef hy<i>m</i> god-day, & wyth a glent la3ed. - </p> - <p> - & as ho stod, ho stonyed hy<i>m</i> wyth ful stor worde3: - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"I am doubtful whether ye be Gawayne.</span> - <span class="linenum">1292</span> - <p> - "Now he þat spede3 vche spech, þis disport 3elde yow! - </p> - <p> - Bot þat 3e be Gawan, hit got3 i<i>n</i> my<i>n</i>de." - </p> - <p> - "Quer-fore?" q<i>uod</i> þe freke, & freschly he aske3, - </p> - <p> - Ferde lest he hade fayled i<i>n</i> fo<i>ur</i>me of his castes; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1296</span> - <p> - Bot þe burde hy<i>m</i> blessed, & bi þis skyl sayde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 108<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p> - "So god as Gawayn gaynly is halden, - </p> - <p> - & cortaysye is closed so clene i<i>n</i> hy<i>m</i>-seluen, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Were it he, surely, ere this, he would have - craved a kiss."</span> - <p> - Couth not ly3tly haf lenged so long wyth a lady, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1300</span> - <p> - Bot he had craued a cosse, bi his co<i>ur</i>taysye, - </p> - <p> - Bi su<i>m</i> towch of su<i>m</i>me tryfle, at su<i>m</i> tale3 ende." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"I shall kiss," says the knight, "at your - commandment."</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i> q<i>uod</i> Wowen, "I-wysse, worþe as yow lyke3, - </p> - <p> - I schal kysse at yo<i>ur</i> comau<i>n</i>dement, as a kny3t falle3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1304</span> - <p> - & fire<sup>1</sup> lest he displese yow, so<sup>2</sup> plede hit - no more." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">With that the lady catches him in her arms and - kisses him.</span> - <p> - Ho comes nerre w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þat, & cache3 hy<i>m</i> i<i>n</i> - arme3, - </p> - <p> - Loute3 luflych adou<i>n</i>, & þe leude kysse3; - </p> - <p> - Þay comly byke<i>n</i>nen to Kryst ayþ<i>er</i> oþ<i>er</i>; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1308</span> - <p> - Ho dos hir forth at þe dore, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-outen dyn more. - </p> - <p> - & he ryches hy<i>m</i> to ryse, & rapes hy<i>m</i> sone, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne then rises and goes to mass.</span> - <p> - Clepes to his chamberlayn, choses his wede, - </p> - <p> - Bo3e3 forth, quen he wat3 bou<i>n</i>, blyþely to masse, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1312</span> - <p> - & þe<i>n</i>ne he meued to his mete, þ<i>a</i>t me<i>n</i>skly hy<i>m</i> - keped, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He makes mirth all day till the moon rises,</span> - <p> - & made myry al day til þe mone rysed, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> game; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i><sup>3</sup> neu<i>er</i> freke fayrer fonge, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">between the "two dames," the older and the - younger.</span> <span class="linenum">1316</span> - <p class="i4"> - Bitwene two so dy<i>n</i>gne dame, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe alder & þe 3onge, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Much solace set þay same. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> fere (?). <sup>2</sup> fo, in MS. <sup>3</sup> Was (?) Nas - (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - VIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Meanwhile the lord of the land and his men hunt - in woods and heaths.</span> - <p> - And ay þe lorde of þe londe is lent on his gamne3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1320</span> - <p> - To hu<i>n</i>t i<i>n</i> holte3 & heþe, at hynde3 barayne, - </p> - <p> - Such a sowme he þ<i>er</i> slowe bi þat þe su<i>n</i>ne heldet, - </p> - <p> - Of dos & of oþ<i>er</i> dere, to deme were wonder. - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne fersly þay flokked i<i>n</i> folk at þe laste, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Quickly of the killed a "<i>quarry</i>" they - make.</span> <span class="linenum">1324</span> - <p> - & quykly of þe quelled dere a querré þay maked; - </p> - <p> - Þe best bo3ed þerto, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> burne3 i<i>n</i>-nogh<i>e</i>, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Then they set about <i>breaking</i> the deer.</span> - <p> - Gedered þe grattest of gres þat þer were, - </p> - <p> - & didden hem derely vndo, as þe dede aske3; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They take away the <i>assay</i> or fat,</span> - <span class="linenum">1328</span> - <p> - Serched hem at þe asay, su<i>m</i>me þat þ<i>er</i> were, - </p> - <p> - Two fy<i>n</i>geres þay fonde of þe fowlest of alle; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">then they slit the <i>slot</i> and remove the <i>erber</i>.</span> - <p> - Syþe<i>n</i> þay slyt þe slot, sesed þe erber, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They afterwards rip the four limbs and rend off - the hide.</span> - <p> - Schaued wyth a scharp knyf, & þe schyre knitten; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1332</span> - <p> - Syþen rytte þay þe foure ly<i>m</i>mes, & rent of þe hyde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They next open the belly</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i> brek þay þe bale, þe bale3 out token, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 109.]<br />and take out the bowels.</span> - <p> - Lystily forlancy<i>n</i>g, & bere of þe knot; - </p> - <p> - Þay gryped to þe gargulu<i>n</i>, & g<i>ra</i>yþely departed - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They then separate the <i>weasand</i> from the - windhole and throw out the guts.</span> <span class="linenum">1336</span> - <p> - Þe wesau<i>n</i>t fro þe wynt-hole, & walt out þe gutte3; - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i> scher þay out þe schuldere3 w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> her scharp - knyue3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The shoulders are cut out, and the breast divided - into halves.</span> - <p> - Haled hem by a lyttel hole, to haue hole sydes; - </p> - <p> - Siþen britned þay þe brest, & brayden hit i<i>n</i> twy<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1340</span> - <p> - & eft at þe gargulu<i>n</i> bigyne3 on þe<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The <i>numbles</i> are next removed.</span> - <p> - Ryue3 hit vp radly, ry3t to þe by3t, - </p> - <p> - Voyde3 out þe a-vanters, & v<i>er</i>ayly þ<i>er</i>aft<i>er</i> - </p> - <p> - Alle þe ryme3 by þe rybbe3 radly þay lance; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1344</span> - <p> - So ryde þay of by resou<i>n</i> bi þe rygge bone3, - </p> - <p> - Euenden to þe haunche, þat henged alle samen, - </p> - <p> - & heuen hit vp al hole, & hwen hit of þere, - </p> - <p> - & þat þayneme for þe nou<i>m</i>bles, bi nome as I trowe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1348</span> - <p class="i8"> - bi kynde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">By the fork of the thighs,</span> - <p class="i4"> - Bi þe by3t al of þe þy3es, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe lappe3 þay lance bi-hynde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">the flaps are hewn in two by the backbone.</span> - <p class="i4"> - To hewe hit i<i>n</i> two þay hy3es, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1352</span> - <p class="i4"> - Bi þe bak-bon to vnbynde. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - IX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">After this the head and neck are cut off, and the - sides severed from the chine.</span> - <p> - Boþe þe hede & þe hals þay hwen of þe<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - & syþen sunder þay þe syde3 swyft fro þe chyne, - </p> - <p> - & þe corbeles fee þay kest i<i>n</i> a greue;<sup>1</sup> - </p> - <span class="linenum">1356</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>n þurled þay ayþer þik side þur3, bi þe rybbe, - </p> - <p> - & henged þe<i>n</i>ne a[y]þ<i>er</i> bi ho3es of þe fourche3, - </p> - <p> - Vche freke for his fee, as falle3 forto haue. - </p> - <p> - Vpon a felle of þe fayre best, fede þay þayr hou<i>n</i>des, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">With the liver, lights and paunches, they feed - the hounds.</span> <span class="linenum">1360</span> - <p> - Wyth þe lyu<i>er</i> & þe ly3te3, þe leþer of þe paunche3, - </p> - <p> - & bred baþed i<i>n</i> blod, blende þer amo<i>n</i>ge3; - </p> - <p> - Baldely þay blw prys, bayed þayr rachche3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Then they make for home.</span> - <p> - Syþen fonge þay her flesche folden to home, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1364</span> - <p> - Strakande ful stoutly mony stif mote3. - </p> - <p> - Bi þat þe dayly3t wat3 done, þe douthe wat3 al wonen - </p> - <p> - I<i>n</i>-to þe comly castel, þer þe kny3t bide3 - </p> - <p class="i8"> - ful stille; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1368</span> - <p class="i4"> - Wyth blys & bry3t fyr bette, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe lord is comen þ<i>er</i>-tylle, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne goes out to meet his host.</span> - <p class="i4"> - When Gawayn wyth hy<i>m</i> mette, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þer wat3 bot wele at wylle. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> grene (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - X. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 109<i>b</i>.]<br />The lord commands all his - household to assemble,</span> <span class="linenum">1372</span> - <p> - The<i>n</i>ne comau<i>n</i>ded þe lorde i<i>n</i> þ<i>a</i>t sale to - samen alle þe meny, - </p> - <p> - Boþe þe ladyes on logh<i>e</i> to ly3t w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> her burdes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and the venison to be brought before him.</span> - <p> - Bi-fore alle þe folk on þe flette, freke3 he bedde3 - </p> - <p> - V<i>er</i>ayly his venysou<i>n</i> to fech hy<i>m</i> byforne; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He calls Gawayne,</span> <span class="linenum">1376</span> - <p> - & al godly i<i>n</i> gomen Gaway[n] he called, - </p> - <p> - Teche3 hy<i>m</i> to þe tayles of ful tayt bestes, - </p> - <p> - Schewe3 hy<i>m</i> þe schyree grece schorne vpon rybbes. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and asks him whether he does not deserve much - praise for his success in the chase.</span> - <p> - "How paye3 yow þis play? haf I prys wo<i>n</i>nen? - </p> - <span class="linenum">1380</span> - <p> - Haue I þryuandely þonk þur3 my craft serued?" - </p> - <p> - "3e I-wysse," q<i>uod</i> þat oþ<i>er</i> wy3e, "here is wayth fayrest - </p> - <span class="sidenote">On the knight expressing himself satisfied, he is - told to take the whole according to a former agreement between them.</span> - <p> - Þat I se3 þis seuen 3ere i<i>n</i> sesou<i>n</i> of wynt<i>er</i>." - </p> - <p> - "& al I gif yow, Gawayn," q<i>uod</i> þe gome þe<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1384</span> - <p> - "For by a-corde of couenau<i>n</i>t 3e craue hit as yo<i>ur</i> awen." - </p> - <p> - "Þis is soth," q<i>uod</i> þe segge, "I say yow þatilke, - </p> - <p> - &<sup>1</sup> I haf worthyly þis wone3 wyth-i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne gives the knight a comely kiss in return.</span> - <p> - I-wysse w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> as god wylle hit worþe3 to 3o<i>ur</i>e3." - </p> - <span class="linenum">1388</span> - <p> - He hasppe3 his fayre hals his arme3 wyth-i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - & kysses hy<i>m</i> as comlyly as he<sup>2</sup> couþe awyse: - </p> - <p> - "Tas yow þere my cheuicau<i>n</i>ce, I cheued no more, - </p> - <p> - I wowche hit saf fynly, þa3 feler hit were." - </p> - <span class="linenum">1392</span> - <p> - "Hit is god," q<i>uod</i> þe god mon, "g<i>ra</i>nt m<i>er</i>cy þ<i>er</i>fore, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">His host desires to know where he has gotten such - weal.</span> - <p> - Hit may be such, hit is þe bett<i>er</i>, &<sup>1</sup> 3e me - breue wolde - </p> - <p> - Where 3e wan þis ilk wele, biwytte of hor<sup>3</sup> seluen?" - </p> - <span class="sidenote">As this does not enter into the covenant, he gets - no answer to his question.</span> - <p> - "Þat wat3 not forward," q<i>uod</i> he, "frayst me no more, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1396</span> - <p> - For 3e haftan þat yow tyde3, trawe3e non oþ<i>er</i> - </p> - <p class="i8"> - 3e mowe." - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þay la3ed, & made hem blyþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They then proceed to supper, where were dainties - new and enough.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Wyth lote3 þat were to lowe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1400</span> - <p class="i4"> - To soper þay 3ede asswyþe, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Wyth dayntes nwe i<i>n</i>-nowe. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> And = an. <sup>2</sup> ho, in MS. <sup>3</sup> your (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">By the hearth they sit.</span> - <p> - And syþen by þe chymné i<i>n</i> chamber þay seten. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Wine is carried round.</span> - <p> - Wy3e3 þe walle wyn we3ed to hem oft, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1404</span> - <p> - & efte i<i>n</i> her bourdy<i>n</i>g þay bayþen i<i>n</i> þe morn, - </p> - <p> - To fylle þe same forwarde3 þat þay by-fore maden, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Again Sir Gawayne and his host renew their - agreement.</span> - <p> - Þat chau<i>n</i>ce so bytyde3 hor cheuysau<i>n</i>ce to chau<i>n</i>ge, - </p> - <p> - What nwe3 so þay nome, at na3t quen þay mette<i>n</i> - </p> - <span class="linenum">1408</span> - <p> - Þay acorded of þe couenau<i>n</i>te3 byfore þe co<i>ur</i>t alle; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 110.]</span> - <p> - Þe beuerage wat3 bro3t forth i<i>n</i> bourde at þat tyme; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Then they take leave of each other and hasten to - bed.</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne þay louelych le3ten leue at þe last, - </p> - <p> - Vche burne to his bedde busked bylyue. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Scarce had the cock cackled thrice when the lord - was up.</span> <span class="linenum">1412</span> - <p> - Bi þat þe coke hade crowe3<sup>1</sup> & cakled bot þryse, - </p> - <p> - Þe lorde wat3 lopen of his bedde, [&] þe leude3 vch one, - </p> - <p> - So þat þe mete & þe masse wat3 metely delyu<i>er</i>ed; - </p> - <p> - Þe douthe dressed to þe wod, er any day sprenged, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1416</span> - <p class="i8"> - to chace; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">With his hunters and horns they pursue the chase.</span> - <p class="i4"> - He3 w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hu<i>n</i>te & horne3, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þur3 playne3 þay passe i<i>n</i> space, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Vn-coupled amo<i>n</i>g þo þorne3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1420</span> - <p class="i4"> - Rache3 þat ran on race. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> crowed (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The hunters cheer on the hounds,</span> - <p> - Sone þay calle of a quest i<i>n</i> aker syde, - </p> - <p> - Þe hu<i>n</i>t re-hayted þe hou<i>n</i>de3, þat hit fyrst my<i>n</i>ged, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">which fall to the scent forty at once.</span> - <p> - Wylde worde3 hy<i>m</i> warp wyth a wrast noyce; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1424</span> - <p> - Þe hownde3 þat hit herde, hastid þider swyþe, - </p> - <p> - & fellen as fast to þe fuyt, fourty at ones; - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne such a glau<i>er</i>ande glam of gedered rachche3 - </p> - <p> - Ros, þat þe rochere3 ru<i>n</i>gen aboute; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1428</span> - <p> - Hu<i>n</i>tere3 hem hardened w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> horne & wyth - muthe. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">All come together by the side of a cliff.</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i> al i<i>n</i> a semblé sweyed to-geder, - </p> - <p> - Bitwene a flosche i<i>n</i> þat fryth, & a foo cragge; - </p> - <p> - In a knot, bi a clyffe, at þe kerre syde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1432</span> - <p> - Þ<i>er</i> as þe rogh rocher vn-rydely wat3 fallen, - </p> - <p> - [Þay] ferden to þe fyndy<i>n</i>g, & freke3 hem aft<i>er</i>; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They look about on all sides,</span> - <p> - Þay vmbe-kesten þe knarre & þe knot boþe. - </p> - <p> - Wy3e3, whyl þay wysten wel wyt i<i>n</i>ne he<i>m</i> hit were, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1436</span> - <p> - Þe best þat þer breued wat3 wyth þe blod hou<i>n</i>de3. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and beat on the bushes.</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne þay beten on þe buske3, & bede hy<i>m</i> vp ryse, - </p> - <p> - & he vnsou<i>n</i>dyly out so3t segge3 ou<i>er</i>-þwert, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Out there rushes a fierce wild boar,</span> - <p> - On þe sellokest swyn swenged out þere, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1440</span> - <p> - Long sythen for<sup>1</sup> þe sou<i>n</i>der þat wi3t for-olde, - </p> - <p> - For he wat3 b[este &] bor alþer grattest, - </p> - <p> - [And eue]re quen he gronyed, þe<i>n</i>ne greued mony, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">At the first thrust he fells three to the ground.</span> - <p> - For [þre a]t þe fyrst þrast he þry3t to þe erþe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1444</span> - <p> - & [sped hym] forth good sped, boute spyt more, - </p> - <p> - [Ande þay] halowed hygh<i>e</i> ful hy3e & hay! hay! cryed - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 110<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p> - Haden horne3 to mouþe heterly rechated; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Full quickly the hunters pursue him.</span> - <p> - Mony wat3 þe myry mouthe of men & of hou<i>n</i>de3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1448</span> - <p> - Þat buskke3 aft<i>er</i> þis bor, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> bost & wyth - noyse, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - To quelle; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ful oft he byde3 þe baye, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & mayme3 þe mute I<i>n</i>n-melle, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">However, he attacks the hounds, causing them to - yowl and yell.</span> <span class="linenum">1452</span> - <p class="i4"> - He hurte3 of þe hou<i>n</i>de3, & þay - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ful 3omerly 3aule & 3elle. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> fro (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The bowmen send their arrows after this wild - swine,</span> - <p> - Schalke3 to schote at hy<i>m</i> schowen to þe<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - Haled to hym of her arewe3, hitten hym oft; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1456</span> - <p> - Bot þe poy<i>n</i>te3 payred at þe pyth þ<i>a</i>t py3t i<i>n</i> his - schelde3, - </p> - <p> - & þe barbe3 of his browe bite non wolde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but they glide off shivered in pieces.</span> - <p> - Þa3 þe schauen schaft schyndered i<i>n</i> pece3, - </p> - <p> - Þe hede hypped a3ayn, were-so-eu<i>er</i> hit hitte; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Enraged with the blows,</span> <span - class="linenum">1460</span> - <p> - Bot quon þe dynte3 hy<i>m</i> dered of her dry3e stroke3, - </p> - <p> - Þen, brayn-wod for bate, on burne3 he rase3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">he attacks the hunters.</span> - <p> - Hurte3 hem ful heterly þer he forth hy3e3, - </p> - <p> - & mony ar3ed þerat, & on-lyte dro3en. - </p> - <span class="linenum">1464</span> - <p> - Bot þe lorde on a ly3t horce lau<i>n</i>ces hym aft<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord of the land blows his bugle,</span> - <p> - As burne bolde vpon bent his bugle he blowe3, - </p> - <p> - He rechated, & r[ode]<sup>1</sup> þur3 rone3 ful þyk, - </p> - <p> - Suande þis wy[ld]e swyn til þe su<i>n</i>ne schafted. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and pursues the boar.</span> <span class="linenum">1468</span> - <p> - Þis day wyth þis ilk dede þay dryuen on þis wyse, - </p> - <p> - Whyle oure luflych lede lys i<i>n</i> his bedde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">All this time Gawayne lies a-bed.</span> - <p> - Gawayn g<i>ra</i>yþely at home, i<i>n</i> gere3 ful ryche - </p> - <p class="i8"> - of hewe; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1472</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe lady no3t for3ate, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Com to hy<i>m</i> to salue, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ful erly ho wat3 hy<i>m</i> ate, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - His mode forto remwe. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> The MS. is here almost illegible. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XIV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The lady of the castle again visits Sir Gawayne.</span> - <span class="linenum">1476</span> - <p> - Ho co<i>m</i>mes to þe cortyn, & at þe kny3t totes, - </p> - <p> - S<i>ir</i> Wawen her welcu<i>m</i>ed worþy on fyrst, - </p> - <p> - & ho hy<i>m</i> 3elde3 a3ayn, ful 3erne of hir worde3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Softly she sits by his side,</span> - <p> - Sette3 hir sof[t]ly by his syde, & swyþely ho la3e3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1480</span> - <p> - & wyth a luflych loke ho layde<sup>1</sup> hy<i>m</i> þyse worde3: - </p> - <p> - "S<i>ir</i>, 3if 3e be Wawen, wonder me þynkke3, - </p> - <p> - Wy3e þat is so wel wrast alway to god, - </p> - <p> - & conne3 not of compaynye þe coste3 vnder-take, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 111]</span> <span class="linenum">1484</span> - <p> - & if mon ke<i>n</i>nes yow hom to knowe, 3e kest hom of yo<i>ur</i> - my<i>n</i>de; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and tells the knight that he has forgotten what - she taught him the day before.</span> - <p> - Þou hat3 for-3eten 3ederly þat 3ist<i>er</i>day I ta3tte - </p> - <p> - alder-truest token of talk þat I cowþe." - </p> - <p> - "What is þat?" q<i>uod</i> þe wygh<i>e</i>, "I-wysse I wot neu<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1488</span> - <p> - If hit be sothe þat 3e breue, þe blame is my<i>n</i> awen." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"I taught you of kissing," she says, "that - becomes every knight."</span> - <p> - "3et I kende yow of kyssy<i>n</i>g," q<i>uod</i> þe clere þe<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - "Quere-so cou<i>n</i>tenau<i>n</i>ce is couþe, quikly to clayme, - </p> - <p> - Þat bicu<i>m</i>es vche a kny3t, þat cortaysy vses." - </p> - <span class="linenum">1492</span> - <p> - "Do way," q<i>uod</i> þat derf mon, "my dere, þat speche, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne says that he must not take that which is - forbidden.</span> - <p> - For þat durst I not do, lest I denayed were, - </p> - <p> - If I were werned, I were wrang I-wysse, 3if I p<i>ro</i>fered." - </p> - <p> - "Ma fay," q<i>uod</i> þe mere wyf, "3e may not be werned, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He is told that he is strong enough to enforce - it.</span> <span class="linenum">1496</span> - <p> - 3e ar stif i<i>n</i>-nogh<i>e</i> to constrayne wyth strenkþe, 3if yow - lyke3, - </p> - <p> - 3if any were so vilano<i>us</i> þat yow denaye<sup>2</sup> wolde." - </p> - <p> - "3e, be God," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, "good is yo<i>ur</i> speche, - </p> - <p> - Bot þrete is vn-þryuande i<i>n</i> þede þ<i>er</i> I lende, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight replies that every gift is worthless - that is not given willingly.</span> <span class="linenum">1500</span> - <p> - & vche gift þat is geuen not w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> goud wylle; - </p> - <p> - I am at yo<i>ur</i> comaundeme<i>n</i>t, to kysse quen yow lyke3, - </p> - <p> - 3e may lach quen yow lyst, & leue quen yow þynkke3, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - in space." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lady stoops down and kisses him.</span> <span - class="linenum">1504</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe lady loute3 a-dou<i>n</i>, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & comlyly kysses his face, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Much speche þay þ<i>er</i> expou<i>n</i>, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Of druryes greme & g<i>ra</i>ce. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> sayde (?). <sup>2</sup> de vaye, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"I would learn," she says, "why you, who are so - young and active,</span> <span class="linenum">1508</span> - <p> - "I woled<sup>1</sup> wyt at yow, wy3e," þat worþy þer sayde, - </p> - <p> - "& yow wrathed not þer-wyth, what were þe skylle, - </p> - <p> - Þat so 3ong & so 3epe, as 3e [ar] at þis tyme, - </p> - <p> - So cortayse, so kny3tyly, as 3e ar knowen oute, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">so skilled in the true sport of love,</span> - <span class="linenum">1512</span> - <p> - & of alle cheualry to chose, þe chef þy<i>n</i>g a-losed, - </p> - <p> - Is<sup>2</sup> þe lel layk of luf, þe lettrure of armes; - </p> - <p> - F[or] to telle of þis tenely<i>n</i>g of þis trwe kny3te3, - </p> - <p> - Hit is þe tytelet, token, & tyxt of her werkke3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1516</span> - <p> - How le[des] for her lele luf hor lyue3 han au<i>n</i>tered, - </p> - <p> - Endured for her drury dulful stou<i>n</i>de3, - </p> - <p> - & aft<i>er</i> wenged w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> her walo<i>ur</i> & - voyded her care, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and so renowned a knight,</span> - <p> - & bro3t blysse i<i>n</i>-to boure, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> bou<i>n</i>tees - hor awen. - </p> - <span class="linenum">1520</span> - <p> - & 3e ar kny3t com-lokest kyd of yo<i>ur</i> elde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 111<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p> - Yo<i>ur</i> worde & yo<i>ur</i> worchip walke3 ay quere, - </p> - <p> - & I haf seten by yo<i>ur</i>-self here sere twyes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">have never talked to me of love.</span> - <p> - 3et herde I neu<i>er</i> of yo<i>ur</i> hed helde no worde3 - </p> - <span class="linenum">1524</span> - <p> - Þat eu<i>er</i> longed to luf, lasse ne more; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">You ought to show a young thing like me some - token of 'true-love's crafts.'</span> - <p> - & 3e, þat ar so cortays & coy<i>n</i>t of yo<i>ur</i> hetes, - </p> - <p> - Ogh<i>e</i> to a 3onke þy<i>n</i>k 3ern to schewe, - </p> - <p> - & teche su<i>m</i> tokene3 of trweluf craftes. - </p> - <span class="linenum">1528</span> - <p> - Why ar 3e lewed, þat alle þe los welde3, - </p> - <p> - Oþ<i>er</i> elles 3e demen me to dille, yo<i>ur</i> dalyau<i>n</i>ce - to herken? - </p> - <p class="i8"> - for schame! - </p> - <p class="i4"> - I com hider sengel, & sitte, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1532</span> - <p class="i4"> - To lerne at yow su<i>m</i> game, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">So teach me of your 'wit' while my lord is from - home."</span> - <p class="i4"> - Dos, teche3 me of yo<i>ur</i> wytte, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Whil my lorde is fro hame." - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> wolde (?). <sup>2</sup> In (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XVI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"It is a great pleasure to me," says Sir Gawayne, - "to hear you talk,</span> - <p> - "In goud fayþe," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, "God yow for3elde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1536</span> - <p> - Gret is þe gode gle, & gomen to me huge, - </p> - <p> - Þat so worþy as 3e wolde wy<i>n</i>ne hidere, - </p> - <p> - & pyne yow w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> so pou<i>er</i> a mon, as play wyth - yo<i>ur</i> kny3t, - </p> - <p> - With any sky<i>n</i>ne3 cou<i>n</i>tenau<i>n</i>ce, hit keu<i>er</i>e3 - me ese; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but I cannot undertake the task to expound - true-love and tales of arms.</span> <span class="linenum">1540</span> - <p> - Bot to take þe toruayle<sup>1</sup> to my-self, to trwluf expou<i>n</i>, - </p> - <p> - & towche þe teme3 of tyxt, & tale3 of arme3, - </p> - <p> - To yow þat, I wot wel, welde3 more sly3t - </p> - <p> - Of þat art, bi þe half, or a hu<i>n</i>dreth of seche - </p> - <span class="linenum">1544</span> - <p> - As I am, oþ<i>er</i> eu<i>er</i> schal, i<i>n</i> erde þer I leue, - </p> - <p> - Hit were a fole fele-folde, my fre, by my trawþe. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I will, however, act according to your will,</span> - <p> - I wolde yowre wylny<i>n</i>g worche at my my3t, - </p> - <p> - As I am hy3ly bihalden, & eu<i>er</i>-more wylle - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and ever be your servant."</span> <span - class="linenum">1548</span> - <p> - Be seruau<i>n</i>t to yo<i>ur</i>-seluen, so saue me dry3tyn!" - </p> - <p> - Þ<i>us</i> hy<i>m</i> frayned þat fre, & fondet hy<i>m</i> ofte, - </p> - <p> - Forto haf wo<i>n</i>nen hy<i>m</i> to wo3e, what-so scho þo3t elle3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Thus Gawayne defends himself.</span> - <p> - Bot he de fended hy<i>m</i> so fayr, þat no faut semed, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1552</span> - <p> - Ne non euel on nawþ<i>er</i> halue, nawþ<i>er</i> þay wysten, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - bot blysse; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þay la3ed & layked longe, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - At þe last scho con hy<i>m</i> kysse, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lady having kissed the knight, takes leave of - him.</span> <span class="linenum">1556</span> - <p class="i4"> - Hir leue fayre con scho fonge, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & went hir waye Iwysse. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> tornayle (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XVII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne rises, hears mass, and then dines.</span> - <p> - Then ruþes hy<i>m</i> þe renk, & ryses to þe masse, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 112.]</span> - <p> - & siþen hor din<i>er</i> wat3 dy3t & derely serued. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Meanwhile the lord pursues the wild boar,</span> - <span class="linenum">1560</span> - <p> - Þe lede w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe ladye3 layked alle day, - </p> - <p> - Bot þe lorde ou<i>er</i> þe londe3 lau<i>n</i>ced ful ofte, - </p> - <p> - Swe3 his vncely swyn, þat swy<i>n</i>ge3 bi þe bonkke3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">that bit the backs of his hounds asunder,</span> - <p> - & bote þe best of his brache3 þe bakke3 i<i>n</i> su<i>n</i>der; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1564</span> - <p> - Þer he bode i<i>n</i> his bay, tel<sup>1</sup> bawe-men hit breken, - </p> - <p> - & made<sup>2</sup> hym, maw-gref his bed, forto mwe vtt<i>er</i>; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and caused the stiffest of the hunters to start.</span> - <p> - So felle flone3 per flete, when þe folk gedered; - </p> - <p> - Bot 3et þe styffest to start bi stou<i>n</i>de3 he made, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1568</span> - <p> - Til at þe last he wat3 so mat, he my3t no more re<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The boar runs into a hole in a rock by the side - of a brook.</span> - <p> - Bot i<i>n</i> þe hast þat he my3t, he to a hole wy<i>n</i>ne3, - </p> - <p> - Of a rasse, bi a rokk, þ<i>er</i> re<i>n</i>ne3 þe boerne, - </p> - <p> - He gete þe bonk at his bak, bigy<i>n</i>e3 to scrape, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The froth foams at his mouth.</span> <span - class="linenum">1572</span> - <p> - Þe froþe femed<sup>3</sup> at his mouth vnfayre bi þe wyke3, - </p> - <p> - Whette3 his whyte tusche3; w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hy<i>m</i> þe<i>n</i> - irked - </p> - <p> - Alle þe burne3 so bolde, þat hy<i>m</i> by stoden, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">None durst approach him,</span> - <p> - To nye hy<i>m</i> on-ferum, bot ne3e hy<i>m</i> non durst - </p> - <span class="linenum">1576</span> - <p class="i8"> - for woþe; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He hade hurt so mony byforne, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þat al þu3t<sup>4</sup> þe<i>n</i>ne ful loþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">so many had he torn with his tusks.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Be more wyth his tusche3 torne, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1580</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þat breme wat3 [&] bray<i>n</i>-wod both<i>e</i>. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> til (?). <sup>2</sup> madee, in MS. <sup>3</sup> fomed (?). - <sup>4</sup> þo3t (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XVIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The knight, seeing the boar at bay,</span> - <p> - Til þe kny3t com hy<i>m</i>-self, kachande his blonk, - </p> - <p> - Sy3 hy<i>m</i> byde at þe bay, his burne3 bysyde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">alights from his horse,</span> - <p> - He ly3t<i>es</i> luflych<sup>1</sup> adou<i>n</i>, leue3 his corso<i>ur</i>, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1584</span> - <p> - Brayde3 out a bry3t bront, & bigly forth stryde3, - </p> - <p> - Fou<i>n</i>de3 fast þur3 þe forth, þer þe felle byde3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and seeks to attack him with his sword.</span> - <p> - Þe wylde wat3 war of þe wy3e w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> weppen i<i>n</i> - honde, - </p> - <p> - Hef hy3ly þe here, so hett<i>er</i>ly he fnast, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1588</span> - <p> - Þat fele ferde for þe freke3,<sup>2</sup> lest felle hy<i>m</i> þe - worre; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The "swine sets out" upon the man,</span> - <p> - Þe swyn sette3 hy<i>m</i> out on þe segge euen, - </p> - <p> - Þat þe burne & þe bor were boþe vpon hepe3, - </p> - <p> - In þe wy3t-est of þe wat<i>er</i>, þe worre hade þat oþ<i>er</i>; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">who, aiming well,</span> <span class="linenum">1592</span> - <p> - For þe mon merkke3 hy<i>m</i> wel, as þay mette fyrst, - </p> - <p> - Set sadly þe scharp i<i>n</i> þe slot euen, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">wounds him in the pit of the stomach.</span> - <p> - Hit hy<i>m</i> vp to þe hult, þat þe hert schyndered, - </p> - <p> - & he 3arrande hy<i>m</i> 3elde, & 3edou<i>n</i><sup>3</sup> þe - wat<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1596</span> - <p class="i8"> - ful tyt; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 112<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p class="i4"> - A hu<i>n</i>dreth hou<i>n</i>de3 hy<i>m</i> hent, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The boar is soon bitten to death by a hundred - hounds.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þat bremely con hy<i>m</i> bite, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Burne3 hi<i>m</i> bro3t to bent, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1600</span> - <p class="i4"> - & dogge3 to dethe endite. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. luslych. <sup>2</sup> freke (?). <sup>3</sup> 3ede doun - (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XIX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then was there blowing of horns</span> - <p> - There wat3 blawy<i>n</i>g of prys i<i>n</i> mony breme home, - </p> - <p> - He3e halowi<i>n</i>g on hi3e, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> haþele3 þat my3t; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and baying of hounds.</span> - <p> - Brachetes bayed þat best, as bidden þe mayst<i>er</i>e3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1604</span> - <p> - Of þat chargeau<i>n</i>t chace þat were chef hu<i>n</i>tes. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">One wise in woodcraft begins to unlace the boar.</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne a wy3e þat wat3 wys vpon wod crafte3, - </p> - <p> - To vnlace þis bor lufly bigy<i>n</i>ne3; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">First he hews off the head, then rends him by the - back.</span> - <p> - Fyrst he hewes of his hed, & on hi3e sette3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1608</span> - <p> - & syþen rende3 him al rogh<i>e</i> bi þe rygge after, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He next removes the bowels, broils them on the - ashes, and therewith rewards his hounds.</span> - <p> - Brayde3 out þe boweles, bre<i>n</i>ne3 ho<i>m</i> on glede, - </p> - <p> - With bred blent þer-w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> his braches rewarde3; - </p> - <p> - Syþen he britne3 out þe brawen i<i>n</i> bry3t brode [s]chelde3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Then the hastlets are removed.</span> <span - class="linenum">1612</span> - <p> - & hat3 out þe hastlette3, as hi3tly biseme3; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The two halves are next bound together and hung - upon a pole.</span> - <p> - & 3et hem halche3 al hole þe halue3 to-geder, - </p> - <p> - & syþen on a stif stange stoutly hem henges. - </p> - <p> - Now with þis ilk swyn þay swengen to home; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The boar's head is borne before the knight, who - hastens home.</span> <span class="linenum">1616</span> - <p> - Þe bores hed wat3 borne bifore þe burnes seluen, - </p> - <p> - Þat hi<i>m</i> for-ferde i<i>n</i> þe forþe, þur3 forse of his honde, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - so stronge; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Til he se3 s<i>ir</i> Gawayne, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1620</span> - <p class="i4"> - I<i>n</i> halle hy<i>m</i> þo3t ful longe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne is called to receive the spoil.</span> - <p class="i4"> - He calde, & he com gayn, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - His fee3 þ<i>er</i> for to fonge. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The lord of the land is well pleased when he sees - Sir Gawayne,</span> - <p> - Þe lorde ful lowde w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> lote, & la3ed myry, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1624</span> - <p> - Whe<i>n</i> he se3e s<i>ir</i> G: w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> solace he speke3; - </p> - <p> - Þe goude ladye3 were geten, & gedered þe meyny, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He shows him the shields of the wild boar, and - tells him of its length and breadth.</span> - <p> - He schewe3 hem þe schelde3, & schapes hem þe tale, - </p> - <p> - Of þe largesse, & þe lenþe, þe liþ<i>er</i>ne3 alse, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1628</span> - <p> - Of þe were of þe wylde swyn, i<i>n</i> wod þer he fled. - </p> - <p> - Þat oþ<i>er</i> kny3t ful comly comended his dede3, - </p> - <p> - & praysed hit as gret prys, þat he proued hade; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Such a "brawn of a beast," Sir Gawayne says, he - never has seen.</span> - <p> - For suche a brawne of a best, þe bolde burne sayde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1632</span> - <p> - Ne such sydes of a swyn, segh he neu<i>er</i> are. - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne hondeled þay þe hoge hed, þe hende mo<i>n</i> hit - praysed, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 113.]</span> - <p> - & let lodly þerat þe lorde forte here: - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne takes possession of it according to - covenant,</span> - <p> - "Now Gawayn," q<i>uod</i> þe god mon, "þis gomen is yo<i>ur</i> awen, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1636</span> - <p> - Bi fyn for-warde & faste, faythely 3e knowe." - </p> - <p> - "Hit is sothe," q<i>uod</i> þe segge, "& as siker trwe; - </p> - <p> - Alle my get I schal yow gif agayn, bi my trawþe." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and in return kisses his host,</span> - <p> - He [hent] þe haþel aboute þe halse, & hendely hy<i>m</i> kysses, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1640</span> - <p> - & eft<i>er</i>-sones of þe same he serued hy<i>m</i> þere. - </p> - <p> - "Now ar we euen," q<i>uod</i> þe haþel, "in þis euen-tide, - </p> - <p> - Of alle þe couenau<i>n</i>tes þat we knyt, syþen I com hider, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - bi lawe;" - </p> - <span class="sidenote">who declares his guest to be the best he knows.</span> - <span class="linenum">1644</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe lorde sayde, "bi saynt Gile, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - 3e ar þe best þat I knowe, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - 3e ben ryche i<i>n</i> a whyle, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Such chaffer & 3e drowe." - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XXI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Tables are raised aloft,</span> <span - class="linenum">1648</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne þay teldet table3 [on] trestes alofte, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">cloths cast upon them,</span> - <p> - Kesten cloþe3 vpon, clere ly3t þe<i>n</i>ne - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and torches are lighted.</span> - <p> - Wakned bi wo3e3, waxen torches - </p> - <p> - Segge3 sette, & serued i<i>n</i> sale al aboute; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">With much mirth and glee,</span> <span - class="linenum">1652</span> - <p> - Much glam & gle glent vp þ<i>er</i>-i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - Aboute þe fyre vpon flet, & on fele wyse, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">supper is served in the hall,</span> - <p> - At þe soper & aft<i>er</i>, mony aþel songe3, - </p> - <p> - As cou<i>n</i>dutes of kryst-masse, & carole3 newe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1656</span> - <p> - With alle þe man<i>er</i>ly m<i>er</i>þe þ<i>a</i>t mon may of telle. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and ever our lovely knight by the lady sits,</span> - <p> - & eu<i>er</i> oure luflych kny3t þe lady bi-syde; - </p> - <p> - Such semblau<i>n</i>t to þat segge semly ho made, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">who does all she can to please her companion.</span> - <p> - Wyth stille stollen cou<i>n</i>tenau<i>n</i>ce, þat stalworth to - plese, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1660</span> - <p> - Þat al for-wondered wat3 þe wy3e, & wroth w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hy<i>m</i>-seluen, - </p> - <p> - Bot he nolde not for his nurture nurne hir a-3ayne3, - </p> - <p> - Bot dalt w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hir al i<i>n</i> daynte, how-se-eu<i>er</i> - þe dede turned - </p> - <p class="i8"> - to wrast; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">When they had long played in the hall,</span> - <span class="linenum">1664</span> - <p class="i4"> - Quen þay hade played i<i>n</i> halle, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - As longe as hor wylle hom last, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">they proceeded "to chamber."</span> - <p class="i4"> - To chambre he<sup>1</sup> con hy<i>m</i> calle, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & to þe chem-ne þay past. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> ho (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">There they drank and discoursed.</span> <span - class="linenum">1668</span> - <p> - Ande þer þay dronken, & dalten, & demed eft nwe, - </p> - <p> - To norne on þe same note, on nwe3ere3 euen; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne begs leave to depart on the morrow.</span> - <p> - Bot þe kny3t craued leue, to kayre on þe morn, - </p> - <p> - For hit wat3 ne3 at þe terme, þat he to<sup>1</sup> schulde. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 113<i>b</i>.]</span> <span class="linenum">1672</span> - <p> - Þe lorde hy<i>m</i> letted of þat, to lenge hy<i>m</i> resteyed, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">His host swears to him,</span> - <p> - & sayde, "as I am trwe segge, I siker my trawþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">that he shall come to the Green Chapel on New - Year's morn long before prime.</span> - <p> - Þ<i>o</i>u schal cheue to þe grene chapel, þy charres to make, - </p> - <p> - Leude, on nw3ere3 ly3t, longe bifore pryme: - </p> - <span class="linenum">1676</span> - <p> - For-þy þow lye i<i>n</i> þy loft, & lach þyn ese, - </p> - <p> - & I schal hu<i>n</i>t in þis holt, & halde þe towche3, - </p> - <p> - Chau<i>n</i>ge wyth þe cheuisau<i>n</i>ce, bi þat I charre hider; - </p> - <p> - For I haf fraysted þe twys, & faythful I fynde þe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1680</span> - <p> - Now þrid tyme þrowe best þenk on þe morne, - </p> - <p> - Make we mery quyl we may, & my<i>n</i>ne vpon Ioye, - </p> - <p> - For þe lur may mon lach, when so mon lyke3." - </p> - <p> - Þis wat3 grayþely grau<i>n</i>ted, & Gawayn is lenged, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Our knight consents to remain for another night.</span> - <span class="linenum">1684</span> - <p> - Bliþe bro3t wat3 hym drynk, & þay to bedde 3eden, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> li3t; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Full still and softly he sleeps all night.</span> - <p class="i4"> - S<i>ir</i> G: lis & slepes, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ful stille & softe al ni3t; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Early in the morning the lord is up.</span> <span - class="linenum">1688</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe lorde þat his crafte3 kepes, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ful erly he wat3 di3t. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> te (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">After mass, a morsel he take with his men.</span> - <p> - Aft<i>er</i> messe a morsel<sup>1</sup> he & his men token, - </p> - <p> - Miry wat3 þe morny<i>n</i>g, his mou<i>n</i>ture he askes; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Then were all on their horses before the - hall-gates.</span> <span class="linenum">1692</span> - <p> - Alle þe haþeles þat on horse schulde helden hy<i>m</i> aft<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - Were bou<i>n</i> busked on hor blonkke3, bi-fore<sup>2</sup> þe halle - 3ate3; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It was a clear frosty morning.</span> - <p> - Ferly fayre wat3 þe folde, for þe forst clenged, - </p> - <p> - I<i>n</i> rede rudede vpon rak rises þe su<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The hunters, dispersed by a wood's side,</span> - <span class="linenum">1696</span> - <p> - & ful clere coste3<sup>3</sup> þe clowdes of þe welkyn. - </p> - <p> - Hu<i>n</i>teres vnhardeled bi a holt syde, - </p> - <p> - Rocheres rou<i>n</i>gen bi rys, for rurde of her hornes; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">come upon the track of a fox,</span> - <p> - Su<i>m</i>me fel i<i>n</i> þe fute, þer þe fox bade, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1700</span> - <p> - Trayle3 ofte a trayt<i>er</i>es<sup>4</sup>, bi trau<i>n</i>t of her - wyles; - </p> - <p> - A kenet kryes þerof, þe hu<i>n</i>t on hy<i>m</i> calles, - </p> - <p> - His fela3es fallen hy<i>m</i> to, þ<i>a</i>t fnasted ful þike, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">which is followed up by the hounds.</span> - <p> - Ru<i>n</i>nen forth i<i>n</i> a rabel, i<i>n</i> his ry3t fare; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1704</span> - <p> - & he fyske3 hem by-fore, þay fou<i>n</i>den hy<i>m</i> sone, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They soon get sight of the game,</span> - <p> - & quen þay segh<i>e</i> hy<i>m</i> wit<i>h</i> sy3t, þay sued hy<i>m</i> - fast, - </p> - <p> - Wre3ande h[y<i>m</i>] ful [w]eterly with a wroth noyse; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and pursue him through many a rough grove.</span> - <p> - & he trantes & tornayee3 þur3 mony tene greue; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1708</span> - <p> - Hamlou<i>n</i>e3, & herkene3, bi hegge3 ful ofte; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 114.]<br />The fox at last leaps over a - spinny,</span> - <p> - At þe last bi a littel dich he lepe3 ou<i>er</i> a spe<i>n</i>né, - </p> - <p> - Stele3 out ful stilly bi a strothe rande, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and by a rugged path seeks to get clear from the - hounds.</span> - <p> - Went haf wylt of þe wode, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> wyle3 fro þe hou<i>n</i>des, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1712</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne wat3 he went, er he wyst, to<sup>5</sup> a wale tryst<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He comes upon one of the hunting stations, where - he is attacked by the dogs.</span> - <p> - Þer þre þro at a þrich þrat hy<i>m</i> at ones, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - al graye; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">However, he slips them,</span> - <p class="i4"> - He blenched a3ayn bilyue, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1716</span> - <p class="i4"> - & stifly start onstray, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - With alle þe wo on lyue, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and makes again for the wood.</span> - <p class="i4"> - To þe wod he went away. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. nnorsel. <sup>2</sup> bi-forere, in MS. <sup>3</sup> - caste3 (?). <sup>4</sup> trayveres (?). <sup>5</sup> to to, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXIV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then was it fine sport to listen to the hounds,</span> - <p> - The<i>n</i>ne wat3 hit lif vpon list to lyþen þe hou<i>n</i>de3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1720</span> - <p> - When alle þe mute hade hy<i>m</i> met, menged to-geder, - </p> - <p> - Suche a sor3e at þat sy3t þay sette on his hede, - </p> - <p> - As alle þe clamberande clyffes hade clat<i>er</i>ed on hepes; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and the hallooing of the hunters.</span> - <p> - Here he wat3 halawed, when haþele3 hy<i>m</i> metten, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1724</span> - <p> - Loude he wat3 3ayned, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> 3arande speche; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">There the fox was threatened and called a thief.</span> - <p> - Þer he wat3 þreted, & ofte þef called, - </p> - <p> - & ay þe titleres at his tayl, þat tary he ne my3t; - </p> - <p> - Ofte he wat3 ru<i>n</i>nen at, when he out rayked, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">But Reynard was wily,</span> <span class="linenum">1728</span> - <p> - & ofte reled i<i>n</i> a3ayn, so reniarde wat3 wylé. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and led them astray over mounts.</span> - <p> - & 3e he lad hem bi lag, mon, þe lorde & his meyny; - </p> - <p> - On þis man<i>er</i> bi þe mou<i>n</i>tes, quyle myd, ou<i>er</i>, - vnder, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Meanwhile the knight at home soundly sleeps - within his comely curtains.</span> - <p> - Whyle þe hende kny3t at home holsu<i>m</i>ly slepe3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1732</span> - <p> - With-i<i>n</i>ne þe comly corty<i>n</i>es, on þe colde morne. - </p> - <p> - Bot þe lady for luf let not to slepe, - </p> - <p> - Ne þe purpose to payre, þat py3t i<i>n</i> hir hert, - </p> - <p> - Bot ros hir vp radly, rayked hir þeder, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lady of the castle, clothed in a rich mantle,</span> - <span class="linenum">1736</span> - <p> - In a mery mantyle, mete to þe erþe, - </p> - <p> - Þat wat3 furred ful fyne w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> felle3, wel pured, - </p> - <p> - No hwe3 goud on hir hede, bot þe ha3er stones - </p> - <p> - Trased aboute hir tresso<i>ur</i>, be twenty i<i>n</i> clust<i>er</i>es; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">her throat and bosom all bare,</span> <span - class="linenum">1740</span> - <p> - Hir þryuen face & hir þrote þrowen al naked, - </p> - <p> - Hir brest bare bifore, & bihinde eke. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">comes to Gawayne's chamber,</span> - <p> - Ho come3 w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-i<i>n</i>ne þe chambre dore, & closes - hit hir aft<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">opens a window, and says,</span> - <p> - Wayne3<sup>1</sup> vp a wyndow, & on þe wy3e calle3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1744</span> - <p> - & radly þ<i>us</i> re-hayted hy<i>m</i>, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hir - riche worde3, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i><sup>2</sup> chere; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Ah! man, how canst thou sleep,</span> - <p class="i4"> - "A! mon, how may þ<i>o</i>u slepe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 114<i>b</i>.]<br />this morning is so - clear?"</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þis morni<i>n</i>g is so clere?" - </p> - <span class="linenum">1748</span> - <p class="i4"> - He wat3 i<i>n</i> drowpi<i>n</i>g depe, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Bot þe<i>n</i>ne he con hir here. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> wayue3(?). <sup>2</sup> bi, à sec. manu. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The knight was then dreaming of his forthcoming - adventure at the Green Chapel.</span> - <p> - In dre3 droupy<i>n</i>g of dreme draueled þat noble, - </p> - <p> - As mon þat wat3 in morny<i>n</i>g of mony þro þo3tes, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1752</span> - <p> - How þat destiné schulde þat day [dy3t] his wyrde, - </p> - <p> - At þe grene chapel, when he þe gome metes, - </p> - <p> - & bi-houes his buffet abide, with-oute debate more; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He awakes and speaks to his fair visitor,</span> - <p> - Bot quen þat comly he keu<i>er</i>ed his wyttes, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1756</span> - <p> - Swenges out of þe sweuenes, & sware3 w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hast. - </p> - <p> - Þe lady luflych com la3ande swete, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">who sweetly kisses him.</span> - <p> - Felle ou<i>er</i> his fayre face, & fetly hi<i>m</i> kyssed; - </p> - <p> - He welcu<i>m</i>e3 hir worþily, with a wale chere; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1760</span> - <p> - He se3 hir so glorio<i>us</i>, & gayly atyred, - </p> - <p> - So fautles of hir fetures, & of so fyne hewes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Great joy warms the heart of Sir Gawayne,</span> - <p> - Wi3t wallande Ioye warmed his hert; - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> smoþe smyly<i>n</i>g & smolt þay smeten i<i>n</i>-to - m<i>er</i>þe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1764</span> - <p> - Þat al wat3 blis & bonchef, þat breke hem bi-twene, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - & wy<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þay lanced wordes gode, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Much wele þe<i>n</i> wat3 þ<i>er</i>-i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and "great peril between them stood."</span> - <span class="linenum">1768</span> - <p class="i4"> - Gret p<i>er</i>ile bi-twene hem stod, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Nif mare of hir kny3t my<i>n</i>ne. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XXVI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The knight is sorely pressed.</span> - <p> - For þat prynce of pris de-presed hy<i>m</i> so þikke. - </p> - <p> - Nurned hy<i>m</i> so ne3e þe þred, þat nede hy<i>m</i> bi-houed, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1772</span> - <p> - Oþ<i>er</i> lach þer hir luf, oþ<i>er</i> lodly re-fuse; - </p> - <p> - He cared for his cortaysye, lest craþayn he were, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He fears lest he should become a traitor to his - host.</span> - <p> - & more for his meschef, 3if he schulde make sy<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - & be traytor to þat tolke, þat þ<i>a</i>t telde a3t. - </p> - <span class="linenum">1776</span> - <p> - "God schylde," q<i>uod</i> þe schalk, "þat schal not be-falle!" - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> luf-la3y<i>ng</i> a lyt, he layd hy<i>m</i> by-syde - </p> - <p> - Alle þe speche3 of specialté þat sprange of her mouthe. - </p> - <p> - Q<i>uod</i> þat burde to þe burne, "blame 3e disserue, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1780</span> - <p> - 3if 3e luf not þat lyf þat 3e lye nexte, - </p> - <p> - Bifore alle þe wy3e3 i<i>n</i> þe worlde, wou<i>n</i>ded i<i>n</i> - hert, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lady inquire whether he has a mistress that - he loves better than her.</span> - <p> - Bot if 3e haf a le<i>m</i>man, a leu<i>er</i>, þat yow lyke3 bett<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - & folden fayth to þat fre, festned so harde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 115.]</span> <span class="linenum">1784</span> - <p> - Þat yow lausen ne lyst, & þat I leue nouþe; - </p> - <p> - And þat 3e telle me þat, now trwly I pray yow, - </p> - <p> - For alle þe lufe3 vpon lyue, layne not þe soþe, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - for gile." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne swears by St. John that he neither - has nor desires one.</span> <span class="linenum">1788</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe kny3t sayde, "be sayn Ion," - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & smeþely con he smyle, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - "In fayth I welde ri3t non, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ne non wil welde þe quile." - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XXVII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="linenum">1792</span> - <p> - "Þat is a worde," q<i>uod</i> þat wy3t, "þat worst is of alle, - </p> - <p> - Bot I am swared for soþe, þat sore me þinkke3; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">She then kisses him, sighing for sorrow.</span> - <p> - Kysse me now coraly, & I schal cach heþen, - </p> - <p> - I may bot mo<i>ur</i>ne vpon molde, as may þat much louyes." - </p> - <span class="linenum">1796</span> - <p> - Sykande ho swe3e dou<i>n</i>, & semly hy<i>m</i> kyssed, - </p> - <p> - & siþen ho seu<i>e</i>res hy<i>m</i> fro, & says as ho - stondes, - </p> - <p> - "Now, dere, at þis de-party<i>n</i>g, do me þis ese, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">She desires some gift,</span> - <p> - Gif me sumquat of þy gifte, þi gloue if<sup>1</sup> hit were, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">by which to remember him.</span> <span - class="linenum">1800</span> - <p> - Þat I may my<i>n</i>ne on þe mon, my mo<i>ur</i>ny<i>n</i>g to - lassen." - </p> - <p> - "Now Iwysse," q<i>uod</i> þat wy3e, "I wolde I hade here - </p> - <p> - Þe leuest þi<i>n</i>g for þy luf, þat I in londe welde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne tells her that she is worthy of a better - gift than he can bestow.</span> - <p> - For 3e haf deserued, forsoþe, sellyly ofte - </p> - <span class="linenum">1804</span> - <p> - More rewarde bi resou<i>n</i>, þe<i>n</i> I reche my3t, - </p> - <p> - Bot to dele yow for drurye, þ<i>a</i>t dawed bot neked; - </p> - <p> - Hit is not yo<i>ur</i> hono<i>ur</i> to haf at þis tyme - </p> - <p> - A gloue for a garysou<i>n</i>, of Gawayne3 gifte3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1808</span> - <p> - & I am here [on] an erande i<i>n</i> erde3 vncouþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He has no men with mails containing precious - things.</span> - <p> - & haue no me<i>n</i> wyth no male3, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> menskful þi<i>n</i>ge3; - </p> - <p> - Þat mislyke3 me, ladé, for luf at þis tyme,<sup>2</sup> - </p> - <p> - Iche tolke mon do as he is tan, tas to non ille, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1812</span> - <p class="i8"> - ne pine." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Then says that lovesome,</span> - <p class="i4"> - "Nay, hende of hy3e hono<i>ur</i>s," - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Q<i>uod</i> þat lufsu<i>m</i> vnder lyne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Though I had nought of yours, yet should ye have - of mine."</span> - <p class="i4"> - "Þa3 I hade o3t<sup>3</sup> of yo<i>ur</i>e3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1816</span> - <p class="i4"> - 3et schulde 3e haue of myne." - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> of, in MS. <sup>2</sup> tyne, in MS. <sup>3</sup> no3t (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXVIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">She offers him a gold ring,</span> - <p> - Ho ra3t hy<i>m</i> a riche rynk<sup>1</sup> of red golde werke3, - </p> - <p> - Wyth a starande ston, stondande alofte, - </p> - <p> - Þat bere blusschande beme3 as þe bry3t su<i>n</i>ne; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1820</span> - <p> - Wyt 3e wel, hit wat3 worth wele ful hoge. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but he refuses to accept it,</span> - <p> - Bot þe renk hit renayed, & redyly he sayde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 115<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p> - "I wil no gifte3 for gode, my gay, at þis tyme; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">as he has none to give in return.</span> - <p> - I haf none yow to norne, ne no3t wyl I take." - </p> - <span class="linenum">1824</span> - <p> - Ho bede hit hy<i>m</i> ful bysily, & he hir bode wernes, - </p> - <p> - & swere swyftel[y] his sothe, þat he hit sese nolde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Very sorrowful was that fair one on account of - his refusal.</span> - <p> - & ho sore þat he forsoke, & sayde þ<i>er</i>-after, - </p> - <p> - "If 3e renay my rynk, to ryche for hit seme3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1828</span> - <p> - 3e wolde not so hy3ly halden be to me, - </p> - <p> - I schal gif yow my girdel, þat gaynes yow lasse." - </p> - <p> - Ho la3t a lace ly3tly, þat<sup>2</sup> leke vmbe hir syde3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">She takes off her "girdle,"</span> - <p> - Knit vpon hir kyrtel, vnder þe clere mantyle, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1832</span> - <p> - Gered hit wat3 w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> grene sylke, & w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> - golde schaped, - </p> - <p> - No3t bot arou<i>n</i>de brayden, beten w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> fyngre3; - </p> - <p> - & þat ho bede to þe burne, & blyþely bi-so3t - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and beseeches him to take it.</span> - <p> - Þa3 hit vn-worþi were, þat he hit take wolde. - </p> - <span class="linenum">1836</span> - <p> - & he nay þat he nolde negh<i>e</i> i<i>n</i> no wyse, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne again refuses to accept anything,</span> - <p> - Nauþer golde ne garysou<i>n</i>, er God hy<i>m</i> g<i>ra</i>ce sende, - </p> - <p> - To acheue to þe chau<i>n</i>ce þat he hade chosen þere. - </p> - <p> - "& þerfore, I pray yow, displese yow no3t, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1840</span> - <p> - & lette3 be yo<i>ur</i> bisinesse, for I bayþe hit yow neu<i>er</i> - </p> - <p class="i8"> - to grau<i>n</i>te; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - I am derely to yow biholde, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Bi-cause of yo<i>ur</i> sembelau<i>n</i>t, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but promises, "ever in hot and in cold, to be her - true servant."</span> <span class="linenum">1844</span> - <p class="i4"> - & eu<i>er</i> i<i>n</i> hot & colde - </p> - <p class="i4"> - To be yo<i>ur</i> trwe seruau<i>n</i>t. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> ryng (?). <sup>2</sup> þat þat, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXIX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"Do you refuse it," says the lady, because it is - simple?</span> - <p> - "Now forsake 3e þis silke." sayde þe burde þe<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - "For hit is symple i<i>n</i> hit-self. & so hit wel seme3? - </p> - <span class="linenum">1848</span> - <p> - Lo! so hit is littel, & lasse hit is worþy; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Whoso knew the virtues that it possesses, would - highly prize it.</span> - <p> - Bot who-so knew þe costes þat knit ar þer-i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - He wolde hit prayse at more prys, parauenture; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">For he who is girded with this green lace,</span> - <p> - For quat gome so is gorde w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þis grene lace, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1852</span> - <p> - While he hit hade hemely halched aboute, - </p> - <p> - Þer is no haþel vnder heuen to-hewe hym þat my3t; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">cannot be wounded or slain."</span> - <p> - For he my3t not he slayn, for sly3t vpon erþe." - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i> kest þe kny3t, & hit come to his hert, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight thinks of his adventure at the Green - Chapel.</span> <span class="linenum">1856</span> - <p> - Hit were a Iuel for þe Iopardé, þat hy<i>m</i> iugged were, - </p> - <p> - When he acheued to þe chapel, his chek forto fech; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lady presses him to accept the lace.</span> - <p> - My3<sup>1</sup> he haf slypped to þe vn-slayn, þe sle3t were noble. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 116.]</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne ho þulged with hir þrepe, & þoled hir to speke, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1860</span> - <p> - & ho bere on hy<i>m</i> þe belt, & bede hit hy<i>m</i> swyþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He consents not only to take the girdle, but to - keep the possession of it a secret.</span> - <p> - & he g<i>ra</i>nted, & [ho] hy<i>m</i> gafe with a goud wylle, - </p> - <p> - & biso3t hy<i>m</i>, for hir sake, disceu<i>er</i> hit neu<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - Bot to lelly layne for<sup>2</sup> hir lorde; þe leude hy<i>m</i> - acorde3. - </p> - <span class="linenum">1864</span> - <p> - Þat neu<i>er</i> wy3e schulde hit wyt, Iwysse, bot þay twayne, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - for no3te; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He þonkked hir oft ful swyþe, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ful þro w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hert & þo3t. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">By that time the lady has kissed him thrice.</span> - <span class="linenum">1868</span> - <p class="i4"> - Bi þat on þry<i>n</i>ne syþe, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He hat3 kyst þe kny3t so to3t. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> my3t (?). <sup>2</sup> fro (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then she takes her leave.</span> - <p> - The<i>n</i>ne lachche3 ho hir leue, & leue3 hy<i>m</i> þere, - </p> - <p> - For more myrþe of þat mon mo3t ho not gete; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne then dresses himself,</span> <span - class="linenum">1872</span> - <p> - When ho<sup>1</sup> wat3 gon, s<i>ir</i> G. gere3 hy<i>m</i> sone, - </p> - <p> - Rises, & riches hy<i>m</i> i<i>n</i> araye noble, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and conceals the love-lace about his person.</span> - <p> - Lays vp þe luf-lace, þe lady hy<i>m</i> ra3t, - </p> - <p> - Hid hit ful holdely, þ<i>er</i> he hit eft fonde; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1876</span> - <p> - Syþe<i>n</i> cheuely to þe chapel choses he þe waye, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He then hies to mass,</span> - <p> - Preuely aproched to a prest, & prayed hy<i>m</i> þere - </p> - <p> - Þat he wolde lyfte<sup>2</sup> his lyf, & lern hy<i>m</i> bett<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - How his sawle schulde be saued, when he schuld seye heþe<i>n</i>. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and shrives him of his misdeeds.</span> <span - class="linenum">1880</span> - <p> - Þere he schrof hy<i>m</i> schyrly, & schewed his mysdede3, - </p> - <p> - Of þe more & þe my<i>n</i>ne, & m<i>er</i>ci beseche3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and prays for absolution.</span> - <p> - & of absoluciou<i>n</i> he on þe segge calles; - </p> - <p> - & he asoyled hy<i>m</i> surely, & sette hy<i>m</i> so clene, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He returns to the hall, and makes himself so - merry among the ladies,</span> <span class="linenum">1884</span> - <p> - As dome3-day schulde haf ben di3t on þe morn. - </p> - <p> - & syþen he mace hy<i>m</i> as mery amo<i>n</i>g þe fre ladyes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">with comely carols,</span> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> comlych caroles, & alle ky<i>n</i>nes ioye, - </p> - <p> - As neu<i>er</i> he did bot þat daye, to þe derk ny3t, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1888</span> - <p class="i8"> - w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> blys; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Vche mon hade daynte þare, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">that they said,</span> - <p class="i4"> - Of hy<i>m</i>, & sayde Iwysse, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Thus merry was he never before since hither he - came."</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þ<i>us</i> myry he wat3 neu<i>er</i> are, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1892</span> - <p class="i4"> - Syn he com hider, er þis. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> he, in MS. <sup>2</sup> lyste (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXXI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne's host is still in the field.</span> - <p> - Now hy<i>m</i> lenge i<i>n</i> þat lee, þ<i>er</i> luf hy<i>m</i> - bi-tyde; - </p> - <p> - 3et is þe lorde on þe lau<i>n</i>de, ledande his gomnes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He has destroyed the fox.</span> - <p> - He hat3 forfaren þis fox, þ<i>a</i>t he fol3ed longe; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1896</span> - <p> - As he sprent ou<i>er</i> a spe<i>n</i>né, to spye þe schrewe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 116<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p> - Þer as he herd þe howndes, þat hasted hy<i>m</i> swyþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He spied Reynard coming through a "rough grove,"</span> - <p> - Renaud com richchande þur3 a ro3e greue, - </p> - <p> - & alle þe rabel i<i>n</i> a res, ry3t at his hele3. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and tried to hit him with his sword.</span> <span - class="linenum">1900</span> - <p> - Þe wy3e wat3 war of þe wylde, & warly abides, - </p> - <p> - & brayde3 out þe bry3t bronde, & at þe best caste3; - </p> - <p> - & he schu<i>n</i>t for þe scharp, & schulde haf arered, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The fox "shunts," and is seized by one of the - dogs.</span> - <p> - A rach rapes hy<i>m</i> to, ry3t er he my3t, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1904</span> - <p> - & ry3t bifore þe hors fete þay fel on hy<i>m</i> alle, - </p> - <p> - & woried me þis wyly wyth a wroth noyse. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord takes him out of the hound's mouth.</span> - <p> - Þe lorde ly3te3 bilyue, & cache3 by<sup>1</sup> sone, - </p> - <p> - Rased hy<i>m</i> ful radly out of þe rach mouþes, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1908</span> - <p> - Halde3 he3e ou<i>er</i> his hede, halowe3 faste, - </p> - <p> - & þ<i>er</i> bayen hy<i>m</i> mony bray<sup>2</sup> hou<i>n</i>de3; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Hunters hasten thither with horns full many.</span> - <p> - Hu<i>n</i>tes hy3ed hem þeder, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> horne3 ful mony, - </p> - <p> - Ay re-chatande ary3t til þay þe renk se3en; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1912</span> - <p> - Bi þat wat3 comen his compeyny noble, - </p> - <p> - Alle þat eu<i>er</i> ber bugle blowed at ones, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It was the merriest meet that ever was heard.</span> - <p> - & alle þise oþ<i>er</i> halowed, þat hade no hornes, - </p> - <p> - Hit wat3 þe myriest mute þat eu<i>er</i> me<i>n</i> herde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1916</span> - <p> - Þe rich rurd þat þ<i>er</i> wat3 raysed for renaude saule, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> lote; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The hounds are rewarded,</span> - <p class="i4"> - Hor hou<i>n</i>de3 þay þ<i>er</i> rewarde, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Her<sup>3</sup> hede3 þay fawne & frote, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and then they take Reynard and "turn off his - coat."</span> <span class="linenum">1920</span> - <p class="i4"> - & syþen þay tan reynarde, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & tyrnen of his cote. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> hy<i>m</i> (?). <sup>2</sup> braþ (?). <sup>3</sup> Her - her, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXXII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The hunters then hasten home.</span> - <p> - & þe<i>n</i>ne þay helden to home, for hit wat3 nie3 ny3t, - </p> - <p> - Strakande ful stoutly i<i>n</i> hor store horne3; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord at last alights at his dear home,</span> - <span class="linenum">1924</span> - <p> - Þe lorde is ly3t at þe laste at hys lef home, - </p> - <p> - Fynde3 fire vpon flet, þe freke þ<i>er</i> by-side, - </p> - <p> - Sir Gawayn þe gode, þat glad wat3 w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> alle, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">where he finds Gawayne amusing the ladies.</span> - <p> - Amo<i>n</i>g þe ladies for luf he ladde much ioye, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1928</span> - <p> - He were a bleau<i>n</i>t of blwe, þat bradde to þe erþe, - </p> - <p> - His surkot semed hy<i>m</i> wel, þat softe wat3 forred, - </p> - <p> - & his hode of þat ilke henged on his schulder, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight comes forward and welcomes his host,</span> - <p> - Blande al of blau<i>n</i>ner were boþe al aboute. - </p> - <span class="linenum">1932</span> - <p> - He mete3 me þis god mon i<i>n</i> mydde3 þe flore, - </p> - <p> - & al with gomen he hy<i>m</i> gret, & goudly he sayde, - </p> - <p> - "I schal fylle vpon fyrst oure forwarde3 nouþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 117.]</span> - <p> - Þat we spedly han spoken, þer spared wat3 no drynk;" - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and according to covenant kisses him thrice.</span> - <span class="linenum">1936</span> - <p> - Þen acoles he [þe] kny3t, & kysses hy<i>m</i> þryes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">(See l. 1868.)</span> - <p> - As sauerly & sadly as he hem sette couþe. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"By Christ," says the other, "ye have had much - bliss!"</span> - <p> - "Bi Kryst," q<i>uod</i> þat oþ<i>er</i> kny3t, "3e cach much sele, - </p> - <p> - I<i>n</i> cheuisau<i>n</i>ce of þis chaffer, 3if 3e hade goud chepe3." - </p> - <span class="linenum">1940</span> - <p> - "3e of þe chepe no charg," q<i>uod</i> chefly þat oþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - "As is pertly payed þe chepe3 þat I a3te." - </p> - <p> - "Mary," q<i>uod</i> þat oþ<i>er</i> mon, "myn is bi-hynde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I have hunted all day and have gotten nothing,</span> - <p> - For I haf hu<i>n</i>ted al þis day, & no3t haf I geten, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but the skin of this foul fox,</span> <span - class="linenum">1944</span> - <p> - Bot þis foule fox felle, þe fende haf þe gode3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">a poor reward for three such kisses."</span> - <p> - & þat is ful pore, for to pay for suche prys þi<i>n</i>ges, - </p> - <p> - As 3e haf þry3t me here, þro suche þre cosses, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - so gode." - </p> - <span class="linenum">1948</span> - <p class="i4"> - "I-no3," q<i>uod</i> s<i>ir</i> Gawayn, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - "I þonk yow, bi þe rode;" - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He then tells him how the fox was slain.</span> - <p class="i4"> - & how þe fox wat3 slayn, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He tolde hy<i>m</i>, as þay stode. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XXXIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">With much mirth and minstrelsy they made merry,</span> - <span class="linenum">1952</span> - <p> - With m<i>er</i>þe & mynstralsye, wyth mete3 at hor wylle, - </p> - <p> - Þay maden as mery as any me<i>n</i> mo3ten, - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> la3y<i>n</i>g of ladies, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> lote3 - of bordes; - </p> - <p> - Gawayn & þe gode mo<i>n</i> so glad were þay boþe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1956</span> - <p> - Bot if þe douthe had doted, oþ<i>er</i> dronken ben oþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - Boþe þe mon & þe meyny maden mony iape3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">until the time came for them to part.</span> - <p> - Til þe sesou<i>n</i> wat3 se3en, þat þay seu<i>er</i> moste; - </p> - <p> - Burne3 to hor bedde be-houed at þe laste. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne takes leave of his host.</span> <span - class="linenum">1960</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne lo3ly his leue at þe lorde fyrst - </p> - <p> - Fochche3 þis fre mon, & fayre he hy<i>m</i> þonkke3; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and thanks him for his happy "sojourn."</span> - <p> - "Of such a sellyly<sup>1</sup> soiorne, as I haf hade here, - </p> - <p> - Yo<i>ur</i> hono<i>ur</i>, at þis hy3e fest, þe hy3e ky<i>n</i>g yow - 3elde! - </p> - <span class="linenum">1964</span> - <p> - I 3ef yow me for on of yo<i>ur</i>e3, if yowre-self lyke3, - </p> - <p> - For I mot nedes, as 3e wot, meue to morne; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He asks for a man to teach him the way to the - Green Chapel.</span> - <p> - & 3e me take su<i>m</i> tolke, to teche, as 3e hy3t, - </p> - <p> - Þe gate to þe grene chapel, as god wyl me suffer - </p> - <span class="linenum">1968</span> - <p> - To dele, on nw3ere3 day, þe dome of my wyrdes." - </p> - <p> - "In god fayþe," q<i>uod</i> þe god mon. "wyth a goud wylle; - </p> - <p> - Al þat eu<i>er</i> I yow hy3t, halde schal I rede." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">A servant is assigned to him,</span> - <p> - Þer asy<i>n</i>gnes he a seruau<i>n</i>t, to sett hy<i>m</i> i<i>n</i> - þe waye, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 117<i>b</i>.]</span> <span class="linenum">1972</span> - <p> - & cou<i>n</i>due hy<i>m</i> by þe downe3, þat he no drechch had, - </p> - <p> - For to f[e]rk þur3 þe fryth, & fare at þe gaynest, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - bi greue. - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe lorde Gawayn con þonk, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1976</span> - <p class="i4"> - Such worchip he wolde hy<i>m</i> weue; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and then he takes leave of the ladies,</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe<i>n</i> at þo ladye3 wlonk. - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe kny3t hat3 tan his leue. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> selly (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXXIV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">kissing them sorrowfully.</span> - <p> - With care & wyth kyssy<i>n</i>g he carppe3 hem tille, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1980</span> - <p> - & fele þryuande þonkke3 he þrat hom to haue, - </p> - <p> - & þay 3elden hy<i>m</i> a3ay[n] 3eply þat ilk; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They commend him to Christ.</span> - <p> - Þay bikende hy<i>m</i> to Kryst, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> ful colde syky<i>n</i>ge3. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He then departs, thanking each one he meets "for - his service and solace."</span> - <p> - Syþen fro þe meyny he menskly de-partes; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1984</span> - <p> - Vche mon þat he mette, he made hem a þonke, - </p> - <p> - For his seruyse, & his solace, & his sere pyne, - </p> - <p> - Þat þay wyth busynes had ben, aboute hy<i>m</i> to serue; - </p> - <p> - & vche segge as sore, to seu<i>er</i> w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hy<i>m</i> - þere, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1988</span> - <p> - As þay hade wonde worþyly w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þat wlonk eu<i>er</i>. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He retires to rest but sleeps but little,</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i> w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> ledes & ly3t he wat3 ladde to his - chambre, - </p> - <p> - & blybely bro3t to his bedde, to be at his rest; - </p> - <p> - 3if he ne slepe sou<i>n</i>dyly, say ne dar I, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">for much has he to think of on the morrow.</span> - <span class="linenum">1992</span> - <p> - For he hade muche on þe morn to my<i>n</i>ne, 3if he wolde, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - in þo3t; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Let him there lie still.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Let hy<i>m</i> ly3e þere stille, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He hat3<sup>1</sup> nere þat he so3t, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Be still awhile, and I shall tell how they - wrought.</span> <span class="linenum">1996</span> - <p class="i4"> - & 3e wyl a whyle be stylle, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - I schal telle yow how þay wro3t. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> wat3 (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - [FYTTE THE FOURTH.] - </h2> - <h2> - I. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">New Year's Day approaches.</span> - <p> - Now ne3e3 þe nw3ere, & þe ny3t passe3, - </p> - <p> - Þe day dryue3 to þe derk, as dry3tyn bidde3; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The weather is stormy.</span> <span - class="linenum">2000</span> - <p> - Bot wylde wedere3 of þe worlde wakned þeroute, - </p> - <p> - Clowdes kesten kenly þe colde to þe erþe, - </p> - <p> - Wyth ny3e<sup>1</sup> in-nogh<i>e</i> of þe norþe, þe naked to tene; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Snow falls.</span> - <p> - Þe snawe snitered ful snart, þat snayped þe wylde; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2004</span> - <p> - Þe werbelande wynde wapped fro þe hy3e, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The dales are full of drift.</span> - <p> - & drof vche dale ful of dryftes ful grete. - </p> - <p> - Þe leude lystened ful wel, þat le3 i<i>n</i> his bedde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne in his bed hears each cock that crows.</span> - <p> - Þa3 he lowke3 his lidde3, ful lyttel he slepes; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2008</span> - <p> - Bi vch kok þat crue, he knwe wel þe steuen. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 118.]</span> - <p> - De-liu<i>er</i>ly he dressed vp, er þe day sprenged, - </p> - <p> - For þere wat3 ly3t of a lau[m]pe, þat lemed i<i>n</i> his chambre; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He calls for his chamberlain, and bids him bring - him his armour.</span> - <p> - He called to his chamberlayn, þat cofly hy<i>m</i> swared, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2012</span> - <p> - & bede hy<i>m</i> bry<i>n</i>g hy<i>m</i> his bruny, & his - blonk sadel; - </p> - <p> - Þat oþ<i>er</i> ferke3 hy<i>m</i> vp, & feche3 hy<i>m</i> his - wede3, - </p> - <p> - & grayþe3 me s<i>ir</i> Gawayn vpon a grett wyse. - </p> - <p> - Fyrst he clad hy<i>m</i> i<i>n</i> his cloþe3, þe colde for to were; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2016</span> - <p> - & syþen his oþ<i>er</i> harnays, þat holdely wat3 keped, - </p> - <p> - Boþe his pau<i>n</i>ce, & his plate3, piked ful clene, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Men knock off the rust from his rich habergeon.</span> - <p> - Þe ry<i>n</i>ge3<sup>2</sup> rokked of þe roust, of his riche bruny; - </p> - <p> - & al wat3 fresch as vpon fyrst, & he wat3 fayn þe<i>n</i>ne - </p> - <span class="linenum">2020</span> - <p class="i8"> - to þonk; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He hade vpon vche pece, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Wypped ful wel & wlonk; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight then calls for his steed.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe gayest i<i>n</i> to Grece, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2024</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe burne bede bry<i>n</i>g his blonk. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> nywe (?). <sup>2</sup> rynke3 (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - II. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">While he clothed himself in his rich weeds,</span> - <p> - Whyle þe wlonkest wedes he warp on hy<i>m</i>-seluen; - </p> - <p> - His cote, wyth be conysau<i>n</i>ce of þe clere werke3, - </p> - <p> - Ennurned vpon veluet v<i>er</i>tuu<i>us</i><sup>1</sup> stone3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2028</span> - <p> - Aboute beten, & bou<i>n</i>den, enbrauded seme3, - </p> - <p> - & fayre furred w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-i<i>n</i>ne wyth fayre pelures. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">he forgot not the "lace," the lady's gift,</span> - <p> - 3et laft he not þe lace, þe ladie3 gifte, - </p> - <p> - Þat for-gat not Gawayn, for gode of hy<i>m</i>-seluen; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2032</span> - <p> - Bi he hade belted þe bronde vpon his bal3e hau<i>n</i>che3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but with it doubly girded his loins.</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>n dressed he his drurye double hy<i>m</i> aboute; - </p> - <p> - Swyþe sweþled vmbe his swange swetely, þat kny3t, - </p> - <p> - Þe gordel of þe grene silke, þat gay wel bisemed, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2036</span> - <p> - Vpon þat ryol red cloþe, þat ryche wat3 to schewe. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He wore it not for its rich ornaments,</span> - <p> - Bot wered not þis ilk wy3e for wele þis gordel, - </p> - <p> - For pryde of þe pendau<i>n</i>te3, þa3 polyst þay were, - </p> - <p> - & þa3 þe glyt<i>er</i>ande golde glent vpon ende3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"but to save himself when it behoved him to - suffer."</span> <span class="linenum">2040</span> - <p> - Bot forto sau<i>en</i> hy<i>m</i>-self, when suffer hy<i>m</i> - by-houed, - </p> - <p> - To byde bale w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-oute dabate, of bronde hy<i>m</i> to - were, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - oþ<i>er</i> knyffe; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Bi þat þe bolde mon bou<i>n</i>, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2044</span> - <p class="i4"> - Wy<i>n</i>ne3 þeroute bilyue, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">All the renowned assembly he thanks full oft.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Alle þe meyny of renou<i>n</i>, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He þonkke3 ofte ful ryue. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> v<i>er</i>tuo<i>us</i> (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - III. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 118<i>b</i>.]<br />Then was Gringolet - arrayed,</span> - <p> - The<i>n</i>ne wat3 Gryngolet grayþe, þat gret wat3 & huge, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2048</span> - <p> - & hade ben soio<i>ur</i>ned sau<i>er</i>ly, & i<i>n</i> a - siker wyse, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">full ready to prick on.</span> - <p> - Hy<i>m</i> lyst prik for poy<i>n</i>t, þat proude hors þe<i>n</i>ne; - </p> - <p> - Þe wy3e wy<i>n</i>ne3 hy<i>m</i> to, & wyte3 on his lyre, - </p> - <p> - & sayde soberly hy<i>m</i>-self, & by his soth swere3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2052</span> - <p> - "Here is a meyny i<i>n</i> þis mote, þat on menske þenkke3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne returns thanks for the honour and - kindness shown to him by all.</span> - <p> - Þe mon hem maynteines, ioy mot þay haue; - </p> - <p> - Þe leue lady, on lyue luf hir bityde; - </p> - <p> - 3if þay for charyté cherysen a gest, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2056</span> - <p> - & halden hono<i>ur</i> i<i>n</i> her honde, þe haþel he<i>m</i> - 3elde, - </p> - <p> - Þat halde3 þe heuen vpon hy3e, & also yow alle! - </p> - <p> - & 3if I my3t lyf vpon londe lede any quyle, - </p> - <p> - I schuld rech yow su<i>m</i> rewarde redyly, if I my3t." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He then steps into his saddle,</span> <span - class="linenum">2060</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>n steppe3 he i<i>n</i>-to stirop, & stryde3 alofte; - </p> - <p> - His schalk schewed hy<i>m</i> his schelde, on schulder he hit la3t, - </p> - <p> - Gorde3 to Gryngolet, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> his gilt hele3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and "starts on the stone" without more delay.</span> - <p> - & he starte3 on þe ston, stod he no lenger, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2064</span> - <p class="i8"> - to prau<i>n</i>ce; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - His haþel on hors wat3 þe<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þat bere his spere & lau<i>n</i>ce. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"This castle to Christ I commend; may he give it - ever good chance!"</span> - <p class="i4"> - "Þis kastel to Kryst I ke<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2068</span> - <p class="i4"> - He gef hit ay god chau<i>n</i>ce!" - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - IV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The gates are soon opened.</span> - <p> - The brygge wat3 brayde dou<i>n</i>, & þe brode 3ate3 - </p> - <p> - Vnbarred, & born open, vpon boþe halue; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight passes thereout,</span> - <p> - Þe burne blessed hy<i>m</i> bilyue, & þe brede3 passed; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2072</span> - <p> - Prayses þe porter, bifore þe prynce kneled, - </p> - <p> - Gef hym God & goud day, þat Gawayn he saue; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and goes on his way accompanied by his guide.</span> - <p> - & went on his way, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> his wy3e one, - </p> - <p> - Þat schulde teche hy<i>m</i> to to<i>ur</i>ne to þat tene place, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2076</span> - <p> - Þer þe ruful race he schulde re-sayue. - </p> - <p> - Þay bo3en bi bonkke3, þ<i>er</i> bo3e3 ar bare, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They climb by cliffs,</span> - <p> - Þay clomben bi clyffe3, þer clenge3 þe colde; - </p> - <p> - Þe heuen wat3 vp halt, bot vgly þer vnder, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2080</span> - <p> - Mist muged on þe mor, malt on þe mou<i>n</i>te3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">where each "hill had a hat and a mist-cloak,"</span> - <p> - Vch hille hade a hatte, a myst-hakel huge; - </p> - <p> - Broke3 byled, & breke, bi bonkke3 aboute, - </p> - <p> - Schyre schat<i>er</i>ande on schore3, þ<i>er</i> þay dou<i>n</i> - schowued. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 119.]</span> <span class="linenum">2084</span> - <p> - Welawylle wat3 þe way, þer þay bi wod schulden, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">until daylight.</span> - <p> - Til hit wat3 sone sesou<i>n</i>, þat þe su<i>n</i>ne ryses, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - þat tyde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They were then on a "hill full high."</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þay were on a hille ful hy3e, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2088</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe quyte snaw lay bisyde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The servant bade his master abide, saying,</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe burne þat rod hy<i>m</i> by - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Bede his mayster abide. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - V. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"I have brought you hither,</span> - <p> - "For I haf wo<i>n</i>nen yow hider, wy3e, at þis tyme, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2092</span> - <p> - & now nar 3e not fer fro þat note place, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">ye are not now far from the noted place.</span> - <p> - Þat 3e han spied & spuryed so specially aft<i>er</i>; - </p> - <p> - Bot I schal say yow for soþe, syþen I yow knowe, - </p> - <p> - & 3e ar a lede vpon lyue, þat I wel louy, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2096</span> - <p> - Wolde 3e worch bi my wytte, 3e worþed þe bett<i>er</i>. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Full perilous is it esteemed.</span> - <p> - Þe place þat 3e prece to, ful perelo<i>us</i> is halden; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord of that 'waste' is stiff and stern.</span> - <p> - Þer wone3 a wy3e i<i>n</i> þat waste, þe worst vpon erþe; - </p> - <p> - For he is stiffe, & sturne, & to strike louies, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2100</span> - <p> - & more he is þe<i>n</i> any mon vpon myddelerde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">His body is bigger 'than the best four in - Arthur's house.'</span> - <p> - & his body bigger þe<i>n</i> þe best fowre. - </p> - <p> - Þat ar i<i>n</i> Arþure3 ho<i>us</i>, Hestor<sup>1</sup> oþ<i>er</i> - oþ<i>er</i>. - </p> - <p> - He cheue3 þat chau<i>n</i>ce at þe chapel grene; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">None passes by the Green Chapel, 'that he does - not ding to death with dint of his hand.'</span> <span class="linenum">2104</span> - <p> - Þer passes non bi þat place, so proude i<i>n</i> his armes, - </p> - <p> - Þat he ne dy<i>n</i>ne3 hy<i>m</i> to deþe, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> dynt of - his honde; - </p> - <p> - For he is a mon methles, & mercy non vses, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">For be it churl or chaplain, monk, mass-priest, - 'or any man else,' he kills them all.</span> - <p> - For be hit chorle, oþ<i>er</i> chaplayn, þat bi þe chapel rydes, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2108</span> - <p> - Monk, oþ<i>er</i> masse-prest, oþ<i>er</i> any mon elles, - </p> - <p> - H<i>ym</i> þynk as queme hy<i>m</i> to quelle, as quyk go hy<i>m</i> - seluen. - </p> - <p> - For-þy I say þe as soþe as 3e i<i>n</i> sadel sitte, - </p> - <p> - Com 3e þere, 3e be kylled, [I] may þe kny3t rede, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2112</span> - <p> - Trawe 3e me þat trwely, þa3 3e had twenty lyues - </p> - <p class="i8"> - to spende; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He has lived there full long.</span> - <p class="i4"> - He hat3 wonyd here ful 3ore, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - On bent much baret bende, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Against his dints sore ye may not defend you.</span> - <span class="linenum">2116</span> - <p class="i4"> - A3ayn his dynte3 sore, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - 3e may not yow defende." - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> Hector (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - VI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Wherefore, good Sir Gawayne, let this man alone.</span> - <p> - "For-þy, goude s<i>ir</i> Gawayn, let þe gome one, - </p> - <p> - & got3 a-way su<i>m</i> oþ<i>er</i> gate; vpon Godde3 halue; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Go by some other region,</span> <span - class="linenum">2120</span> - <p> - Cayre3 bi su<i>m</i> oþ<i>er</i> kyth, þer Kryst mot yow spede; - </p> - <p> - & I schal hy3 me hom a3ayn, & hete yow fyrre, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 119<i>b</i>.]<br />I swear by God and all - His saints, that I will never say that ever ye attempted to flee from - any man."</span> - <p> - Þat I schal swere bi God, & alle his gode hal3e3, - </p> - <p> - As help me God & þe halydam, & oþe3 i<i>n</i>-nogh<i>e</i>, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2124</span> - <p> - Þat I schal lelly yow layne, & lance neu<i>er</i> tale, - </p> - <p> - Þat eu<i>er</i> 3e fondet to fle, for freke þat I wyst." - </p> - <p> - "G<i>ra</i>nt m<i>er</i>ci;" q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, & gruchy<i>ng</i> - he sayde, - </p> - <p> - "Wel worth þe wy3e, þat wolde3 my gode, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2128</span> - <p> - & þat lelly me layne, I leue wel þ<i>o</i>u wolde3! - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne replies that to shun this danger would - mark him as a "coward knight."</span> - <p> - Bot helde þ<i>o</i>u hit neu<i>er</i> so holde, & I here passed, - </p> - <p> - Fou<i>n</i>ded for ferde for to fle, i<i>n</i> fo<i>ur</i>me þat þ<i>o</i>u - telle3, - </p> - <p> - I were a kny3t kowarde, I my3t not<sup>1</sup> be excused. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">To the Chapel, therefore, he will go,</span> - <span class="linenum">2132</span> - <p> - Bot I wy1 to þe chape1, for chau<i>n</i>ce þat may falle, - </p> - <p> - & talk wyth þat ilk tulk þe tale þat me lyste, - </p> - <p> - Worþe hit wele, oþ<i>er</i> wo, as þe wyrde lyke3 - </p> - <p class="i8"> - hit hafe; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">though the owner thereof were a stern knave.</span> - <span class="linenum">2136</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þa3e he be a sturn knape, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - To sti3tel, &<sup>2</sup> stad w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> staue, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Full well can God devise his servants for to - save."</span> - <p class="i4"> - Ful wel con dry3tyn schape, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - His seruau<i>n</i>te3 forto saue." - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> mot, in MS. <sup>2</sup> & &, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - VII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"Mary!" quoth the other, "since it pleases thee - to lose thy life,</span> <span class="linenum">2140</span> - <p> - "Mary!" q<i>uod</i> þat oþ<i>er</i> mon, "now þ<i>o</i>u so much - spelle3, - </p> - <p> - Þat þ<i>o</i>u wylt þyn awen nye nyme to þy-seluen, - </p> - <p> - & þe lyst lese þy lyf, þe lette I ne kepe; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">take thy helmet on thy head, and thy spear in thy - hand, and ride down this path by yon rock-side,</span> - <p> - Haf here þi helme on þy hede, þi spere i<i>n</i> þi honde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2144</span> - <p> - & ryde me dou<i>n</i> þis ilk rake, bi 3on rokke syde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">till thou come to the bottom of the valley;</span> - <p> - Til þ<i>o</i>u be bro3t to þe boþem of þe brem valay; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">look a little to the left,</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne loke a littel on þe lau<i>n</i>de, on þi lyfte honde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and thou shalt see the Chapel itself and the man - that guards it."</span> - <p> - & þ<i>o</i>u schal se i<i>n</i> þat slade þe self chapel, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2148</span> - <p> - & þe borelych burne on bent, þat hit kepe3. - </p> - <p> - Now fare3 wel on Gode3 half, Gawayn þe noble, - </p> - <p> - For alle þe golde vpon grou<i>n</i>de I nolde go with þe, - </p> - <p> - Ne bere þe fela3schip þur3 þis fryth on fote fyrre." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Having thus spoken the guide takes leave of the - knight.</span> <span class="linenum">2152</span> - <p> - Bi þat þe wy3e i<i>n</i> þe wod wende3 his brydel, - </p> - <p> - Hit þe hors w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe hele3, as harde as he my3t, - </p> - <p> - Lepe3 hy<i>m</i> ou<i>er</i> þe lau<i>n</i>de, & leue3 þe kny3t - þere, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - al one. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"By God's self," says Sir Gawayne, "I will - neither weep nor groan.</span> <span class="linenum">2156</span> - <p class="i4"> - "Bi Godde3 self," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - "I wyl nauþ<i>er</i> grete ne grone, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">To God's will I am full ready."</span> - <p class="i4"> - To Godde3 wylle I am ful bayn, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & to hy<i>m</i> I haf me tone." - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - VIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 120.]<br />Then he pursues his journey,</span> - <span class="linenum">2160</span> - <p> - The<i>n</i>ne gyrde3 he to Gryngolet, & gedere3 þe rake, - </p> - <p> - Schowue3 i<i>n</i> bi a schore, at a scha3e syde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">rides through the dale, and looks about.</span> - <p> - Ride3 þur3 þe ro3e bonk, ry3t to þe dale; - </p> - <p> - & þe<i>n</i>ne he wayted hy<i>m</i> aboute, & wylde hit hy<i>m</i> - þo3t, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He sees no sign of a resting-place, but only high - and steep banks.</span> <span class="linenum">2164</span> - <p> - & se3e no sy<i>n</i>gne of resette, bisyde3 nowhere, - </p> - <p> - Bot hy3e bonkke3 & brent, vpon boþe halue, - </p> - <p> - & ru3e knokled knarre3, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> knorned stone3; - </p> - <p> - Þe skwe3 of þe scowtes skayued<sup>1</sup> hy<i>m</i> þo3t. - </p> - <span class="linenum">2168</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne he houed, & wyth-hylde his hors at þat tyde, - </p> - <p> - & ofte chau<i>n</i>ged his cher, þe chapel to seche; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">No chapel could he discern.</span> - <p> - He se3 non suche i<i>n</i> no syde, & selly hy<i>m</i> þo3t, - </p> - <p> - Sone a lyttel on a lau<i>n</i>de, a lawe as hit we[re]; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">At last he sees a hill by the side of a stream;</span> - <span class="linenum">2172</span> - <p> - A bal3 ber3, bi a bonke, þe bry<i>m</i>me by-syde, - </p> - <p> - Bi a for3 of a flode, þ<i>a</i>t ferked þare; - </p> - <p> - Þe borne blubred þer-i<i>n</i>ne, as hit boyled hade. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">thither he goes,</span> - <p> - Þe kny3t kache3 his caple, & com to þe lawe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">alights and fastens his horse to a branch of a - tree.</span> <span class="linenum">2176</span> - <p> - Li3te3 dou<i>n</i> luflyly, & at a lynde tache3 - </p> - <p> - Þe rayne, & his riche, with a ro3e brau<i>n</i>che; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He walks around the hill, debating with himself - what it might be,</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>[n]e he bo3e3 to þe ber3e, aboute hit he walke, - </p> - <p> - D[e]batande w<i>i</i>th hy<i>m</i>-self, quat hit be my3t. - </p> - <span class="linenum">2180</span> - <p> - Hit hade a hole on þe ende, & on ayþer syde, - </p> - <p> - & ou<i>er</i>-growen w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> gresse i<i>n</i> glodes ay - where, - </p> - <p> - & al wat3 hol3 i<i>n</i>-w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>, nobot an olde caue, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and at last finds an old cave in the crag.</span> - <p> - Or a creuisse of an olde cragge, he couþe hit no3t deme - </p> - <span class="linenum">2184</span> - <p class="i8"> - w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> spelle, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - "We,<sup>2</sup> lorde," q<i>uod</i> þe gentyle kny3t, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - "Wheþer þis be þe grene chapelle; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He prays that about midnight he may tell his - matins.</span> - <p class="i4"> - He my3t aboute myd-ny3t, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2188</span> - <p class="i4"> - [Þ]e dele his maty<i>n</i>nes telle!" - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> skayned (?). <sup>2</sup> wel (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - IX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"Truly," says Sir Gawayne, "a desert is here,</span> - <p> - "Now i-wysse," q<i>uod</i> Wowayn, "wysty is here; - </p> - <p> - Þis oritore is vgly, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> erbe3 ou<i>er</i>-growen; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">a fitting place for the man in green to 'deal - here his devotions in devil fashion.'</span> - <p> - Wel biseme3 þe wy3e wruxled i<i>n</i> grene - </p> - <span class="linenum">2192</span> - <p> - Dele here his deuociou<i>n</i>, on þe deuele3 wyse; - </p> - <p> - Now I fele hit is þe fende, i<i>n</i> my fyue wytte3, - </p> - <p> - Þat hat3 stoken me þis steuen, to strye me here; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It is most cursed kirk that ever I entered."</span> - <p> - Þis is a chapel of meschau<i>n</i>ce, þat chekke hit by-tyde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2196</span> - <p> - Hit is þe corsedest kyrk, þat eu<i>er</i> i com i<i>n</i>ne!" - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 120<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p> - With he3e helme on his hede, his lau<i>n</i>ce i<i>n</i> his honde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Roaming about he hears a loud noise,</span> - <p> - He rome3 vp to þe rokke of þo ro3 wone3; - </p> - <p> - Þene herde he of þat hy3e hil, i<i>n</i> a harde roche, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">from beyond the brook.</span> <span - class="linenum">2200</span> - <p> - Bi3onde þe broke, i<i>n</i> a bonk, a wonder breme noyse, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It clattered like the grinding of a scythe on a - grindstone.</span> - <p> - Quat! hit clat<i>er</i>ed i<i>n</i> þe clyff, as hit cleue schulde, - </p> - <p> - As one vpon a gryndelston hade grou<i>n</i>den a syþe; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It whirred like a mill-stream.</span> - <p> - What! hit wharred, & whette, as wat<i>er</i> at a mulne, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2204</span> - <p> - What! hit rusched, & ronge, rawþe to here. - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne "bi Godde," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, "þat gere as<sup>1</sup> - I trowe, - </p> - <p> - Is ryched at þe reu<i>er</i>ence, me renk to mete, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - bi rote; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2208</span> - <p class="i4"> - Let God worche we loo, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Though my life I forgo," says the knight, "no - noise shall terrify me."</span> - <p class="i4"> - Hit helppe3 me not a mote, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - My lif þa3 I for-goo, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Drede dot3 me no lote." - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> at, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - X. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then cried he aloud,</span> <span class="linenum">2212</span> - <p> - The<i>n</i>ne þe kny3t con calle ful hy3e, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Who dwells here discourse with me to hold?"</span> - <p> - "Who sti3tle3 i<i>n</i> þis sted, me steuen to holde? - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Now is the good Gawayne going aright</span> - <p> - For now is gode Gawayn goande ry3t here, - </p> - <p> - If any wy3e o3t wyl wy<i>n</i>ne hider fast, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2216</span> - <p> - Oþ<i>er</i> now, oþ<i>er</i> neu<i>er</i>, his nede3 to spede." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He hears a voice commanding him to abide where he - is.</span> - <p> - "Abyde," q<i>uod</i> on on þe bonke, abouen ou<i>er</i> his hede, - </p> - <p> - "& þ<i>o</i>u schal haf al i<i>n</i> hast, þat I þe hy3t ones." - </p> - <p> - 3et he rusched on þat rurde, rapely a þrowe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2220</span> - <p> - & wyth quetty<i>n</i>g a-wharf, er he wolde ly3t; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Soon there comes out of a hole, with a fell - weapon,</span> - <p> - & syþen he keu<i>er</i>e3 bi a cragge, & come3 of a hole, - </p> - <p> - Whyrlande out of a wro, wyth a felle weppen, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">a Danish axe, quite new,</span> - <p> - A dene3 ax nwe dy3t, þe dynt w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> [t]o 3elde - </p> - <span class="linenum">2224</span> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> a borelych bytte, bende by þe halme, - </p> - <p> - Fyled i<i>n</i> a fylor, fowre fote large, - </p> - <p> - Hit wat3 no lasse, bi þat lace þat lemed ful bry3t. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">the "knight in green," clothed as before.</span> - <p> - & þe gome i<i>n</i> þe erene gered as fyrst, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2228</span> - <p> - Boþe þe lyre & þe legge3, lokke3, & berde, - </p> - <p> - Saue þat fayre on his fote he fou<i>n</i>de3 on þe erþe, - </p> - <p> - Sette þe stele to þe stone, & stalked bysyde. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">When he reaches the stream, he hops over and - strides about.</span> - <p> - When he wan to þe watter, þer he wade nolde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2232</span> - <p> - He hypped ou<i>er</i> on hys ax, & orpedly stryde3, - </p> - <p> - Bremly broþe on a bent, þat brode wat3 a-boute, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - on snawe. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 121.]<br />He meets Sir Gawayne without - obeisance.</span> - <p class="i4"> - S<i>ir</i> Gawayn þe kny3t con mete. - </p> - <span class="linenum">2236</span> - <p class="i4"> - He ne lutte hy<i>m</i> no þy<i>n</i>g lowe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The other tells him that he is now ready for - conversation</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þat oþ<i>er</i> sayde, "now, s<i>ir</i> swete, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Of steuen mon may þe trowe." - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"God preserve thee!" says the Green Knight,</span> - <p> - "Gawayn," q<i>uod</i> þat grene gome, "God þe mot loke! - </p> - <span class="linenum">2240</span> - <p> - I-wysse þ<i>o</i>u art welcom,<sup>1</sup> wy3e, to my place, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"as a true knight 'thou hast timed thy travel'</span> - <p> - & þ<i>o</i>u hat3 tymed þi trauayl as t<i>ru</i>e<sup>2</sup> mo<i>n</i> - schulde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Thou knowest the covenant between us,</span> - <p> - & þ<i>o</i>u knowe3 þe couenau<i>n</i>te3 kest v<i>us</i> - by-twene, - </p> - <p> - At þis tyme twelmonyth þ<i>o</i>u toke þ<i>a</i>t þe falled, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">that on New Year's day I should return thy blow</span> - <span class="linenum">2244</span> - <p> - & I schulde at þis nwe 3ere 3eply þe quyte. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Here we are alone,</span> - <p> - & we ar i<i>n</i> þis valay, v<i>er</i>ayly oure one, - </p> - <p> - Here ar no renkes vs to rydde, rele as v<i>us</i> like3; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Have off thy helmet and take thy pay at once."</span> - <p> - Haf þy<sup>3</sup> helme of þy hede, & haf here þy pay; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2248</span> - <p> - Busk no more debate þ<i>en</i> I þe bede þe<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - "When þ<i>o</i>u wypped of my hede at a wap one." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"By God," quoth Sir Gawayne, "I shall not - begrudge thee thy will."</span> - <p> - "Nay, bi God," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, "þ<i>a</i>t me gost lante, - </p> - <p> - I schal gruch þe no grwe, for grem þat falle3; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2252</span> - <p> - Botsty3tel þe vpon on strok, & I schal stonde stylle, - </p> - <p> - & warp þe no werny<i>n</i>g, to worch as þe lyke3, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - no whare." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Then he shows his bare neck,</span> - <p class="i4"> - He lened w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe nek, & lutte, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2256</span> - <p class="i4"> - & schewed þat schyre al bare, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & lette as he no3t dutte, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and appears undaunted.</span> - <p class="i4"> - For drede he wolde not dare. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> welcon, in MS. <sup>2</sup> t<i>ru</i>ee in MS. <sup>3</sup> - MS. þy þy. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then the man in green seizes his grim tool.</span> - <p> - The<i>n</i> þe gome i<i>n</i> þe grene grayþed hy<i>m</i> swyþe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2260</span> - <p> - Gedere3 yp hys gry<i>m</i>me tole, Gawayn to smyte; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">With all his force he raises it aloft.</span> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> alle þe bur i<i>n</i> his body he ber hit on lofte, - </p> - <p> - Mu<i>n</i>t as ma3tyly, as marre hy<i>m</i> he wolde; - </p> - <p> - Hade hit dryuen adou<i>n</i>, as dre3 as he atled, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2264</span> - <p> - Þer hade ben ded of his dynt, þat do3ty wat3 eu<i>er</i>. - </p> - <p> - Bot Gawayn on þat giserne glyfte hy<i>m</i> bysyde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">As it came gliding down,</span> - <p> - As hit com glydande adou<i>n</i>, on glode hy<i>m</i> to schende, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne shrank a little with his shoulders.</span> - <p> - & schranke a lytel w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe schulderes, for þe scharp - yrne. - </p> - <span class="linenum">2268</span> - <p> - Þat oþ<i>er</i> schalk wyth a schu<i>n</i>t þe schene wythhalde3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The other reproved him, saying,</span> - <p> - & þe<i>n</i>ne repreued he þe prynce w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> mony - prowde worde3: - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Thou art not Gawayne that is so good esteemed,</span> - <p> - "Þ<i>o</i>u art not Gawayn," q<i>uod</i> þe gome, "þ<i>a</i>t is so - goud halden, - </p> - <p> - Þat neu<i>er</i> ar3ed for no here, by hylle ne be vale, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 121<i>b</i>.]<br />for thou fleest for fear - before thou feelest harm.</span> <span class="linenum">2272</span> - <p> - & now þ<i>o</i>u fles for ferde, er þ<i>o</i>u fele harme3; - </p> - <p> - Such cowardise of þat kny3t cowþe I neu<i>er</i> here. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I never flinched when thou struckest.</span> - <p> - Nawþ<i>er</i> fyked I, ne fla3e, freke, quen þ<i>o</i>u myntest, - </p> - <p> - Ne kest no kauelac<i>i</i>on, in ky<i>n</i>ge3 ho<i>us</i> Arthor, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">My head flew to my foot, yet I never fled,</span> - <span class="linenum">2276</span> - <p> - My hede fla3 to my fote, & 3et fla3 I neu<i>er</i>; - </p> - <p> - & þ<i>o</i>u, er any harme hent, ar3e3 i<i>n</i> hert, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">wherefore I ought to be called the better man."</span> - <p> - Wherfore þe better burne me burde be called - </p> - <p class="i8"> - þ<i>e</i>r-fore." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"I shunted once," says Gawayne, "but will no - more.</span> <span class="linenum">2280</span> - <p class="i4"> - Q<i>uod</i> G:, "I schu<i>n</i>t one3, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & so wyl I no more, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Bot pa3 my hede falle on þe stone3, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - I con not hit restore. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Bring me to the point; deal me my destiny at - once."</span> <span class="linenum">2284</span> - <p> - Bot busk, burne, bi þi fayth, & bry<i>n</i>g me to þe poy<i>n</i>t, - </p> - <p> - Dele to me my destiné, & do hit out of honde, - </p> - <p> - For I schal stonde þe a strok, & start no more, - </p> - <p> - Til þy<i>n</i> ax haue me hitte, haf here my trawþe." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Have at thee, then," says the other.</span> - <span class="linenum">2288</span> - <p> - "Haf at þe þe<i>n</i>ne," q<i>uod</i> þ<i>a</i>t oþ<i>er</i>, & - heue3 hit alofte, - </p> - <p> - & wayte3 as wroþely, as he wode were; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">With that he aims at him a blow.</span> - <p> - He mynte3 at hy<i>m</i> ma3tyly, bot not þe mon ryue3,<sup>1</sup> - </p> - <p> - With-helde het<i>er</i>ly h[i]s honde, er hit hurt my3t. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne never flinches, but stands as still as a - stone.</span> <span class="linenum">2292</span> - <p> - Gawayn grayþely hit byde3, & glent w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> no membre, - </p> - <p> - Bot stode stylle as þe ston, oþ<i>er</i> a stubbe auþer, - </p> - <p> - Þat raþeled is i<i>n</i> roche grou<i>n</i>de, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> - rote3 a hundreth. - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i> muryly efte con he mele, þe mon i<i>n</i> þe grene, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Now," says the Green Knight, "I must hit thee, - since thy heart is whole."</span> <span class="linenum">2296</span> - <p> - "So now þ<i>o</i>u hat3 þi hert holle, hitte me bihou[e]s; - </p> - <p> - Halde þe now þe hy3e hode, þat Arþur þe ra3t, - </p> - <p> - & kepe þy kanel at þis kest, 3if hit keu<i>er</i> may." - </p> - <p> - G: ful gryndelly w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> greme þe<i>n</i>ne sayde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Thrash on," says the other.</span> <span - class="linenum">2300</span> - <p> - "Wy þresch on, þ<i>o</i>u þro mon, þ<i>o</i>u þrete3 to longe, - </p> - <p> - I hope þat þi hert ar3e wyth þyn awen seluen." - </p> - <p> - "For soþe," q<i>uod</i> þat oþ<i>er</i> freke, "so felly þ<i>o</i>u - speke3, - </p> - <p> - I wyl no leng<i>er</i> on lyte lette þin ernde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2304</span> - <p class="i8"> - ri3t nowe." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Then the Green Knight makes ready to strike.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe<i>n</i>ne tas he<sup>2</sup> hy<i>m</i> stryþe to stryke, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & frou<i>n</i>ses boþe lyppe & browe, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - No meruayle þa3 hy<i>m</i> myslyke, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2308</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þat hoped of no rescowe. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> ? <i>ryne3</i> = touches. <sup>2</sup> he he, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XIV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">He let fall his loom on the bare</span> - <p> - He lyftes ly3tly his lome, & let hit dou<i>n</i> fayre, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 122.]<br />neck of Sir Gawayne.</span> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe barbe of þe bitte bi þe bare nek - </p> - <p> - Þa3 he homered het<i>er</i>ly, hurt hy<i>m</i> no more, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2312</span> - <p> - Bot snyrt hy<i>m</i> on þat on syde, þat seu<i>er</i>ed þe hyde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The sharp weapon pierced the flesh so that the - blood flowed.</span> - <p> - Þe scharp schrank to þe flesche þur3 þe schyre grece, - </p> - <p> - Þat þe schene blod ov<i>er</i> his schulderes schot to þe erþe. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">When the knight saw the blood on the snow,</span> - <p> - & quen þe burne se3 þe blode blenk on þe snawe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2316</span> - <p> - He sprit forth spe<i>n</i>ne fote more þe<i>n</i> a spere lenþe, - </p> - <p> - Hent het<i>er</i>ly his helme, & on his hed cast, - </p> - <p> - Schot wit<i>h</i> his schuldere3 his fayre schelde vnder, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">he unsheathed his sword, and thus spake:</span> - <p> - Brayde3 out a bry3t sworde, & bremely he speke3; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2320</span> - <p> - Neu<i>er</i> syn þat he wat3 burne borne of his moder, - </p> - <p> - Wat3 he neu<i>er</i> i<i>n</i> þis worlde, wy3e half so blyþe:— - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Cease, man, of thy blow.</span> - <p> - "Bly<i>n</i>ne, burne, of þy bur, bede me no mo; - </p> - <p> - I haf a stroke i<i>n</i> þis sted w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-oute stryf hent, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">If thou givest me any more, readily shall I - requite thee.</span> <span class="linenum">2324</span> - <p> - & if þow reche3 me any mo, I redyly schal quyte, - </p> - <p> - & 3elde 3ederly a3ayn, & þ<i>er</i> to 3e tryst, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - & foo; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Our agreement stipulates only one stroke."</span> - <p class="i4"> - Bot on stroke here me falle3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2328</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe couenau<i>n</i>t schop ry3t so, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - [Sikered]<sup>1</sup> in Arþure3 halle3, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & þer-fore, hende, now hoo!" - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> Illegible. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The Green Knight rested on his axe,</span> - <p> - The haþel heldet hy<i>m</i> fro, & on his ax rested, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2332</span> - <p> - Sette þe schaft vpon schore, & to be scharp lened, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">looked on Sir Gawayne, who appeared bold and - fearless,</span> - <p> - & loked to þe leude, þat on þe launde 3ede, - </p> - <p> - How þat do3ty dredles deruely þer stonde3, - </p> - <p> - Armed ful a3le3; i<i>n</i> hert hit hy<i>m</i> lyke3. - </p> - <span class="linenum">2336</span> - <p> - þe<i>n</i>n he mele3 muryly, wyth a much steuen, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and addressed him as follows: "Bold knight, be - not so wroth,</span> - <p> - & wyth a r[a]ykande rurde he to þe renk sayde, - </p> - <p> - "Bolde burne, on þis bent be not so gryndel; - </p> - <p> - No mon here vn-man<i>er</i>ly þe mys-boden habbe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2340</span> - <p> - Ne kyd, bot as couenau<i>n</i>de, at ky<i>n</i>ge3 kort schaped; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I promised thee a stroke and thou hast it, be - satisfied.</span> - <p> - I hy3t þe a strok, & þ<i>o</i>u hit hat3, halde þe wel payed, - </p> - <p> - I relece þe of þe remnau<i>n</i>t, of ry3tes alle oþ<i>er</i>; - </p> - <p> - 3if<sup>1</sup> I deliuer had bene, a boffet, parau<i>n</i>t<i>e</i>r, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I could have dealt worse with thee.</span> <span - class="linenum">2344</span> - <p> - I couþe wroþeloker haf waret, [&] to þe haf wro3t ang<i>er</i>.<sup>2</sup> - </p> - <p> - Fyrst I mansed þe muryly, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> a mynt one, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I menaced thee with one blow for the covenant</span> - <p> - & roue þe wyth no rof, sore w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> ry3t I þe p<i>ro</i>fered, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 122<i>b</i>.]<br /> between us on the first - night.</span> - <p> - For þe forwarde that we fest i<i>n</i> þe fyrst ny3t, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2348</span> - <p> - & þ<i>o</i>u trystyly þe trawþe & trwly me halde3, - </p> - <p> - Al þe gayne þow me gef, as god mon shulde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Another I aimed at thee because thou kissedst my - wife.</span> - <p> - Þat oþ<i>er</i> mu<i>n</i>t for þe morne, mon, I þe profered, - </p> - <p> - Þ<i>o</i>u kyssedes my clere wyf, þe cosse3 me ra3te3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2352</span> - <p> - For boþe two here I þe bede bot two bare myntes, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - boute scaþe; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">A true man should restore truly, and then he need - fear no harm.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Trwe mon trwe restore, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe<i>n</i>ne þar mo<i>n</i> drede no waþe; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Thou failedst at the third time, and therefore - take thee that tap. (See l. 1861.)</span> <span class="linenum">2356</span> - <p class="i4"> - At þe þrid þ<i>o</i>u fayled þore, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & þ<i>er</i>-for þat tappe ta þe. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> uf, in MS. <sup>2</sup> This word is doubtful. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XVI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">For my weed (woven by my wife) thou wearest.</span> - <p> - For hit is my wede þat þ<i>o</i>u were3, þ<i>a</i>t ilke wouen girdel, - </p> - <p> - Myn owen wyf hit þe weued, I wot wel forsoþe; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I know thy kisses and my wife's wooing.</span> - <span class="linenum">2360</span> - <p> - Now know I wel þy cosses, & þy costes als, - </p> - <p> - & þe wowy<i>n</i>g of my wyf, I wro3t hit myseluen; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I sent her to try thee, and faultless I found - thee.</span> - <p> - I sende hir to asay þe, & sothly me þynkke3, - </p> - <p> - On þe fautlest freke, þat eu<i>er</i> on fote 3ede; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2364</span> - <p> - As perle bi þe quite pese is of prys more, - </p> - <p> - So is Gawayn, i<i>n</i> god fayth, bi oþ<i>er</i> gay kny3te3. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">But yet thou sinnedst a little,</span> - <p> - Bot here you lakked a lyttel, s<i>ir</i>, & lewte yow wonted, - </p> - <p> - Bot þat wat3 for no wylyde werke, ne wowy<i>n</i>g nauþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">for love of thy life."</span> <span - class="linenum">2368</span> - <p> - Bot for 3e lufed yo<i>ur</i> lyf, þe lasse I yow blame." - </p> - <p> - Þat oþ<i>er</i> stif mon i<i>n</i> study stod a gret whyle; - </p> - <p> - So agreued for greme he gryed w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne stands confounded.</span> - <p> - Alle þe blode of his brest blende i<i>n</i> his face, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2372</span> - <p> - Þat al he schrank for schome, þat þe schalk talked. - </p> - <p> - Þe forme worde vpon folde, þat þe freke meled,— - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Cursed," he says, "be cowardice and covetousness - both!"</span> - <p> - "Corsed worth cowarddyse & couetyse boþe! - </p> - <p> - I<i>n</i> yow is vylany & vyse, þat v<i>er</i>tue disstrye3." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Then he takes off the girdle and throws it to the - knight.</span> <span class="linenum">2376</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne he ka3t to þe knot, & þe kest lawse3, - </p> - <p> - Brayde broþely þe belt to þe burne seluen: - </p> - <p> - "Lo! þer þe falssy<i>n</i>g, foule mot hit falle! - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He curses his cowardice,</span> - <p> - For care of þy knokke cowardyse me ta3t - </p> - <span class="linenum">2380</span> - <p> - To a-corde me w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> couetyse, my kynde to for-sake, - </p> - <p> - Þat is larges & lewte, þat longe3 to kny3te3. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and confesses himself to have been guilty of - untruth.</span> - <p> - Now am I fawty, & falce, & ferde haf ben eu<i>er</i>; - </p> - <p> - Of trecherye & vn-trawþe boþe bityde sor3e - </p> - <span class="linenum">2384</span> - <p class="i8"> - & care! - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 123.]<br /></span> - <p class="i4"> - I bi-knowe yow, kny3t, here stylle, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Al fawty is my fare, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Lete3 me ou<i>er</i>-take yo<i>ur</i> wylle, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2388</span> - <p class="i4"> - & efle I schal be ware." - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XVII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then the other, laughing, thus spoke:</span> - <p> - The<i>n</i>ne lo3e þat oþ<i>er</i> leude, & luflyly sayde, - </p> - <p> - "I halde hit hardily<sup>1</sup> hole, þe harme þat I hade; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Thou art confessed so clean,</span> - <p> - Þ<i>o</i>u art confessed so clene, be-knowen of þy mysses, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2392</span> - <p> - & hat3 þe penau<i>n</i>ce apert, of þe poy<i>n</i>t of myn egge, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">that I hold thee as pure as if thou hadst never - been guilty.</span> - <p> - I halde þe polysed of þat ply3t, & pured as clene, - </p> - <p> - As þ<i>o</i>u hade3 neu<i>er</i> forfeted, syþe<i>n</i> þ<i>o</i>u - wat3 fyrst borne. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I give thee, sir, the gold-hemmed girdle,</span> - <p> - & I gif þe, s<i>ir</i>, þe gurdel þat is golde he<i>m</i>med; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2396</span> - <p> - For hit is grene as my goune, s<i>ir</i> G:, 3e maye - </p> - <p> - Þenk vpon þis ilke þrepe, þ<i>er</i> þ<i>o</i>u forth þry<i>n</i>ge3 - </p> - <p> - Amo<i>n</i>g prynces of prys, & þis a pure token - </p> - <span class="sidenote">as a token of thy adventure at the Green Chapel.</span> - <p> - Of þe chau<i>n</i>ce of þe grene chapel, at cheualro<i>us</i> kny3te3; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Come again to my abode, and abide there for the - remainder of the festival."</span> <span class="linenum">2400</span> - <p> - & 3e schal i<i>n</i> þis nwe 3er a3ayn to my wone3, - </p> - <p> - & we schy<i>n</i> reuel þe remnau<i>n</i>t of þis ryche fest, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - ful bene." - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þer laþed hy<i>m</i> fast þe lorde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2404</span> - <p class="i4"> - & sayde, "w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> my wyf, I wene, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - We schal yow wel acorde, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þat wat3 yo<i>ur</i> enmy kene." - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> hardilyly, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XVIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"Nay, forsooth," says Gawayne,</span> - <p> - "Nay, for soþe," q<i>uod</i> þe segge, & sesed hys helme, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2408</span> - <p> - & hat3 hit of hendely, & þe haþel þonkke3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"I have sojourned sadly, but bliss betide thee!</span> - <p> - "I haf soiorned sadly, sele yow bytyde, - </p> - <p> - & he 3elde hit yow 3are, þat 3arkke3 al me<i>n</i>skes! - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Commend me to your comely wife and that other - lady who have beguiled me.</span> - <p> - & comau<i>n</i>de3 me to þat cortays, yo<i>ur</i> comlych fere, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2412</span> - <p> - Boþe þat on & þat oþ<i>er</i>, myn hono<i>ur</i>ed ladye3. - </p> - <p> - Þat þ<i>us</i> hor kny3t wyth hor kest han koy<i>n</i>tly bigyled. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">But it is no marvel for a man to be brought to - grief through a woman's wiles.</span> - <p> - Bot hit is no ferly, þa3 a fole madde, - </p> - <p> - & þur3 wyles of wy<i>m</i>men be wonen to sor3e; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Adam, Solomon, Samson, and David were beguiled by - women.</span> <span class="linenum">2416</span> - <p> - For so wat3 Adam i<i>n</i> erde w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> one bygyled, - </p> - <p> - & Salamon w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> fele sere, & Samson eft sone3, - </p> - <p> - Dalyda dalt hy<i>m</i> hys wyrde, & Dauyth þer-aft<i>er</i> - </p> - <p> - Wat3 blended w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> Barsabe, þat much bale þoled. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">How could a man love them and believe them not?</span> - <span class="linenum">2420</span> - <p> - Now þese were wrathed wyth her wyles, h<i>i</i>t were a wy<i>n</i>ne - huge, - </p> - <p> - To luf hom wel, & leue hem not, a leude þat couþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 123<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p> - For þes wer forne<sup>1</sup> þe freest þat fol3ed alle þe sele, - </p> - <p> - Ex-ellently of alle þyse oþ<i>er</i>, vnder heuen-ryche, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2424</span> - <p class="i8"> - þat mused; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & alle þay were bi-wyled, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - With<sup>2</sup> wy<i>m</i>men þat þay vsed, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Though I be now beguiled, methinks I should be - excused.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þa3 I be now bigyled, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2428</span> - <p class="i4"> - Me þink me burde be excused." - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> forme (?) <sup>2</sup> with wyth, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XIX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">But God reward you for your girdle.</span> - <p> - "Bot yo<i>ur</i> gordel," q<i>uod</i> G: "God yow for-3elde! - </p> - <p> - Þat wyl I welde wyth good wylle, not for þe wy<i>n</i>ne golde, - </p> - <p> - Ne þe saynt, ne þe sylk, ne þe syde pendau<i>n</i>des, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2432</span> - <p> - For wele, ne for worchyp, ne for þe wlonk werkke3, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I will wear it in remembrance of my fault.</span> - <p> - Bot i<i>n</i> sy<i>n</i>gne of my surfet I schal se hit ofte; - </p> - <p> - When I ride i<i>n</i> renou<i>n</i>, remorde to myseluen - </p> - <p> - Þe faut & þe fayntyse of þe flesche crabbed, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2436</span> - <p> - How tender hit is to entyse teches of fylþe; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">And when pride shall prick me,</span> - <p> - & þ<i>us</i>, quen pryde schal me pryk, for prowes of armes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">a look to this lace shall abate it.</span> - <p> - Þe loke to þis luf lace schal leþe my hert. - </p> - <p> - Bot on I wolde yow pray, displeses yow neu<i>er</i>; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2440</span> - <p> - Syn 3e be lorde of þe 3onde[r] londe, þ<i>er</i> I haf lent i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - Wyth yow wyth worschyp,—þe wy3e hit yow 3elde - </p> - <p> - Þat vp-halde3 þe heu<i>en</i>, & on hy3 sitte3,— - </p> - <span class="sidenote">But tell me your right name and I shall have - done."</span> - <p> - How norne 3e yowre ry3t nome, & þe<i>n</i>ne no more?" - </p> - <span class="linenum">2444</span> - <p> - "Þat schal I telle þe trwly," q<i>uod</i> þ<i>a</i>t oþ<i>er</i> þe<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The Green Knight replies, "I am called Bernlak de - Hautdesert, through might of Morgain la Fey, the pupil of Merlin.</span> - <p> - "Bernlak de Hautdesert I hat i<i>n</i> þis londe, - </p> - <p> - Þur3 my3t of Morgne la Faye, þat i<i>n</i> my ho<i>us</i> lenges, - </p> - <p> - &<sup>1</sup> koyntyse of clergye, bi craftes wel lerned, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2448</span> - <p> - Þe maystres of M<i>er</i>lyn, mony ho<sup>2</sup> taken; - </p> - <p> - For ho hat3 dalt drwry ful dere su<i>m</i> tyme, - </p> - <p> - With þat conable klerk, þat knowes alle yo<i>ur</i> kny3te3 - </p> - <p class="i8"> - at hame; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2452</span> - <p class="i4"> - Morgne þe goddes, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þer-fore hit is hir name; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">She can tame even the haughtiest.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Welde3 non so hy3e hawtesse, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þat ho ne con make ful tame. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> in (?). <sup>2</sup> ho hat3 (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">It was she who caused me to test the renown of - the Round Table,</span> <span class="linenum">2456</span> - <p> - Ho wayned me vpon þis wyse to yo<i>ur</i> wy<i>n</i>ne halle, - </p> - <p> - For to assay þe surquidre, 3if hit soth were, - </p> - <p> - Þat re<i>n</i>nes of þe grete renou<i>n</i> of þe Rou<i>n</i>de Table; - </p> - <p> - Ho wayned me þis wonder, yo<i>ur</i> wytte3 to reue, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 124.]<br />hoping to grieve Guenever and - cause her death through fear.</span> <span class="linenum">2460</span> - <p> - For to haf greued Gayno<i>ur</i>, & gart hir to dy3e. - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> gopny<i>n</i>g<sup>1</sup> of þat ilke gomen, þat - gostlych speked, - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> his hede i<i>n</i> his honde, bifore þe hy3e table. - </p> - <p> - Þat is ho þat is at home, þe au<i>n</i>cian lady; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">She is even thine aunt.</span> <span - class="linenum">2464</span> - <p> - Ho is euen þyn au<i>n</i>t, Arþure3 half suster, - </p> - <p> - Þe duches do3ter of Tyntagelle, þat dere Vt<i>er</i> aft<i>er</i> - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Therefore come to her and make merry in my - house."</span> - <p> - Hade Arþur vpon, þat aþel is nowþe. - </p> - <p> - Þerfore I eþe þe, haþel, to com to þy nau<i>n</i>t, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2468</span> - <p> - Make myry i<i>n</i> my ho<i>us</i>, my meny þe louies, - </p> - <p> - & I wol þe as wel, wy3e, bi my faythe, - </p> - <p> - As any gome vnder God, for þy grete trauþe." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne refuses to return with the Green Knight.</span> - <p> - & he nikked hy<i>m</i> naye, he nolde bi no wayes; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2472</span> - <p> - Þay acolen & kyssen, [bikennen] ayþer oþ<i>er</i> - </p> - <p> - To þe prynce of paradise, & parten ry3t þere, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - on coolde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">On horse full fair he bends to Arthur's hall.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Gawayn on blonk ful bene, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2476</span> - <p class="i4"> - To þe ky<i>n</i>ge3 bur3 buske3 bolde, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & þe kny3t i<i>n</i> þe enker grene, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Whider-warde so eu<i>er</i> he wolde. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> glopnyng (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Wild ways now Gawayne rides.</span> - <p> - Wylde waye3 i<i>n</i> þe worlde Wowen now ryde3, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2480</span> - <p> - On Gryngolet, þat þe g<i>ra</i>ce hade geten of his lyue; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Oft he harboured in house and oft thereout.</span> - <p> - Ofte he herbered i<i>n</i> house, & ofte al þeroute, - </p> - <p> - & mony a-venture i<i>n</i> vale, & venquyst ofte, - </p> - <p> - Þat I ne ty3t, at þis tyme, i<i>n</i> tale to remene. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The wound in his neck became whole.</span> <span - class="linenum">2484</span> - <p> - Þe hurt wat3 hole, þat he hade hent i<i>n</i> his nek, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He still carried about him the belt,</span> - <p> - & þe blykkande belt he bere þeraboute, - </p> - <p> - A belef as a bauderyk, bou<i>n</i>den bi his syde, - </p> - <p> - Loken vnder his lyfte arme, þe lace, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> a knot, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">in token of his fault.</span> <span - class="linenum">2488</span> - <p> - I<i>n</i> tokeny<i>n</i>g he wat3 tane i<i>n</i> tech of a faute; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Thus he comes to the Court of King Arthur.</span> - <p> - & þ<i>us</i> he co<i>m</i>mes to þe co<i>u</i>rt, kny3t al i<i>n</i> - sou<i>n</i>de. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Great then was the joy of all.</span> - <p> - Þer wakned wele i<i>n</i> þat wone, when wyst þe grete, - </p> - <p> - Þat gode G: wat3 co<i>m</i>men, gayn hit hym þo3t; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The king and his knights ask him concerning his - journey.</span> <span class="linenum">2492</span> - <p> - Þe ky<i>n</i>g kysse3 þe kny3t, & þe whene alce, - </p> - <p> - & syþen mony syker kny3t, þat so3t hy<i>m</i> to haylce, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne tells them of his adventures,</span> - <p> - Of his fare þat hy<i>m</i> frayned, & ferlyly he telles; - </p> - <p> - Biknowo3 alle þe costes of care þat he hade,— - </p> - <span class="linenum">2496</span> - <p> - Þe chau<i>n</i>ce of þe chapel, þe chere of þe kny3t, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 124<i>b</i>.]<br />the love of the lady, and - lastly of the lace.</span> - <p> - Þe luf of þe ladi, þe lace at þe last. - </p> - <p> - Þe nirt i<i>n</i> þe nek he naked hem schewed, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He showed them the cut in his neck.</span> - <p> - Þat he la3t for his vnleute at þe leudes hondes, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2500</span> - <p class="i8"> - for blame; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He tened quen he schulde telle, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He groaned for grief and shame, and the blood - rushed into his face.</span> - <p class="i4"> - He groned for gref & grame; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe blod i<i>n</i> his face con melle, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2504</span> - <p class="i4"> - When he hit schulde schewe, for schame. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XXII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"Lo!" says he, handling the lace, "this is the - band of blame,</span> - <p> - "Lo! lorde," q<i>uod</i> þe leude, & þe lace hondeled, - </p> - <p> - "Þis is þe bende of þis blame I bere [in] my nek, - </p> - <p> - Þis is þe laþe & þe losse, þat I la3t haue, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">a token of my cowardice and covetousness,</span> - <span class="linenum">2508</span> - <p> - Of couardise & couetyse, þat I haf ca3t þare, - </p> - <p> - Þis is þe token of vn-trawþe, þat I am tan i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I must needs wear it as long as I live."</span> - <p> - & I mot nede3 hit were, wyle I may last; - </p> - <p> - For non may hyden his harme, bot vnhap ne may hit, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2512</span> - <p> - For þ<i>er</i> hit one3 is tachched, twy<i>n</i>ne wil hit neu<i>er</i>." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The king comforts the knight, and all the court - too.</span> - <p> - Þe ky<i>n</i>g comforte3 þe kny3t, & alle þe co<i>u</i>rt als, - </p> - <p> - La3en loude þ<i>er</i>-at, & luflyly acorden, - </p> - <p> - Þat lordes & ladis, þ<i>a</i>t longed to þe Table, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Each knight of the brotherhood agrees to wear a - bright green belt,</span> <span class="linenum">2516</span> - <p> - Vche burne of þe broþ<i>er</i>-hede a bauderyk schulde haue, - </p> - <p> - A bende, a belef hy<i>m</i> aboute, of a bry3t grene, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">for Gawayne's sake,</span> - <p> - & þat, for sake of þat segge, i<i>n</i> swete to were. - </p> - <p> - For þat wat3 acorded þe renou<i>n</i> of þe Rou<i>n</i>de Table, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">who ever more honoured it.</span> <span - class="linenum">2520</span> - <p> - & he hono<i>ur</i>ed þat hit hade, eu<i>er</i>-more aft<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - As hit is breued i<i>n</i> þe best boke of romau<i>n</i>ce. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Thus in Arthur's day this adventure befell.</span> - <p> - Þ<i>us</i> i<i>n</i> Arthur<i>us</i> day þis au<i>n</i>t<i>er</i> - bitidde, - </p> - <p> - Þe Brut<i>us</i> boke<i>es</i> þ<i>er</i>-of beres wyttenesse; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2524</span> - <p> - Syþ<i>en</i> Brut<i>us</i>, þe bolde burne, bo3ed hider fyrst, - </p> - <p> - Aft<i>er</i> þe segge & þe asaute wat3 sesed at Troye, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - I-wysse; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Mony au<i>n</i>t<i>er</i>e3 here bi-forne, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2528</span> - <p class="i4"> - Haf fallen suche er þis: - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He that bore the crown of thorns bring us to His - bliss!</span> - <p class="i4"> - Now þat bere þe crou<i>n</i> of þorne, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He bry<i>n</i>g v<i>us</i> to his blysse! AMEN. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <hr /> - <p> - NOTES. - </p> - <table border="0"> - <tr> - <td> - Line 8 - </td> - <td> - Ricchis turns, goes,<br /> The - king ...<br /> <i>Ricchis</i> his reynys and the Renke - metys:<br /> Girden to gedur with þere grete speires.—T.B. - l. 1232. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 37 - </td> - <td> - <i> Þis kyng lay at Camylot vpon kryst-masse</i>.<br /> - <i>Camalot</i>, in Malory's "Morte Arthure," is said to be the same as - Winchester. Ritson supposes it to be <i>Caer-went</i>, in - Monmouthshire, and afterwards confounded with <i>Caer-wynt</i>, or <i>Winchester</i>. - But popular tradition here seems the best guide, which assigned the - site of Camalot to the ruins of a castle on a hill, near the church of - South Cadbury, in Somersetshire (Sir F. Madden). - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 65 - </td> - <td> - <i> Nowel nayted o-newe, neuened ful ofte</i>.<br /> - Christmas celebrated anew, mentioned full often.<br /> Sir - F. Madden leaves the word <i>nayted</i> unexplained in his Glossary to - "Syr Gawayne." - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 124 - </td> - <td> - <i>syluener</i> = <i>sylueren</i>, i.e. silver dishes. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 139 - </td> - <td> - <i>lyndes</i> = <i>lendes</i>, loins. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 142 - </td> - <td> - <i>in his muckel</i>, in his greatness. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 184 - </td> - <td> - Wat3 euesed al umbe-torne—? was trimmed, all cut evenly around; - <i>umbe-torne</i> may be an error for <i>vmbe-corue</i> = cut round. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 216 - </td> - <td> - <i>in gracios werkes</i>. Sir F. Madden reads <i>gracons</i> for <i>gracios</i>, - and suggests <i>Greek</i> as the meaning of it. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 244-5 - </td> - <td> - <i> As al were slypped vpon slepe so slaked hor - lote3<br /> in hy3e</i>.<br /> - As all were fallen asleep so ceased their - words<br /> in haste - (suddenly).<br /> Sir F. Madden reads <i>slaked horlote3</i>, instead - of <i>slaked hor lote3</i>, which, according to his glossary, - signifies drunken vagabonds. He evidently takes <i>horlote3</i> to be - another (and a very uncommon) form of <i>harlote3</i> = <i>harlots</i>. - But <i>harlot</i>, or vagabond, would be a very inappropriate term to - apply to the noble <i>Knights of the Round Table</i>. Moreover, <i>slaked</i> - never, I think, means drunken. The general sense of the verb <i>slake</i> - is to let loose, lessen, cease. Cf. lines 411-2, where <i>sloke</i>, - another form of <i>slake</i>, occurs with a similar meaning:<br /> - — <i>layt no fyrre; bot slokes</i>.<br /> - — seek no further, but stop (cease).<br /> - Sir F. Madden suggests <i>blows</i> as the explanation of <i>slokes</i>. - It is, however, a <i>verb</i> in the imperative mood. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 286 - </td> - <td> - <i>Brayn</i>. Mätzner suggests <i>brayn-wod</i>. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 296 - </td> - <td> - <i>barlay</i> = par loi. This word is exceedingly common in the T. - Book (see l. 3391).<br /> I bid you now, - <i>barlay</i>, with besines at all<br /> Þat ye - set you most soverainly my suster to gete.—T.B. l. 2780. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 394 - </td> - <td> - <i>siker</i>. Sir F. Madden reads <i>swer</i>. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 440 - </td> - <td> - <i>bluk</i>. Sir F. Madden suggests <i>blunk</i> (horse). I am - inclined to keep to the reading of the MS., and explain <i>bluk</i> as - = <i>bulk</i> = trunk. Cf. the use of the word <i>Blok</i> in "Early - English Alliterative Poems," p. 100, l. 272. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 558 - </td> - <td> - <i>derue doel</i>, etc. = great grief. Sir F. Madden reads <i>derne</i>, - i.e. secret, instead of <i>derue</i> (= <i>derf</i>). Cf. line 564. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 577 - </td> - <td> - <i>knaged</i>, fastened.<br /> The braunches - were borly, sum of bright gold,<br /> With - leuys full luffly, light of the same;<br /> With - burions aboue bright to beholde;<br /> And - fruit on yt fourmyt of fairest of shap,<br /> Of - mony kynd that was knyt, <i>knagged</i> aboue.—T.B. l. 4973. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 629 - </td> - <td> - <i>& ay quere hit is endele3</i>, etc.<br /> - And everywhere it is <i>endless</i>, etc.<br /> - Sir F. Madden reads <i>emdele3</i>, i.e. with equal sides. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 652 - </td> - <td> - <i>for-be</i> = <i>for-bi</i> = surpassing, beyond. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 681 - </td> - <td> - for <i>Hadet</i> read <i>Halet</i> = <i>haled</i> = exiled (?). See - line 1049. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 806 - </td> - <td> - <i>auinant</i> = <i>auenaunt</i>, pleasantly. Sir F. Madden reads <i>amnant</i>. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 954 - </td> - <td> - <i>of</i>. Should we not read <i>on</i> (?). - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 957 - </td> - <td> - <i> Þat oþer wyth a gorger wat3 gered ouer þe - swyre</i>.<br /> The <i>gorger</i> or <i>wimple</i> is stated first to - have appeared in Edward the First's reign, and an example is found on - the monument of Aveline, Countess of Lancaster, who died in 1269. From - the poem, however, it would seem that the <i>gorger</i> was confined - to elderly ladies (Sir F. Madden) - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 968 - </td> - <td> - <i>More lykker-wys on to lyk,<br /> Wat3 - þat scho had on lode.</i><br /> A more pleasant - one to like,<br /> Was that (one) she had under - her control. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 988 - </td> - <td> - <i>tayt</i> = lively, and hence pleasant, agreeable. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1015 - </td> - <td> - <i>in vayres</i>, in purity. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1020 - </td> - <td> - <i>dut</i> = <i>dunt</i> (?) = <i>dint</i> (?), referring to <i>sword-sports</i>. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1022 - </td> - <td> - <i>sayn[t] Ione3 day</i>. This is the 27th of December, and the last - of the feast. Sometimes the Christmas festivities were prolonged to - New Year's Day (Sir F. Madden). - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1047 - </td> - <td> - <i>derne dede</i> = secret deed. I would prefer to read <i>derue dede</i> - = great deed. Cf. lines 558, 564. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1053 - </td> - <td> - <i>I wot in worlde</i>, etc. = <i>I not</i> (I know not) <i>in worlde</i>, - etc. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1054 - </td> - <td> - <i>I nolde, bot if I hit negh my3t on nw3eres - morne,</i><br /> <i>For alle þe londe in-wyth - Logres,</i> etc.<br /> I would not [delay to set out], unless I might - approach it on New Year's morn, for all the lands within England, etc. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1074 - </td> - <td> - <i>in spenne</i> = <i>in space</i> = in the interval = meanwhile. See - line 1503. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1160 - </td> - <td> - <i>slentyng of arwes</i>. Sir F. Madden reads <i>sleutyng</i>.<br /> - "Of drawyn swordis <i>sclentyng</i> to and - fra,<br /> The brycht mettale, and othir - armouris seir,<br /> Quharon the sonnys blenkis - betis cleir,<br /> Glitteris and schane, and - vnder bemys brycht,<br /> Castis ane new - twynklyng or a lemand lycht."<br /> (G. - Douglas' Æneid, Vol. i, p. 421.) - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1281 - </td> - <td> - <i>let lyk</i> = appeared pleased. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1283 - </td> - <td> - <i>Þa3 I were burde bry3test, þe burde in - mynde hade</i>, etc.<br /> The sense requires us to read:<br /> <i>Þa3 - ho were burde bry3test, þe burne in mynde hade</i>, etc.<br /> i.e., - Though she were lady fairest, the knight in mind had, etc. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1440 - </td> - <td> - <i>Long sythen [seuered] for þe sounder þat - wi3t for-olde</i><br /> Long since separated from the <i>sounder</i> or - herd that fierce (one) for-aged (grew very old).<br /> "Now - to speke of the boore, the fyrste year he is<br /> A - pygge of the <i>sounder</i> callyd, as haue I blys;<br /> The - secounde yere an hogge, and soo shall he be,<br /> And - an hoggestere, whan he is of yeres thre;<br /> And - when he is foure yere, a boor shall he be,<br /> From - the <i>sounder</i> of the swyne thenne departyth he;<br /> A - synguler is he soo, for alone he woll go."<br /> (Book - of St. Alban's, ed. 1496, sig. <i>d</i>., i.) - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1476 - </td> - <td> - <i>totes</i> = looks, toots.<br /> Sho went up - wightly by a walle syde.<br /> To the toppe of - a toure and <i>tot</i> ouer the water.—T.B. l. 862.<br /> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1623 - </td> - <td> - A verb [? <i>lalede</i> = cried] seems wanting after <i>lorde</i>. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1702 - </td> - <td> - <i>fnasted</i>, breathed.<br /> These balfull - bestes were, as the boke tellus,<br /> Full - flaumond of fyre with <i>fnastyng</i> of logh.—T.B. l. 168. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1710 - </td> - <td> - <i>a strothe rande</i> = a rugged path. Cf. the phrases <i>tene greue</i>, - l. 1707; <i>ro3e greue</i>, l. 1898. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1729 - </td> - <td> - <i>bi lag</i> = <i>be-lagh</i>(?) = below (?). - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1719 - </td> - <td> - <i>Thenne wat3 hit lif vpon list</i>, etc.<br /> - Should we not read:<br /> <i>Thenne wat3 hit - list vpon lif</i>, etc.<br /> i.e., Then was there joy in life, etc. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1780 - </td> - <td> - <i>lyf</i> = <i>lef</i>(?), beloved (one). - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1869 - </td> - <td> - <i>Ho hat3 kyst þe kny3t so to3t</i>.<br /> - <i>She has kissed the knight so courteous</i>.<br /> Sir F. - Madden explains <i>to3t</i>, promptly. <i>To3t</i> seems to be the - same as the Northumbrian <i>taght</i> in the following extract from - the "Morte Arthure":<br /> "There come in at - the fyrste course, before the kyng seluene,<br /> Bare - hevedys that ware bryghte, burnyste with sylver,<br /> Alle - with <i>taghte</i> mene and <i>towne</i> in togers fulle ryche."—(p. 15.)<br /> - The word <i>towne</i> (well-behaved) still exists in <i>wan-ton</i>, - the original meaning of which was ill-mannered, ill-bred. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1909 - </td> - <td> - <i>bray hounde3</i> = <i>braþ hounde3</i>, i.e. fierce hounds. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1995 - </td> - <td> - <i>He hat3 nere þat he so3t</i> = <i>He wat3 nere þat he so3t</i> = He - was near to that which he sought. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 2160 - </td> - <td> - <i>gedere3 þe rake</i> = takes the path or way. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 2167 - </td> - <td> - <i>Þe skwe3 of þe scowtes skayued hym þo3t</i>.<br /> - The shadows of the hills appeared wild (desolate) to him. Sir F. - Madden reads <i>skayned</i>, of which he gives no explanation. <i>Skayued</i> - = <i>skayfed</i>, seems to be the N. Prov. English <i>scafe</i>, wild. - Scotch <i>schaivie</i>, wild, mad. O.N. <i>skeifr</i>. Sw. <i>skef</i>, - awry, distorted. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 2204 - </td> - <td> - <i>ronge</i> = clattered. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 2211 - </td> - <td> - <i>Drede dot3 me no lote</i> =<br /> No - noise shall cause me to dread (fear). - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 2357 - </td> - <td> - <i>& þer-for þat tappe ta þe</i>.<br /> - And therefore take thee that tap.<br /> <i>ta - þe</i> = take thee. Sir F. Madden reads <i>taþe = taketh</i>. See l. 413, - where <i>to þe</i> rhymes with <i>sothe</i>. We have no imperatives in - <i>th</i> in this poem. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 2401 - </td> - <td> - <i>We schyn reuel</i>, etc. Sir F. Madden reads <i>wasch yn reuel</i>. - But <i>schyn</i> = shall. See Glossary to "Alliterative Poems." - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 2474 - </td> - <td> - <i>on-coolde</i> = <i>on-colde</i> = <i>coldly</i> = sorrowfully. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 2489 - </td> - <td> - <i>in-sounde = soundly</i>, well. Cf. <i>in-blande</i> = together; <i>in-lyche</i>, - alike; <i>inmydde3</i>, amidst. - </td> - </tr> - </table> - <p> - <a name="yogh" id="yogh"> </a> - </p> - <h1> - Sir Gawayne - </h1> - <h3> - and - </h3> - <h1> - The Green Knight: - </h1> - <h2> - AN ALLITERATIVE ROMANCE-POEM, - </h2> - <h4> - (AB. 1360 A.D.) - </h4> - <h4> - BY THE AUTHOR OF - </h4> - <h2> - "EARLY ENGLISH ALLITERATIVE POEMS." - </h2> - <h3> - RE-EDITED FROM COTTON. MS. NERO, A.x., IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM, - </h3> - <h4> - BY - </h4> - <h2> - RICHARD MORRIS, - </h2> - <h5> - EDITOR OF HAMPOLE'S "PRICKE OF CONSCIENCE," "EARLY ENGLISH ALLITERATIVE - POEMS," ETC.; - </h5> - <h5> - MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF THE PHILOLOGICAL SOCIETY. - </h5> - <h3> - SECOND EDITION, REVISED, 1869. - </h3> - <h2> - LONDON - </h2> - <h3> - PUBLISHED FOR THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY - </h3> - <h3> - BY N. TRÃœBNER & CO., 60, PATERNOSTER ROW, - </h3> - <h5> - MDCCCLXIV. - </h5> - <hr /> - <h5> - JOHN CHILDS AND SON, PRINTERS. - </h5> - <hr /> - <h2> - PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. - </h2> - <p> - In re-editing the present romance-poem I have been saved all labour of - transcription by using the very accurate text contained in Sir F. Madden's - "Syr Gawayne." - </p> - <p> - I have not only read his copy with the manuscript, but also the - proof-sheets as they came to hand, hoping by this means to give the reader - a text free from any errors of transcription. - </p> - <p> - The present edition differs from that of the earlier one in having the - contractions of the manuscript expanded and side-notes added to the text - to enable the reader to follow with some degree of ease the author's - pleasant narrative of Sir Gawayne's adventures. - </p> - <p> - The Glossary is taken from Sir F. Madden's "Syr Gawayne,"<sup>1</sup> to - which, for the better interpretation of the text, I have made several - additions, and have, moreover, glossed nearly all the words previously - left unexplained. - </p> - <p> - For a description of the Manuscript, and particulars relating to the - authorship and dialect of the present work, the reader is referred to the - preface to <i>Early English Alliterative Poems</i>. - </p> - <p> - R.M. - </p> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p> - LONDON, - </p> - <p> - <i>December</i> 22, 1864. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <p> - [<sup>1</sup> Sir F. Madden has most generously placed at the disposal of - the Early English Text Society any of his works which it may determine to - re-edit.] - </p> - <hr /> - <h2> - INTRODUCTION. - </h2> - <p> - No Knight of the Round Table has been so highly honoured by the old - Romance-writers as Sir Gawayne, the son of Loth, and nephew to the - renowned Arthur. They delighted to describe him as Gawayne the good, a man - matchless on mould, the most gracious that under God lived, the hardiest - of hand, the most fortunate in arms, and the most polite in hall, whose - knowledge, knighthood, kindly works, doings, doughtiness, and deeds of - arms were known in all lands. - </p> - <p> - When Arthur beheld the dead body of his kinsman lying on the ground bathed - in blood, he is said to have exclaimed, "O righteous God, this blood were - worthy to be preserved and enshrined in gold!" Our author, too, loves to - speak of his hero in similar terms of praise, calling him the knight - faultless in his five wits, void of every offence, and adorned with every - earthly virtue. He represents him as one whose trust was in the five - wounds, and in whom the five virtues which distinguished the true knight - were more firmly established than in any other on earth. - </p> - <p> - The author of the present story, who, as we know from his religious poems, - had an utter horror of moral impurity, could have chosen no better subject - for a romance in which amusement and moral instruction were to be - combined. In the following tale he shows how the true knight, though - tempted sorely not once alone, but twice, nay thrice, breaks not his vow - of chastity, but turns aside the tempter's shafts with the shield of - purity and arm of faith, and so passes scatheless through the perilous - defile of trial and opportunity seeming safe. - </p> - <p> - But while our author has borrowed many of the details of his story from - the "Roman de Perceval" by Chrestien de Troyes, he has made the narrative - more attractive by the introduction of several original and highly - interesting passages which throw light on the manners and amusements of - our ancestors. - </p> - <p> - The following elaborate descriptions are well deserving of especial - notice:— - </p> - <blockquote> - <p> - I. The mode of completely arming a knight (ll. 568-589). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - II. The hunting and breaking the deer (ll. 1126-1359). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - III. The hunting and unlacing the wild boar (ll. 1412-1614). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - IV. A fox hunt (ll. 1675-1921). - </p> - </blockquote> - <p> - The following is an outline of the story of Gawayne's adventures, more or - less in the words of the writer himself:— - </p> - <blockquote> - <p> - Arthur, the greatest of Britain's kings, holds the Christmas festival at - Camelot, surrounded by the celebrated knights of the Round Table, noble - lords, the most renowned under heaven, and ladies the loveliest that - ever had life (ll. 37-57). This noble company celebrate the New Year by - a religious service, by the bestowal of gifts, and the most joyous - mirth. Lords and ladies take their seats at the table—Queen - Guenever, the grey-eyed, gaily dressed, sits at the daïs, the high - table, or table of state, where too sat Gawayne and Ywain together with - other worthies of the Round Table (ll. 58-84, 107-115). Arthur, in mood - as joyful as a child, his blood young and his brain wild, declares that - he will not eat nor sit long at the table until some adventurous thing, - some uncouth tale, some great marvel, or some encounter of arms has - occurred to mark the return of the New Year (ll. 85-106). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - The first course was announced with cracking of trumpets, with the noise - of nakers and noble pipes. - </p> - </blockquote> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p class="i4"> - "Each two had dishes twelve, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Good beer and bright wine both." - </p> - </div> - </div> - <blockquote> - <p> - Scarcely was the first course served when another noise than that of - music was heard. There rushes in at the hall-door a knight of gigantic - stature—the greatest on earth—in measure high. He was - clothed entirely in green, and rode upon a green foal (ll. 116-178). - Fair wavy hair fell about the shoulders of the Green Knight, and a great - beard like a bush hung upon his breast (ll. 179-202). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - The knight carried no helmet, shield, or spear, but in one hand a holly - bough, and in the other an axe "huge and unmeet," the edge of which was - as keen as a sharp razor (ll. 203-220). Thus arrayed, the Green Knight - enters the hall without saluting any one. The first word that he uttered - was, "Where is the govenour of this gang? gladly would I see him and - with himself speak reason." To the knights he cast his eye, looking for - the most renowned. Much did the noble assembly marvel to see a man and a - horse of such a hue, green as the grass. Even greener they seemed than - green enamel on bright gold. Many marvels had they seen, but none such - as this. They were afraid to answer, but sat stone-still in a dead - silence, as if overpowered by sleep; - </p> - </blockquote> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p class="i4"> - "Not all from fear, but some for courtesy" (ll. 221-249). - </p> - </div> - </div> - <blockquote> - <p> - Then Arthur before the high daïs salutes the Green Knight, bids him - welcome, and entreats him to stay awhile at his Court. The knight says - that his errand is not to abide in any dwelling, but to seek the most - valiant of the heroes of the Round Table that he may put his courage to - the proof, and thus satisfy himself as to the fame of Arthur's court. "I - come," he says, "in peace, as ye may see by this branch that I bear - here. Had I come with hostile intentions, I should not have left my - hauberk, helmet, shield, sharp spear, and other weapons behind me. But - because I desire no war, 'my weeds are softer.' If thou be so bold as - all men say, thou wilt grant me the request I am about to make." "Sir - courteous knight," replies Arthur, "if thou cravest battle only, here - failest thou not to fight." "Nay," says the Green Knight, "I seek no - fighting. Here about on this bench are only beardless children. Were I - arrayed in arms on a high steed no man here would be a match for me (ll. - 250-282). But it is now Christmas time, and this is the New Year, and I - see around me many brave ones;—if any be so bold in his blood that - dare strike a stroke for another, I shall give him this rich axe to do - with it whatever he pleases. I shall abide the first blow just as I sit, - and will stand him a stroke, stiff on this floor, provided that I deal - him another in return. - </p> - </blockquote> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p class="i4"> - And yet give I him respite, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - A twelvemonth and a day; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Now haste and let see tite (soon) - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Dare any here-in ought say.'" - </p> - </div> - </div> - <blockquote> - <p> - If he astounded them at first, much more so did he after this speech, - and fear held them all silent. The knight, righting himself in his - saddle, rolls fiercely his red eyes about, bends his bristly green - brows, and strokes his beard awaiting a reply. But finding none that - would carp with him, he exclaims, "What! is this Arthur's house, the - fame of which has spread through so many realms? Forsooth, the renown of - the Round Table is overturned by the word of one man's speech, for all - tremble for dread without a blow being struck!" (ll. 283-313). With this - he laughed so loud that Arthur blushed for very shame, and waxed as - wroth as the wind. "I know no man," he says, "that is aghast at thy - great words. Give me now thy axe and I will grant thee thy request!" - Arthur seizes the axe, grasps the handle, and sternly brandishes it - about, while the Green Knight, with a stern cheer and a dry countenance, - stroking his beard and drawing down his coat, awaits the blow (ll. - 314-335). Sir Gawayne, the nephew of the king, beseeches his uncle to - let him undertake the encounter; and, at the earnest entreaty of his - nobles, Arthur consents "to give Gawayne the game" (ll. 336-365). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Sir Gawayne then takes possession of the axe, but, before the blow is - dealt, the Green Knight asks the name of his opponent. "In good faith," - answers the good knight, "Gawayne I am called, that bids thee to this - buffet, whatever may befall after, and at this time twelvemonth will - take from thee another, with whatever weapon thou wilt, and with no - wight else alive." "By Gog," quoth the Green Knight, "it pleases me well - that I shall receive at thy fist that which I have sought here—moreover - thou hast truly rehearsed the terms of the covenant,—but thou - shalt first pledge me thy word that thou wilt seek me thyself, - wheresoever on earth thou believest I may be found, and fetch thee such - wages as thou dealest me to-day before this company of doughty ones." - "Where should I seek thee?" replies Gawayne, "where is thy place? I know - not thee, thy court, or thy name. I wot not where thou dwellest, but - teach me thereto, tell me how thou art called, and I shall endeavour to - find thee,—and that I swear thee for truth and by my sure troth." - "That is enough in New Year," says the groom in green, "if I tell thee - when I have received the tap. When thou hast smitten me, then smartly I - will teach thee of my house, my home, and my own name, so that thou - mayest follow my track and fulfil the covenant between us. If I spend no - speech, then speedest thou the better, for then mayest thou remain in - thy own land and seek no further; but cease thy talking<sup>1</sup> (ll. - 366-412). Take now thy grim tool to thee and let us see how thou - knockest." "Gladly, sir, for sooth," quoth Gawayne, and his axe he - brandishes. - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - [<sup>1</sup> This, I think, is the true explanation of <i>slokes</i>.] - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - The Green Knight adjusts himself on the ground, bends slightly his head, - lays his long lovely locks over his crown, and lays bare his neck for - the blow. Gawayne then gripped the axe, and, raising it on high, let it - fall quickly upon the knight's neck and severed the head from the body. - The fair head fell from the neck to the earth, and many turned it aside - with their feet as it rolled forth. The blood burst from the body, yet - the knight never faltered nor fell; but boldly he started forth on stiff - shanks and fiercely rushed forward, seized his head, and lifted it up - quickly. Then he runs to his horse, the bridle he catches, steps into - his stirrups and strides aloft. His head by the hair he holds in his - hands, and sits as firmly in his saddle as if no mishap had ailed him, - though headless he was (ll. 413-439). He turned his ugly trunk about—that - ugly body that bled,—and holding the head in his hand, he directed - the face toward the "dearest on the dais." The head lifted up its - eyelids and looked abroad, and thus much spoke with its mouth as ye may - now hear: - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - "Loke, Gawayne, thou be prompt to go as thou hast promised, and seek - till thou find me according to thy promise made in the hearing of these - knights. Get thee to the Green Chapel, I charge thee, to fetch such a - dint as thou hast dealt, to be returned on New Year's morn. As the - Knight of the Green Chapel I am known to many, wherefore if thou seekest - thou canst not fail to find me. Therefore come, or recreant be called." - With a fierce start the reins he turns, rushes out of the hall-door, his - head in his hand, so that the fire of the flint flew from the hoofs of - his foal. To what kingdom he belonged knew none there, nor knew they - from whence he had come. What then? - </p> - </blockquote> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p class="i4"> - "The king and Gawayne there - </p> - <p class="i4"> - At that green (one) they laugh and grin." - </p> - </div> - </div> - <blockquote> - <p> - Though Arthur wondered much at the marvel, he let no one see that he was - at all troubled about it, but full loudly thus spake to his comely queen - with courteous speech: - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - "Dear dame, to-day be never dismayed, well happens such craft at - Christmas time. I may now proceed to meat, for I cannot deny that I have - witnessed a wondrous adventure this day" (ll. 440-475). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - He looked upon Sir Gawayne and said, "Now, sir, hang up thine axe, for - enough has it hewn." So the weapon was hung up on high that all might - look upon it, and "by true title thereof tell the wonder." Then all the - knights hastened to their seats at the table, so did the king and our - good knight, and they were there served with all dainties, "with all - manner of meat and minstrelsy." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Though words were wanting when they first to seat went, now are their - hands full of stern work, and the marvel affords them good subject for - conversation. But a year passes full quickly and never returns,—the - beginning is seldom like the end; wherefore this Christmas passed away - and the year after, and each season in turn followed after another (ll. - 476-520). Thus winter winds round again, and then Gawayne thinks of his - wearisome journey (ll. 521-535). On All-hallows day Arthur entertains - right nobly the lords and ladies of his court in honour of his nephew, - for whom all courteous knights and lovely ladies were in great grief. - Nevertheless they spoke only of mirth, and, though joyless themselves, - made many a joke to cheer the good Sir Gawayne (ll. 536-565). Early on - the morrow Sir Gawayne, with great ceremony, is arrayed in his armour - (ll. 566-589), and thus completely equipped for his adventure he first - hears mass, and afterwards takes leave of Arthur, the knights of the - Round Table, and the lords and ladies of the court, who kiss him and - commend him to Christ. He bids them all good day, as he thought, for - evermore (ll. 590-669); - </p> - </blockquote> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p class="i4"> - "<i>Very much was the warm water that poured from eyes that day</i>." - </p> - </div> - </div> - <blockquote> - <p> - Now rides our knight through the realms of England with no companion but - his foal, and no one to hold converse with save God alone. From Camelot, - in Somersetshire, he proceeds through Gloucestershire and the adjoining - counties into Montgomeryshire, and thence through North Wales to - Holyhead, adjoining the Isle of Anglesea (ll. 670-700), from which he - passes into the very narrow peninsula of Wirral, in Cheshire, where - dwelt but few that loved God or man. Gawayne enquires after the Green - Knight of the Green Chapel, but all the inhabitants declare that they - have never seen "any man of such hues of green." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - The knight thence pursues his journey by strange paths, over hill and - moor, encountering on his way not only serpents, wolves, bulls, bears, - and boars, but wood satyrs and giants. But worse than all those, - however, was the sharp winter, "when the cold clear water shed from the - clouds, and froze ere it might fall to the earth. Nearly slain with the - sleet he slept in his armour, more nights than enough, in naked rocks" - (ll. 701-729). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Thus in peril and plight the knight travels on until Christmas-eve, and - to Mary he makes his moan that she may direct him to some abode. On the - morn he arrives at an immense forest, wondrously wild, surrounded by - high hills on every side, where he found hoary oaks full huge, a hundred - together. The hazel and the hawthorn intermingled were all overgrown - with moss, and upon their boughs sat many sad birds that piteously piped - for pain of the cold. Gawayne besought the Lord and Mary to guide him to - some habitation where he might hear mass (ll. 730-762). Scarcely had he - crossed himself thrice, when he perceived a dwelling in the wood set - upon a hill. It was the loveliest castle he had ever beheld. It was - pitched on a prairie, with a park all about it, enclosing many a tree - for more than two miles. It shone as the sun through the bright oaks - (ll. 763-772). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Gawayne urges on his steed Gringolet, and finds himself at the "chief - gate." He called aloud, and soon there appeared a "porter" on the wall, - who demanded his errand. - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - "Good sir," quoth Gawayne, "wouldst thou go to the high lord of this - house, and crave a lodging for me?" - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - "Yea, by Peter!" replied the porter, "well I know that thou art welcome - to dwell here as long as thou likest." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - The drawbridge is soon let down, and the gates opened wide to receive - the knight. Many noble ones hasten to bid him welcome (ll. 773-825). - They take away his helmet, sword, and shield, and many a proud one - presses forward to do him honour. They bring him into the hall, where a - fire was brightly burning upon the hearth. Then the lord of the land<sup>1</sup> - comes from his chamber and welcomes Sir Gawayne, telling him that he is - to consider the place as his own. Our knight is next conducted to a - bright bower, where was noble bedding—curtains of pure silk, with - golden hems, and Tarsic tapestries upon the walls and the floors (ll. - 826-859). Here the knight doffed his armour and put on rich robes, which - so well became him, that all declared that a more comely knight Christ - had never made (ll. 860-883). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - [<sup>1</sup> Gawayne is now in the castle of the Green Knight, who, - divested of his elvish or supernatural character, appears to our knight - merely as a bold one with a beaver-hued beard.] - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - A table is soon raised, and Gawayne, having washed, proceeds to meat. - Many dishes are set before him—"sews" of various kinds, fish of - all kinds, some baked in bread, others broiled on the embers, some - boiled, and others seasoned with spices. The knight expresses himself - well pleased, and calls it a most noble and princely feast. - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - After dinner, in reply to numerous questions, he tells his host that he - is Gawayne, one of the Knights of the Round Table. When this was made - known great was the joy in the hall. Each one said softly to his - companion, "Now we shall see courteous behaviour and learn the terms of - noble discourse, since we have amongst us 'that fine father of nurture.' - Truly God has highly favoured us in sending us such a noble guest as Sir - Gawayne" (ll. 884-927). At the end of the Christmas festival Gawayne - desires to take his departure from the castle, but his host persuades - him to stay, promising to direct him to the Green Chapel (about two - miles from the castle), that he may be there by the appointed time (ll. - 1029-1082). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - A covenant is made between them, the terms of which were that the lord - of the castle should go out early to the chase, that Gawayne meanwhile - should lie in his loft at his ease, then rise at his usual hour, and - afterwards sit at table with his hostess, and that at the end of the day - they should make an exchange of whatever they might obtain in the - interim. "Whatever I win in the wood," says the lord, "shall be yours, - and what thou gettest shall be mine" (ll. 1083-1125). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Full early before daybreak the folk uprise, saddle their horses, and - truss their mails. The noble lord of the land, arrayed for riding, eats - hastily a sop, and having heard mass, proceeds with a hundred hunters to - hunt the wild deer (ll. 1126-1177). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - All this time Gawayne lies in his gay bed. His nap is disturbed by a - little noise at the door, which is softly opened. He heaves up his head - out of the clothes, and, peeping through the curtains, beholds a most - lovely lady (the wife of his host). She came towards the bed, and the - knight laid himself down quickly, pretending to be asleep. The lady - stole to the bed, cast up the curtains, crept within, sat her softly on - the bed-side, and waited some time till the knight should awake. After - lurking awhile under the clothes considering what it all meant, Gawayne - unlocked his eyelids, and put on a look of surprise, at the same time - making the sign of the cross, as if afraid of some hidden danger (ll. - 1178-1207). "Good morrow, sir," said that fair lady, "ye are a careless - sleeper to let one enter thus. I shall bind you in your bed, of that be - ye sure." "Good morrow," quoth Gawayne, "I shall act according to your - will with great pleasure, but permit me to rise that I may the more - comfortably converse with you." "Nay, beau sir," said that sweet one, - "ye shall not rise from your bed, for since I have caught my knight I - shall hold talk with him. I ween well that ye are Sir Gawayne that all - the world worships, whose honour and courtesy are so greatly praised. - Now ye are here, and we are alone (my lord and his men being afar off, - other men, too, are in bed, so are my maidens), and the door is safely - closed, I shall use my time well while it lasts. Ye are welcome to my - person to do with it as ye please, and I will be your servant" (ll. - 1208-1240). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Gawayne behaves most discreetly, for the remembrance of his forthcoming - adventure at the Green Chapel prevents him from thinking of love (ll. - 1205-1289). At last the lady takes leave of the knight by catching him - in her arms and kissing him (ll. 1290-1307). The day passes away - merrily, and at dusk the Lord of the castle returns from the chase. He - presents the venison to Gawayne according to the previous covenant - between them. Our knight gives his host a kiss as the only piece of good - fortune that had fallen to him during the day. "It is good," says the - other, "and would be much better if ye would tell me where ye won such - bliss" (ll. 1308-1394). "That was not in our covenant," replies Gawayne, - "so try me no more." After much laughing on both sides they proceed to - supper, and afterwards, while the choice wine is being carried round, - Gawayne and his host renew their agreement. Late at night they take - leave of each other and hasten to their beds. "By the time that the cock - had crowed and cackled thrice" the lord was up, and after "meat and - mass" were over the hunters make for the woods, where they give chase to - a wild boar who had grown old and mischievous (ll. 1395-1467). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - While the sportsmen are hunting this "wild swine" our lovely knight lies - in his bed. He is not forgotten by the lady, who pays him an early - visit, seeking to make further trial of his virtues. She sits softly by - his side and tells him that he has forgotten what she taught him the day - before (ll. 1468-1486). "I taught you of kissing," says she; "that - becomes every courteous knight." Gawayne says that he must not take that - which is forbidden him. The lady replies that he is strong enough to - enforce his own wishes. Our knight answers that every gift not given - with a good will is worthless. His fair visitor then enquires how it is - that he who is so skilled in the true sport of love and so renowned a - knight, has never talked to her of love (ll. 1487-1524). "You ought," - she says, "to show and teach a young thing like me some tokens of - true-love's crafts; I come hither and sit here alone to learn of you - some game; do teach me of your wit while my lord is from home." Gawayne - replies that he cannot undertake the task of expounding true-love and - tales of arms to one who has far more wisdom than he possesses. Thus did - our knight avoid all appearance of evil, though sorely pressed to do - what was wrong (ll. 1525-1552). The lady, having bestowed two kisses - upon Sir Gawayne, takes her leave of him (ll. 1553-1557). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - At the end of the day the lord of the castle returns home with the - shields and head of the wild boar. He shows them to his guest, who - declares that "such a brawn of a beast, nor such sides of a swine," he - never before has seen. Gawayne takes possession of the spoil according - to covenant, and in return he bestows two kisses upon his host, who - declares that his guest has indeed been rich with "such chaffer" (ll. - 1558-1647). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - After much persuasion, Gawayne consents to stop at the castle another - day (ll. 1648-1685). Early on the morrow the lord and his men hasten to - the woods, and come upon the track of a fox, the hunting of which - affords them plenty of employment and sport (ll. 1686-1730). Meanwhile - our good knight sleeps soundly within his comely curtains. He is again - visited by the lady of the castle. So gaily was she attired, and so - "faultless of her features," that great joy warmed the heart of Sir - Gawayne. With soft and pleasant smiles "they smite into mirth," and are - soon engaged in conversation. Had not Mary thought of her knight, he - would have been in great peril (ll. 1731-1769). So sorely does the fair - one press him with her love, that he fears lest he should become a - traitor to his host. The lady enquires whether he has a mistress to whom - he has plighted his troth. The knight swears by St John that he neither - has nor desires one. This answer causes the dame to sigh for sorrow, and - telling him that she must depart, she asks for some gift, if it were - only a glove, by which she might "think on the knight and lessen her - grief" (ll. 1770-1800). Gawayne assures her that he has nothing worthy - of her acceptance; that he is on an "uncouth errand," and therefore has - "no men with no mails containing precious things," for which he is truly - sorry. - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Quoth that lovesome (one)— - </p> - </blockquote> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p class="i4"> - "Though I had nought of yours, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Yet should ye have of mine. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <blockquote> - <p> - Thus saying, she offers him a rich ring of red gold "with a shining - stone standing aloft," that shone like the beams of the bright sun. The - knight refused the gift, as he had nothing to give in return. "Since ye - refuse my ring," says the lady, "because it seems too rich, and ye would - not be beholden to me, I shall give you my girdle that is less valuable" - (ll. 1801-1835). But Gawayne replies that he will not accept gold or - reward of any kind, though "ever in hot and in cold" he will be her true - servant. - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - "Do ye refuse it," asks the lady, "because it seems simple and of little - value? Whoso knew the virtues that are knit therein would estimate it - more highly. For he who is girded with this green lace cannot be wounded - or slain by any man under heaven." The knight thinks awhile, and it - strikes him that this would be a "jewel for the jeopardy" that he had to - undergo at the Green Chapel. So he not only accepts the lace, but - promises to keep the possession of it a secret (ll. 1836-1865). By that - time the lady had kissed him thrice, and she then takes "her leave and - leaves him there." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Gawayne rises, dresses himself in noble array, and conceals the "love - lace" where he might find it again. He then hies to mass, shrives him of - his misdeeds, and obtains absolution. On his return to the hall he - solaces the ladies with comely carols and all kinds of joy (ll. - 1866-1892). The dark night came, and then the lord of the castle, having - slain the fox, returns to his "dear home," where he finds a fire - brightly turning and his guest amusing the ladies (ll. 1893-1927). - Gawayne, in fulfilment of his agreement, kisses his host thrice.<sup>1</sup> - "By Christ," quoth the other knight, "ye have caught much bliss. I have - hunted all this day and nought have I got but the skin of this foul fox - (the devil have the goods!), and that is full poor for to pay for such - precious things" (ll. 1928-1951). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - After the usual evening's entertainment, Gawayne retires to rest. The - next morning, being New Year's day, is cold and stormy. Snow falls, and - the dales are full of drift. Our knight in his bed locks his eyelids, - but full little he sleeps. By each cock that crows he knows the hour, - and before day-break he calls for his chamberlain, who quickly brings - him his armour (ll. 1952-2014). While Gawayne clothed himself in his - rich weeds he forgot not the "lace, the lady's gift," but with it doubly - girded his loins. He wore it not for its rich ornaments, "but to save - himself when it behoved him to suffer," and as a safeguard against sword - or knife (ll. 2015-2046). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Having thanked his host and all the renowned assembly for the great - kindness he had experienced at their hands, "he steps into stirrups and - strides aloft" (ll. 2047-2068). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - The drawbridge is let down, and the broad gates unbarred and borne open - upon both sides, and the knight, after commending the castle to Christ, - passes thereout and goes on his way accompanied by his guide, that - should teach him to turn to that place where he should receive the - much-dreaded blow. They climb over cliffs, where each hill had a hat and - a mist-cloak, until the next morn, when they find themselves on a full - high hill covered with snow. The servant bids his master remain awhile, - saying, "I have brought you hither at this time, and now ye are not far - from that noted place that ye have so often enquired after. The place - that ye press to is esteemed full perilous, and there dwells a man in - that waste the worst upon earth, for he is stiff and stern and loves to - strike, and greater is he than any man upon middle-earth, and his body - is bigger than the best four in Arthur's house. He keeps the Green - Chapel; there passes none by that place, however proud in arms, that he - does not 'ding him to death with dint of his hand.' He is a man - immoderate and 'no mercy uses,' for be it churl or chaplain that by the - chapel rides, monk or mass-priest, or any man else, it is as pleasant to - him to kill them as to go alive himself. Wherefore I tell thee truly, - 'come ye there, ye be killed, though ye had twenty lives to spend. He - has dwelt there long of yore, and on field much sorrow has wrought. - Against his sore dints ye may not defend you' (ll. 2069-2117). - Therefore, good Sir Gawayne, let the man alone, and for God's sake go by - some other path, and then I shall hie me home again. I swear to you by - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - [<sup>1</sup> He only in part keeps to his covenant, as he holds back - the <i>love-lace</i>.] - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - God and all His saints that I will never say that ever ye attempted to - flee from any man." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Gawayne thanks his guide for his well-meant kindness, but declares that - to the Green Chapel he will go, though the owner thereof be "a stern - knave," for God can devise means to save his servants. - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - "Mary!" quoth the other, "since it pleases thee to lose thy life I will - not hinder thee. Have thy helmet on thy head, thy spear in thy hand, and - ride down this path by yon rock-side, till thou be brought to the bottom - of the valley. Then look a little on the plain, on thy left hand, and - thou shalt see in that slade the chapel itself, and the burly knight - that guards it (ll. 2118-2148). Now, farewell Gawayne the noble! for all - the gold upon ground I would not go with thee nor bear thee fellowship - through this wood 'on foot farther.'" Thus having spoken, he gallops - away and leaves the knight alone. - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Gawayne now pursues his journey, rides through the dale, and looks - about. He sees no signs of a resting-place, but only high and steep - banks, and the very shadows of the high woods seemed wild and distorted. - No chapel, however, could he discover. After a while he sees a round - hill by the side of a stream; thither he goes, alights, and fastens his - horse to the branch of a tree. He walks about the hill, debating with - himself what it might be. It had a hole in the one end and on each side, - and everywhere overgrown with grass, but whether it was only an old cave - or a crevice of an old crag he could not tell (ll. 2149-2188). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - "Now, indeed," quoth Gawayne, "a desert is here; this oratory is ugly - with herbs overgrown. It is a fitting place for the man in green to - 'deal here his devotions after the devil's manner.' Now I feel it is the - fiend (the devil) in my five wits that has covenanted with me that he - may destroy me. This is a chapel of misfortune—evil betide it! It - is the most cursed kirk that ever I came in." With his helmet on his - head, and spear in his hand, he roams up to the rock, and then he hears - from that high hill beyond the brook a wondrous wild noise. Lo! it - clattered in the cliff as if one upon a grindstone were grinding a - scythe. It whirred like the water at a mill, and rushed and re-echoed, - terrible to hear. "Though my life I forgo," says Gawayne, "no noise - shall cause me to fear." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Then he cried aloud, "Who dwells in this place, discourse with me to - hold? For now is good Gawayne going right here if any brave wight will - hie him hither, either now or never" (ll. 2189-2216). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - "Abide," quoth one on the bank above, over his head, "and thou shalt - have all in haste that I promised thee once." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Soon there comes out of a hole in the crag, with a fell weapon a Danish - axe quite new, the "man in the green," clothed as at first as his legs, - locks and beard. But now he is on foot and walks on the earth. When he - reaches the stream, he hops over and boldly strides about. He meets Sir - Gawayne, who tells him that he is quite ready to fulfil his part of the - compact. "Gawayne," quoth that 'green gome' (man), "may God preserve - thee! Truly thou art welcome to my place, 'and thou hast timed thy - travel' as a true man should. Thou knowest the covenants made between - us, at this time twelve-month, that on New Year's day I should return - thee thy blow. We are now in this valley by ourselves, and can do as we - please (ll. 2217-2246). Have, therefore, thy helmet off thy head, and - 'have here thy pay.' Let us have no more talk than when thou didst - strike off my head with a single blow." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - "Nay, by God!" quoth Gawayne, "I shall not begrudge thee thy will for - any harm that may happen, but will stand still while thou strikest." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Then he stoops a little and shows his bare neck, unmoved by any fear. - The Green Knight takes up his "grim tool," and with all his force raises - it aloft, as if he meant utterly to destroy him. As the axe came gliding - down Gawayne "shrank a little with the shoulders from the sharp iron." - The other withheld his weapon, and then reproved the prince with many - proud words. "Thou art not Gawayne that is so good esteemed, that never - feared for no host by hill nor by vale, for now thou fleest for fear - before thou feelest harm (ll. 2247-2272). Such cowardice of that knight - did I never hear. I never flinched nor fled when thou didst aim at me in - King Arthur's house. My head flew to my feet and yet I never fled, - wherefore I deserve to be called the better man." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Quoth Gawayne, "I shunted once, but will do so no more, though my head - fall on the stones. But hasten and bring me to the point; deal me my - destiny, and do it out of hand, for I shall stand thee a stroke and - start no more until thine axe has hit me—have here my troth." - "Have at thee, then," said the other, and heaves the axe aloft, and - looks as savagely as if he were mad. He aims at the other mightily, but - withholds his hand ere it might hurt. Gawayne readily abides the blow - without flinching with any member, and stood still as a stone or a tree - fixed in rocky ground with a hundred roots. - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Then merrily the other did speak, "Since now thou hast thy heart whole - it behoves me to strike, so take care of thy neck." Gawayne answers with - great wroth, "Thrash on, thou fierce man, thou threatenest too long; I - believe thy own heart fails thee." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - "Forsooth," quoth the other, "since thou speakest so boldly, I will no - longer delay" (ll. 2273-2304). Then, contracting "both lips and brow," - he made ready to strike, and let fall his axe on the bare neck of Sir - Gawayne. "Though he hammered" fiercely, he only "severed the hide," - causing the blood to flow. When Gawayne saw his blood on the snow, he - quickly seized his helmet and placed it on his head. Then he drew out - his bright sword, and thus angrily spoke: "Cease, man, of thy blow, bid - me no more. I have received a stroke in this place without opposition, - but if thou givest me any more readily shall I requite thee, of that be - thou sure. Our covenant stipulates one stroke, and therefore now cease." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - The Green Knight, resting on his axe, looks on Sir Gawayne, as bold and - fearless he there stood, and then with a loud voice thus addresses the - knight: "Bold knight, be not so wroth, no man here has wronged thee (ll. - 2305-2339); I promised thee a stroke, and thou hast it, so hold thee - well pleased. I could have dealt much worse with thee, and caused thee - much sorrow. Two blows I aimed at thee, for twice thou kissedst my fair - wife; but I struck thee not, because thou restoredst them to me - according to agreement. At the third time thou failedst, and therefore I - have given thee that tap. That woven girdle, given thee by my own wife, - belongs to me. I know well thy kisses, thy conduct also, and the wooing - of my wife, for I wrought it myself. I sent her to try thee, and truly - methinks thou art the most faultless man that ever on foot went. Still, - sir, thou wert wanting in good faith; but as it proceeded from no - immorality, thou being only desirous of saving thy life, the less I - blame thee." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Gawayne stood confounded, the blood rushed into his face, and he shrank - within himself for very shame. "Cursed," he cried, "be cowardice and - covetousness both; in you are villany and vice, that virtue destroy." - Then he takes off the girdle and throws it to the knight in green, - cursing his cowardice and covetousness. The Green Knight, laughing, thus - spoke: "Thou hast confessed so clean, and acknowledged thy faults, that - I hold thee as pure as thou hadst never forfeited since thou wast first - born. I give thee, sir, the gold-hemmed girdle as a token of thy - adventure at the Green Chapel. Come now to my castle, and we shall enjoy - together the festivities of the New Year" (ll. 2340-2406). - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - "Nay, forsooth," quoth the knight, "but for your kindness may God - requite you. Commend me to that courteous one your comely wife, who with - her crafts has beguiled me. But it is no uncommon thing for a man to - come to sorrow through women's wiles; for so was Adam beguiled with one, - and Solomon with many. Samson was destroyed by Delilah, and David - suffered much through Bathsheba. <i>'It were indeed great bliss for a - man to love them well and believe them not.'</i> Since the greatest upon - earth were so beguiled, methinks I should be excused. But God reward you - for your girdle, which I will ever wear in remembrance of my fault, and - when pride shall exalt me, a look to this love-lace shall lessen it (ll. - 2407-2438). But since ye are the lord of yonder land, from whom I have - received so much honour, tell me truly your right name, and I shall ask - no more questions." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Quoth the other, "I am called Bernlak de Hautdesert, through might of - Morgain la Fay, who dwells in my house. Much has she learnt of Merlin, - who knows all your knights at home. She brought me to your hall for to - essay the prowess of the Round Table. She wrought this wonder to bereave - you of your wits, hoping to have grieved Guenever and affrighted her to - death by means of the man that spoke with his head in his hand before - the high table. She is even thine aunt, Arthur's half sister; wherefore - come to thine aunt, for all my household love thee." - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Gawayne refuses to accompany the Green Knight, and so, with many - embraces and kind wishes, they separate—the one to his castle, the - other to Arthur's court. - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - After passing through many wild ways, our knight recovers from the wound - in his neck, and at last comes safe and sound to the court of King - Arthur. Great then was the joy of all; the king and queen kiss their - brave knight, and make many enquiries about his journey. He tells them - of his adventures, hiding nothing—"the chance of the chapel, the - cheer of the knight, the love of the lady, and lastly of the lace." - Groaning for grief and shame he shows them the cut in his neck, which he - had received for his unfaithfulness (ll. 2439-2504). The king and his - courtiers comfort the knight—they laugh loudly at his adventures, - and unanimously agree that those lords and ladies that belonged to the - Round Table, and each knight of the brotherhood should ever after wear a - bright green belt for Gawayne's sake. And he upon whom it was conferred - honoured it evermore after. - </p> - </blockquote> - <blockquote> - <p> - Thus in Arthur's time this adventure befell, whereof the "Brutus Books" - bear witness (ll. 2505-2530). - </p> - </blockquote> - <p> - I need not say that the <i>Brutus Books</i> we possess do not contain the - legend here set forth, though it is not much more improbable than some of - the statements contained in them. If the reader desires to know the - relation in which this and the like stories stand to the original Arthur - legends, he will find it discussed in Sir F. Madden's Preface to his - edition of "Syr Gawayne," which also contains a sketch of the very - different views taken of Sir Gawayne by the different Romance writers. - </p> - <p> - Into this and other <i>literary</i> questions I do not enter here, as I - have nothing to add to Sir F. Madden's statements; but in the text of the - Poem I have differed from him in some few readings, which will be found - noticed in the Notes and Glossary. - </p> - <p> - As the manuscript is fast fading, I am glad that the existence of the - Early English Text Society has enabled us to secure a wider diffusion of - its contents before the original shall be no longer legible. - </p> - <p> - We want nothing but an increased supply of members to enable us to give to - a large circle of readers many an equally interesting record of Early - English minds. - </p> - <hr /> - <h2> - SYR GAWAYN AND THE GRENE KNYȜT. - </h2> - <h2> - [FYTTE THE FIRST.] - </h2> - <h2> - I. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 91<i>a</i>.]<br />After the siege of Troy</span> - <p> - Siþen þe sege & þe assaut watȝ sesed at Troye, - </p> - <p> - Þe borȝ brittened & brent to brondeȝ & askeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Þe tulk þat þe tra<i>m</i>mes of tresou<i>n</i> þ<i>er</i> wroȝt, - </p> - <span class="linenum">4</span> - <p> - Watȝ tried for his tricherie, þe trewest on erthe; - </p> - <p> - Hit watȝ Ennias þe athel, & his high<i>e</i> kynde, - </p> - <p> - Þat siþen depreced p<i>ro</i>uinces, & patrou<i>n</i>es bicome - </p> - <p> - Welneȝe of al þe wele i<i>n</i> þe west iles, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Romulus built Rome,</span> <span class="linenum">8</span> - <p> - Fro riche Romulus to Rome ricchis hy<i>m</i> swyþe, - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> gret bobbau<i>n</i>ce þat burȝe he biges vpon - fyrst, - </p> - <p> - & neuenes hit his aune nome, as hit now hat; - </p> - <p> - Ticius to Tuskan [turnes,] & teldes bigy<i>n</i>nes; - </p> - <span class="linenum">12</span> - <p> - Langaberde i<i>n</i> Lu<i>m</i>bardie lyftes vp homes; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and Felix Brutus founded Britain,</span> - <p> - & fer ou<i>er</i> þe French flod Felix Brut<i>us</i> - </p> - <p> - On mony bonkkes ful brode Bretayn he setteȝ, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - wyth wy<i>n</i>ne; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">a land of war and wonder,</span> <span - class="linenum">16</span> - <p class="i4"> - Where werre, & wrake, & wonder, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Bi syþeȝ hatȝ wont þ<i>er</i>-i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and oft of bliss and blunder.</span> - <p class="i4"> - & oft boþe blysse & blu<i>n</i>der - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ful skete hatȝ skyfted sy<i>n</i>ne. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - II. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="linenum">20</span> - <p> - Ande quen þis Bretayn watȝ bigged bi þis burn rych, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Bold men increased in the Land,</span> - <p> - Bolde bredden þer-i<i>n</i>ne, baret þat lofden, - </p> - <p> - In mony turned tyme tene þat wroȝten; - </p> - <p> - Mo ferlyes on þis folde han fallen here oft - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and many marvels happened.</span> <span - class="linenum">24</span> - <p> - Þen in any oþ<i>er</i> þat I wot, syn þat ilk tyme. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Of all Britain's kings Arthur was the noblest.</span> - <p> - Bot of alle þat here bult of Bretaygne ky<i>n</i>ges - </p> - <p> - Ay watȝ Arthur þe hendest; as I haf herde telle; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 91<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p> - For-þi an au<i>n</i>t<i>er</i> in erde I attle to schawe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">28</span> - <p> - Þat a selly in siȝt su<i>m</i>me men hit holden, - </p> - <p> - & an outtrage awenture of Arthureȝ wond<i>er</i>eȝ; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Listen a while and ye shall hear the story of an - "outrageous adventure."</span> - <p> - If ȝe wyl lysten þis laye bot on littel quile, - </p> - <p> - I schal telle hit, as-tit, as I i<i>n</i> tou<i>n</i> herde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">32</span> - <p class="i8"> - w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> tonge; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - As hit is stad & stoken, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - In stori stif & stronge, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> lel lett<i>er</i>es loken, - </p> - <span class="linenum">36</span> - <p class="i4"> - I<i>n</i> londe so hatȝ ben longe. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - III. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Arthur held at Camelot his Christmas feast,</span> - <p> - Þis ky<i>n</i>g lay at Camylot vpon kryst-masse, - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> mony luflych lorde, ledeȝ of þe best, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">with all the knights of the Round Table,</span> - <p> - Rekenly of þe rou<i>n</i>de table alle þo rich breþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="linenum">40</span> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> rych reuel oryȝt, & rechles m<i>er</i>þes; - </p> - <p> - Þ<i>er</i> to<i>ur</i>nayed tulkes bi-tymeȝ ful mony, - </p> - <p> - Iusted ful Iolilé þise gentyle kniȝtes, - </p> - <p> - Syþen kayred to þe court, caroles to make. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">full fifteen days.</span> <span class="linenum">44</span> - <p> - For þer þe fest watȝ ilyche ful fiften dayes, - </p> - <p> - With alle þe mete & þe mirþe þat me<i>n</i> couþe a-vyse; - </p> - <p> - Such glaumande gle glorio<i>us</i> to here, - </p> - <p> - Dere dyn vp-on day, dau<i>n</i>sy<i>n</i>g on nyȝtes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">All was joy in hall and chamber,</span> <span - class="linenum">48</span> - <p> - Al watȝ hap vpon heȝe i<i>n</i> halleȝ & chambreȝ, - </p> - <p> - With lordeȝ & ladies, as leuest hi<i>m</i> þoȝt; - </p> - <p> - With all þe wele of þe worlde þay woned þ<i>er</i> samen, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">among brave knights and lovely ladies,</span> - <p> - Þe most kyd knyȝteȝ vnder kryst<i>e</i> seluen, - </p> - <span class="linenum">52</span> - <p> - & þe louelokkest ladies þat eu<i>er</i> lif haden, - </p> - <p> - & he þe comlokest ky<i>n</i>g þat þe court haldes; - </p> - <p> - For al watȝ þis fayre folk i<i>n</i> her first age, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - on sille; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">the happiest under heaven.</span> <span - class="linenum">56</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe hapnest vnder heuen, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ky<i>n</i>g hyȝest mo<i>n</i> of wylle, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Hit were<sup>1</sup> now gret nye to neue<i>n</i> - </p> - <p class="i4"> - So hardy a here o<i>n</i> hille. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. werere. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - IV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">They celebrate the New Year with great joy.</span> - <span class="linenum">60</span> - <p> - Wyle nw ȝer watȝ so ȝep þat h<i>i</i>t watȝ nwe cu<i>m</i>men, - </p> - <p> - Þat day doubble on þe dece watȝ þe douth serued, - </p> - <p> - Fro þe ky<i>n</i>g watȝ cu<i>m</i>men w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> knyȝt<i>es</i> - i<i>n</i> to þe halle, - </p> - <p> - Þe chau<i>n</i>tre of þe chapel cheued to an ende; - </p> - <span class="linenum">64</span> - <p> - Loude crye watȝ þer kest of clerkeȝ & oþer, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 92]</span> - <p> - Nowel nayted o-newe, neuened ful ofte; - </p> - <p> - & syþen riche forth ru<i>n</i>nen to reche honde-selle, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gifts are demanded and bestowed.</span> - <p> - Ȝeȝed ȝeres ȝiftes on hiȝ, ȝelde hem bi - hond, - </p> - <span class="linenum">68</span> - <p> - Debated busyly aboute þo giftes; - </p> - <p> - Ladies laȝed ful loude, þoȝ þay lost haden, - </p> - <p> - & he þat wan watȝ not wrothe, þ<i>a</i>t may ȝe wel - trawe. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Lords and ladies take their seats at the table.</span> - <p> - Alle þis mirþe þay maden to þe mete tyme; - </p> - <span class="linenum">72</span> - <p> - When þay had waschen, worþyly þay wenten to sete, - </p> - <p> - Þe best burne ay abof, as hit best semed; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Queen Guenever appears gaily dressed.</span> - <p> - Whene Guenore ful gay, grayþed i<i>n</i> þe myddes. - </p> - <p> - Dressed on þe dere des, dubbed al aboute, - </p> - <span class="linenum">76</span> - <p> - Smal sendal bisides, a selure hir ou<i>er</i> - </p> - <p> - Of tryed Tolouse, of Tars tapites i<i>n</i>-nogh<i>e</i>, - </p> - <p> - Þat were enbrawded & beten wyth þe best ge<i>m</i>mes, - </p> - <p> - Þat myȝt be preued of prys wyth penyes to bye, - </p> - <span class="linenum">80</span> - <p class="i8"> - in daye; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">A lady fairer of form might no one say he had - ever before seen.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe comlokest to discrye, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þer glent w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> yȝen gray, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - A semloker þat eu<i>er</i> he syȝe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">84</span> - <p class="i4"> - Soth moȝt no mon say. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - V. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Arthur would not eat,</span> - <p> - Bot Arthure wolde not ete til al were serued, - </p> - <p> - He watȝ so Ioly of his Ioyfnes, & su<i>m</i>-quat child - gered, - </p> - <p> - His lif liked hy<i>m</i> lyȝt, he louied þe lasse - </p> - <span class="sidenote">nor would he long sit</span> <span class="linenum">88</span> - <p> - Auþ<i>er</i> to lenge lye, or to longe sitte, - </p> - <p> - So bi-sied him his ȝonge blod & his brayn wylde; - </p> - <p> - & also anoþ<i>er</i> maner meued hi<i>m</i> eke, - </p> - <p> - Þat he þurȝ nobelay had nomen, ho wolde neu<i>er</i> ete - </p> - <span class="linenum">92</span> - <p> - Vpon such a dere day, er hy<i>m</i> deuised were - </p> - <span class="sidenote">until he had witnessed a "wondrous adventure" of - some kind.</span> - <p> - Of su<i>m</i> auentur<i>us</i> þy<i>n</i>g an vncouþe tale, - </p> - <p> - Of su<i>m</i> mayn m<i>er</i>uayle, þat he myȝt trawe, - </p> - <p> - Of<sup>1</sup> alderes, of armes, of oþ<i>er</i> auentur<i>us</i>, - </p> - <span class="linenum">96</span> - <p> - Oþ<i>er</i> sum segg hy<i>m</i> bi-soȝt of su<i>m</i> siker knyȝt, - </p> - <p> - To Ioyne wyth hy<i>m</i> i<i>n</i> iusty<i>n</i>g in Iopardé to lay, - </p> - <p> - Lede lif for lyf, leue vchon oþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - As fortune wolde fulsu<i>n</i> ho<i>m</i> þe fayrer to haue. - </p> - <span class="linenum">100</span> - <p> - Þis watȝ [þe] ky<i>n</i>ges cou<i>n</i>tenau<i>n</i>ce where he i<i>n</i> - co<i>ur</i>t were, - </p> - <p> - At vch farand fest amo<i>n</i>g his fre meny, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 92<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p class="i8"> - in halle; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He of face so bold makes much mirth with all.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þer-fore of face so fere. - </p> - <span class="linenum">104</span> - <p class="i4"> - He stiȝtleȝ stif in stalle, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ful ȝep i<i>n</i> þat nw ȝere, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Much mirthe he mas w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> alle. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> Of of, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - VI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The king talks with his knights.</span> - <p> - Thus þ<i>er</i> stondes i<i>n</i> stale þe stif ky<i>n</i>g - his-seluen, - </p> - <span class="linenum">108</span> - <p> - Talkkande bifore þe hyȝe table of trifles ful hende - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne,</span> - <p> - There gode Gawan watȝ g<i>ra</i>yþed, Gwenore bisyde - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Agravayn,</span> - <p> - & Ag<i>ra</i>uayn a la dure mayn on þat oþ<i>er</i> syde sittes - </p> - <p> - Boþe þe ky<i>n</i>ges sist<i>er</i> su<i>n</i>es, & ful siker kniȝtes; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Bishop Bawdewyn,</span> <span class="linenum">112</span> - <p> - Bischop Bawdewyn abof bi-gineȝ þe table, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and Ywain sit on the dais.</span> - <p> - & Ywan, Vryn son, ette wit hy<i>m</i>-seluen; - </p> - <p> - Þise were diȝt on þe des, & derworþly serued, - </p> - <p> - & siþen mony siker segge at þe sidbordeȝ. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The first course is served with cracking of - trumpets.</span> <span class="linenum">116</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i> þe first cors come with crakky<i>n</i>g of tru<i>m</i>pes, - </p> - <p> - Wyth mony baner ful bryȝt, þat þer-bi henged, - </p> - <p> - Nwe nakryn noyse w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe noble pipes, - </p> - <p> - Wylde werbles & wyȝt wakned lote, - </p> - <span class="linenum">120</span> - <p> - Þat mony hert ful hiȝe hef at her towches; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It consisted of all dainties in season.</span> - <p> - Dayntes dryuen þer-wyth of ful dere metes, - </p> - <p> - Foysou<i>n</i> of þe fresche, & on so fele disches, - </p> - <p> - Þat pine to fynde þe place þe peple bi-forne - </p> - <span class="linenum">124</span> - <p> - For to sette þe syluen<i>er</i>,<sup>1</sup> þat sere sewes halden, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - on clothe; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Iche lede as he loued hy<i>m</i>-selue - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þer laght w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-outen loþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Each two had dishes twelve,</span> <span - class="linenum">128</span> - <p class="i4"> - Ay two had disches twelue, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">good beer and bright wine both.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Good ber, & bryȝt wyn boþe. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> svlu<i>er</i>en (?) (dishes). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - VII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">There was no want of anything.</span> - <p> - Now wyl I of hor seruise say yow no more, - </p> - <p> - For veh wyȝe may wel wit no wont þat þ<i>er</i> were; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Scarcely had the first course commenced,</span> - <span class="linenum">132</span> - <p> - An oþ<i>er</i> noyse ful newe neȝed biliue, - </p> - <p> - Þat þe lude myȝt haf leue lif-lode to cach. - </p> - <p> - For vneþe watȝ þe noyce not a whyle sesed, - </p> - <p> - & þe fyrst co<i>ur</i>ce i<i>n</i> þe co<i>ur</i>t kyndely serued, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">when there rushes in at the hall-door a knight;</span> - <span class="linenum">136</span> - <p> - Þer hales i<i>n</i> at þe halle dor an aghlich mayst<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - On þe most on þe molde on mesure hygh<i>e</i>; - </p> - <p> - Fro þe swyre to þe swange so sware & so þik, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">the tallest on earth</span> - <p> - & his lyndes & his lymes so longe & so grete, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 93.]</span> <span class="linenum">140</span> - <p> - Half etayn i<i>n</i> erde I hope þat he were. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">he must have been.</span> - <p> - Bot mon most I algate my<i>n</i>n hy<i>m</i> to bene, - </p> - <p> - & þat þe myriest i<i>n</i> his muckel þat myȝt ride; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">His back and breast were great,</span> - <p> - For of bak & of brest al were his bodi sturne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but his belly and waist were small.</span> <span - class="linenum">144</span> - <p> - Bot his wombe & his wast were worthily smale, - </p> - <p> - & alle his fetures folȝande, i<i>n</i> forme þat he hade, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - ful clene; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - For wonder of his hwe me<i>n</i> hade, - </p> - <span class="linenum">148</span> - <p class="i4"> - Set i<i>n</i> his semblau<i>n</i>t sene; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He ferde as freke were fade, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & ou<i>er</i>-al enker grene. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - VIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">He was clothed entirely in green.</span> - <p> - Ande al grayþed i<i>n</i> grene þis gome & his wedes, - </p> - <span class="linenum">152</span> - <p> - A strayt cote ful streȝt, þat stek on his sides, - </p> - <p> - A mere mantile abof, mensked w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> pelure pured apert þe pane ful clene, - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> blyþe blau<i>n</i>n<i>er</i> ful bryȝt, & - his hod boþe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">156</span> - <p> - Þat watȝ laȝt fro his lokkeȝ, & layde on his - schulderes - </p> - <p> - Heme wel haled, hose of þat same grene, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">His spurs were of bright gold.</span> - <p> - Þat spenet on his sparlyr, & clene spures vnder, - </p> - <p> - Of bryȝt golde, vpon silk bordes, barred ful ryche - </p> - <span class="linenum">160</span> - <p> - & scholes vnder schankes, þere þe schalk rides; - </p> - <p> - & alle his vesture uerayly watȝ clene v<i>er</i>dure, - </p> - <p> - Boþe þe barres of his belt & oþ<i>er</i> blyþe stones, - </p> - <p> - Þ<i>a</i>t were richely rayled i<i>n</i> his aray clene, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">His saddle was embroidered with birds and flies.</span> - <span class="linenum">164</span> - <p> - Aboutte hy<i>m</i>-self & his sadel, vpon silk werkeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Þat were to tor for to telle of tryfles þe halue, - </p> - <p> - Þat were enbrauded abof, wyth bryddes & flyȝes, - </p> - <p> - With gay gaudi of grene, þe golde ay i<i>n</i> myddes; - </p> - <span class="linenum">168</span> - <p> - Þe pendau<i>n</i>tes of his payttrure, þe proude cropure - </p> - <p> - His molaynes, & alle þe metail anamayld was þe<i>n</i>ne - </p> - <p> - Þe steropes þat he stod on, stayned of þe same, - </p> - <p> - & his arsou<i>n</i>ȝ al after, & his aþel sturtes, - </p> - <span class="linenum">172</span> - <p> - Þat euer glem<i>er</i>ed<sup>1</sup> & glent al of grene stones. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The foal that he rode upon was green;</span> - <p> - Þe fole þat he ferkkes on, fyn of þat ilke, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - sertayn; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - A grene hors gret & þikke, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">it was a steed full stiff to guide.</span> <span - class="linenum">176</span> - <p class="i4"> - A stede ful stif to strayne, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - I<i>n</i> brawden brydel quik, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 93<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p class="i4"> - To þe gome he watȝ ful gayn. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> glemed (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - IX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Gaily was the knight attired.</span> - <p> - Wel gay watȝ þis gome gered i<i>n</i> grene, - </p> - <span class="linenum">180</span> - <p> - & þe here of his hed of his hors swete; - </p> - <p> - Fayre fannand fax vmbe-foldes his schulderes; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">His great beard, like a bush, hung on his breast.</span> - <p> - A much berd as<sup>1</sup> a busk ou<i>er</i> his brest henges, - </p> - <p> - Þat wyth his hiȝlich here, þat of his hed reches, - </p> - <span class="linenum">184</span> - <p> - Watȝ euesed al vmbe-torne, a-bof his elbowes, - </p> - <p> - Þat half his armes þer vnder were halched i<i>n</i> þe wyse - </p> - <p> - Of a ky<i>n</i>geȝ capados, þat closes his swyre. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The horse's mane was decked with golden threads.</span> - <p> - Þe mane of þat mayn hors much to hit lyke, - </p> - <span class="linenum">188</span> - <p> - Wel cresped & ce<i>m</i>med wyth knottes ful mony, - </p> - <p> - Folden i<i>n</i> wyth fildore aboute þe fayre grene, - </p> - <p> - Ay a herle of þe here, an oþ<i>er</i> of golde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Its tail was bound with a green band.</span> - <p> - Þe tayl & his toppy<i>n</i>g twy<i>n</i>nen of a sute, - </p> - <span class="linenum">192</span> - <p> - & bou<i>n</i>den boþe wyth a bande of a bryȝt grene, - </p> - <p> - Dubbed wyth ful dere stoneȝ, as þe dok lasted, - </p> - <p> - Syþen þrawen wyth a þwong a þwarle knot alofte, - </p> - <p> - Þer mony belleȝ ful bryȝt of brende golde rungen. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Such a foal nor a knight were never before seen.</span> - <span class="linenum">196</span> - <p> - Such a fole vpon folde, ne freke þat hy<i>m</i> rydes, - </p> - <p> - Watȝ neu<i>er</i> sene i<i>n</i> þat sale wyth syȝt er þat - tyme, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> yȝe; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He loked as layt so lyȝt, - </p> - <span class="linenum">200</span> - <p class="i4"> - So sayd al þat hy<i>m</i> syȝe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It seemed that no man might endure his dints.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Hit semed as no mon myȝt, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Vnd<i>er</i> his dyntteȝ dryȝe. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> as as, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - X. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The knight carried neither spear nor shield,</span> - <p> - Wheþ<i>er</i> hade he no helme ne hawb[e]rgh nauþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="linenum">204</span> - <p> - Ne no pysan, ne no plate þat pented to armes, - </p> - <p> - Ne no schafte, ne no schelde, to schwne ne to smyte, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">In one hand was a holly bough,</span> - <p> - Bot i<i>n</i> his on honde he hade a holyn bobbe, - </p> - <p> - Þat is grattest i<i>n</i> grene, when greueȝ ar bare, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">in the other an axe,</span> <span class="linenum">208</span> - <p> - & an ax i<i>n</i> his oþ<i>er</i>, a hoge & vn-mete, - </p> - <p> - A spetos sparþe to expou<i>n</i> i<i>n</i> spelle quo-so myȝt; - </p> - <p> - Þe hede of an elnȝerde þe large lenkþe hade, - </p> - <p> - Þe grayn al of grene stele & of golde hewen, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">the edge of which was as keen as a sharp razor,</span> - <span class="linenum">212</span> - <p> - Þe bit burnyst bryȝt, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> a brod egge, - </p> - <p> - As wel schapen to schere as scharp rasores; - </p> - <p> - Þe stele of a stif staf þe sturne hit bi-grypte, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 94.]</span> - <p> - Þat watȝ wou<i>n</i>den wyth yrn to þe wandeȝ ende, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and the handle was encased in iron, curiously - "graven with green, in gracious works."</span> <span class="linenum">216</span> - <p> - & al bigrauen w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> grene, i<i>n</i> g<i>ra</i>cios<sup>1</sup> - werkes; - </p> - <p> - A lace lapped aboute, þat louked at þe hede, - </p> - <p> - & so aft<i>er</i> þe halme halched ful ofte, - </p> - <p> - Wyth tryed tasseleȝ þerto tacched i<i>n</i>-noghe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Thus arrayed the Green Knight enters the hall,</span> - <span class="linenum">220</span> - <p> - On botou<i>n</i>ȝ of þe bryȝt grene brayden ful ryche. - </p> - <p> - Þis haþel heldeȝ hy<i>m</i> i<i>n</i>, & þe halle entres, - </p> - <p> - Driuande to þe heȝe dece, dut he no woþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">without saluting any one.</span> - <p> - Haylsed he neu<i>er</i> one, bot heȝe he ou<i>er</i> loked. - </p> - <span class="linenum">224</span> - <p> - Þe fyrst word þat he warp, "wher is," he sayd, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He asks for the "governor" of the company,</span> - <p> - "Þe gou<i>er</i>no<i>ur</i> of þis gy<i>n</i>g? gladly I wolde - </p> - <p> - Se þat segg i<i>n</i> syȝt, & w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hy<i>m</i> - self speke - </p> - <p class="i8"> - raysou<i>n</i>." - </p> - <span class="linenum">228</span> - <p class="i4"> - To knyȝteȝ he kest his yȝe, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & reled hy<i>m</i> vp & dou<i>n</i>, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and looks for the most renowned.</span> - <p class="i4"> - He stemmed & con studie, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Quo walt þer most renou<i>n</i>. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> <i>looks like</i> graco<i>n</i>s <i>in MS</i>. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Much they marvel to see a man and a horse</span> - <span class="linenum">232</span> - <p> - Ther watȝ loky<i>n</i>g on lenþe, þe lude to be-holde, - </p> - <p> - For vch mo<i>n</i> had meruayle quat hit mene myȝt, - </p> - <p> - Þat a haþel & a horse myȝt such a hwe lach, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">as green as grass.</span> - <p> - As growe grene as þe gres & grener hit semed, - </p> - <span class="linenum">236</span> - <p> - Þen grene aumayl on golde lowande bryȝte<i>r</i>; - </p> - <p> - Al studied þat þ<i>er</i> stod, & stalked hy<i>m</i> nerre, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Never before had they seen such a sight as this.</span> - <p> - Wyth al þe wonder of þe worlde, what he worch schulde. - </p> - <p> - For fele sellyeȝ had þay sen, bot such neu<i>er</i> are, - </p> - <span class="linenum">240</span> - <p> - For-þi for fantou<i>m</i> & fayryȝe þe folk þere hit demed; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They were afraid to answer,</span> - <p> - Þer-fore to answare watȝ arȝe mony aþel freke, - </p> - <p> - & al stouned at his steuen, & stonstil seten, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and were as silent as if sleep had taken - possession of them;</span> - <p> - In a swogh<i>e</i> sylence þurȝ þe sale riche - </p> - <span class="linenum">244</span> - <p> - As al were slypped vpon slepe so slaked hor loteȝ - </p> - <p class="i8"> - i<i>n</i> hyȝe; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - I deme hit not al for doute, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">some from fear and others from courtesy.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Bot su<i>m</i> for cortaysye, - </p> - <span class="linenum">248</span> - <p class="i4"> - Bot let hy<i>m</i> þat al schulde loute, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Cast vnto þat wyȝe. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Arthur salutes the Green Knight.</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>n Arþo<i>ur</i> bifore þe hiȝ dece þat auenture byholdeȝ, - </p> - <p> - & rekenly hy<i>m</i> reu<i>er</i>enced, for rad was he neu<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="linenum">252</span> - <p> - & sayde, "wyȝe, welcu<i>m</i> iwys to þis place, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 94<i>b</i>.]<br />bids him welcome, and - invites him to stay awhile.</span> - <p> - Þe hede of þis ostel Artho<i>ur</i> I hat, - </p> - <p> - Liȝt luflych adou<i>n</i>, & lenge, I þe praye, - </p> - <p> - & quat so þy wylle is, we schal wyt aft<i>er</i>." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight says that he will not tarry.</span> - <span class="linenum">256</span> - <p> - "Nay, as help me," q<i>uod</i> þe haþel, "he þat on hyȝe syttes, - </p> - <p> - To wone any quyle i<i>n</i> þis won, hit watȝ not my<i>n</i> - ernde; - </p> - <p> - Bot for þe los of þe lede is lyft vp so hyȝe, - </p> - <p> - & þy burȝ & þy burnes best ar holden, - </p> - <span class="linenum">260</span> - <p> - Stifest vnder stel-gere on stedes to ryde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He seeks the most valiant that he may prove him.</span> - <p> - Þe wyȝtest & þe worþyest of þe worldes kynde, - </p> - <p> - Preue for to play wyth in oþ<i>er</i> pure laykeȝ; - </p> - <p> - & here is kydde cortaysye, as I haf herd carp, - </p> - <span class="linenum">264</span> - <p> - & þat hatȝ wayned me hider, I-wyis, at þis tyme. - </p> - <p> - Ȝe may be seker bi þis brau<i>n</i>ch þat I bere here, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He comes in peace.</span> - <p> - Þat I passe as i<i>n</i> pes, & no plyȝt seche; - </p> - <p> - For had I fou<i>n</i>ded i<i>n</i> fere, i<i>n</i> feȝty<i>n</i>g - wyse, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">At home, however, he has both shield and spear.</span> - <span class="linenum">268</span> - <p> - I haue a haubergh<i>e</i> at home & a helme boþe, - </p> - <p> - A schelde, & a scharp spere, schinande bryȝt, - </p> - <p> - Ande oþ<i>er</i> weppenes to welde, I wene wel als, - </p> - <p> - Bot for I wolde no were, my wedeȝ ar soft<i>er</i>. - </p> - <span class="linenum">272</span> - <p> - Bot if þ<i>o</i>u be so bold as alle burneȝ tellen, - </p> - <p> - Þ<i>o</i>u wyl g<i>ra</i>nt me godly þe gomen þat I ask, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - bi ryȝt." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Arthur assures him that he shall not fail to find - an opponent worthy of him.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Artho<i>ur</i> con onsware, - </p> - <span class="linenum">276</span> - <p class="i4"> - & sayd, "s<i>ir</i> cortays knyȝt, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - If þ<i>o</i>u craue batayl bare, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Here fayleȝ þ<i>o</i>u not to fyȝt." - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"I seek no fight," says the knight.</span> - <p> - "Nay, frayst I no fyȝt, i<i>n</i> fayth I þe telle, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"'Here are only beardless children.'</span> <span - class="linenum">280</span> - <p> - Hit arn aboute on þis bench bot berdleȝ chylder; - </p> - <p> - If I were hasped i<i>n</i> armes on a heȝe stede, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Here is no man to match me.</span> - <p> - Here is no mon me to mach, for myȝteȝ so<sup>1</sup> wayke. - </p> - <p> - For-þy I craue i<i>n</i> þis co<i>ur</i>t a crystmas gome<i>n</i>, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Here are brave ones many,</span> <span - class="linenum">284</span> - <p> - For hit is ȝol & nwe ȝer, & here ar ȝep mony; - </p> - <p> - If any so hardy i<i>n</i> þis ho<i>us</i> holdeȝ hy<i>m</i>-seluen, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">if any be bold enough to 'strike a stroke for - another,'</span> - <p> - Be so bolde i<i>n</i> his blod, brayn i<i>n</i> hys hede, - </p> - <p> - Þat dar stifly strike a strok for an oþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="linenum">288</span> - <p> - I schal gif hy<i>m</i> of my gyft þys giserne ryche, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">this axe shall be his;</span> - <p> - Þis ax, þat is heué i<i>n</i>-nogh, to hondel<i>e</i> as hy<i>m</i> - lykes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 95.]</span> - <p> - & I schal bide þe fyrst bur, as bare as I sitte. - </p> - <p> - If any freke be so felle to fonde þat I telle, - </p> - <span class="linenum">292</span> - <p> - Lepe lyȝtly me to, & lach þis weppen, - </p> - <p> - I quit clayme hit for eu<i>er</i>, kepe hit as his auen, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but I shall give him a 'stroke' in return</span> - <p> - & I schal stonde hy<i>m</i> a strok, stif on þis flet, - </p> - <p> - Elleȝ þ<i>o</i>u wyl diȝt me þe dom to dele hy<i>m</i> an oþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="linenum">296</span> - <p class="i8"> - barlay; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & ȝet gif hy<i>m</i> respite, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">within a twelvemonth and a day."</span> - <p class="i4"> - A twelmonyth & a day;— - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Now hyȝe, & let se tite - </p> - <span class="linenum">300</span> - <p class="i4"> - Dar any her-i<i>n</i>ne oȝt say." - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. fo. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XIV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Fear kept all silent.</span> - <p> - If he hem stowned vpon fyrst, stiller were þa<i>n</i>ne - </p> - <p> - Alle þe hered-men i<i>n</i> halle, þe hyȝ & þe loȝe; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight rolled his red eyes about,</span> - <p> - Þe renk on his rou<i>n</i>ce hy<i>m</i> ruched i<i>n</i> his sadel, - </p> - <span class="linenum">304</span> - <p> - & runisch-ly his rede yȝen he reled aboute, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and bent his bristly green brows.</span> - <p> - Bende his bresed broȝeȝ, bly-cande grene, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Waving his beard awhile, he exclaimed:</span> - <p> - Wayued his berde for to wayte quo-so wolde ryse. - </p> - <p> - When non wolde kepe hy<i>m</i> w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> carp he coȝed - ful hyȝe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">308</span> - <p> - Ande rimed hy<i>m</i> ful richl<i>e</i>y, & ryȝt hy<i>m</i> - to speke: - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"What! is this Arthur's court?</span> - <p> - "What, is þis Arþures ho<i>us</i>," q<i>uod</i> þe haþel þe<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - "Þat al þe ro<i>us</i> re<i>n</i>nes of, þurȝ ryalmes so mony? - </p> - <p> - Where is now yo<i>ur</i> so<i>ur</i>quydrye & yo<i>ur</i> co<i>n</i>questes, - </p> - <span class="linenum">312</span> - <p> - Yo<i>ur</i> gry[n]del-layk, & yo<i>ur</i> greme, & yo<i>ur</i> - grete wordes? - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Forsooth the renown of the Round Table is - overturned 'with a word of one man's speech.'"</span> - <p> - Now is þe reuel & þe renou<i>n</i> of þe rou<i>n</i>de table - </p> - <p> - Ou<i>er</i>-walt wyth a worde of on wyȝes speche; - </p> - <p> - For al dares for drede, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-oute dynt schewed!" - </p> - <span class="linenum">316</span> - <p> - Wyth þis he laȝes so loude, þat þe lorde greued; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Arthur blushes for shame.</span> - <p> - Þe blod schot for scham i<i>n</i>-to his schyre face - </p> - <p class="i8"> - & lere; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He waxes as wroth as the wind.</span> - <p class="i4"> - He wex as wroth as wynde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">320</span> - <p class="i4"> - So did alle þat þer were - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe ky<i>n</i>g as kene bi kynde, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe<i>n</i> stod þat stif mon nere. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">He assures the knight that no one is afraid of - his great words.</span> - <p> - Ande sayde, "haþel, by heuen þy<i>n</i> asky<i>n</i>g is nys, - </p> - <span class="linenum">324</span> - <p> - & as þ<i>o</i>u foly hatȝ frayst, fynde þe be-houes; - </p> - <p> - I know no gome þat is gast of þy grete wordes. - </p> - <p> - Gif me now þy geserne, vpon godeȝ halue, - </p> - <p> - & I schal bayþen þy bone, þat þ<i>o</i>u boden habbes." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 95<i>b</i>.]</span> <span class="linenum">328</span> - <p> - Lyȝtly lepeȝ he hy<i>m</i> to, & laȝt at his honde; - </p> - <p> - Þen feersly þat oþ<i>er</i> freke vpon fote lyȝtis. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Arthur seizes his axe.</span> - <p> - Now hatȝ Arthure his axe, & þe halme grypeȝ, - </p> - <p> - & sturnely stureȝ hit aboute, þat stryke wyth hit þoȝt. - </p> - <span class="linenum">332</span> - <p> - Þe stif mon hy<i>m</i> bifore stod vpon hyȝt, - </p> - <p> - Herre þen ani in þe ho<i>us</i> by þe hede & more; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight, stroking his beard, awaits the blow, - and with a "dry countenance" draws down his coat.</span> - <p> - Wyth sturne schere<sup>1</sup> þer he stod, he stroked his berde, - </p> - <p> - & wyth a cou<i>n</i>tenau<i>n</i>ce dryȝe he droȝ dou<i>n</i> - his cote, - </p> - <span class="linenum">336</span> - <p> - No more mate ne dismayd for hys may<i>n</i> dinteȝ, - </p> - <p> - Þen any burne vpon bench hade broȝt hy<i>m</i> to drynk - </p> - <p class="i8"> - of wyne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne beseeches the king to let him - undertake the blow.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Gawan, þat sate bi þe quene, - </p> - <span class="linenum">340</span> - <p class="i4"> - To þe ky<i>n</i>g he can enclyne, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - "I be-seche now w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> saȝeȝ sene, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þis melly mot be myne." - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> chere (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XVI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p> - "Wolde ȝe, worþilych lorde," q<i>uod</i> Gawan to þe ky<i>n</i>g, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He asks permission to leave the table; he says,</span> - <span class="linenum">344</span> - <p> - "Bid me boȝe fro þis benche, & stonde by yow þere, - </p> - <p> - Þat I wyth-oute vylanye myȝt voyde þis table, - </p> - <p> - & þat my legge lady lyked not ille, - </p> - <p> - I wolde com to yo<i>ur</i> cou<i>n</i>seyl, bifore yo<i>ur</i> cort - ryche. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">it is not meet that Arthur should be active in - the matter,</span> <span class="linenum">348</span> - <p> - For me þink hit not semly, as hit is soþ knawen, - </p> - <p> - Þer such an asky<i>n</i>g is heuened so hyȝe i<i>n</i> yo<i>ur</i> - sale, - </p> - <p> - Þaȝȝe ȝo<i>ur</i>-self be talenttyf to take hit to yo<i>ur</i>-seluen, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">while so many bold ones sit upon bench.</span> - <p> - Whil mony so bolde yow aboute vpon bench sytten, - </p> - <span class="linenum">352</span> - <p> - Þat vnder heuen, I hope, non haȝer er of wylle, - </p> - <p> - Ne bett<i>er</i> bodyes on bent, þer baret is rered; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Although the weakest, he is quite ready to meet - the Green Knight.</span> - <p> - I am þe wakkest, I wot, and of wyt feblest, - </p> - <p> - & lest lur of my lyf, quo laytes þe soþe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">356</span> - <p> - Bot for as much as ȝe ar myn em, I am only to prayse, - </p> - <p> - No bou<i>n</i>té bot yo<i>ur</i> blod I in my bodé knowe; - </p> - <p> - & syþen þis note is so nys, þ<i>a</i>t noȝt hit yow falles, - </p> - <p> - & I haue frayned hit at yow fyrst, foldeȝ hit to me, - </p> - <span class="linenum">360</span> - <p> - & if I carp not comlyly, let alle þis cort rych, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - bout blame." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The nobles entreat Arthur to "give Gawayne the - game."</span> - <p> - Ryche to-geder con rou<i>n</i>, - </p> - <p> - & syþen þay redden alle same, - </p> - <span class="linenum">364</span> - <p> - To ryd þe ky<i>n</i>g wyth crou<i>n</i>, - </p> - <p> - & gif Gawan þe game. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XVII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 96.]</span> - <p> - Þen comau<i>n</i>ded þe ky<i>n</i>g þe knyȝt for to ryse; - </p> - <p> - & he ful radly vp ros, & ruchched hy<i>m</i> fayre, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The king gives his nephew his weapon,</span> - <span class="linenum">368</span> - <p> - Kneled dou<i>n</i> bifore þe ky<i>n</i>g, & cacheȝ þat - weppen; - </p> - <p> - & he luflyly hit hy<i>m</i> laft, & lyfte vp his honde, - </p> - <p> - & gef hy<i>m</i> goddeȝ blessy<i>n</i>g, & gladly hy<i>m</i> - biddes - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and tells him to keep heart and hand steady.</span> - <p> - Þat his hert & his honde schulde hardi be boþe. - </p> - <span class="linenum">372</span> - <p> - "Kepe þe cosyn," q<i>uod</i> þe ky<i>n</i>g, "þat þ<i>o</i>u on kyrf - sette, - </p> - <p> - & if þou redeȝ hy<i>m</i> ryȝt, redly I trowe, - </p> - <p> - Þat þou schal byden þe bur þat he schal bede aft<i>er</i>. - </p> - <p> - Gawan gotȝ to þe gome, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> giserne i<i>n</i> - honde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">376</span> - <p> - & he baldly hy<i>m</i> bydeȝ, he bayst neu<i>er</i> þe helder - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The Green Knight enquires the name of his - opponent.</span> - <p> - Þen carppeȝ to s<i>ir</i> Gawan þe knyȝt i<i>n</i> þe grene, - </p> - <p> - "Refourme we oure for-wardes, er we fyrre passe. - </p> - <p> - Fyrst I eþe þe, haþel, how þat þou hattes, - </p> - <span class="linenum">380</span> - <p> - Þat þ<i>o</i>u me telle truly, as I tryst may?" - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne tells him his name, and declares that - he is willing to give and receive a blow.</span> - <p> - "In god fayth," q<i>uod</i> þe goode knyȝt, "Gawan I hatte, - </p> - <p> - Þat bede þe þis buffet, quat-so bi-falleȝ aft<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - & at þis tyme twelmonyth take at þe anoþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="linenum">384</span> - <p> - Wyth what weppen so<sup>1</sup> þ<i>o</i>u wylt, & wyth no wyȝ - elleȝ, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - on lyue." - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þat oþ<i>er</i> on-swareȝ agayn, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - "Sir Gawan, so mot I þryue, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The other thereof is glad.</span> <span - class="linenum">388</span> - <p class="i4"> - As I am ferly fayn. - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þis dint þat þ<i>o</i>u schal dryue." - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. fo. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XVIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"It pleases me well, Sir Gawayne," says the Green - Knight, "that I shall receive a blow from thy fist; but thou must swear - that thou wilt seek me,</span> - <p> - "Bigog," q<i>uod</i> þe grene knyȝt, "s<i>ir</i> Gawan, melykes, - </p> - <p> - Þat I schal fange at þy fust þat I haf frayst here; - </p> - <span class="linenum">392</span> - <p> - & þ<i>o</i>u hatȝ redily rehersed, bi resou<i>n</i> ful trwe, - </p> - <p> - Clanly al þe couenau<i>n</i>t þat I þe ky<i>n</i>ge asked, - </p> - <p> - Saf þat þ<i>o</i>u schal siker me, segge, bi þi trawþe, - </p> - <p> - Þat þ<i>o</i>u schal seche me þi-self, where-so þ<i>o</i>u hopes - </p> - <span class="linenum">396</span> - <p> - I may be funde vpon folde, & foch þe such wages - </p> - <span class="sidenote">to receive the blow in return."</span> - <p> - As þ<i>o</i>u deles me to day, bifore þis douþe ryche." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Where shall I seek thee?" says Sir Gawayne;</span> - <p> - "Where schulde I wale þe," q<i>uod</i> Gauan, "where is þy place? - </p> - <p> - I wot neu<i>er</i> where þ<i>o</i>u wonyes, bi hy<i>m</i> þat me wroȝt, - </p> - <span class="linenum">400</span> - <p> - Ne I know not þe, knyȝt, þy cort, ne þi name. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"tell me thy name and abode and I will find - thee."</span> - <p> - Bot teche me truly þer-to, & telle me howe þ<i>o</i>u hattes, - </p> - <p> - & I schal ware alle my wyt to wy<i>n</i>ne me þeder, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 96<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p> - & þat I swere þe for soþe, & by my seker traweþ." - </p> - <span class="linenum">404</span> - <p> - "Þat is in-nogh in nwe ȝer, hit nedes no more," - </p> - <p> - Q<i>uod</i> þe gome i<i>n</i> þe grene to Gawan þe hende, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"When thou hast smitten me," says the knight, - "then tell I thee of my home and name;</span> - <p> - "ȝif I þe telle trwly, quen I þe tape haue, - </p> - <p> - & þ<i>o</i>u me smoþely hatȝ smyten, smartly I þe teche - </p> - <span class="linenum">408</span> - <p> - Of my ho<i>us</i>, & my home, & myn owen nome, - </p> - <p> - Þen may þ<i>o</i>u frayst my fare, & forwardeȝ holde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">if I speak not at all, so much the better for - thee.</span> - <p> - & if I spende no speche, þe<i>n</i>ne spedeȝ þ<i>o</i>u þe - bett<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - For þ<i>o</i>u may leng i<i>n</i> þy londe, & layt no fyrre, - </p> - <span class="linenum">412</span> - <p class="i8"> - bot slokes; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Take now thy grim tool, and let us see how thou - knockest."</span> - <p class="i4"> - Ta now þy gry<i>m</i>me tole to þe, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & let se how þ<i>o</i>u cnokeȝ." - </p> - <p class="i4"> - "Gladly s<i>ir</i>, for soþe," - </p> - <span class="linenum">416</span> - <p class="i4"> - Q<i>uod</i> Gawan; his ax he strokes. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XIX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The Green Knight</span> - <p> - The grene knyȝt vpon grou<i>n</i>de grayþely hy<i>m</i> dresses, - </p> - <p> - A littel lut w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe hede, þe lere he discou<i>er</i>eȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">puts his long lovely locks aside and lays bare - his neck.</span> - <p> - His longe louelych lokkeȝ he layd ou<i>er</i> his crou<i>n</i>. - </p> - <span class="linenum">420</span> - <p> - Let þe naked nec to þe note schewe. - </p> - <p> - Gauan gripped to his ax, & gederes hit on hyȝt, - </p> - <p> - Þe kay fot on þe folde he be-fore sette, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne lets fall his axe</span> - <p> - Let hit dou<i>n</i> lyȝtly lyȝt on þe naked, - </p> - <span class="linenum">424</span> - <p> - Þat þe scharp of þe schalk schyndered þe bones, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and severs the head from the body.</span> - <p> - & schra<i>n</i>k þurȝ þe schyire grece, & scade hit i<i>n</i> - twy<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - Þat þe bit of þe brou<i>n</i> stel bot on þe grou<i>n</i>de. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The head falls to the earth.</span> - <p> - Þe fayre hede fro þe halce hit [felle] to þe erþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Many kick it aside with their feet.</span> <span - class="linenum">428</span> - <p> - Þat fele hit foyned wyth her fete, þere hit forth roled; - </p> - <p> - Þe blod brayd fro þe body, þ<i>a</i>t blykked on þe grene; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight never falters;</span> - <p> - & nawþer falt<i>er</i>ed ne fel þe freke neu<i>er</i> þe helder, - </p> - <p> - Bot styþly he start forth vpon styf schonkes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">he rushes forth, seizes his head,</span> <span - class="linenum">432</span> - <p> - & ru[n]yschly he raȝt out, þere as renkkeȝ stoden, - </p> - <p> - Laȝt to his lufly hed, & lyft hit vp sone; - </p> - <p> - & syþen boȝeȝ to his blonk, þe brydel he cachcheȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">steps into the saddle,</span> - <p> - Steppeȝ i<i>n</i> to stel bawe & strydeȝ alofte, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">holding the while the head in his hand by the - hair,</span> <span class="linenum">436</span> - <p> - & his hede by þe here i<i>n</i> his honde haldeȝ; - </p> - <p> - & as sadly þe segge hy<i>m</i> i<i>n</i> his sadel sette, - </p> - <p> - As non vnhap had hy<i>m</i> ayled, þaȝ hedleȝ he<sup>1</sup> - we[re], - </p> - <p class="i8"> - i<i>n</i> stedde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and turns his horse about.</span> <span - class="linenum">440</span> - <p class="i4"> - He brayde his bluk<sup>2</sup> aboute, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 97.]</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þat vgly bodi þat bledde, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Moni on of hy<i>m</i> had doute, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Bi þat his resou<i>n</i>ȝ were redde. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. ho. <sup>2</sup> blunk (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="linenum">444</span> - <p> - For þe hede in his honde he haldeȝ vp euen, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The head lifts up its eyelids,</span> - <p> - To-ward þe derrest on þe dece he dresseȝ þe face, - </p> - <p> - & hit lyfte vp þe yȝe-lyddeȝ, & loked ful brode, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and addresses Sir Gawayne; "Look thou, be ready - to go as thou hast promised,</span> - <p> - & meled þ<i>us</i> much w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> his muthe, as ȝe - may now here. - </p> - <span class="linenum">448</span> - <p> - "Loke, Gawan, þ<i>o</i>u be grayþe to go as þ<i>o</i>u hetteȝ, - </p> - <p> - & layte as lelly til þ<i>o</i>u me, lude, fynde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and seek till thou findest me.</span> - <p> - As þ<i>o</i>u hatȝ hette i<i>n</i> þis halle, herande þise knyȝtes; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Get thee to the Green Chapel,</span> - <p> - To þe grene chapel þ<i>o</i>u chose, I charge þe to fotte, - </p> - <span class="linenum">452</span> - <p> - Such a dunt as þ<i>o</i>u hatȝ dalt disserued þ<i>o</i>u habbeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">there to receive a blow on New Year's morn.</span> - <p> - To be ȝederly ȝolden on nw ȝeres morn; - </p> - <p> - Þe knyȝt of þe grene chapel men knowen me mony; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Fail thou never;</span> - <p> - For-þi me forto fynde if þ<i>o</i>u fraysteȝ, fayleȝ þ<i>o</i>u - neu<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">come, or recreant be called."</span> <span - class="linenum">456</span> - <p> - Þer-fore com, oþ<i>er</i> recreau<i>n</i>t be calde þe be-houe<i>us</i>." - </p> - <p> - With a runisch rout þe rayneȝ he torneȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The Green Knight then rushes out of the hall, his - head in his hand.</span> - <p> - Halled out at þe hal-dor, his hed i<i>n</i> his hande, - </p> - <p> - Þat þe fyr of þe flynt flaȝe fro fole houes. - </p> - <span class="linenum">460</span> - <p> - To quat kyth he be-com, knwe non þere, - </p> - <p> - Neu<i>er</i>more þen þay wyste fram queþen he watȝ wo<i>n</i>nen; - </p> - <p class="i8"> - what þe<i>n</i>ne? - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe ky<i>n</i>g & Gawen þare, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">At that green one Arthur and Gawayne "laugh and - grin."</span> <span class="linenum">464</span> - <p class="i4"> - At þat grene þay laȝe & gre<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - ȝet breued watȝ hit ful bare, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - A m<i>er</i>uayl amo<i>ng</i> þo me<i>n</i>ne. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XXI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Arthur addresses the queen:</span> - <p> - Þaȝ Arþ<i>er</i> þe hende ky<i>n</i>g at hert hade wonder, - </p> - <span class="linenum">468</span> - <p> - He let no semblau<i>n</i>t be sene, bot sayde ful hyȝe - </p> - <p> - To þe comlych quene, wyth cortays speche, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Dear dame, be not dismayed; such marvels well - become the Christmas festival;</span> - <p> - "Dere dame, to day demay yow neu<i>er</i>; - </p> - <p> - Wel by-co<i>m</i>mes such craft vpon c<i>r</i>istmasse, - </p> - <span class="linenum">472</span> - <p> - Layky<i>n</i>g of ent<i>er</i>ludeȝ, to laȝe & to syng. - </p> - <p> - Amo<i>n</i>g þise, kynde caroles of knyȝteȝ & ladyeȝ; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I may now go to meat.</span> - <p> - Neu<i>er</i>-þe-lece to my mete I may me wel dres, - </p> - <p> - For I haf sen a selly, I may not for-sake." - </p> - <span class="linenum">476</span> - <p> - He glent vpon s<i>ir</i> Gawen, & gaynly he sayde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne, hang up thine axe.</span> - <p> - "Now s<i>ir</i>, heng vp þyn ax, þat hatȝ i<i>n</i>-nogh hewen." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 97<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p> - & hit watȝ don abof þe dece, on doser to henge, - </p> - <p> - Þer alle men for m<i>er</i>uayl myȝt on hit loke, - </p> - <span class="linenum">480</span> - <p> - & bi trwe tytel þ<i>er</i>-of to telle þe wonder. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The king and his knights sit feasting at the - board till day is ended.</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne þay boȝed to a borde þise burnes to-geder, - </p> - <p> - Þe ky<i>n</i>g & þe gode knyȝt, & kene me<i>n</i> he<i>m</i> - serued - </p> - <p> - Of alle dayntyeȝ double, as derrest myȝt falle, - </p> - <span class="linenum">484</span> - <p> - Wyth alle maner of mete & mynstralcie boþe; - </p> - <p> - Wyth wele walt þay þat day, til worþed an ende, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - in londe. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Now beware, Sir Gawayne, lest thou fail to seek - the adventure that thou hast taken in hand.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Now þenk wel, s<i>ir</i> Gawan, - </p> - <span class="linenum">488</span> - <p class="i4"> - For woþe þat þ<i>o</i>u ne wonde, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þis auenture forto frayn, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þat þ<i>o</i>u hatȝ tan on honde. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - [FYTTE THE SECOND.] - </h2> - <h2> - I. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">This marvel serves to keep up a brisk - conversation in Court.</span> - <p> - This hansell<i>e</i> hatȝ Arthur of auenturus on fyrst, - </p> - <span class="linenum">492</span> - <p> - In ȝonge ȝer, for he ȝerned ȝelpy<i>n</i>g to - here, - </p> - <p> - Thaȝ hym wordeȝ were wane, when þay to sete wenten; - </p> - <p> - Now ar þay stoken of sturne werk staf-ful her hond. - </p> - <p> - Gawan watȝ glad to be-gy<i>n</i>ne þose gomneȝ i<i>n</i> - halle, - </p> - <span class="linenum">496</span> - <p> - Bot þaȝ þe ende be heuy, haf ȝe no wonder; - </p> - <p> - For þaȝ men be<i>n</i> mery in my<i>n</i>de, quen þay han mayn - drynk, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The year passes full quickly and never returns.</span> - <p> - A ȝere ȝernes ful ȝerne, & ȝeldeȝ neu<i>er</i> - lyke, - </p> - <p> - Þe forme to þe fynisment foldeȝ ful selden. - </p> - <span class="linenum">500</span> - <p> - For-þi þis ȝol ou<i>er</i>-ȝede, & þe ȝere aft<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - & vche sesou<i>n</i> serlepes sued after oþ<i>er</i>; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">After Christmas comes the "crabbed Lenten."</span> - <p> - After crysten-masse com þe crabbed lentou<i>n</i>, - </p> - <p> - Þat fraysteȝ flesch wyth þe fysche & fode more symple - </p> - <span class="linenum">504</span> - <p> - Bot þe<i>n</i>ne þe weder of þe worlde wyth wynter hit þrepeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Spring sets in and warm showers descend;</span> - <p> - Colde clengeȝ adou<i>n</i>, cloudeȝ vp-lyften, - </p> - <p> - Schyre schedeȝ þe rayn i<i>n</i> schowreȝ ful warme, - </p> - <p> - Falleȝ vpon fayre flat, flowreȝ þere schewen, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">the groves become green,</span> <span - class="linenum">508</span> - <p> - Boþe grou<i>n</i>deȝ & þe greueȝ grene ar her wedeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">birds build and sing,</span> - <p> - Bryddeȝ busken to bylde, & bremlych sy<i>n</i>gen, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">for joy of the summer that follows;</span> - <p> - For solace of þe softe som<i>er</i> þat sues þer aft<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - bi bonk; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">blossoms begin to bloom,</span> <span - class="linenum">512</span> - <p class="i4"> - & blossu<i>m</i>eȝ bolne to blowe, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Bi raweȝ rych & ronk, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and noble notes are heard in the woods</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe<i>n</i> noteȝ noble i<i>n</i>-noȝe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 98]</span> - <p class="i4"> - Ar herde in wod so wlonk. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - II. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then the soft winds of summer,</span> <span - class="linenum">516</span> - <p> - After þe sesou<i>n</i> of som<i>er</i> wyth þe soft wyndeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Quen ȝefer<i>us</i> syfleȝ hy<i>m</i>-self on sedeȝ - & erbeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">beautiful are the flowers wet with dew-drops.</span> - <p> - Wela-wy<i>n</i>ne is þe wort þat woxes þer-oute. - </p> - <p> - When þe donkande dewe dropeȝ of þe leueȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">520</span> - <p> - To bide a blysful blusch of þe bryȝt su<i>n</i>ne. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">But harvest approaches soon,</span> - <p> - Bot þe<i>n</i> hyȝes heruest, & hardenes hy<i>m</i> sone. - </p> - <p> - Warneȝ hy<i>m</i> for þe wynter to wax ful rype; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and drives the dust about.</span> - <p> - He dryues wyth droȝt þe dust for to ryse. - </p> - <span class="linenum">524</span> - <p> - Fro þe face of þe folde to flyȝe ful hyȝe; - </p> - <p> - Wroþe wynde of þe welkyn wrasteleȝ w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe su<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The leaves drop off the trees,</span> - <p> - Þe leueȝ lancen fro þe lynde, & lyȝten on þe grou<i>n</i>de, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">the grass becomes gray, and all ripens and rots.</span> - <p> - & al grayes þe gres, þat grene watȝ ere; - </p> - <span class="linenum">528</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne al rypeȝ & roteȝ þat ros vpon fyrst, - </p> - <p> - & þ<i>us</i> ȝirneȝ þe ȝere i<i>n</i> ȝisterdayeȝ - mony, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Winter winds round again,</span> - <p> - & wynter wyndeȝ aȝayn, as þe worlde askeȝ - </p> - <p class="i8"> - no sage. - </p> - <span class="linenum">532</span> - <p class="i4"> - Til meȝel-mas mone, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Watȝ cu<i>m</i>en wyth wynter wage; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and then Sir Gawayne thinks of his dread journey.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þen þenkkeȝ Gawan ful sone, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Of his anio<i>us</i> uyage. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - III. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">On All-hallows day Arthur makes a feast for his - nephew's sake.</span> <span class="linenum">536</span> - <p> - Ȝet quyl al-hal-day w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> Arþ<i>er</i> he lenges, - </p> - <p> - & he made a fare on þ<i>a</i>t fest, for þe frekeȝ sake, - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> much reuel & ryche of þe rou<i>n</i>de table; - </p> - <p> - Knyȝteȝ ful cortays & comlych ladies, - </p> - <span class="linenum">540</span> - <p> - Al for luf of þat lede i<i>n</i> longy<i>n</i>ge þay were, - </p> - <p> - Bot neu<i>er</i>-þe-lece ne þe lat<i>er</i> þay neuened bot m<i>er</i>þe, - </p> - <p> - Mony ioyleȝ for þat ientyle iapeȝ þer maden. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">After meat, Sir Gawayne thus speaks to his uncle:</span> - <p> - For aftter mete, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> mo<i>ur</i>ny<i>n</i>g he meleȝ - to his eme, - </p> - <span class="linenum">544</span> - <p> - & spekeȝ of his passage, & pertly he sayde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Now, liege lord, I ask leave of you,</span> - <p> - "Now, lege lorde of my lyf, leue I yow ask; - </p> - <p> - ȝe knowe þe cost of þis cace, kepe I no more - </p> - <p> - To telle yow teneȝ þer-of neu<i>er</i> bot t<i>r</i>ifel; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">for I am bound on the morn to seek the Green - Knight."</span> <span class="linenum">548</span> - <p> - Bot I am bou<i>n</i> to þe bur barely to morne, - </p> - <p> - To sech þe gome of þe grene, as god wyl me wysse." - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne þe best of þe burȝ boȝed to-geder, - </p> - <p> - Aywan, & Errik, & oþ<i>er</i> ful mony, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 98<i>b</i>.]</span> <span class="linenum">552</span> - <p> - S<i>ir</i> Doddinaual de Sauage, þe duk of Clarence, - </p> - <p> - Launcelot, & Lyonel, & Lucan þe gode, - </p> - <p> - S<i>ir</i> Boos, & sir Byduer, big me<i>n</i> boþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Many nobles, the best of the court, counsel and - comfort him.</span> - <p> - & mony oþ<i>er</i> menskful, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> Mador de la Port. - </p> - <span class="linenum">556</span> - <p> - Alle þis compayny of court com þe ky<i>n</i>g nerre, - </p> - <p> - For to cou<i>n</i>seyl þe knyȝt, with care at her hert; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Much sorrow prevails in the hall.</span> - <p> - Þere watȝ much derue<sup>1</sup> doel driuen i<i>n</i> þe sale, - </p> - <p> - Þat so worthe as Wawan schulde wende on þat ernde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">560</span> - <p> - To dryȝe a delful dynt, & dele no more - </p> - <p class="i8"> - wyth bronde. - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe knyȝt mad ay god chere, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & sayde, "quat schuld I wonde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne declares that he has nothing to fear.</span> - <span class="linenum">564</span> - <p class="i4"> - Of destines derf & dere, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - What may mon do bot fonde?" - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> derne (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - IV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">On the morn he asks for his arms.</span> - <p> - He dowelleȝ þer al þat day, and dresseȝ on þe morn, - </p> - <p> - Askeȝ erly hys armeȝ, & alle were þay broȝt - </p> - <span class="sidenote">A carpet is spread on the floor,</span> <span - class="linenum">568</span> - <p> - Fyrst a tule tapit, tyȝt ou<i>er</i> þe flet, - </p> - <p> - & miche watȝ þe gyld gere þat glent þer alofte; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and he steps thereon.</span> - <p> - Þe stif mon steppeȝ þeron, & þe stel hondoleȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He is dubbed in a doublet of Tarsic silk, and a - well-made hood.</span> - <p> - Dubbed i<i>n</i> a dublet of a dere tars, - </p> - <span class="linenum">572</span> - <p> - & syþen a crafty capados, closed aloft, - </p> - <p> - Þat wyth a bryȝt blau<i>n</i>ner was bou<i>n</i>den w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-i<i>n</i>ne; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They set steel slices on his feet, and lap his - legs in steel greaves.</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne set þay þe sabatou<i>n</i>ȝ vpon þe segge foteȝ, - </p> - <p> - His legeȝ lapped i<i>n</i> stel w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> luflych greueȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">576</span> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> polayneȝ piched þer-to, policed ful clene, - </p> - <p> - Aboute his kneȝ knaged wyth knoteȝ of golde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Fair cuisses enclose his thighs,</span> - <p> - Queme quyssewes þe<i>n</i>, þat coyntlych closed - </p> - <p> - His thik þrawen þyȝeȝ w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þwonges - to-tachched; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and afterwards they put on the steel habergeon,</span> - <span class="linenum">580</span> - <p> - & syþen þe brawden bryne of bryȝt stel ry<i>n</i>geȝ, - </p> - <p> - Vmbe-weued þat wyȝ, vpon wlonk stuffe; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">well-burnished braces, elbow pieces, and gloves - of plate.</span> - <p> - & wel bornyst brace vpon his boþe armes, - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> gode cowters & gay, & gloueȝ of plate, - </p> - <span class="linenum">584</span> - <p> - & alle þe godlych gere þat hy<i>m</i> gayn schulde - </p> - <p class="i8"> - Þat tyde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Over all this is placed the coat armour.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Wyth ryche cote armure, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">His spurs are then fixed,</span> - <p class="i4"> - His gold sporeȝ spend w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> pryde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and his sword is attached to his side by a silken - girdle.</span> <span class="linenum">588</span> - <p class="i4"> - Gurde wyth a bront ful sure, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> silk sayn vmbe his syde. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - V. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 99<i>a</i>.]<br />Thus arrayed the knight - hears mass,</span> - <p> - When he watȝ hasped i<i>n</i> armes, his harnays watȝ ryche, - </p> - <p> - Þe lest lachet ou[þ]<i>er</i> loupe lemed of golde; - </p> - <span class="linenum">592</span> - <p> - So harnayst as he watȝ he herkneȝ his masse, - </p> - <p> - Offred & hono<i>ur</i>ed at þe heȝe auter; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and afterwards takes leave of Arthur and his - court.</span> - <p> - Syþen he comeȝ to þe ky<i>n</i>g & to his cort fereȝ, - </p> - <p> - Lacheȝ lufly his leue at lordeȝ & ladyeȝ; - </p> - <span class="linenum">596</span> - <p> - & þay hy<i>m</i> kyst & conueyed, bikende hy<i>m</i> to kryst. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">By that time his horse Gringolet was ready,</span> - <p> - Bi þat watȝ Gryngolet grayth, & gurde w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> a - sadel, - </p> - <p> - Þat glemed ful gayly w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> mony golde frenges, - </p> - <p> - Ay quere naylet ful nwe for þat note ryched; - </p> - <span class="linenum">600</span> - <p> - Þe brydel barred aboute, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> bryȝt golde bou<i>n</i>den; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">the harness of which glittered like the "gleam of - the sun."</span> - <p> - Þe apparayl of þe payttrure, & of þe proude skyrteȝ, - </p> - <p> - Þe cropore, & þe couertor, acorded wyth þe arsou<i>n</i>eȝ; - </p> - <p> - & al watȝ rayled on red ryche golde nayleȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">604</span> - <p> - Þat al glytered & glent as glem of þe su<i>n</i>ne. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Then Sir Gawayne sets his helmet upon his head,</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne hentes he þe holme, & hastily hit kysses, - </p> - <p> - Þat watȝ stapled stifly, & stoffed wyth-i<i>n</i>ne: - </p> - <p> - Hit watȝ hyȝe on his hede, hasped bihynde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">fastened behind with a "urisoun,"</span> <span - class="linenum">608</span> - <p> - Wyth a lyȝtli vrysou<i>n</i> ou<i>er</i> þe auentayle, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">richly embroidered with gems.</span> - <p> - Enbrawden & bou<i>n</i>den wyth þe best ge<i>m</i>meȝ, - </p> - <p> - On brode sylkyn borde, & bryddeȝ on semeȝ, - </p> - <p> - As papiayeȝ paynted perny<i>n</i>g bitwene, - </p> - <span class="linenum">612</span> - <p> - Tortors & trulofeȝ entayled so þyk, - </p> - <p> - As mony burde þer aboute had be<i>n</i> seue<i>n</i> wynt<i>er</i> - </p> - <p class="i8"> - i<i>n</i> tou<i>n</i>e; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The circle around the helmet was decked with - diamonds.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe cercle watȝ more o prys, - </p> - <span class="linenum">616</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þat vmbe-clypped hys crou<i>n</i>, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Of diamau<i>n</i>teȝ a deuys, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þat boþe were bryȝt & brou<i>n</i>. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - VI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then they show him his shield with the - "pentangle" of pure gold.</span> - <p> - Then þay schewed hy<i>m</i> þe schelde, þat was of schyr gouleȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">620</span> - <p> - Wyth þe pentangel de-paynt of pure golde hweȝ; - </p> - <p> - He braydeȝ hit by þe baude-ryk, aboute þe hals kest<i>es</i>, - </p> - <p> - Þat bisemed þe segge semlyly fayre. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The "pentangle" was devised by Solomon as a token - of truth.</span> - <p> - & quy þe pentangel apendeȝ to þat prynce noble, - </p> - <span class="linenum">624</span> - <p> - I am i<i>n</i> tent yow to telle, þof tary hyt me schulde; - </p> - <p> - Hit is a sy<i>n</i>gne þat Salamon set su<i>m</i>-quyle, - </p> - <p> - I<i>n</i> bytokny<i>n</i>g of trawþe, bi tytle þat hit habbeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 99<i>b</i>]</span> - <p> - For hit is a figure þat haldeȝ fyue poynteȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">628</span> - <p> - & vche lyne vmbe-lappeȝ & loukeȝ i<i>n</i> oþer, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It is called the endless knot</span> - <p> - & ay quere hit is endeleȝ,<sup>1</sup> & Englych hit - callen - </p> - <p> - Ou<i>er</i>-al, as I here, þe endeles knot. - </p> - <p> - For-þy hit acordeȝ to þis knyȝt, & to his cler armeȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">632</span> - <p> - For ay faythful i<i>n</i> fyue & sere fyue syþeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It well becomes the good Sir Gawayne,</span> - <p> - Gawan watȝ for gode knawen, & as golde pured, - </p> - <p> - Voyded of vche vylany, wyth vertueȝ<sup>2</sup> e<i>n</i>no<i>ur</i>ned - </p> - <p class="i8"> - i<i>n</i> mote; - </p> - <span class="linenum">636</span> - <p class="i4"> - For-þy þe pen-tangel nwe - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He ber i<i>n</i> schelde & cote, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">a knight the truest of speech and the fairest of - form.</span> - <p class="i4"> - As tulk of tale most trwe, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & gentylest knyȝt of lote. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS emdeleȝ. <sup>2</sup> MS v<i>er</i>ertueȝ - </p> - </div> - <h2> - VII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">He was found faultless in his five wits.</span> - <span class="linenum">640</span> - <p> - Fyrst he watȝ funden fautleȝ i<i>n</i> his fyue wytteȝ, - </p> - <p> - & efte fayled neu<i>er</i> þe freke i<i>n</i> his fyue fyngres, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">His trust was in the five wounds.</span> - <p> - & alle his afyau<i>n</i>ce vpon folde watȝ i<i>n</i> þe fyue - wou<i>n</i>deȝ - </p> - <p> - Þat Cryst kaȝt on þe croys, as þe crede telleȝ; - </p> - <span class="linenum">644</span> - <p> - & quere-so-eu<i>er</i> þys mon i<i>n</i> melly watȝ stad, - </p> - <p> - His þro þoȝt watȝ i<i>n</i> þat, þurȝ alle oþ<i>er</i> - þy<i>n</i>geȝ, - </p> - <p> - Þat alle his forsnes he fong at þe fyue ioyeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Þat þe hende heuen quene had of hir chylde; - </p> - <span class="linenum">648</span> - <p> - At þis cause þe knyȝt comlyche hade - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The image of the Virgin was depicted upon his - shield.</span> - <p> - I<i>n</i> þe more half of his schelde hir ymage depaynted, - </p> - <p> - Þat quen he blusched þerto, his belde neu<i>er</i> payred. - </p> - <p> - Þe fyrst<sup>1</sup> fyue þat I finde þat þe frek vsed, - </p> - <span class="linenum">652</span> - <p> - Watȝ frau<i>n</i>chyse, & felaȝschyp for-be<sup>2</sup> - al þy<i>n</i>g; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">In cleanness and courtesy he was never found - wanting,</span> - <p> - His clannes & his cortaysye croked were neu<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - & pite, þat passeȝ alle poynteȝ, þyse pure fyue - </p> - <p> - Were harder happed on þat haþel þe<i>n</i> on any oþ<i>er</i>. - </p> - <span class="linenum">656</span> - <p> - Now alle þese fyue syþeȝ, forsoþe, were fetled on þis knyȝt, - </p> - <p> - & vchone halched in oþ<i>er</i>, þat non ende hade, - </p> - <p> - & fyched vpon fyue poynteȝ, þat fayld neu<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - Ne samned neu<i>er</i> i<i>n</i> no syde, ne sundred nouþ[er], - </p> - <span class="linenum">660</span> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-outen ende at any noke [a]i quere fynde, - </p> - <p> - Where-eu<i>er</i> þe gomen bygan, or glod to an ende. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">therefore was the endless knot fastened on his - shield.</span> - <p> - Þer-fore on his schene schelde schapen watȝ þe knot, - </p> - <p> - Þus alle wyth red golde vpon rede gowleȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 100]</span> <span class="linenum">664</span> - <p> - Þat is þe pure pentaungel wyth þe peple called, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> lore. - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Now grayþed is Gawan gay, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne seizes his lance and bids all "good - day."</span> - <p class="i4"> - & laȝt his lau<i>n</i>ce ryȝt þore, - </p> - <span class="linenum">668</span> - <p class="i4"> - & gef hem alle goud day, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He wende for eu<i>er</i> more. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS fyft. <sup>2</sup> for-bi (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - VIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">He spurs his horse and goes on his way.</span> - <p> - He sperred þe sted w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe spureȝ, & sprong on - his way, - </p> - <p> - So stif þat þe ston fyr stroke out þer-aft<i>er</i>; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">All that saw that seemly one mourned in their - hearts.</span> <span class="linenum">672</span> - <p> - Al þat seȝ þat semly syked i<i>n</i> hert, - </p> - <p> - & sayde soþly al same segges til oþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - Carande for þat comly, "bi Kryst, hit is scaþe, - </p> - <p> - Þat þ<i>o</i>u, leude, schal be lost, þat art of lyf noble! - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They declared that his equal was not to be found - upon earth.</span> <span class="linenum">676</span> - <p> - To fynde hys fere vpon folde, i<i>n</i> fayth is not eþe; - </p> - <p> - Warloker to haf wroȝt had more wyt bene, - </p> - <p> - & haf dyȝt ȝonder dere a duk to haue worþed; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It would have been better for him to have been a - leader of men,</span> - <p> - A lowande leder of ledeȝ i<i>n</i> londe hy<i>m</i> wel semeȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">680</span> - <p> - & so had bett<i>er</i> haf ben þe<i>n</i> britned to noȝt, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">than to die by the hands of "an elvish man."</span> - <p> - Hadet wyth an aluisch mon, for angardeȝ pryde. - </p> - <p> - Who knew eu<i>er</i> any ky<i>n</i>g such cou<i>n</i>sel to take, - </p> - <p> - As knyȝteȝ i<i>n</i> cauelou<i>n</i>ȝ on cryst-masse - gomneȝ!" - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Much was the warm water that poured from eyes - that day.</span> <span class="linenum">684</span> - <p> - Wel much watȝ þe warme water þ<i>a</i>t walt<i>er</i>ed of yȝen, - </p> - <p> - When þat semly syre soȝt fro þo woneȝ - </p> - <p class="i8"> - þat<sup>1</sup> daye; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He made non abode, - </p> - <span class="linenum">688</span> - <p class="i4"> - Bot wyȝtly went hys way, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Meanwhile many a weary way goes Sir Gawayne.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Mony wylsu<i>m</i> way he rode, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe bok as I herde say. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. þad. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - IX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Now rides the knight through the realms of - England.</span> - <p> - Now rideȝ þis renk þurȝ þe ryalme of Logres, - </p> - <span class="linenum">692</span> - <p> - S<i>ir</i> Gauan on Godeȝ halue, þaȝ hy<i>m</i> no gomen þoȝt; - </p> - <p> - Oft, leudleȝ alone, he lengeȝ on nyȝteȝ, - </p> - <p> - Þer he fonde noȝt hy<i>m</i> byfore þe fare þat he lyked; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He has no companion but his horse.</span> - <p> - Hade he no fere bot his fole, bi frytheȝ & dou<i>n</i>eȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">696</span> - <p> - Ne no gome bot God, bi gate wyth to karp, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">No men does he see till he approaches North - Wales.</span> - <p> - Til þat he neȝed ful nogh<i>e</i><sup>1</sup> i<i>n</i> to þe - Norþe Waleȝ; - </p> - <p> - Alle þe iles of Anglesay on lyft half he haldeȝ, - </p> - <p> - & fareȝ ou<i>er</i> þe fordeȝ by þe for-londeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">From Holyhead he passes into Wirral.</span> <span - class="linenum">700</span> - <p> - Ou<i>er</i> at þe Holy-Hede, til he hade eft bonk - </p> - <p> - I<i>n</i> þe wyldrenesse of Wyrale; wonde þer bot lyte - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 100<i>b</i>]<br />There he finds but few - that loved God or man.</span> - <p> - Þat auþ<i>er</i> God oþ<i>er</i> gome wyth goud hert louied. - </p> - <p> - & ay he frayned, as he ferde, at frekeȝ þat he met, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He enquires after the Green Knight of the Green - Chapel,</span> <span class="linenum">704</span> - <p> - If þay hade herde any karp of a knyȝt grene, - </p> - <p> - I<i>n</i> any grou<i>n</i>de þer-aboute, of þe grene chapel;<sup>2</sup> - </p> - <p> - & al nykked hy<i>m</i> wyth nay, þat neu<i>er</i> i<i>n</i> her - lyue - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but can gain no tidings of him.</span> - <p> - Þay seȝe neu<i>er</i> no segge þat watȝ of suche hweȝ - </p> - <span class="linenum">708</span> - <p class="i8"> - of grene. - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe knyȝt tok gates straunge, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - I<i>n</i> mony a bonk vnbene, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">His cheer oft changed before he found the Chapel.</span> - <p class="i4"> - His cher ful oft con chau<i>n</i>ge, - </p> - <span class="linenum">712</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þat chapel er he myȝt sene. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> nygh<i>e</i> (?). <sup>2</sup> MS. clapel. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - X. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Many a cliff he climbed over;</span> - <p> - Mony klyf he ou<i>er</i>-clambe i<i>n</i> contrayeȝ strau<i>n</i>ge, - </p> - <p> - Fer floten fro his frendeȝ fremedly he rydeȝ; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">many a ford and stream he crossed, and everywhere - he found a foe.</span> - <p> - At vche warþe oþer wat<i>er</i> þer þe wyȝe passed, - </p> - <span class="linenum">716</span> - <p> - He fonde a foo hy<i>m</i> byfore, bot ferly hit were, - </p> - <p> - & þat so foule & so felle, þat feȝt hy<i>m</i> by-hode; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It were too tedious to tell the tenth part of his - adventures</span> - <p> - So mony m<i>er</i>uayl hi mou<i>n</i>t þ<i>er</i> þe mon fyndeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Hit were to tore for to telle of þe tenþe dole. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">with serpents, wolves, and wild men;</span> <span - class="linenum">720</span> - <p> - Sumwhyle wyth wormeȝ he werreȝ, & w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> - wolues als, - </p> - <p> - Su<i>m</i>whyle wyth wodwos, þat woned i<i>n</i> þe knarreȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">with bulls, bears, and boars.</span> - <p> - Boþe wyth bulleȝ & bereȝ, & boreȝ oþ<i>er</i>-quyle, - </p> - <p> - & etayneȝ, þat hy<i>m</i> a-nelede, of þe heȝe felle; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Had he not been both brave and good, doubtless he - had been dead.</span> <span class="linenum">724</span> - <p> - Nade he ben duȝty & dryȝe, & dryȝtyn had - serued, - </p> - <p> - Douteles he hade ben ded, & dreped ful ofte. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The sharp winter was far worse than any war that - ever troubled him.</span> - <p> - For werre wrathed hy<i>m</i> not so much, þat wy<i>n</i>t<i>er</i> was - wors, - </p> - <p> - When þe colde cler wat<i>er</i> fro þe cloudeȝ schadden, - </p> - <span class="linenum">728</span> - <p> - & fres er hit falle myȝt to þe fale erþe; - </p> - <p> - Ner slayn wyth þe slete he sleped i<i>n</i> his yrnes, - </p> - <p> - Mo nyȝteȝ þe<i>n</i> i<i>n</i>-noghe i<i>n</i> naked rokkeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Þ<i>er</i> as clat<i>er</i>ande fro þe crest þe colde borne re<i>n</i>neȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">732</span> - <p> - & henged heȝe ou<i>er</i> his hede i<i>n</i> hard - ÿsse-ikkles. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Thus in peril he travels till Christmas-eve.</span> - <p> - Þus i<i>n</i> peryl, & payne, & plytes ful harde, - </p> - <p> - Bi contray caryeȝ þis knyȝt, tyl kryst-masse euen, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - al one; - </p> - <span class="linenum">736</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe knyȝt wel þat tyde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">To the Virgin Mary he prays to guide him to some - abode.</span> - <p class="i4"> - To Mary made his mone. - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þat ho hy<i>m</i> red to ryde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 101.]</span> - <p class="i4"> - & wysse hy<i>m</i> to su<i>m</i> wone. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">On the morn Sir Gawayne finds himself in a deep - forest,</span> <span class="linenum">740</span> - <p> - Bi a mou<i>n</i>te on þe morne meryly he rydes, - </p> - <p> - Into a forest ful dep, þat ferly watȝ wylde, - </p> - <p> - Hiȝe hilleȝ on vche a halue, & holt wodeȝ vnder, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">where were old oaks many a hundred.</span> - <p> - Of hore okeȝ fill hoge a hundreth to-geder; - </p> - <span class="linenum">744</span> - <p> - Þe hasel & þe haȝ-þorne were harled al samen, - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> roȝe raged mosse rayled ay-where, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Many sad birds upon bare twigs piped piteously - for the cold.</span> - <p> - With mony bryddeȝ vnblyþe vpon bare twyges, - </p> - <p> - Þat pitosly þer piped for pyne of þe colde. - </p> - <span class="linenum">748</span> - <p> - Þe gome vpon Gryngolet glydeȝ hem vnder, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Through many a mire he goes, that he may - celebrate the birth of Christ.</span> - <p> - Þurȝ mony misy & myre, mo<i>n</i> al hy<i>m</i> one, - </p> - <p> - Carande for his costes, lest he ne keu<i>er</i> schulde, - </p> - <p> - To se þe seruy<sup>1</sup> of þat syre, þat on þat self nyȝt - </p> - <span class="linenum">752</span> - <p> - Of a burde watȝ borne, oure baret to quelle; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He beseeches the Virgin Mary to direct him to - some lodging where he may hear mass.</span> - <p> - & þerfore syky<i>n</i>g he sayde, "I be-seche þe, lorde, - </p> - <p> - & Mary, þat is myldest moder so dere. - </p> - <p> - Of su<i>m</i> herber, þer heȝly I myȝt here masse. - </p> - <span class="linenum">756</span> - <p> - Ande þy matyneȝ to-morne, mekely I ask, - </p> - <p> - & þer-to prestly I pray my pat<i>er</i> & aue, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - & crede." - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He rode i<i>n</i> his prayere, - </p> - <span class="linenum">760</span> - <p class="i4"> - & cryed for his mysdede, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Blessing himself, he says, "Cross of Christ, - speed me!"</span> - <p class="i4"> - He sayned hy<i>m</i> i<i>n</i> syþes sere, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & sayde "cros Kryst me spede!" - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> seruyce (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Scarcely had he blessed himself thrice</span> - <p> - Nade he sayned hy<i>m</i>-self, segge, bot þrye, - </p> - <span class="linenum">764</span> - <p> - Er he watȝ war i<i>n</i> þe wod of a won i<i>n</i> a mote. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">when he saw a dwelling in the wood, set on a - hill,</span> - <p> - Abof a lau<i>n</i>de, on a lawe, loken vnder boȝeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Of mony borelych bole, aboute bi þe diches; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">the comeliest castle that knight ever owned.</span> - <p> - A castel þe comlokest þat eu<i>er</i> knyȝt aȝte, - </p> - <span class="linenum">768</span> - <p> - Pyched on a prayere, a park al aboute, - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> a pyked palays, pyned ful þik, - </p> - <p> - Þat vmbe-teȝe mony tre mo þe<i>n</i> two myle. - </p> - <p> - Þat holde on þat on syde þe haþel auysed, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It shone as the sun through the bright oaks.</span> - <span class="linenum">772</span> - <p> - As hit schemered & schon þurȝ þe schyre okeȝ; - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne hatȝ he hendly of his helme, & heȝly he - þonkeȝ - </p> - <p> - Iesus & say[nt] Gilyan, þat gentyle ar boþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 101<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p> - Þat cortaysly hade hy<i>m</i> kydde, & his cry herkened. - </p> - <span class="linenum">776</span> - <p> - "Now bone hostel," coþe þe burne, "I be-seche yow ȝette!" - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne gedereȝ he to Gryngolet w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe gilt - heleȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne goes to the chief gate,</span> - <p> - & he ful chau<i>n</i>cely hatȝ chosen to þe chef gate, - </p> - <p> - Þat broȝt bremly þe burne to þe bryge ende, - </p> - <span class="linenum">780</span> - <p class="i8"> - i<i>n</i> haste; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and finds the draw-bridge raised, and the gates - shut fast.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe bryge watȝ breme vp-brayde, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe ȝateȝ wer stoken faste, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe walleȝ were wel arayed, - </p> - <span class="linenum">784</span> - <p class="i4"> - Hit dut no wyndeȝ blaste. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The knight abides on the bank,</span> - <p> - Þe burne bode on bonk, þat on blonk houed, - </p> - <p> - Of þe depe double dich þat drof to þe place, - </p> - <p> - Þe walle wod i<i>n</i> þe wat<i>er</i> wonderly depe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and observes the "huge height,"</span> <span - class="linenum">788</span> - <p> - Ande eft a ful huge heȝt hit haled vpon lofte, - </p> - <p> - Of harde hewen ston vp to þe tableȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">with its battlements and watch towers.</span> - <p> - Enbaned vnder þe abataylme<i>n</i>t, i<i>n</i> þe best lawe; - </p> - <p> - & syþen garyteȝ ful gaye gered bi-twene, - </p> - <span class="linenum">792</span> - <p> - Wyth mony luflych loupe, þat louked ful clene; - </p> - <p> - A bett<i>er</i> barbican þat burne blusched vpon neu<i>er</i>; - </p> - <p> - & i<i>n</i>nermore he be-helde þat halle ful hyȝe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Bright and long were its round towers,</span> - <p> - Towre telded bytwene trochet ful þik, - </p> - <span class="linenum">796</span> - <p> - Fayre fylyoleȝ þat fyȝed, & ferlyly long, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">with their well-made capitals.</span> - <p> - With coruon coprou<i>n</i>es, craftyly sleȝe; - </p> - <p> - Chalk whyt chymnees þer ches he i<i>n</i>-noȝe, - </p> - <p> - Vpon bastel roueȝ, þat blenked ful quyte; - </p> - <span class="linenum">800</span> - <p> - So mony pynakle payntet watȝ poudred ay quere, - </p> - <p> - Amo<i>n</i>g þe castel carneleȝ, clambred so þik, - </p> - <p> - Þat pared out of papure purely hit semed. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He thinks it fair enough if he might only come - within the cloister.</span> - <p> - Þe fre freke on þe fole hit fayr i<i>n</i>-n[o]ghe þoȝt, - </p> - <span class="linenum">804</span> - <p> - If he myȝt keu<i>er</i> to com þe cloyst<i>e</i>r wyth-i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - To herber i<i>n</i> þat hostel, whyl halyday lested - </p> - <p class="i8"> - auinant; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He calls, and soon there comes a porter to know - the knight's errand.</span> - <p class="i4"> - He calde, & sone þer com - </p> - <span class="linenum">808</span> - <p class="i4"> - A porter pure plesau<i>n</i>t, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - On þe wal his ernd he nome, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & haylsed þe knyȝt errau<i>n</i>t. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XIV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"Good sir," says Gawayne, "ask the high lord of - this house to grant me a lodging."</span> - <p> - "Gode s<i>ir</i>," q<i>uod</i> Gawan, "woldeȝ þ<i>o</i>u go my<i>n</i> - ernde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">812</span> - <p> - To þe heȝ lorde of þis ho<i>us</i>, herber to craue?" - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 102.]</span> - <p> - "ȝe, Pet<i>er</i>," q<i>uod</i> þe port<i>er</i>, "& purely I - trowe,<sup>1</sup> - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"You are welcome to dwell here as long as you - like," replied the porter.</span> - <p> - Þat ȝe be, wyȝe, welcu<i>m</i> to won quyle yow lykeȝ." - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i> ȝede þ<i>a</i>t wyȝe aȝayn awyþe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">816</span> - <p> - & folke frely hy<i>m</i> wyth, to fonge þe knyȝt; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The draw-bridge is let down,</span> - <p> - Þay let dou<i>n</i> þe grete draȝt, & derely out ȝeden, - </p> - <p> - & kneled dou<i>n</i> on her knes vpon þe colde erþe, - </p> - <p> - To welcu<i>m</i> þis ilk wyȝ, as worþy hom þoȝt; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and the gate is opened wide to receive him.</span> - <span class="linenum">820</span> - <p> - Þay ȝolden hy<i>m</i> þe brode ȝate, ȝarked vp wyde, - </p> - <p> - & he hem raysed rekenly, & rod ou<i>er</i> þe brygge; - </p> - <p> - Sere seggeȝ hy<i>m</i> sesed by sadel, quel<sup>2</sup> he lyȝt, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">His horse is well stabled.</span> - <p> - & syþen stabeled his stede stif me<i>n</i> i<i>n</i>-noȝe. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Knights and squires bring Gawayne into the hall.</span> - <span class="linenum">824</span> - <p> - Knyȝteȝ & swyereȝ comen dou<i>n</i> þe<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - For to bry<i>n</i>g þis burne<sup>3</sup> wyth blys i<i>n</i>-to - halle; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Many a one hastens to take his helmet and sword.</span> - <p> - Quen he hef vp his helme, þer hiȝed i<i>n</i>-nogh<i>e</i> - </p> - <p> - For to hent hit at his honde, þe hende to seruen, - </p> - <span class="linenum">828</span> - <p> - His bronde & his blasou<i>n</i> boþe þay token. - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i> haylsed he ful hendly þo haþeleȝ vch one, - </p> - <p> - & mony proud mon þer p<i>re</i>sed, þat pry<i>n</i>ce to hono<i>ur</i>; - </p> - <p> - Alle hasped i<i>n</i> his heȝ wede to halle þay hy<i>m</i> wo<i>n</i>nen, - </p> - <span class="linenum">832</span> - <p> - Þer fayre fyre vpon flet fersly bre<i>n</i>ned. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord of the country bids him welcome,</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne þe lorde of þe lede louteȝ fro his chambre, - </p> - <p> - For to mete wyth menske þe mon on þe flor; - </p> - <p> - He sayde, "ȝe ar welcu<i>m</i> to welde as yow lykeȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">836</span> - <p> - Þat here is, al is yowre awen, to haue at yowre wylle - </p> - <p class="i8"> - & welde." - </p> - <p class="i4"> - "Grau<i>n</i>t mercy," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - "Þer Kryst hit yow for-ȝelde," - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and they embrace each other.</span> <span - class="linenum">840</span> - <p class="i4"> - As frekeȝ þat semed fayn, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ayþ<i>er</i> oþ<i>er</i> i<i>n</i> armeȝ co<i>n</i> felde. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> trowoe, MS. <sup>2</sup> quyle (?) or quen (?). <sup>3</sup> - buurne, MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne looks on his host;</span> - <p> - Gawayn glyȝt on þe gome þat godly hy<i>m</i> gret, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">a big bold one he seemed.</span> - <p> - & þuȝt hit a bolde burne þat þe burȝ aȝte, - </p> - <span class="linenum">844</span> - <p> - A hoge haþel for þe noneȝ, & of hygh<i>e</i> elde;<sup>1</sup> - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Beaver-hued was his broad beard,</span> - <p> - Brode bryȝt watȝ his berde, & al beu<i>er</i> hwed, - </p> - <p> - Sturne stif on þe stryþþe on stal-worth schonkeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and his face as "fell as the fire."</span> - <p> - Felle face as þe fyre, & fre of hys speche; - </p> - <span class="linenum">848</span> - <p> - & wel hy<i>m</i> semed for soþe, as þe segge þuȝt, - </p> - <p> - To lede a lortschyp i<i>n</i> lee of leudeȝ ful gode. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 102<i>b</i>.]<br />The lord leads Gawayne to - a chamber, and assigns him a page to wait upon him.</span> - <p> - Þe lorde hy<i>m</i> charred to a chambre, & chefly cu<i>m</i>au<i>n</i>deȝ<sup>2</sup> - </p> - <p> - To delyu<i>er</i> hym a leude, hym loȝly to serue; - </p> - <span class="linenum">852</span> - <p> - & þere were bou<i>n</i> at his bode burneȝ i<i>n</i>-noȝe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">In this bright bower was noble bedding;</span> - <p> - Þat broȝt hy<i>m</i> to a bryȝt boure, þ<i>er</i> beddy<i>n</i>g - watȝ noble, - </p> - <p> - Of cortynes of clene sylk, wyth cler golde he<i>m</i>meȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">the curtains were of pure silk with golden hems;</span> - <p> - & cou<i>er</i>toreȝ ful curious, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> comlych - paneȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">856</span> - <p> - Of bryȝt blaunni<i>er</i> a-boue enbrawded bisydeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Rudeleȝ re<i>n</i>nande on ropeȝ, red golde ry<i>n</i>geȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Tarsic tapestries covered the walls and the - floor.</span> - <p> - Tapyteȝ tyȝt to þe woȝe, of tuly & tars, - </p> - <p> - & vnder fete, on þe flet, of folȝande sute. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Here the knight doffed his armour,</span> <span - class="linenum">860</span> - <p> - Þer he watȝ dispoyled, wyth specheȝ of my<i>er</i>þe, - </p> - <p> - Þe burn of his bruny, & of his bryȝt wedeȝ; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and put on rich robes,</span> - <p> - Ryche robes ful rad renkkeȝ hem<sup>3</sup> broȝten, - </p> - <p> - For to charge, & to chaunge, & chose of þe best. - </p> - <span class="linenum">864</span> - <p> - Sone as he on hent, & happed þ<i>er</i>-i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - Þat sete on hym<sup>4</sup> semly, wyth saylande skyrteȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">which well became him.</span> - <p> - Þe ver by his uisage verayly hit semed - </p> - <p> - Wel neȝ to vche haþel alle on hwes, - </p> - <span class="linenum">868</span> - <p> - Lowande & lufly, alle his ly<i>m</i>meȝ vnder, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">A more comely knight Christ never made.</span> - <p> - Þat a comloker knyȝt neue<i>r</i> Kryst made, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - hem þoȝt; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Wheþen i<i>n</i> worlde he were, - </p> - <span class="linenum">872</span> - <p class="i4"> - Hit semed as he myȝt - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Be prynce w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-outen pere, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - I<i>n</i> felde þ<i>er</i> felle me<i>n</i> fyȝt. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> eldee, MS. <sup>2</sup> clesly, MS. <sup>3</sup> hym (?). - <sup>4</sup> MS. hyn. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XVI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">A chair is placed for Sir Gawayne before the - fireplace.</span> - <p> - A cheyer by-fore þe chemné, þ<i>er</i> charcole bre<i>n</i>ned, - </p> - <span class="linenum">876</span> - <p> - Watȝ grayþed for s<i>ir</i> Gawan, grayþely w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> - cloþeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Whyssynes vpon queldepoynt<i>es</i>, þa[t] koy<i>n</i>t wer boþe; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">A mantle of fine linen, richly embroidered, is - thrown over him.</span> - <p> - & þe<i>n</i>ne a mere mantyle watȝ on þat mon cast, - </p> - <p> - Of a brou<i>n</i> bleeau<i>n</i>t, enbrauded ful ryche, - </p> - <span class="linenum">880</span> - <p> - & fayre furred wyth-i<i>n</i>ne w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> felleȝ of - þe best, - </p> - <p> - Alle of ermyn i<i>n</i> erde, his hode of þe same; - </p> - <p> - & he sete i<i>n</i> þat settel semlych ryche, - </p> - <p> - & achaufed hy<i>m</i> chefly,<sup>1</sup> & þe<i>n</i>ne his - cher mended. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">A table is soon raised,</span> <span - class="linenum">884</span> - <p> - Sone watȝ telded vp a tapit, on tresteȝ ful fayre, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and the knight, having washed, proceeded to meat.</span> - <p> - Clad wyth a clene cloþe, þat cler quyt schewed, - </p> - <p> - Sanap, & salure, & syluer-i<i>n</i> sponeȝ; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 103.]</span> - <p> - Þe wyȝe wesche at his wylle, & went to his mete - </p> - <span class="linenum">888</span> - <p> - Seggeȝ hym serued semly i<i>n</i>-noȝe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He is served with numerous dishes;</span> - <p> - Wyth sere sewes & sete,<sup>2</sup> sesou<i>n</i>de of þe best, - </p> - <p> - Double felde, as hit falleȝ, & fele kyn fischeȝ; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">with fish baked and broiled,</span> - <p> - Su<i>m</i>me baken i<i>n</i> bred, su<i>m</i>me brad on þe gledeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">or boiled and seasoned with spices.</span> <span - class="linenum">892</span> - <p> - Su<i>m</i>me soþen, su<i>m</i>me i<i>n</i> sewe, sau<i>er</i>ed w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> - spyces, - </p> - <p> - & ay sawes<sup>3</sup> so sleȝeȝ, þat þe segge lyked. - </p> - <p> - Þe freke calde hit a fest ful frely & ofte, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He calls it a full noble feast,</span> - <p> - Ful hendely, quen alle þe haþeles re-hayted hy<i>m</i> at oneȝ - </p> - <span class="linenum">896</span> - <p class="i8"> - as hende; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - "Þis penau<i>n</i>ce now ȝe take, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & eft hit schal amende;" - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and much mirth he makes, for the wine is in his - head.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þat mon much m<i>er</i>þe con make. - </p> - <span class="linenum">900</span> - <p class="i4"> - For wy<i>n</i> i<i>n</i> his hed þat wende. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. cefly. <sup>2</sup> swete (?). <sup>3</sup> sewes (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XVII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne, in answer to questions put to him,</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne watȝ spyed & spured vpon spare wyse. - </p> - <p> - Bi preue poynteȝ of þat prynce, put to hy<i>m</i>-seluen, - </p> - <p> - Þat he be-knew cortaysly of þe court þat he were, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">tells the prince that he is of Arthur's court.</span> - <span class="linenum">904</span> - <p> - Þat aþel Arthure þe hende haldeȝ hy<i>m</i> one, - </p> - <p> - Þat is þe ryche ryal ky<i>n</i>g of þe rou<i>n</i>de table; - </p> - <p> - & hit watȝ Wawen hy<i>m</i>-self þat i<i>n</i> þat won sytteȝ, - </p> - <p> - Comen to þat krystmasse, as case hy<i>m</i> þen lymped. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">When this was made known,</span> <span - class="linenum">908</span> - <p> - When þe lorde hade lerned þat he þe leude hade, - </p> - <p> - Loude laȝed he þ<i>er</i>at, so lef hit hy<i>m</i> þoȝt, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">great was the joy in the hall.</span> - <p> - & alle þe men i<i>n</i> þat mote maden much joye, - </p> - <p> - To apere i<i>n</i> his presense prestly þat tyme, - </p> - <span class="linenum">912</span> - <p> - Þat alle prys, & prowes, & pured þewes - </p> - <p> - Apendes to hys persou<i>n</i>, & praysed is eu<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - By-fore alle men vpon molde, his mensk is þe most. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Each one said softly to his mate,</span> - <p> - Vch segge ful softly sayde to his fere, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Now we shall see courteous manners and hear - noble speech,</span> <span class="linenum">916</span> - <p> - "Now schal we semlych se sleȝteȝ of þeweȝ, - </p> - <p> - & þe teccheles termes of talky<i>n</i>g noble, - </p> - <p> - Wich spede is i<i>n</i> speche, vnspurd may we lerne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">for we have amongst us the 'father of nurture.'</span> - <p> - Sy<i>n</i> we haf fonged þat fyne fader of nurture; - </p> - <span class="linenum">920</span> - <p> - God hatȝ geuen v<i>us</i> his g<i>ra</i>ce godly for soþe, - </p> - <p> - Þat such a gest as Gawan grau<i>n</i>teȝ v<i>us</i> to haue, - </p> - <p> - When burneȝ blyþe of his burþe schal sitte - </p> - <p class="i8"> - & sy<i>n</i>ge. - </p> - <span class="linenum">924</span> - <p class="i4"> - I<i>n</i> meny<i>n</i>g of man<i>er</i>eȝ mere, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 103<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þis burne now schal v<i>us</i> bry<i>n</i>g, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He that may him hear shall learn of - love-talking."</span> - <p class="i4"> - I hope þat may hy<i>m</i> here, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Schal lerne of luf-talky<i>n</i>g." - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XVIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">After dinner the company go to the chapel,</span> - <span class="linenum">928</span> - <p> - Bi þat þe diner watȝ done, & þe dere vp, - </p> - <p> - Hit watȝ neȝ at þe niyȝt neȝed þe tyme; - </p> - <p> - Chaplayneȝ<sup>1</sup> to þe chapeles chosen þe gate, - </p> - <p> - Ru<i>n</i>gen ful rychely, ryȝt as þay schulden, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">to hear the evensong of the great season.</span> - <span class="linenum">932</span> - <p> - To þe hersu<i>m</i> euensong of þe hyȝe tyde. - </p> - <p> - Þe lorde loutes þerto, & þe lady als, - </p> - <p> - I<i>n</i>-to a comly closet coyntly ho entreȝ; - </p> - <p> - Gawan glydeȝ ful gay, & gos þeder sone; - </p> - <span class="linenum">936</span> - <p> - Þe lorde laches hy<i>m</i> by þe lappe, & ledeȝ hy<i>m</i> to - sytte, - </p> - <p> - & couþly hy<i>m</i> knoweȝ, & calleȝ hy<i>m</i> his - nome, - </p> - <p> - & sayde he watȝ þe welcomest wyȝe of þe worlde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord of the castle and Sir Gawayne sit - together during service.</span> - <p> - & he hy<i>m</i> þonkked þroly, & ayþ<i>er</i> halched oþer. - </p> - <span class="linenum">940</span> - <p> - & seten soberly samen þe seruise-quyle; - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne lyst þe lady to loke on þe knyȝt. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">His wife, accompanied by her maids, leaves her - seat.</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne com ho of hir closet, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> mony cler burdeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Ho watȝ þe fayrest i<i>n</i> felle, of flesche & of lyre, - </p> - <span class="linenum">944</span> - <p> - & of compas, & colo<i>ur</i>, & costes of alle oþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">She appeared even fairer than Guenever.</span> - <p> - & wener þen Wenore, as þe wyȝe þoȝt. - </p> - <p> - He ches þurȝ þe chau<i>n</i>sel, to cheryche þat hende; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">An older lady (an ancient one she seemed) led her - by the hand.</span> - <p> - An oþer lady hir lad bi þe lyft honde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">948</span> - <p> - Þat watȝ alder þen ho, an au<i>n</i>cian hit semed, - </p> - <p> - & heȝly honowred w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> haþeleȝ aboute. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Very unlike were these two.</span> - <p> - Bot yn-lyke on to loke þo ladyes were, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">if the young one was fair the other was yellow,</span> - <p> - For if þe ȝonge watȝ ȝep, ȝolȝe watȝ þ<i>a</i>t - oþ<i>er</i>; - </p> - <span class="linenum">952</span> - <p> - Riche red on þat on rayled ay quere, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and had rough and wrinkled cheeks.</span> - <p> - Rugh ronkled chekeȝ þat oþ<i>er</i> on rolled; - </p> - <p> - Kerchofes of þat on wyth mony cler perleȝ - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The younger had breast and throat "bare - displayed."</span> - <p> - Hir brest & hir bryȝt þrote bare displayed, - </p> - <span class="linenum">956</span> - <p> - Schon schyrer þe<i>n</i> snawe, þat scheder<sup>2</sup> on hilleȝ; - </p> - <p> - Þat oþ<i>er</i> wyth a gorger watȝ gered ou<i>er</i> þe swyre, - </p> - <p> - Chymbled ou<i>er</i> hir blake chyn w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> mylk-quyte - vayles, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The ancient one exposed only her "black brows," - her two eyes,</span> - <p> - Hir frou<i>n</i>t folden i<i>n</i> sylk, enfoubled ay quere, - </p> - <span class="linenum">960</span> - <p> - Toret & treieted w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> tryfleȝ aboute, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 104.]<br />nose, and naked lips, all sour - and bleared.</span> - <p> - Þat noȝt watȝ bare of þat burde bot þe blake broȝes. - </p> - <p> - Þe tweyne yȝen, & þe nase, þe naked lyppeȝ, - </p> - <p> - & þose were soure to se, & sellyly blered; - </p> - <span class="linenum">964</span> - <p> - A mensk lady on molde mo<i>n</i> may hir calle, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - for gode; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Her body was short and thick;</span> - <p class="i4"> - Hir body watȝ schort & þik. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">her buttocks broad and round.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Hir buttokeȝ bay & brode, - </p> - <span class="linenum">968</span> - <p class="i4"> - More lykker-wys on to lyk, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Watȝ þat scho hade on lode. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. [claplayneȝ.] <sup>2</sup> schedes (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XIX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">With permission of the lord,</span> - <p> - When Gawayn glyȝt on þ<i>a</i>t gay, þ<i>a</i>t g<i>ra</i>cio<i>us</i>ly - loked, - </p> - <p> - Wyth leue laȝt of þe lorde he went hem aȝaynes; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne salutes the elder,</span> <span - class="linenum">972</span> - <p> - Þe alder he haylses, heldande ful lowe, - </p> - <p> - Þe loueloker he lappeȝ a lyttel i<i>n</i> armeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but the younger he kisses,</span> - <p> - He kysses hir comlyly, & knyȝtly he meleȝ; - </p> - <p> - Þay kallen hy<i>m</i> of a quoy<i>n</i>tau<i>n</i>ce, & he hit - quyk askeȝ - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and begs to be her servant.</span> <span - class="linenum">976</span> - <p> - To be her seruau<i>n</i>t sothly, if hem-self lyked. - </p> - <p> - Þay tan hy<i>m</i> bytwene hem, wyth talky<i>n</i>g hy<i>m</i> leden - </p> - <span class="sidenote">To chamber all go,</span> - <p> - To chambre, to chemné, & chefly þay asken - </p> - <span class="sidenote">where spices and wine are served.</span> - <p> - Spyceȝ, þat vn-sparely me<i>n</i> speded hom to bry<i>n</i>g, - </p> - <span class="linenum">980</span> - <p> - & þe wy<i>n</i>ne-lych wyne þ<i>er</i>-w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> vche - tyme. - </p> - <p> - Þe lorde luflych aloft lepeȝ ful ofte, - </p> - <p> - My<i>n</i>ned m<i>er</i>the to be made vpon mony syþeȝ. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord takes off his hood and places it on a - spear.</span> - <p> - Hent heȝly of his hode, & on a spere henged, - </p> - <span class="linenum">984</span> - <p> - & wayned hom to wy<i>n</i>ne þe worchip þer-of, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He who makes most mirth is to win it.</span> - <p> - Þat most myrþe myȝt mene<sup>1</sup> þ<i>a</i>t crystenmas whyle; - </p> - <p> - "& i schal fonde, bi my fayth, to fylt<i>er</i> wyth þe best, - </p> - <p> - Er me wont þe wedeȝ, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> help of my frendeȝ." - </p> - <span class="linenum">988</span> - <p> - Þ<i>us</i> wyth laȝande loteȝ þe lorde hit tayt<sup>2</sup> - makeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Night approaches, and then</span> - <p> - For to glade s<i>ir</i> Gawayn w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> gomneȝ i<i>n</i> - halle - </p> - <p class="i8"> - þ<i>a</i>t nyȝt; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Til þat hit watȝ tyme, - </p> - <span class="linenum">992</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe ky<i>n</i>g comau<i>n</i>det lyȝt, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne takes his leave and retires to rest.</span> - <p class="i4"> - S<i>ir</i> Gawen his leue con nyme, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & to his bed hy<i>m</i> diȝt. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> meue (?). <sup>2</sup> layt (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">On Christmas morn,</span> - <p> - On þe morne, as vch mon myneȝ þat tyme, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">joy reigns in every dwelling in the world.</span> - <span class="linenum">996</span> - <p> - [Þ]at dryȝtyn for oure destyné to deȝe watȝ borne, - </p> - <p> - Wele waxeȝ i<i>n</i> vche a won i<i>n</i> worlde, for his sake; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">So did it in the castle where our knight abode.</span> - <p> - So did hit þere on þat day, þurȝ dayntes mony; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 104<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p> - Boþe at mes & at mele, messes ful quaynt - </p> - <span class="linenum">1000</span> - <p> - Derf men vpon dece drest of þe best. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord and "the old ancient wife" sit together.</span> - <p> - Þe olde au<i>n</i>cian wyf heȝest ho sytteȝ; - </p> - <p> - Þe lorde lufly her by lent, as I trowe; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne sits by the wife of his host.</span> - <p> - Gawan & þe gay burde to-geder þay seten, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1004</span> - <p> - Euen i<i>n</i>-myddeȝ, as þe messe metely come; - </p> - <p> - & syþen þurȝ al þe sale, as hem best semed, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It were too tedious to tell of the meat, the - mirth, and the joy that abounded everywhere.</span> - <p> - Bi vche grome at his degre g<i>ray</i>þely watȝ serued. - </p> - <p> - Þ<i>er</i> watȝ mete, þer watȝ myrþe, þ<i>er</i> watȝ - much ioye, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1008</span> - <p> - Þat for to telle þerof hit me tene were, - </p> - <p> - & to poynte hit ȝet I pyned me p<i>ar</i>aue<i>n</i>ture; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne and his beautiful companion derive much - comfort from each other's conversation.</span> - <p> - Bot ȝet I wot þat Wawen & þe wale burde - </p> - <p> - Such comfort of her compaynye caȝten to-geder, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1012</span> - <p> - Þurȝ her dere dalyau<i>n</i>ce of her derne wordeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Wyth clene cortays carp, closed fro fylþe; - </p> - <p> - & hor play watȝ passande vche prynce gomen, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - i<i>n</i> vayres; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Trumpets and nakers give forth their sounds.</span> - <span class="linenum">1016</span> - <p class="i4"> - Tru<i>m</i>peȝ & nakerys, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Much pypy<i>n</i>g þ<i>er</i> repayres, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Vche mo<i>n</i> tented hys, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & þay two te<i>n</i>ted þayres. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XXI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Great was the joy for three days.</span> <span - class="linenum">1020</span> - <p> - Much dut watȝ þer dryuen þat day & þat oþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - & þe þryd as þro þronge i<i>n</i> þeraft<i>er</i>; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">St. John's-day was the last of the Christmas - festival.</span> - <p> - Þe ioye of sayn Ioneȝ day watȝ gentyle to here, - </p> - <p> - & watȝ þe last of þe layk, leudeȝ þer þoȝten. - </p> - <span class="linenum">1024</span> - <p> - Þer wer gestes to go vpon þe gray morne, - </p> - <p> - For-þy wonderly þay woke, & þe wyn dronken, - </p> - <p> - Dau<i>n</i>sed ful dreȝly wyth dere caroleȝ; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">On the morrow many of the guests took their - departure from the castle.</span> - <p> - At þe last, when hit watȝ late, þay lachen her leue, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1028</span> - <p> - Vchon to wende on his way, þat watȝ wyȝe stronge. - </p> - <p> - Gawan gef hy<i>m</i> god-day, þe god mo<i>n</i> hy<i>m</i> lachcheȝ, - </p> - <p> - Ledes hy<i>m</i> to his awen chambre, þ[e] chy<i>m</i>né bysyde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne is thanked by his host for the honour - and pleasure of his visit.</span> - <p> - & þere he draȝeȝ hy<i>m</i> on-dryȝe, & derely - hy<i>m</i> þonkkeȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1032</span> - <p> - Of þe wy<i>n</i>ne worschip &<sup>1</sup> he hy<i>m</i> wayned - hade, - </p> - <p> - As to hono<i>ur</i> his ho<i>us</i> on þat hyȝe tyde, - </p> - <p> - & enbelyse his burȝ w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> his bele chere. - </p> - <p> - "I-wysse s<i>ir</i>, quyl I leue, me worþeȝ þe better, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 105.]</span> <span class="linenum">1036</span> - <p> - Þat Gawayn hatȝ ben my gest, at Goddeȝ awen fest." - </p> - <p> - "G<i>ra</i>nt merci<sup>2</sup> s<i>ir</i>," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, "i<i>n</i> - god fayth hit is yowreȝ, - </p> - <p> - Al þe hono<i>ur</i> is yo<i>ur</i> awen, þe heȝe ky<i>n</i>g yow - ȝelde; - </p> - <p> - & I am wyȝe at yo<i>ur</i> wylle, to worch yo<i>ur</i>e hest, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1040</span> - <p> - As I am halden þ<i>er</i>-to, i<i>n</i> hyȝe & i<i>n</i> loȝe, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - bi riȝt." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He endeavours to keep the knight at his court.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe lorde fast can hy<i>m</i> payne, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - To holde lenger þe knyȝt, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1044</span> - <p class="i4"> - To hy<i>m</i> answreȝ Gawayn, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Bi non way þat he myȝt. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> þat (?). <sup>2</sup> nerci, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">He desires to know what had driven Sir Gawayne - from Arthur's court before the end of the Christmas holidays.</span> - <p> - Then frayned þe freke ful fayre at him-selue<i>n</i>, - </p> - <p> - Quat derne<sup>1</sup> dede had hy<i>m</i> dryuen, at þat dere tyme, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1048</span> - <p> - So kenly fro þe ky<i>n</i>geȝ kourt to kayre al his one, - </p> - <p> - Er þe halidayeȝ holly were halet out of tou<i>n</i>? - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight replies that "a high errand and a - hasty one" had forced him to leave the court.</span> - <p> - "For soþe s<i>ir</i>," q<i>uod</i> þe segge, "ȝe sayn bot þe - trawþe - </p> - <p> - A heȝe ernde & a hasty me hade fro þo woneȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1052</span> - <p> - For I am su<i>m</i>ned my selfe to sech to a place, - </p> - <p> - I wot<sup>2</sup> i<i>n</i> worlde wheder warde to wende, hit to - fynde; - </p> - <p> - I nolde, bot if I hit negh myȝt on nwȝeres morne, - </p> - <p> - For alle þe londe i<i>n</i>-wyth Logres, so me oure lorde help! - </p> - <span class="linenum">1056</span> - <p> - For-þy, s<i>ir</i>, þis enquest I require yow here, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He asks his host whether he has ever heard of the - Green Chapel,</span> - <p> - Þat ȝe me telle w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> trawþe, if eu<i>er</i> ȝe - tale herde - </p> - <p> - Of þe grene chapel, quere hit on grou<i>n</i>de stondeȝ, - </p> - <p> - & of þe knyȝt þat hit kepes, of colo<i>ur</i> of grene? - </p> - <span class="linenum">1060</span> - <p> - Þ<i>er</i> watȝ stabled bi statut a steuen v<i>us</i> by-twene, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">for he has to be there on New Year's-day.</span> - <p> - To mete þat mon at þ<i>a</i>t mere, ȝif I myȝt last; - </p> - <p> - & of þat ilk nwȝere hot neked now wonteȝ, - </p> - <p> - & I wolde loke on þat lede, if God me let wolde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1064</span> - <p> - Gladloker, bi Goddeȝ su<i>n</i>, þe<i>n</i> any god welde! - </p> - <p> - For-þi, I-wysse, bi ȝowre wylle, wende me bi-houes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He wonld as lief die as fail in his errand.</span> - <p> - Naf I now to busy bot bare þre dayeȝ, - </p> - <p> - & me als fayn to falle feye as fayly of myy<i>n</i> ernde." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The prince tells Sir Gawayne that he will teach - him the way.</span> <span class="linenum">1068</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne laȝande q<i>uod</i> þe lorde, "now leng þe by-houes, - </p> - <p> - For I schal teche yow to þa[t] terme bi þe tymeȝ ende, - </p> - <p> - Þe grene chapayle vpon grou<i>n</i>de, greue yow no more; - </p> - <p> - Bot ȝe schal be i<i>n</i> yowre bed, burne, at þy<i>n</i> ese, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1072</span> - <p> - Quyle forth dayej, & ferk on pe fyrst of pe ȝere, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 105<i>b</i>]</span> - <p> - & cum to þat merk at mydmorn, to make quat yow likeȝ - </p> - <p class="i8"> - in spe<i>n</i>ne; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Dowelleȝ whyle new ȝeres daye, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1076</span> - <p class="i4"> - & rys, & raykeȝ þe<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The Green chapel is not more than two miles from - the castle.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Mo<i>n</i> schal yow sette i<i>n</i> waye, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Hit is not two myle he<i>n</i>ne." - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> derue (?). <sup>2</sup> not (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then was Gawayne glad,</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne watȝ Gawan ful glad, & gomenly he laȝed,— - </p> - <span class="linenum">1080</span> - <p> - "Now I þonk yow þryuandely þurȝ alle oþ<i>er</i> þy<i>n</i>ge, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and consents to tarry awhile at the castle.</span> - <p> - Now acheued is my chau<i>n</i>ce, I schal at yo<i>ur</i> wylle - </p> - <p> - Dowelle, & elleȝ do quat ȝe demen." - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne sesed hy<i>m</i> þe syre, & set hy<i>m</i> bysyde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The ladies are brought in to solace him.</span> - <span class="linenum">1084</span> - <p> - Let þe ladieȝ be fette, to lyke he<i>m</i> þe bett<i>er</i>; - </p> - <p> - Þer watȝ seme solace by hem-self stille; - </p> - <p> - Þe lorde let for luf loteȝ so myry, - </p> - <p> - As wyȝ þat wolde of his wyte, ne wyst quat he myȝt. - </p> - <span class="linenum">1088</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne he carped to þe knyȝt, criande loude, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord of the castle asks the knight to grant - him one request;</span> - <p> - "Ȝe han demed to do þe dede þat I bidde; - </p> - <p> - Wyl ȝe halde þis hes here at þys oneȝ?" - </p> - <p> - "Ȝe s<i>ir</i>, for-soþe," sayd þe segge trwe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1092</span> - <p> - "Whyl I byde i<i>n</i> yowre borȝe, be bayn to ȝow[r]e - hest." - </p> - <p> - "For ȝe haf trauayled," q<i>uod</i> þe tulk, "towen fro ferre, - </p> - <p> - & syþen waked me wyth, ȝe arn not wel waryst, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">That he will stay in his chamber during mass - time,</span> - <p> - Nauþ<i>er</i> of sostnau<i>n</i>ce ne of slepe, soþly I knowe; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1096</span> - <p> - Ȝe schal lenge i<i>n</i> yo<i>ur</i> lofte, & lyȝe i<i>n</i> - yo<i>ur</i> ese, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and then go to meat with his hostess.</span> - <p> - To morn quyle þe messe-quyle, & to mete wende, - </p> - <p> - When ȝe wyl, wyth my wyf, þat wyth yow schal sitte, - </p> - <p> - & comfort yow w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> compayny, til I to cort torne, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1100</span> - <p class="i8"> - ȝe lende; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & I schal erly ryse, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - On hu<i>n</i>ty<i>n</i>g wyl I wende." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne accedes to his request.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Gauayn g<i>ra</i>nteȝ alle þyse, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1104</span> - <p class="i4"> - Hy<i>m</i> heldande, as þe hende. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XXIV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"Whatsoever," says the host, "I win in the wood - shall be yours,</span> - <p> - "Ȝet firre," q<i>uod</i> þe freke, "a forwarde we make; - </p> - <p> - Quat-so-euer I wy<i>n</i>ne i<i>n</i> þe wod, hit worþeȝ to yo<i>ur</i>eȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and what check you achieve shall be mine."</span> - <p> - & quat chek so ȝe acheue, chau<i>n</i>ge me þer-forne; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1108</span> - <p> - Swete, swap we so, sware w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> trawþe, - </p> - <p> - Queþer, leude, so lymp lere oþ<i>er</i> bett<i>er</i>." - </p> - <p> - "Bi God," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn þe gode, "I <i>gra</i>nt þ<i>er</i>-tylle, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 106.]</span> - <p> - & þat yow lyst forto layke, lef hit me þynk<i>es</i>. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">A bargain is made between them.</span> <span - class="linenum">1112</span> - <p> - "Who bri<i>n</i>geȝ v<i>us</i> þis beu<i>er</i>age, þis bargayn - is maked:" - </p> - <p> - So sayde þe lorde of þat lede; þay laȝed vchone, - </p> - <p> - Þay dronken, & daylyeden, & dalten vntyȝtel,<sup>1</sup> - </p> - <p> - Þise lordeȝ & ladyeȝ, quyle þat hem lyked; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1116</span> - <p> - & syþen w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> frenkysch fare & fele fayre loteȝ - </p> - <p> - Þay stoden, & stemed, & stylly speken, - </p> - <p> - Kysten ful comlyly, & kaȝten her leue. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Night approaches and each "to his bed was brought - at the last."</span> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> mony leude ful lyȝt, & lemande torches, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1120</span> - <p> - Vche burne to his bed watȝ broȝt at þe laste, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - ful softe; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - To bed ȝet er þay ȝede, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Recorded couenau<i>n</i>teȝ ofte; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1124</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe olde lorde of þat leude,<sup>2</sup> - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Cowþe wel halde layk a-lofte. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> vntyl nyȝte (?). <sup>2</sup> lede (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - [FYTTE THE THIRD.] - </h2> - <h2> - I. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Before day-break folks uprise,</span> - <p> - Ful erly bifore þe day þe folk vp-rysen, - </p> - <p> - Gestes þat go wolde, hor gromeȝ þay calden, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">saddle their horses, and truss their mails.</span> - <span class="linenum">1128</span> - <p> - & þay busken vp bilyue, blonkkeȝ to sadel, - </p> - <p> - Tyffen he[r] takles, trussen her males, - </p> - <p> - Richen hem þe rychest, to ryde alle arayde, - </p> - <p> - Lepen vp lyȝtly, lachen her brydeles, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Each goes where it pleases him best.</span> <span - class="linenum">1132</span> - <p> - Vche wyȝe on his way, þer hy<i>m</i> wel lyked. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The noble lord of the land arrays himself for - riding.</span> - <p> - Þe leue lorde of þe londe watȝ not þe last, - </p> - <p> - A-rayed for þe rydy<i>n</i>g, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> renkkeȝ ful - mony; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He eats a sop hastily and goes to mass.</span> - <p> - Ete a sop hastyly, when he hade herde masse, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1136</span> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> bugle to bent felde he buskeȝ by-lyue; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Before day-light he and his men are on their - horses.</span> - <p> - By þat þat any day-lyȝt lemed vpon erþe, - </p> - <p> - He w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> his haþeles on hyȝe horsses weren. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Then the hounds are called out and coupled.</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne þise cacheres þat couþe, cowpled hor hou<i>n</i>deȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1140</span> - <p> - Vnclosed þe kenel dore, & calde hem þ<i>er</i>-oute, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Three short notes are blown by the bugles.</span> - <p> - Blwe bygly i<i>n</i> bugleȝ þre bare mote; - </p> - <p> - Braches bayed þ<i>er</i>fore, & breme noyse maked, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">A hundred hunters join in the chase.</span> - <p> - & þay chastysed, & charred, on chasy<i>n</i>g þat went; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1144</span> - <p> - A hundreth of hunt<i>er</i>es, as I haf herde telle, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - of þe best; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">To the stations the "fewters" go,</span> - <p class="i4"> - To trystors vewters ȝod, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Couples huntes of kest, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 106<i>b</i>.]</span> <span class="linenum">1148</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þ<i>er</i> ros for blasteȝ gode, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and the dogs are cast off.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Gret rurd i<i>n</i> þat forest. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - II. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Roused by the clamour the deer rush to the - heights,</span> - <p> - At þe fyrst quethe of þe quest quaked þe wylde; - </p> - <p> - Der drof i<i>n</i> þe dale, doted for drede, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1152</span> - <p> - Hiȝed to þe hyȝe, bot het<i>er</i>ly þay were - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but are soon driven back.</span> - <p> - Restayed w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe stablye, þat stoutly ascryed; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The harts and bucks are allowed to pass,</span> - <p> - Þay let þe hertteȝ haf þe gate, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe hyȝe - hedes, - </p> - <p> - Þe breme bukkeȝ also, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hor brode paumeȝ; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1156</span> - <p> - For þe fre lorde hade de-fende i<i>n</i> fermysou<i>n</i> tyme, - </p> - <p> - Þ<i>a</i>t þ<i>er</i> schulde no mon mene<sup>1</sup> to þe male dere. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but the hinds and does are driven back to the - shades.</span> - <p> - Þe hindeȝ were halden i<i>n</i>, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hay & - war, - </p> - <p> - Þe does dryuen w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> gret dyn to þe depe sladeȝ; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1160</span> - <p> - Þer myȝt mon se, as þay slypte, slenty<i>n</i>g of arwes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">As they fly they are shot by the bowmen.</span> - <p> - At vche [þat] wende vnder wande wapped a flone, - </p> - <p> - Þat bigly bote on þe brou<i>n</i>, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> ful brode hedeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The hounds and the hunters, with a loud cry, - follow in pursuit.</span> - <p> - What! þay brayen, & bleden, bi bonkkeȝ þay deȝen. - </p> - <span class="linenum">1164</span> - <p> - & ay rachches i<i>n</i> a res radly hem folȝes, - </p> - <p> - Hu<i>n</i>tereȝ wyth hyȝe horne hasted hem aft<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Those that escaped the arrows are killed by the - hounds.</span> - <p> - Wyth such a crakkande kry, as klyffes haden brusten; - </p> - <p> - What wylde so at-waped wyȝes þat schotten, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1168</span> - <p> - Watȝ al to-raced & rent, at þe resayt. - </p> - <p> - Bi þay were tened at þe hyȝe, & taysed to þe wattreȝ, - </p> - <p> - Þe ledeȝ were so lerned at þe loȝe trysteres, - </p> - <p> - & þe gre-hou<i>n</i>deȝ so grete, þat geten hem bylyue, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1172</span> - <p> - & hem to fylched, as fast as frekeȝ myȝt loke, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - þ<i>er</i> ryȝt. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord waxes joyful in the chase,</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe lorde for blys abloy - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ful oft con lau<i>n</i>ce & lyȝt, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">which lasted till the approach of night.</span> - <span class="linenum">1176</span> - <p class="i4"> - & drof þat day wyth Ioy - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Thus to þe derk nyȝt. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> meue (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - III. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">All this time Gawayne lies a-bed.</span> - <p> - Þ<i>us</i> laykeȝ þis lorde by lynde wodeȝ eueȝ, - </p> - <p> - & G. þe god mon, i<i>n</i> gay bed lygeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">under "coverture full clear".</span> <span - class="linenum">1180</span> - <p> - Lurkkeȝ quyl þe day-lyȝt lemed on þe wowes, - </p> - <p> - Vnder couerto<i>ur</i> ful clere, cortyned aboute; - </p> - <p> - & as i<i>n</i> slom<i>er</i>y<i>n</i>g he slode, sleȝly he - herde - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He hears a noise at his door.</span> - <p> - A littel dyn at his dor, & derfly vpon; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1184</span> - <p> - & he heueȝ vp his hed out of þe cloþes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 107.]</span> - <p> - A corner of þe cortyn he caȝt vp a lyttel, - </p> - <p> - & wayteȝ warly þider-warde, quat hit be myȝt. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">A lady, the loveliest to behold, enters softly.</span> - <p> - Hit watȝ þe ladi, loflyest to be-holde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1188</span> - <p> - Þat droȝ þe dor aft<i>er</i> hir ful dernly<sup>1</sup> & - stylle, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">She approaches the bed.</span> - <p> - & boȝed to-warde þe bed; & þe burne schamed. - </p> - <p> - & layde hy<i>m</i> dou<i>n</i> lystyly, & let as he slepte. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne pretends to be asleep.</span> - <p> - & ho stepped stilly. & stel to his bedde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lady casts up the curtain and sits on the - bedside.</span> <span class="linenum">1192</span> - <p> - Kest vp þe cortyn, & creped w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - & set hir ful softly on þe bed-syde, - </p> - <p> - & lenged þere selly longe, to loke que<i>n</i> he wakened. - </p> - <p> - Þe lede lay lurked a ful longe quyle, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne has much wonder thereat.</span> <span - class="linenum">1196</span> - <p> - Compast i<i>n</i> his concience to quat þat cace myȝt - </p> - <p> - Mene oþ<i>er</i> amou<i>n</i>t, to m<i>er</i>uayle hy<i>m</i> þoȝt; - </p> - <p> - Bot ȝet he sayde i<i>n</i> hy<i>m</i>-self, "more semly hit were - </p> - <p> - To aspye wyth my spelle [in] space quat ho wolde." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He rouses himself up,</span> <span class="linenum">1200</span> - <p> - þen he wakenede, & wroth, & to hir warde torned, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">unlocks his eyes, and looks as if he were - astonished.</span> - <p> - & vn-louked his yȝe-lyddeȝ, & let as hy<i>m</i> - wondered, - </p> - <p> - & sayned hy<i>m</i>, as bi his saȝe þe sau<i>er</i> to - worthe, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hande; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1204</span> - <p class="i4"> - Wyth chy<i>n</i>ne & cheke ful swete, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Boþe quit & red i<i>n</i>-blande, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ful lufly con ho lete, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Wyth lyppeȝ smal laȝande. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> deruly (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - IV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"Good morrow", says the lady, "ye are a careless - sleeper to let one enter thus.</span> <span class="linenum">1208</span> - <p> - "God morou<i>n</i>, s<i>ir</i> Gawayn," sayde þat fayr lady, - </p> - <p> - "Ȝe ar a slep<i>er</i> vn-slyȝe, þat mo<i>n</i> may slyde - hider; - </p> - <p> - Now ar ȝe tan astyt, bot t<i>r</i>ue v<i>us</i> may schape, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I shall bind you in your bed, of that be ye - sure."</span> - <p> - I schal bynde yow i<i>n</i> yo<i>ur</i> bedde, þat be ȝe trayst:" - </p> - <span class="linenum">1212</span> - <p> - Al laȝande þe lady lanced þo bourdeȝ. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Good morrow," says the knight, "I am well - pleased to be at your service;</span> - <p> - "Goud morou<i>n</i> g[aye],"<sup>1</sup> q<i>uod</i> Gawayn þe blyþe, - </p> - <p> - "Me schal worþe at yo<i>ur</i> wille, & þat me wel lykeȝ, - </p> - <p> - For I ȝelde me ȝederly, & ȝeȝe aft<i>er</i> g<i>ra</i>ce, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1216</span> - <p> - & þat is þe best, be my dome, for me by-houeȝ nede;" - </p> - <p> - & þus he bourded a-ȝayn w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> mony a blyþe laȝt<i>er</i>. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but permit me to rise and dress myself."</span> - <p> - "Bot wolde ȝe, lady louely, þe<i>n</i> leue me g<i>ra</i>nte, - </p> - <p> - & de-prece yo<i>ur</i> prysou<i>n</i>, & pray hy<i>m</i> to - ryse, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1220</span> - <p> - I wolde boȝe of þis bed, & busk me bett<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - I schulde keu<i>er</i> þe more comfort to karp yow wyth." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 107b]<br />"Nay, beau sir," said that sweet - one,</span> - <p> - "Nay, for soþe, beau s<i>ir</i>," sayd þat swete, - </p> - <p> - "Ȝe schal not rise of yo<i>ur</i> bedde, I rych yow bett<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"I shall hold talk with you here.</span> <span - class="linenum">1224</span> - <p> - I schal happe yow here þat oþ<i>er</i> half als, - </p> - <p> - & syþen karp wyth my knyȝt þat I kaȝt haue; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I know well that you are Gawayne that all the - woild worships.</span> - <p> - For I wene wel, Iwysse, s<i>ir</i> Wawen ȝe are, - </p> - <p> - Þat alle þe worlde worchipeȝ, quere-so ȝe ride; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1228</span> - <p> - Yo<i>ur</i> hono<i>ur</i>, yo<i>ur</i> hendelayk is hendely praysed - </p> - <span class="sidenote">We are by ourselves;</span> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> lordeȝ, wyth ladyes, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> alle - þat lyf bere. - </p> - <p> - & now ȝe ar here, iwysse, & we bot oure one; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">My lord and his men are far off.</span> - <p> - "My lorde & his ledeȝ ar on lenþe faren, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Other men are in their beds, so are my maidens.</span> - <span class="linenum">1232</span> - <p> - Oþ<i>er</i> burneȝ i<i>n</i> her bedde, & my burdeȝ als, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The door is safely closed.</span> - <p> - Þe dor drawen, & dit w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> a derf haspe; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Since I have him in house that every one likes, I - shall use my time well while it lasts.</span> - <p> - & syþen I haue i<i>n</i> þis ho<i>us</i> hy<i>m</i> þat al lykeȝ, - </p> - <p> - I schal ware my whyle wel, quyl hit lasteȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1236</span> - <p class="i8"> - w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> tale; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Ye are welcome to my body.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Ȝe ar welcu<i>m</i> to my cors, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Yowre awen won to wale, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Me be-houeȝ of fyne force, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I shall be your servant."</span> <span - class="linenum">1240</span> - <p class="i4"> - Yo<i>ur</i> seruau<i>n</i>t be & schale." - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> This word is illegible in the MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - V. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p> - "In god fayth," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, "gay<i>n</i> hit me þynkkeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"I am unworthy," says Sir Gawayne, "to reach to - such reverence as ye rehearse.</span> - <p> - Þaȝ I be not now he þat ȝe of speken; - </p> - <p> - To reche to such reuerence as ȝe reherce here - </p> - <span class="linenum">1244</span> - <p> - I am wyȝe vn-worþy, I wot wel my-seluen; - </p> - <p> - Bi God, I were glad, & yow god þoȝt, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I shall be glad, however, to please you by word, - or service."</span> - <p> - At saȝe oþ<i>er</i> at seruyce þat I sette myȝt - </p> - <p> - To þe plesau<i>n</i>ce of yo<i>ur</i> prys, hit were a pure ioye." - </p> - <span class="linenum">1248</span> - <p> - "In god fayth, s<i>ir</i> Gawayn," q<i>uod</i> þe gay lady, - </p> - <p> - "Þe prys & þe prowes þat pleseȝ al oþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - If I hit lakked, oþ<i>er</i> set at lyȝt, hit were littel daynté; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"There are ladies," says his visitor, "who would - prefer thy company</span> - <p> - Bot hit ar ladyes i<i>n</i>-noȝe, þat leu<i>er</i> wer nowþe - </p> - <span class="linenum">1252</span> - <p> - Haf þe hende i<i>n</i> hor holde, as I þe habbe here, - </p> - <p> - To daly w<i>i</i>t<i>t</i> derely yo<i>ur</i> daynté wordeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Keu<i>er</i> hem comfort, & colen her careȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">to much of the gold that they possess."</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i> much of þe garysour<i>n</i> oþ<i>er</i> golde þat<sup>1</sup> - þay hauen; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1256</span> - <p> - Bot I louue<sup>2</sup> þat ilk lorde þ<i>a</i>t þe lyfte haldeȝ, - </p> - <p> - I haf hit holly i<i>n</i> my honde þ<i>a</i>t al desyres, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - þurȝe grace." - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Scho made hy<i>m</i> so gret chere, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 108.]</span> <span class="linenum">1260</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þat watȝ so fayr of face, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight answers the lady's questions.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe knyȝt w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> speches skere, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - A[n]swared to vche a cace. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. þat þ<i>a</i>t. <sup>2</sup> louie or loune (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - VI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne tells her that he prefers her - conversation before that of all others.</span> - <p> - "Madame," q<i>uod</i> þe myry mon, "Mary yow ȝelde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1264</span> - <p> - For I haf fou<i>n</i>den, i<i>n</i> god fayth, yowre frau<i>n</i>chis - nobele, - </p> - <p> - & oþ<i>er</i> ful much of oþ<i>er</i> folk fongen hor dedeȝ; - </p> - <p> - Bot þe daynté þ<i>a</i>t þay delen for my disert nysen, - </p> - <p> - Hit is þe worchyp of yo<i>ur</i>-self, þ<i>a</i>t noȝt hot wel co<i>n</i>neȝ." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lady declares by Mary,</span> <span - class="linenum">1268</span> - <p> - "Bi Mary," q<i>uod</i> þe menskful, "me þynk hit anoþ<i>er</i>; - </p> - <p> - For were I worth al þe wone of wy<i>m</i>men alyue, - </p> - <p> - & al þe wele of þe worlde were i<i>n</i> my honde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">that were she about to choose her a lord,</span> - <p> - & I schulde chepen & chose, to cheue me a lorde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1272</span> - <p> - For þe costes þat I haf knowen vpun þe knyȝt here, - </p> - <p> - Of bewté, & debonerté, & blyþe semblau<i>n</i>t, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">she would select Gawayne before any man on earth.</span> - <p> - & þat I haf er herkkened, & halde hit here trwee, - </p> - <p> - Þ<i>er</i> schulde no freke vpon folde bifore yow be chosen." - </p> - <span class="linenum">1276</span> - <p> - "I-wysse, worþy," q<i>uod</i> þe wyȝe, "ȝe haf waled wel - bett<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne tells her that he will become her own - knight and faithful servant.</span> - <p> - Bot I am proude of þe prys þat ȝe put on me, - </p> - <p> - & soberly yo<i>ur</i> seruau<i>n</i>t my sou<i>er</i>ayn I holde - yow, - </p> - <p> - & yowre knyȝt I be-com, & Kryst yow for-ȝelde." - </p> - <span class="linenum">1280</span> - <p> - Þ<i>us</i> þay meled of much-quat, til myd-morn paste, - </p> - <p> - & ay þe lady let lyk, a<sup>1</sup> hy<i>m</i> loued mych; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The remembrance of his adventure prevents him - from thinking of love.</span> - <p> - Þe freke ferde w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> defence, & feted ful fayre. - </p> - <p> - Þaȝ I were burde bryȝtest, þe burde i<i>n</i> mynde hade, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1284</span> - <p> - Þe lasse luf i<i>n</i> his lode, for lur þat he soȝt, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - boute hone; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe dunte þat schulde<sup>2</sup> hy<i>m</i> deue, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & nedeȝ hit most be done; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lady takes leave of Sir Gawayne.</span> <span - class="linenum">1288</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe lady þe<i>n</i>n spek of leue. - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He g<i>ra</i>nted hir ful sone. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> and (?) <sup>2</sup> sclulde, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - VII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">With a laughing glance, she says,</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne ho gef hy<i>m</i> god-day, & wyth a glent laȝed. - </p> - <p> - & as ho stod, ho stonyed hy<i>m</i> wyth ful stor wordeȝ: - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"I am doubtful whether ye be Gawayne.</span> - <span class="linenum">1292</span> - <p> - "Now he þat spedeȝ vche spech, þis disport ȝelde yow! - </p> - <p> - Bot þat ȝe be Gawan, hit gotȝ i<i>n</i> my<i>n</i>de." - </p> - <p> - "Quer-fore?" q<i>uod</i> þe freke, & freschly he askeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Ferde lest he hade fayled i<i>n</i> fo<i>ur</i>me of his castes; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1296</span> - <p> - Bot þe burde hy<i>m</i> blessed, & bi þis skyl sayde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 108<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p> - "So god as Gawayn gaynly is halden, - </p> - <p> - & cortaysye is closed so clene i<i>n</i> hy<i>m</i>-seluen, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Were it he, surely, ere this, he would have - craved a kiss."</span> - <p> - Couth not lyȝtly haf lenged so long wyth a lady, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1300</span> - <p> - Bot he had craued a cosse, bi his co<i>ur</i>taysye, - </p> - <p> - Bi su<i>m</i> towch of su<i>m</i>me tryfle, at su<i>m</i> taleȝ - ende." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"I shall kiss," says the knight, "at your - commandment."</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i> q<i>uod</i> Wowen, "I-wysse, worþe as yow lykeȝ, - </p> - <p> - I schal kysse at yo<i>ur</i> comau<i>n</i>dement, as a knyȝt - falleȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1304</span> - <p> - & fire<sup>1</sup> lest he displese yow, so<sup>2</sup> plede hit - no more." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">With that the lady catches him in her arms and - kisses him.</span> - <p> - Ho comes nerre w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þat, & cacheȝ hy<i>m</i> i<i>n</i> - armeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Louteȝ luflych adou<i>n</i>, & þe leude kysseȝ; - </p> - <p> - Þay comly byke<i>n</i>nen to Kryst ayþ<i>er</i> oþ<i>er</i>; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1308</span> - <p> - Ho dos hir forth at þe dore, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-outen dyn more. - </p> - <p> - & he ryches hy<i>m</i> to ryse, & rapes hy<i>m</i> sone, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne then rises and goes to mass.</span> - <p> - Clepes to his chamberlayn, choses his wede, - </p> - <p> - Boȝeȝ forth, quen he watȝ bou<i>n</i>, blyþely to - masse, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1312</span> - <p> - & þe<i>n</i>ne he meued to his mete, þ<i>a</i>t me<i>n</i>skly hy<i>m</i> - keped, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He makes mirth all day till the moon rises,</span> - <p> - & made myry al day til þe mone rysed, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> game; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i><sup>3</sup> neu<i>er</i> freke fayrer fonge, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">between the "two dames," the older and the - younger.</span> <span class="linenum">1316</span> - <p class="i4"> - Bitwene two so dy<i>n</i>gne dame, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe alder & þe ȝonge, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Much solace set þay same. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> fere (?). <sup>2</sup> fo, in MS. <sup>3</sup> Was (?) Nas - (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - VIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Meanwhile the lord of the land and his men hunt - in woods and heaths.</span> - <p> - And ay þe lorde of þe londe is lent on his gamneȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1320</span> - <p> - To hu<i>n</i>t i<i>n</i> holteȝ & heþe, at hyndeȝ - barayne, - </p> - <p> - Such a sowme he þ<i>er</i> slowe bi þat þe su<i>n</i>ne heldet, - </p> - <p> - Of dos & of oþ<i>er</i> dere, to deme were wonder. - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne fersly þay flokked i<i>n</i> folk at þe laste, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Quickly of the killed a "<i>quarry</i>" they - make.</span> <span class="linenum">1324</span> - <p> - & quykly of þe quelled dere a querré þay maked; - </p> - <p> - Þe best boȝed þerto, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> burneȝ i<i>n</i>-nogh<i>e</i>, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Then they set about <i>breaking</i> the deer.</span> - <p> - Gedered þe grattest of gres þat þer were, - </p> - <p> - & didden hem derely vndo, as þe dede askeȝ; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They take away the <i>assay</i> or fat,</span> - <span class="linenum">1328</span> - <p> - Serched hem at þe asay, su<i>m</i>me þat þ<i>er</i> were, - </p> - <p> - Two fy<i>n</i>geres þay fonde of þe fowlest of alle; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">then they slit the <i>slot</i> and remove the <i>erber</i>.</span> - <p> - Syþe<i>n</i> þay slyt þe slot, sesed þe erber, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They afterwards rip the four limbs and rend off - the hide.</span> - <p> - Schaued wyth a scharp knyf, & þe schyre knitten; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1332</span> - <p> - Syþen rytte þay þe foure ly<i>m</i>mes, & rent of þe hyde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They next open the belly</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i> brek þay þe bale, þe baleȝ out token, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 109.]<br />and take out the bowels.</span> - <p> - Lystily forlancy<i>n</i>g, & bere of þe knot; - </p> - <p> - Þay gryped to þe gargulu<i>n</i>, & g<i>ra</i>yþely departed - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They then separate the <i>weasand</i> from the - windhole and throw out the guts.</span> <span class="linenum">1336</span> - <p> - Þe wesau<i>n</i>t fro þe wynt-hole, & walt out þe gutteȝ; - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i> scher þay out þe schuldereȝ w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> her - scharp knyueȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The shoulders are cut out, and the breast divided - into halves.</span> - <p> - Haled hem by a lyttel hole, to haue hole sydes; - </p> - <p> - Siþen britned þay þe brest, & brayden hit i<i>n</i> twy<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1340</span> - <p> - & eft at þe gargulu<i>n</i> bigyneȝ on þe<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The <i>numbles</i> are next removed.</span> - <p> - Ryueȝ hit vp radly, ryȝt to þe byȝt, - </p> - <p> - Voydeȝ out þe a-vanters, & v<i>er</i>ayly þ<i>er</i>aft<i>er</i> - </p> - <p> - Alle þe rymeȝ by þe rybbeȝ radly þay lance; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1344</span> - <p> - So ryde þay of by resou<i>n</i> bi þe rygge boneȝ, - </p> - <p> - Euenden to þe haunche, þat henged alle samen, - </p> - <p> - & heuen hit vp al hole, & hwen hit of þere, - </p> - <p> - & þat þayneme for þe nou<i>m</i>bles, bi nome as I trowe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1348</span> - <p class="i8"> - bi kynde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">By the fork of the thighs,</span> - <p class="i4"> - Bi þe byȝt al of þe þyȝes, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe lappeȝ þay lance bi-hynde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">the flaps are hewn in two by the backbone.</span> - <p class="i4"> - To hewe hit i<i>n</i> two þay hyȝes, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1352</span> - <p class="i4"> - Bi þe bak-bon to vnbynde. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - IX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">After this the head and neck are cut off, and the - sides severed from the chine.</span> - <p> - Boþe þe hede & þe hals þay hwen of þe<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - & syþen sunder þay þe sydeȝ swyft fro þe chyne, - </p> - <p> - & þe corbeles fee þay kest i<i>n</i> a greue;<sup>1</sup> - </p> - <span class="linenum">1356</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>n þurled þay ayþer þik side þurȝ, bi þe rybbe, - </p> - <p> - & henged þe<i>n</i>ne a[y]þ<i>er</i> bi hoȝes of þe fourcheȝ, - </p> - <p> - Vche freke for his fee, as falleȝ forto haue. - </p> - <p> - Vpon a felle of þe fayre best, fede þay þayr hou<i>n</i>des, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">With the liver, lights and paunches, they feed - the hounds.</span> <span class="linenum">1360</span> - <p> - Wyth þe lyu<i>er</i> & þe lyȝteȝ, þe leþer of þe pauncheȝ, - </p> - <p> - & bred baþed i<i>n</i> blod, blende þer amo<i>n</i>geȝ; - </p> - <p> - Baldely þay blw prys, bayed þayr rachcheȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Then they make for home.</span> - <p> - Syþen fonge þay her flesche folden to home, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1364</span> - <p> - Strakande ful stoutly mony stif moteȝ. - </p> - <p> - Bi þat þe daylyȝt watȝ done, þe douthe watȝ al wonen - </p> - <p> - I<i>n</i>-to þe comly castel, þer þe knyȝt bideȝ - </p> - <p class="i8"> - ful stille; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1368</span> - <p class="i4"> - Wyth blys & bryȝt fyr bette, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe lord is comen þ<i>er</i>-tylle, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne goes out to meet his host.</span> - <p class="i4"> - When Gawayn wyth hy<i>m</i> mette, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þer watȝ bot wele at wylle. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> grene (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - X. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 109<i>b</i>.]<br />The lord commands all his - household to assemble,</span> <span class="linenum">1372</span> - <p> - The<i>n</i>ne comau<i>n</i>ded þe lorde i<i>n</i> þ<i>a</i>t sale to - samen alle þe meny, - </p> - <p> - Boþe þe ladyes on logh<i>e</i> to lyȝt w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> her - burdes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and the venison to be brought before him.</span> - <p> - Bi-fore alle þe folk on þe flette, frekeȝ he beddeȝ - </p> - <p> - V<i>er</i>ayly his venysou<i>n</i> to fech hy<i>m</i> byforne; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He calls Gawayne,</span> <span class="linenum">1376</span> - <p> - & al godly i<i>n</i> gomen Gaway[n] he called, - </p> - <p> - Techeȝ hy<i>m</i> to þe tayles of ful tayt bestes, - </p> - <p> - Scheweȝ hy<i>m</i> þe schyree grece schorne vpon rybbes. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and asks him whether he does not deserve much - praise for his success in the chase.</span> - <p> - "How payeȝ yow þis play? haf I prys wo<i>n</i>nen? - </p> - <span class="linenum">1380</span> - <p> - Haue I þryuandely þonk þurȝ my craft serued?" - </p> - <p> - "Ȝe I-wysse," q<i>uod</i> þat oþ<i>er</i> wyȝe, "here is - wayth fayrest - </p> - <span class="sidenote">On the knight expressing himself satisfied, he is - told to take the whole according to a former agreement between them.</span> - <p> - Þat I seȝ þis seuen ȝere i<i>n</i> sesou<i>n</i> of wynt<i>er</i>." - </p> - <p> - "& al I gif yow, Gawayn," q<i>uod</i> þe gome þe<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1384</span> - <p> - "For by a-corde of couenau<i>n</i>t ȝe craue hit as yo<i>ur</i> - awen." - </p> - <p> - "Þis is soth," q<i>uod</i> þe segge, "I say yow þatilke, - </p> - <p> - &<sup>1</sup> I haf worthyly þis woneȝ wyth-i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne gives the knight a comely kiss in return.</span> - <p> - I-wysse w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> as god wylle hit worþeȝ to ȝo<i>ur</i>eȝ." - </p> - <span class="linenum">1388</span> - <p> - He hasppeȝ his fayre hals his armeȝ wyth-i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - & kysses hy<i>m</i> as comlyly as he<sup>2</sup> couþe awyse: - </p> - <p> - "Tas yow þere my cheuicau<i>n</i>ce, I cheued no more, - </p> - <p> - I wowche hit saf fynly, þaȝ feler hit were." - </p> - <span class="linenum">1392</span> - <p> - "Hit is god," q<i>uod</i> þe god mon, "g<i>ra</i>nt m<i>er</i>cy þ<i>er</i>fore, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">His host desires to know where he has gotten such - weal.</span> - <p> - Hit may be such, hit is þe bett<i>er</i>, &<sup>1</sup> ȝe me - breue wolde - </p> - <p> - Where ȝe wan þis ilk wele, biwytte of hor<sup>3</sup> seluen?" - </p> - <span class="sidenote">As this does not enter into the covenant, he gets - no answer to his question.</span> - <p> - "Þat watȝ not forward," q<i>uod</i> he, "frayst me no more, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1396</span> - <p> - For ȝe haftan þat yow tydeȝ, traweȝe non oþ<i>er</i> - </p> - <p class="i8"> - ȝe mowe." - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þay laȝed, & made hem blyþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They then proceed to supper, where were dainties - new and enough.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Wyth loteȝ þat were to lowe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1400</span> - <p class="i4"> - To soper þay ȝede asswyþe, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Wyth dayntes nwe i<i>n</i>-nowe. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> And = an. <sup>2</sup> ho, in MS. <sup>3</sup> your (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">By the hearth they sit.</span> - <p> - And syþen by þe chymné i<i>n</i> chamber þay seten. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Wine is carried round.</span> - <p> - Wyȝeȝ þe walle wyn weȝed to hem oft, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1404</span> - <p> - & efte i<i>n</i> her bourdy<i>n</i>g þay bayþen i<i>n</i> þe morn, - </p> - <p> - To fylle þe same forwardeȝ þat þay by-fore maden, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Again Sir Gawayne and his host renew their - agreement.</span> - <p> - Þat chau<i>n</i>ce so bytydeȝ hor cheuysau<i>n</i>ce to chau<i>n</i>ge, - </p> - <p> - What nweȝ so þay nome, at naȝt quen þay mette<i>n</i> - </p> - <span class="linenum">1408</span> - <p> - Þay acorded of þe couenau<i>n</i>teȝ byfore þe co<i>ur</i>t alle; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 110.]</span> - <p> - Þe beuerage watȝ broȝt forth i<i>n</i> bourde at þat tyme; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Then they take leave of each other and hasten to - bed.</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne þay louelych leȝten leue at þe last, - </p> - <p> - Vche burne to his bedde busked bylyue. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Scarce had the cock cackled thrice when the lord - was up.</span> <span class="linenum">1412</span> - <p> - Bi þat þe coke hade croweȝ<sup>1</sup> & cakled bot þryse, - </p> - <p> - Þe lorde watȝ lopen of his bedde, [&] þe leudeȝ vch one, - </p> - <p> - So þat þe mete & þe masse watȝ metely delyu<i>er</i>ed; - </p> - <p> - Þe douthe dressed to þe wod, er any day sprenged, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1416</span> - <p class="i8"> - to chace; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">With his hunters and horns they pursue the chase.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Heȝ w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hu<i>n</i>te & horneȝ, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þurȝ playneȝ þay passe i<i>n</i> space, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Vn-coupled amo<i>n</i>g þo þorneȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1420</span> - <p class="i4"> - Racheȝ þat ran on race. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> crowed (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The hunters cheer on the hounds,</span> - <p> - Sone þay calle of a quest i<i>n</i> aker syde, - </p> - <p> - Þe hu<i>n</i>t re-hayted þe hou<i>n</i>deȝ, þat hit fyrst my<i>n</i>ged, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">which fall to the scent forty at once.</span> - <p> - Wylde wordeȝ hy<i>m</i> warp wyth a wrast noyce; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1424</span> - <p> - Þe howndeȝ þat hit herde, hastid þider swyþe, - </p> - <p> - & fellen as fast to þe fuyt, fourty at ones; - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne such a glau<i>er</i>ande glam of gedered rachcheȝ - </p> - <p> - Ros, þat þe rochereȝ ru<i>n</i>gen aboute; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1428</span> - <p> - Hu<i>n</i>tereȝ hem hardened w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> horne & wyth - muthe. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">All come together by the side of a cliff.</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i> al i<i>n</i> a semblé sweyed to-geder, - </p> - <p> - Bitwene a flosche i<i>n</i> þat fryth, & a foo cragge; - </p> - <p> - In a knot, bi a clyffe, at þe kerre syde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1432</span> - <p> - Þ<i>er</i> as þe rogh rocher vn-rydely watȝ fallen, - </p> - <p> - [Þay] ferden to þe fyndy<i>n</i>g, & frekeȝ hem aft<i>er</i>; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They look about on all sides,</span> - <p> - Þay vmbe-kesten þe knarre & þe knot boþe. - </p> - <p> - Wyȝeȝ, whyl þay wysten wel wyt i<i>n</i>ne he<i>m</i> hit - were, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1436</span> - <p> - Þe best þat þer breued watȝ wyth þe blod hou<i>n</i>deȝ. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and beat on the bushes.</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne þay beten on þe buskeȝ, & bede hy<i>m</i> vp - ryse, - </p> - <p> - & he vnsou<i>n</i>dyly out soȝt seggeȝ ou<i>er</i>-þwert, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Out there rushes a fierce wild boar,</span> - <p> - On þe sellokest swyn swenged out þere, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1440</span> - <p> - Long sythen for<sup>1</sup> þe sou<i>n</i>der þat wiȝt for-olde, - </p> - <p> - For he watȝ b[este &] bor alþer grattest, - </p> - <p> - [And eue]re quen he gronyed, þe<i>n</i>ne greued mony, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">At the first thrust he fells three to the ground.</span> - <p> - For [þre a]t þe fyrst þrast he þryȝt to þe erþe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1444</span> - <p> - & [sped hym] forth good sped, boute spyt more, - </p> - <p> - [Ande þay] halowed hygh<i>e</i> ful hyȝe & hay! hay! cryed - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 110<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p> - Haden horneȝ to mouþe heterly rechated; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Full quickly the hunters pursue him.</span> - <p> - Mony watȝ þe myry mouthe of men & of hou<i>n</i>deȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1448</span> - <p> - Þat buskkeȝ aft<i>er</i> þis bor, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> bost & - wyth noyse, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - To quelle; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ful oft he bydeȝ þe baye, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & maymeȝ þe mute I<i>n</i>n-melle, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">However, he attacks the hounds, causing them to - yowl and yell.</span> <span class="linenum">1452</span> - <p class="i4"> - He hurteȝ of þe hou<i>n</i>deȝ, & þay - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ful ȝomerly ȝaule & ȝelle. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> fro (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The bowmen send their arrows after this wild - swine,</span> - <p> - Schalkeȝ to schote at hy<i>m</i> schowen to þe<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - Haled to hym of her areweȝ, hitten hym oft; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1456</span> - <p> - Bot þe poy<i>n</i>teȝ payred at þe pyth þ<i>a</i>t pyȝt i<i>n</i> - his scheldeȝ, - </p> - <p> - & þe barbeȝ of his browe bite non wolde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but they glide off shivered in pieces.</span> - <p> - Þaȝ þe schauen schaft schyndered i<i>n</i> peceȝ, - </p> - <p> - Þe hede hypped aȝayn, were-so-eu<i>er</i> hit hitte; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Enraged with the blows,</span> <span - class="linenum">1460</span> - <p> - Bot quon þe dynteȝ hy<i>m</i> dered of her dryȝe strokeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Þen, brayn-wod for bate, on burneȝ he raseȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">he attacks the hunters.</span> - <p> - Hurteȝ hem ful heterly þer he forth hyȝeȝ, - </p> - <p> - & mony arȝed þerat, & on-lyte droȝen. - </p> - <span class="linenum">1464</span> - <p> - Bot þe lorde on a lyȝt horce lau<i>n</i>ces hym aft<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord of the land blows his bugle,</span> - <p> - As burne bolde vpon bent his bugle he bloweȝ, - </p> - <p> - He rechated, & r[ode]<sup>1</sup> þurȝ roneȝ ful þyk, - </p> - <p> - Suande þis wy[ld]e swyn til þe su<i>n</i>ne schafted. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and pursues the boar.</span> <span class="linenum">1468</span> - <p> - Þis day wyth þis ilk dede þay dryuen on þis wyse, - </p> - <p> - Whyle oure luflych lede lys i<i>n</i> his bedde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">All this time Gawayne lies a-bed.</span> - <p> - Gawayn g<i>ra</i>yþely at home, i<i>n</i> gereȝ ful ryche - </p> - <p class="i8"> - of hewe; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1472</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe lady noȝt forȝate, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Com to hy<i>m</i> to salue, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ful erly ho watȝ hy<i>m</i> ate, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - His mode forto remwe. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> The MS. is here almost illegible. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XIV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The lady of the castle again visits Sir Gawayne.</span> - <span class="linenum">1476</span> - <p> - Ho co<i>m</i>mes to þe cortyn, & at þe knyȝt totes, - </p> - <p> - S<i>ir</i> Wawen her welcu<i>m</i>ed worþy on fyrst, - </p> - <p> - & ho hy<i>m</i> ȝeldeȝ aȝayn, ful ȝerne of hir - wordeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Softly she sits by his side,</span> - <p> - Setteȝ hir sof[t]ly by his syde, & swyþely ho laȝeȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1480</span> - <p> - & wyth a luflych loke ho layde<sup>1</sup> hy<i>m</i> þyse wordeȝ: - </p> - <p> - "S<i>ir</i>, ȝif ȝe be Wawen, wonder me þynkkeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Wyȝe þat is so wel wrast alway to god, - </p> - <p> - & conneȝ not of compaynye þe costeȝ vnder-take, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 111]</span> <span class="linenum">1484</span> - <p> - & if mon ke<i>n</i>nes yow hom to knowe, ȝe kest hom of yo<i>ur</i> - my<i>n</i>de; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and tells the knight that he has forgotten what - she taught him the day before.</span> - <p> - Þou hatȝ for-ȝeten ȝederly þat ȝist<i>er</i>day I - taȝtte - </p> - <p> - alder-truest token of talk þat I cowþe." - </p> - <p> - "What is þat?" q<i>uod</i> þe wygh<i>e</i>, "I-wysse I wot neu<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1488</span> - <p> - If hit be sothe þat ȝe breue, þe blame is my<i>n</i> awen." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"I taught you of kissing," she says, "that - becomes every knight."</span> - <p> - "Ȝet I kende yow of kyssy<i>n</i>g," q<i>uod</i> þe clere þe<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - "Quere-so cou<i>n</i>tenau<i>n</i>ce is couþe, quikly to clayme, - </p> - <p> - Þat bicu<i>m</i>es vche a knyȝt, þat cortaysy vses." - </p> - <span class="linenum">1492</span> - <p> - "Do way," q<i>uod</i> þat derf mon, "my dere, þat speche, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne says that he must not take that which is - forbidden.</span> - <p> - For þat durst I not do, lest I denayed were, - </p> - <p> - If I were werned, I were wrang I-wysse, ȝif I p<i>ro</i>fered." - </p> - <p> - "Ma fay," q<i>uod</i> þe mere wyf, "ȝe may not be werned, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He is told that he is strong enough to enforce - it.</span> <span class="linenum">1496</span> - <p> - Ȝe ar stif i<i>n</i>-nogh<i>e</i> to constrayne wyth strenkþe, - ȝif yow lykeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Ȝif any were so vilano<i>us</i> þat yow denaye<sup>2</sup> - wolde." - </p> - <p> - "Ȝe, be God," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, "good is yo<i>ur</i> speche, - </p> - <p> - Bot þrete is vn-þryuande i<i>n</i> þede þ<i>er</i> I lende, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight replies that every gift is worthless - that is not given willingly.</span> <span class="linenum">1500</span> - <p> - & vche gift þat is geuen not w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> goud wylle; - </p> - <p> - I am at yo<i>ur</i> comaundeme<i>n</i>t, to kysse quen yow lykeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Ȝe may lach quen yow lyst, & leue quen yow þynkkeȝ, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - in space." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lady stoops down and kisses him.</span> <span - class="linenum">1504</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe lady louteȝ a-dou<i>n</i>, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & comlyly kysses his face, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Much speche þay þ<i>er</i> expou<i>n</i>, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Of druryes greme & g<i>ra</i>ce. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> sayde (?). <sup>2</sup> de vaye, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"I would learn," she says, "why you, who are so - young and active,</span> <span class="linenum">1508</span> - <p> - "I woled<sup>1</sup> wyt at yow, wyȝe," þat worþy þer sayde, - </p> - <p> - "& yow wrathed not þer-wyth, what were þe skylle, - </p> - <p> - Þat so ȝong & so ȝepe, as ȝe [ar] at þis tyme, - </p> - <p> - So cortayse, so knyȝtyly, as ȝe ar knowen oute, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">so skilled in the true sport of love,</span> - <span class="linenum">1512</span> - <p> - & of alle cheualry to chose, þe chef þy<i>n</i>g a-losed, - </p> - <p> - Is<sup>2</sup> þe lel layk of luf, þe lettrure of armes; - </p> - <p> - F[or] to telle of þis tenely<i>n</i>g of þis trwe knyȝteȝ, - </p> - <p> - Hit is þe tytelet, token, & tyxt of her werkkeȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1516</span> - <p> - How le[des] for her lele luf hor lyueȝ han au<i>n</i>tered, - </p> - <p> - Endured for her drury dulful stou<i>n</i>deȝ, - </p> - <p> - & aft<i>er</i> wenged w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> her walo<i>ur</i> & - voyded her care, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and so renowned a knight,</span> - <p> - & broȝt blysse i<i>n</i>-to boure, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> bou<i>n</i>tees - hor awen. - </p> - <span class="linenum">1520</span> - <p> - & ȝe ar knyȝt com-lokest kyd of yo<i>ur</i> elde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 111<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p> - Yo<i>ur</i> worde & yo<i>ur</i> worchip walkeȝ ay quere, - </p> - <p> - & I haf seten by yo<i>ur</i>-self here sere twyes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">have never talked to me of love.</span> - <p> - Ȝet herde I neu<i>er</i> of yo<i>ur</i> hed helde no wordeȝ - </p> - <span class="linenum">1524</span> - <p> - Þat eu<i>er</i> longed to luf, lasse ne more; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">You ought to show a young thing like me some - token of 'true-love's crafts.'</span> - <p> - & ȝe, þat ar so cortays & coy<i>n</i>t of yo<i>ur</i> - hetes, - </p> - <p> - Ogh<i>e</i> to a ȝonke þy<i>n</i>k ȝern to schewe, - </p> - <p> - & teche su<i>m</i> tokeneȝ of trweluf craftes. - </p> - <span class="linenum">1528</span> - <p> - Why ar ȝe lewed, þat alle þe los weldeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Oþ<i>er</i> elles ȝe demen me to dille, yo<i>ur</i> dalyau<i>n</i>ce - to herken? - </p> - <p class="i8"> - for schame! - </p> - <p class="i4"> - I com hider sengel, & sitte, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1532</span> - <p class="i4"> - To lerne at yow su<i>m</i> game, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">So teach me of your 'wit' while my lord is from - home."</span> - <p class="i4"> - Dos, techeȝ me of yo<i>ur</i> wytte, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Whil my lorde is fro hame." - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> wolde (?). <sup>2</sup> In (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XVI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"It is a great pleasure to me," says Sir Gawayne, - "to hear you talk,</span> - <p> - "In goud fayþe," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, "God yow forȝelde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1536</span> - <p> - Gret is þe gode gle, & gomen to me huge, - </p> - <p> - Þat so worþy as ȝe wolde wy<i>n</i>ne hidere, - </p> - <p> - & pyne yow w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> so pou<i>er</i> a mon, as play wyth - yo<i>ur</i> knyȝt, - </p> - <p> - With any sky<i>n</i>neȝ cou<i>n</i>tenau<i>n</i>ce, hit keu<i>er</i>eȝ - me ese; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but I cannot undertake the task to expound - true-love and tales of arms.</span> <span class="linenum">1540</span> - <p> - Bot to take þe toruayle<sup>1</sup> to my-self, to trwluf expou<i>n</i>, - </p> - <p> - & towche þe temeȝ of tyxt, & taleȝ of armeȝ, - </p> - <p> - To yow þat, I wot wel, weldeȝ more slyȝt - </p> - <p> - Of þat art, bi þe half, or a hu<i>n</i>dreth of seche - </p> - <span class="linenum">1544</span> - <p> - As I am, oþ<i>er</i> eu<i>er</i> schal, i<i>n</i> erde þer I leue, - </p> - <p> - Hit were a fole fele-folde, my fre, by my trawþe. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I will, however, act according to your will,</span> - <p> - I wolde yowre wylny<i>n</i>g worche at my myȝt, - </p> - <p> - As I am hyȝly bihalden, & eu<i>er</i>-more wylle - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and ever be your servant."</span> <span - class="linenum">1548</span> - <p> - Be seruau<i>n</i>t to yo<i>ur</i>-seluen, so saue me dryȝtyn!" - </p> - <p> - Þ<i>us</i> hy<i>m</i> frayned þat fre, & fondet hy<i>m</i> ofte, - </p> - <p> - Forto haf wo<i>n</i>nen hy<i>m</i> to woȝe, what-so scho þoȝt - elleȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Thus Gawayne defends himself.</span> - <p> - Bot he de fended hy<i>m</i> so fayr, þat no faut semed, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1552</span> - <p> - Ne non euel on nawþ<i>er</i> halue, nawþ<i>er</i> þay wysten, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - bot blysse; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þay laȝed & layked longe, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - At þe last scho con hy<i>m</i> kysse, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lady having kissed the knight, takes leave of - him.</span> <span class="linenum">1556</span> - <p class="i4"> - Hir leue fayre con scho fonge, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & went hir waye Iwysse. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> tornayle (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XVII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne rises, hears mass, and then dines.</span> - <p> - Then ruþes hy<i>m</i> þe renk, & ryses to þe masse, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 112.]</span> - <p> - & siþen hor din<i>er</i> watȝ dyȝt & derely serued. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Meanwhile the lord pursues the wild boar,</span> - <span class="linenum">1560</span> - <p> - Þe lede w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe ladyeȝ layked alle day, - </p> - <p> - Bot þe lorde ou<i>er</i> þe londeȝ lau<i>n</i>ced ful ofte, - </p> - <p> - Sweȝ his vncely swyn, þat swy<i>n</i>geȝ bi þe bonkkeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">that bit the backs of his hounds asunder,</span> - <p> - & bote þe best of his bracheȝ þe bakkeȝ i<i>n</i> su<i>n</i>der; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1564</span> - <p> - Þer he bode i<i>n</i> his bay, tel<sup>1</sup> bawe-men hit breken, - </p> - <p> - & made<sup>2</sup> hym, maw-gref his bed, forto mwe vtt<i>er</i>; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and caused the stiffest of the hunters to start.</span> - <p> - So felle floneȝ per flete, when þe folk gedered; - </p> - <p> - Bot ȝet þe styffest to start bi stou<i>n</i>deȝ he made, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1568</span> - <p> - Til at þe last he watȝ so mat, he myȝt no more re<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The boar runs into a hole in a rock by the side - of a brook.</span> - <p> - Bot i<i>n</i> þe hast þat he myȝt, he to a hole wy<i>n</i>neȝ, - </p> - <p> - Of a rasse, bi a rokk, þ<i>er</i> re<i>n</i>neȝ þe boerne, - </p> - <p> - He gete þe bonk at his bak, bigy<i>n</i>eȝ to scrape, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The froth foams at his mouth.</span> <span - class="linenum">1572</span> - <p> - Þe froþe femed<sup>3</sup> at his mouth vnfayre bi þe wykeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Whetteȝ his whyte tuscheȝ; w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hy<i>m</i> þe<i>n</i> - irked - </p> - <p> - Alle þe burneȝ so bolde, þat hy<i>m</i> by stoden, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">None durst approach him,</span> - <p> - To nye hy<i>m</i> on-ferum, bot neȝe hy<i>m</i> non durst - </p> - <span class="linenum">1576</span> - <p class="i8"> - for woþe; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He hade hurt so mony byforne, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þat al þuȝt<sup>4</sup> þe<i>n</i>ne ful loþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">so many had he torn with his tusks.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Be more wyth his tuscheȝ torne, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1580</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þat breme watȝ [&] bray<i>n</i>-wod both<i>e</i>. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> til (?). <sup>2</sup> madee, in MS. <sup>3</sup> fomed (?). - <sup>4</sup> þoȝt (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XVIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The knight, seeing the boar at bay,</span> - <p> - Til þe knyȝt com hy<i>m</i>-self, kachande his blonk, - </p> - <p> - Syȝ hy<i>m</i> byde at þe bay, his burneȝ bysyde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">alights from his horse,</span> - <p> - He lyȝt<i>es</i> luflych<sup>1</sup> adou<i>n</i>, leueȝ his - corso<i>ur</i>, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1584</span> - <p> - Braydeȝ out a bryȝt bront, & bigly forth strydeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Fou<i>n</i>deȝ fast þurȝ þe forth, þer þe felle bydeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and seeks to attack him with his sword.</span> - <p> - Þe wylde watȝ war of þe wyȝe w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> weppen i<i>n</i> - honde, - </p> - <p> - Hef hyȝly þe here, so hett<i>er</i>ly he fnast, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1588</span> - <p> - Þat fele ferde for þe frekeȝ,<sup>2</sup> lest felle hy<i>m</i> - þe worre; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The "swine sets out" upon the man,</span> - <p> - Þe swyn setteȝ hy<i>m</i> out on þe segge euen, - </p> - <p> - Þat þe burne & þe bor were boþe vpon hepeȝ, - </p> - <p> - In þe wyȝt-est of þe wat<i>er</i>, þe worre hade þat oþ<i>er</i>; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">who, aiming well,</span> <span class="linenum">1592</span> - <p> - For þe mon merkkeȝ hy<i>m</i> wel, as þay mette fyrst, - </p> - <p> - Set sadly þe scharp i<i>n</i> þe slot euen, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">wounds him in the pit of the stomach.</span> - <p> - Hit hy<i>m</i> vp to þe hult, þat þe hert schyndered, - </p> - <p> - & he ȝarrande hy<i>m</i> ȝelde, & ȝedou<i>n</i><sup>3</sup> - þe wat<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1596</span> - <p class="i8"> - ful tyt; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 112<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p class="i4"> - A hu<i>n</i>dreth hou<i>n</i>deȝ hy<i>m</i> hent, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The boar is soon bitten to death by a hundred - hounds.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þat bremely con hy<i>m</i> bite, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Burneȝ hi<i>m</i> broȝt to bent, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1600</span> - <p class="i4"> - & doggeȝ to dethe endite. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. luslych. <sup>2</sup> freke (?). <sup>3</sup> ȝede - doun (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XIX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then was there blowing of horns</span> - <p> - There watȝ blawy<i>n</i>g of prys i<i>n</i> mony breme home, - </p> - <p> - Heȝe halowi<i>n</i>g on hiȝe, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> haþeleȝ - þat myȝt; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and baying of hounds.</span> - <p> - Brachetes bayed þat best, as bidden þe mayst<i>er</i>eȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1604</span> - <p> - Of þat chargeau<i>n</i>t chace þat were chef hu<i>n</i>tes. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">One wise in woodcraft begins to unlace the boar.</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne a wyȝe þat watȝ wys vpon wod crafteȝ, - </p> - <p> - To vnlace þis bor lufly bigy<i>n</i>neȝ; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">First he hews off the head, then rends him by the - back.</span> - <p> - Fyrst he hewes of his hed, & on hiȝe setteȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1608</span> - <p> - & syþen rendeȝ him al rogh<i>e</i> bi þe rygge after, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He next removes the bowels, broils them on the - ashes, and therewith rewards his hounds.</span> - <p> - Braydeȝ out þe boweles, bre<i>n</i>neȝ ho<i>m</i> on glede, - </p> - <p> - With bred blent þer-w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> his braches rewardeȝ; - </p> - <p> - Syþen he britneȝ out þe brawen i<i>n</i> bryȝt brode - [s]cheldeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Then the hastlets are removed.</span> <span - class="linenum">1612</span> - <p> - & hatȝ out þe hastletteȝ, as hiȝtly bisemeȝ; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The two halves are next bound together and hung - upon a pole.</span> - <p> - & ȝet hem halcheȝ al hole þe halueȝ to-geder, - </p> - <p> - & syþen on a stif stange stoutly hem henges. - </p> - <p> - Now with þis ilk swyn þay swengen to home; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The boar's head is borne before the knight, who - hastens home.</span> <span class="linenum">1616</span> - <p> - Þe bores hed watȝ borne bifore þe burnes seluen, - </p> - <p> - Þat hi<i>m</i> for-ferde i<i>n</i> þe forþe, þurȝ forse of his - honde, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - so stronge; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Til he seȝ s<i>ir</i> Gawayne, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1620</span> - <p class="i4"> - I<i>n</i> halle hy<i>m</i> þoȝt ful longe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne is called to receive the spoil.</span> - <p class="i4"> - He calde, & he com gayn, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - His feeȝ þ<i>er</i> for to fonge. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The lord of the land is well pleased when he sees - Sir Gawayne,</span> - <p> - Þe lorde ful lowde w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> lote, & laȝed myry, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1624</span> - <p> - Whe<i>n</i> he seȝe s<i>ir</i> G: w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> solace he - spekeȝ; - </p> - <p> - Þe goude ladyeȝ were geten, & gedered þe meyny, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He shows him the shields of the wild boar, and - tells him of its length and breadth.</span> - <p> - He scheweȝ hem þe scheldeȝ, & schapes hem þe tale, - </p> - <p> - Of þe largesse, & þe lenþe, þe liþ<i>er</i>neȝ alse, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1628</span> - <p> - Of þe were of þe wylde swyn, i<i>n</i> wod þer he fled. - </p> - <p> - Þat oþ<i>er</i> knyȝt ful comly comended his dedeȝ, - </p> - <p> - & praysed hit as gret prys, þat he proued hade; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Such a "brawn of a beast," Sir Gawayne says, he - never has seen.</span> - <p> - For suche a brawne of a best, þe bolde burne sayde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1632</span> - <p> - Ne such sydes of a swyn, segh he neu<i>er</i> are. - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne hondeled þay þe hoge hed, þe hende mo<i>n</i> hit - praysed, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 113.]</span> - <p> - & let lodly þerat þe lorde forte here: - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne takes possession of it according to - covenant,</span> - <p> - "Now Gawayn," q<i>uod</i> þe god mon, "þis gomen is yo<i>ur</i> awen, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1636</span> - <p> - Bi fyn for-warde & faste, faythely ȝe knowe." - </p> - <p> - "Hit is sothe," q<i>uod</i> þe segge, "& as siker trwe; - </p> - <p> - Alle my get I schal yow gif agayn, bi my trawþe." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and in return kisses his host,</span> - <p> - He [hent] þe haþel aboute þe halse, & hendely hy<i>m</i> kysses, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1640</span> - <p> - & eft<i>er</i>-sones of þe same he serued hy<i>m</i> þere. - </p> - <p> - "Now ar we euen," q<i>uod</i> þe haþel, "in þis euen-tide, - </p> - <p> - Of alle þe couenau<i>n</i>tes þat we knyt, syþen I com hider, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - bi lawe;" - </p> - <span class="sidenote">who declares his guest to be the best he knows.</span> - <span class="linenum">1644</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe lorde sayde, "bi saynt Gile, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - ȝe ar þe best þat I knowe, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ȝe ben ryche i<i>n</i> a whyle, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Such chaffer & ȝe drowe." - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XXI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Tables are raised aloft,</span> <span - class="linenum">1648</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne þay teldet tableȝ [on] trestes alofte, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">cloths cast upon them,</span> - <p> - Kesten cloþeȝ vpon, clere lyȝt þe<i>n</i>ne - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and torches are lighted.</span> - <p> - Wakned bi woȝeȝ, waxen torches - </p> - <p> - Seggeȝ sette, & serued i<i>n</i> sale al aboute; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">With much mirth and glee,</span> <span - class="linenum">1652</span> - <p> - Much glam & gle glent vp þ<i>er</i>-i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - Aboute þe fyre vpon flet, & on fele wyse, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">supper is served in the hall,</span> - <p> - At þe soper & aft<i>er</i>, mony aþel songeȝ, - </p> - <p> - As cou<i>n</i>dutes of kryst-masse, & caroleȝ newe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1656</span> - <p> - With alle þe man<i>er</i>ly m<i>er</i>þe þ<i>a</i>t mon may of telle. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and ever our lovely knight by the lady sits,</span> - <p> - & eu<i>er</i> oure luflych knyȝt þe lady bi-syde; - </p> - <p> - Such semblau<i>n</i>t to þat segge semly ho made, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">who does all she can to please her companion.</span> - <p> - Wyth stille stollen cou<i>n</i>tenau<i>n</i>ce, þat stalworth to - plese, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1660</span> - <p> - Þat al for-wondered watȝ þe wyȝe, & wroth w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> - hy<i>m</i>-seluen, - </p> - <p> - Bot he nolde not for his nurture nurne hir a-ȝayneȝ, - </p> - <p> - Bot dalt w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hir al i<i>n</i> daynte, how-se-eu<i>er</i> - þe dede turned - </p> - <p class="i8"> - to wrast; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">When they had long played in the hall,</span> - <span class="linenum">1664</span> - <p class="i4"> - Quen þay hade played i<i>n</i> halle, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - As longe as hor wylle hom last, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">they proceeded "to chamber."</span> - <p class="i4"> - To chambre he<sup>1</sup> con hy<i>m</i> calle, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & to þe chem-ne þay past. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> ho (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">There they drank and discoursed.</span> <span - class="linenum">1668</span> - <p> - Ande þer þay dronken, & dalten, & demed eft nwe, - </p> - <p> - To norne on þe same note, on nweȝereȝ euen; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne begs leave to depart on the morrow.</span> - <p> - Bot þe knyȝt craued leue, to kayre on þe morn, - </p> - <p> - For hit watȝ neȝ at þe terme, þat he to<sup>1</sup> schulde. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 113<i>b</i>.]</span> <span class="linenum">1672</span> - <p> - Þe lorde hy<i>m</i> letted of þat, to lenge hy<i>m</i> resteyed, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">His host swears to him,</span> - <p> - & sayde, "as I am trwe segge, I siker my trawþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">that he shall come to the Green Chapel on New - Year's morn long before prime.</span> - <p> - Þ<i>o</i>u schal cheue to þe grene chapel, þy charres to make, - </p> - <p> - Leude, on nwȝereȝ lyȝt, longe bifore pryme: - </p> - <span class="linenum">1676</span> - <p> - For-þy þow lye i<i>n</i> þy loft, & lach þyn ese, - </p> - <p> - & I schal hu<i>n</i>t in þis holt, & halde þe towcheȝ, - </p> - <p> - Chau<i>n</i>ge wyth þe cheuisau<i>n</i>ce, bi þat I charre hider; - </p> - <p> - For I haf fraysted þe twys, & faythful I fynde þe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1680</span> - <p> - Now þrid tyme þrowe best þenk on þe morne, - </p> - <p> - Make we mery quyl we may, & my<i>n</i>ne vpon Ioye, - </p> - <p> - For þe lur may mon lach, when so mon lykeȝ." - </p> - <p> - Þis watȝ grayþely grau<i>n</i>ted, & Gawayn is lenged, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Our knight consents to remain for another night.</span> - <span class="linenum">1684</span> - <p> - Bliþe broȝt watȝ hym drynk, & þay to bedde ȝeden, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> liȝt; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Full still and softly he sleeps all night.</span> - <p class="i4"> - S<i>ir</i> G: lis & slepes, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ful stille & softe al niȝt; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Early in the morning the lord is up.</span> <span - class="linenum">1688</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe lorde þat his crafteȝ kepes, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ful erly he watȝ diȝt. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> te (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">After mass, a morsel he take with his men.</span> - <p> - Aft<i>er</i> messe a morsel<sup>1</sup> he & his men token, - </p> - <p> - Miry watȝ þe morny<i>n</i>g, his mou<i>n</i>ture he askes; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Then were all on their horses before the - hall-gates.</span> <span class="linenum">1692</span> - <p> - Alle þe haþeles þat on horse schulde helden hy<i>m</i> aft<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - Were bou<i>n</i> busked on hor blonkkeȝ, bi-fore<sup>2</sup> þe - halle ȝateȝ; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It was a clear frosty morning.</span> - <p> - Ferly fayre watȝ þe folde, for þe forst clenged, - </p> - <p> - I<i>n</i> rede rudede vpon rak rises þe su<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The hunters, dispersed by a wood's side,</span> - <span class="linenum">1696</span> - <p> - & ful clere costeȝ<sup>3</sup> þe clowdes of þe welkyn. - </p> - <p> - Hu<i>n</i>teres vnhardeled bi a holt syde, - </p> - <p> - Rocheres rou<i>n</i>gen bi rys, for rurde of her hornes; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">come upon the track of a fox,</span> - <p> - Su<i>m</i>me fel i<i>n</i> þe fute, þer þe fox bade, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1700</span> - <p> - Trayleȝ ofte a trayt<i>er</i>es<sup>4</sup>, bi trau<i>n</i>t of - her wyles; - </p> - <p> - A kenet kryes þerof, þe hu<i>n</i>t on hy<i>m</i> calles, - </p> - <p> - His felaȝes fallen hy<i>m</i> to, þ<i>a</i>t fnasted ful þike, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">which is followed up by the hounds.</span> - <p> - Ru<i>n</i>nen forth i<i>n</i> a rabel, i<i>n</i> his ryȝt fare; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1704</span> - <p> - & he fyskeȝ hem by-fore, þay fou<i>n</i>den hy<i>m</i> sone, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They soon get sight of the game,</span> - <p> - & quen þay segh<i>e</i> hy<i>m</i> wit<i>h</i> syȝt, þay sued - hy<i>m</i> fast, - </p> - <p> - Wreȝande h[y<i>m</i>] ful [w]eterly with a wroth noyse; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and pursue him through many a rough grove.</span> - <p> - & he trantes & tornayeeȝ þurȝ mony tene greue; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1708</span> - <p> - Hamlou<i>n</i>eȝ, & herkeneȝ, bi heggeȝ ful ofte; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 114.]<br />The fox at last leaps over a - spinny,</span> - <p> - At þe last bi a littel dich he lepeȝ ou<i>er</i> a spe<i>n</i>né, - </p> - <p> - Steleȝ out ful stilly bi a strothe rande, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and by a rugged path seeks to get clear from the - hounds.</span> - <p> - Went haf wylt of þe wode, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> wyleȝ fro þe hou<i>n</i>des, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1712</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne watȝ he went, er he wyst, to<sup>5</sup> a wale - tryst<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He comes upon one of the hunting stations, where - he is attacked by the dogs.</span> - <p> - Þer þre þro at a þrich þrat hy<i>m</i> at ones, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - al graye; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">However, he slips them,</span> - <p class="i4"> - He blenched aȝayn bilyue, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1716</span> - <p class="i4"> - & stifly start onstray, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - With alle þe wo on lyue, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and makes again for the wood.</span> - <p class="i4"> - To þe wod he went away. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. nnorsel. <sup>2</sup> bi-forere, in MS. <sup>3</sup> - casteȝ (?). <sup>4</sup> trayveres (?). <sup>5</sup> to to, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXIV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then was it fine sport to listen to the hounds,</span> - <p> - The<i>n</i>ne watȝ hit lif vpon list to lyþen þe hou<i>n</i>deȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1720</span> - <p> - When alle þe mute hade hy<i>m</i> met, menged to-geder, - </p> - <p> - Suche a sorȝe at þat syȝt þay sette on his hede, - </p> - <p> - As alle þe clamberande clyffes hade clat<i>er</i>ed on hepes; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and the hallooing of the hunters.</span> - <p> - Here he watȝ halawed, when haþeleȝ hy<i>m</i> metten, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1724</span> - <p> - Loude he watȝ ȝayned, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> ȝarande - speche; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">There the fox was threatened and called a thief.</span> - <p> - Þer he watȝ þreted, & ofte þef called, - </p> - <p> - & ay þe titleres at his tayl, þat tary he ne myȝt; - </p> - <p> - Ofte he watȝ ru<i>n</i>nen at, when he out rayked, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">But Reynard was wily,</span> <span class="linenum">1728</span> - <p> - & ofte reled i<i>n</i> aȝayn, so reniarde watȝ wylé. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and led them astray over mounts.</span> - <p> - & ȝe he lad hem bi lag, mon, þe lorde & his meyny; - </p> - <p> - On þis man<i>er</i> bi þe mou<i>n</i>tes, quyle myd, ou<i>er</i>, - vnder, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Meanwhile the knight at home soundly sleeps - within his comely curtains.</span> - <p> - Whyle þe hende knyȝt at home holsu<i>m</i>ly slepeȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1732</span> - <p> - With-i<i>n</i>ne þe comly corty<i>n</i>es, on þe colde morne. - </p> - <p> - Bot þe lady for luf let not to slepe, - </p> - <p> - Ne þe purpose to payre, þat pyȝt i<i>n</i> hir hert, - </p> - <p> - Bot ros hir vp radly, rayked hir þeder, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lady of the castle, clothed in a rich mantle,</span> - <span class="linenum">1736</span> - <p> - In a mery mantyle, mete to þe erþe, - </p> - <p> - Þat watȝ furred ful fyne w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> felleȝ, wel - pured, - </p> - <p> - No hweȝ goud on hir hede, bot þe haȝer stones - </p> - <p> - Trased aboute hir tresso<i>ur</i>, be twenty i<i>n</i> clust<i>er</i>es; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">her throat and bosom all bare,</span> <span - class="linenum">1740</span> - <p> - Hir þryuen face & hir þrote þrowen al naked, - </p> - <p> - Hir brest bare bifore, & bihinde eke. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">comes to Gawayne's chamber,</span> - <p> - Ho comeȝ w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-i<i>n</i>ne þe chambre dore, & - closes hit hir aft<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">opens a window, and says,</span> - <p> - Wayneȝ<sup>1</sup> vp a wyndow, & on þe wyȝe calleȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1744</span> - <p> - & radly þ<i>us</i> re-hayted hy<i>m</i>, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hir - riche wordeȝ, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i><sup>2</sup> chere; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Ah! man, how canst thou sleep,</span> - <p class="i4"> - "A! mon, how may þ<i>o</i>u slepe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 114<i>b</i>.]<br />this morning is so - clear?"</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þis morni<i>n</i>g is so clere?" - </p> - <span class="linenum">1748</span> - <p class="i4"> - He watȝ i<i>n</i> drowpi<i>n</i>g depe, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Bot þe<i>n</i>ne he con hir here. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> wayueȝ(?). <sup>2</sup> bi, à sec. manu. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The knight was then dreaming of his forthcoming - adventure at the Green Chapel.</span> - <p> - In dreȝ droupy<i>n</i>g of dreme draueled þat noble, - </p> - <p> - As mon þat watȝ in morny<i>n</i>g of mony þro þoȝtes, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1752</span> - <p> - How þat destiné schulde þat day [dyȝt] his wyrde, - </p> - <p> - At þe grene chapel, when he þe gome metes, - </p> - <p> - & bi-houes his buffet abide, with-oute debate more; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He awakes and speaks to his fair visitor,</span> - <p> - Bot quen þat comly he keu<i>er</i>ed his wyttes, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1756</span> - <p> - Swenges out of þe sweuenes, & swareȝ w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hast. - </p> - <p> - Þe lady luflych com laȝande swete, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">who sweetly kisses him.</span> - <p> - Felle ou<i>er</i> his fayre face, & fetly hi<i>m</i> kyssed; - </p> - <p> - He welcu<i>m</i>eȝ hir worþily, with a wale chere; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1760</span> - <p> - He seȝ hir so glorio<i>us</i>, & gayly atyred, - </p> - <p> - So fautles of hir fetures, & of so fyne hewes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Great joy warms the heart of Sir Gawayne,</span> - <p> - Wiȝt wallande Ioye warmed his hert; - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> smoþe smyly<i>n</i>g & smolt þay smeten i<i>n</i>-to - m<i>er</i>þe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1764</span> - <p> - Þat al watȝ blis & bonchef, þat breke hem bi-twene, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - & wy<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þay lanced wordes gode, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Much wele þe<i>n</i> watȝ þ<i>er</i>-i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and "great peril between them stood."</span> - <span class="linenum">1768</span> - <p class="i4"> - Gret p<i>er</i>ile bi-twene hem stod, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Nif mare of hir knyȝt my<i>n</i>ne. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XXVI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The knight is sorely pressed.</span> - <p> - For þat prynce of pris de-presed hy<i>m</i> so þikke. - </p> - <p> - Nurned hy<i>m</i> so neȝe þe þred, þat nede hy<i>m</i> bi-houed, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1772</span> - <p> - Oþ<i>er</i> lach þer hir luf, oþ<i>er</i> lodly re-fuse; - </p> - <p> - He cared for his cortaysye, lest craþayn he were, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He fears lest he should become a traitor to his - host.</span> - <p> - & more for his meschef, ȝif he schulde make sy<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - & be traytor to þat tolke, þat þ<i>a</i>t telde aȝt. - </p> - <span class="linenum">1776</span> - <p> - "God schylde," q<i>uod</i> þe schalk, "þat schal not be-falle!" - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> luf-laȝy<i>ng</i> a lyt, he layd hy<i>m</i> - by-syde - </p> - <p> - Alle þe specheȝ of specialté þat sprange of her mouthe. - </p> - <p> - Q<i>uod</i> þat burde to þe burne, "blame ȝe disserue, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1780</span> - <p> - Ȝif ȝe luf not þat lyf þat ȝe lye nexte, - </p> - <p> - Bifore alle þe wyȝeȝ i<i>n</i> þe worlde, wou<i>n</i>ded i<i>n</i> - hert, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lady inquire whether he has a mistress that - he loves better than her.</span> - <p> - Bot if ȝe haf a le<i>m</i>man, a leu<i>er</i>, þat yow lykeȝ - bett<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - & folden fayth to þat fre, festned so harde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 115.]</span> <span class="linenum">1784</span> - <p> - Þat yow lausen ne lyst, & þat I leue nouþe; - </p> - <p> - And þat ȝe telle me þat, now trwly I pray yow, - </p> - <p> - For alle þe lufeȝ vpon lyue, layne not þe soþe, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - for gile." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne swears by St. John that he neither - has nor desires one.</span> <span class="linenum">1788</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe knyȝt sayde, "be sayn Ion," - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & smeþely con he smyle, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - "In fayth I welde riȝt non, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ne non wil welde þe quile." - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XXVII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="linenum">1792</span> - <p> - "Þat is a worde," q<i>uod</i> þat wyȝt, "þat worst is of alle, - </p> - <p> - Bot I am swared for soþe, þat sore me þinkkeȝ; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">She then kisses him, sighing for sorrow.</span> - <p> - Kysse me now coraly, & I schal cach heþen, - </p> - <p> - I may bot mo<i>ur</i>ne vpon molde, as may þat much louyes." - </p> - <span class="linenum">1796</span> - <p> - Sykande ho sweȝe dou<i>n</i>, & semly hy<i>m</i> kyssed, - </p> - <p> - & siþen ho seu<i>e</i>res hy<i>m</i> fro, & says as ho - stondes, - </p> - <p> - "Now, dere, at þis de-party<i>n</i>g, do me þis ese, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">She desires some gift,</span> - <p> - Gif me sumquat of þy gifte, þi gloue if<sup>1</sup> hit were, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">by which to remember him.</span> <span - class="linenum">1800</span> - <p> - Þat I may my<i>n</i>ne on þe mon, my mo<i>ur</i>ny<i>n</i>g to - lassen." - </p> - <p> - "Now Iwysse," q<i>uod</i> þat wyȝe, "I wolde I hade here - </p> - <p> - Þe leuest þi<i>n</i>g for þy luf, þat I in londe welde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne tells her that she is worthy of a better - gift than he can bestow.</span> - <p> - For ȝe haf deserued, forsoþe, sellyly ofte - </p> - <span class="linenum">1804</span> - <p> - More rewarde bi resou<i>n</i>, þe<i>n</i> I reche myȝt, - </p> - <p> - Bot to dele yow for drurye, þ<i>a</i>t dawed bot neked; - </p> - <p> - Hit is not yo<i>ur</i> hono<i>ur</i> to haf at þis tyme - </p> - <p> - A gloue for a garysou<i>n</i>, of Gawayneȝ gifteȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1808</span> - <p> - & I am here [on] an erande i<i>n</i> erdeȝ vncouþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He has no men with mails containing precious - things.</span> - <p> - & haue no me<i>n</i> wyth no maleȝ, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> - menskful þi<i>n</i>geȝ; - </p> - <p> - Þat mislykeȝ me, ladé, for luf at þis tyme,<sup>2</sup> - </p> - <p> - Iche tolke mon do as he is tan, tas to non ille, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1812</span> - <p class="i8"> - ne pine." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Then says that lovesome,</span> - <p class="i4"> - "Nay, hende of hyȝe hono<i>ur</i>s," - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Q<i>uod</i> þat lufsu<i>m</i> vnder lyne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Though I had nought of yours, yet should ye have - of mine."</span> - <p class="i4"> - "Þaȝ I hade oȝt<sup>3</sup> of yo<i>ur</i>eȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1816</span> - <p class="i4"> - Ȝet schulde ȝe haue of myne." - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> of, in MS. <sup>2</sup> tyne, in MS. <sup>3</sup> noȝt - (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXVIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">She offers him a gold ring,</span> - <p> - Ho raȝt hy<i>m</i> a riche rynk<sup>1</sup> of red golde werkeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Wyth a starande ston, stondande alofte, - </p> - <p> - Þat bere blusschande bemeȝ as þe bryȝt su<i>n</i>ne; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1820</span> - <p> - Wyt ȝe wel, hit watȝ worth wele ful hoge. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but he refuses to accept it,</span> - <p> - Bot þe renk hit renayed, & redyly he sayde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 115<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p> - "I wil no gifteȝ for gode, my gay, at þis tyme; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">as he has none to give in return.</span> - <p> - I haf none yow to norne, ne noȝt wyl I take." - </p> - <span class="linenum">1824</span> - <p> - Ho bede hit hy<i>m</i> ful bysily, & he hir bode wernes, - </p> - <p> - & swere swyftel[y] his sothe, þat he hit sese nolde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Very sorrowful was that fair one on account of - his refusal.</span> - <p> - & ho sore þat he forsoke, & sayde þ<i>er</i>-after, - </p> - <p> - "If ȝe renay my rynk, to ryche for hit semeȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1828</span> - <p> - Ȝe wolde not so hyȝly halden be to me, - </p> - <p> - I schal gif yow my girdel, þat gaynes yow lasse." - </p> - <p> - Ho laȝt a lace lyȝtly, þat<sup>2</sup> leke vmbe hir sydeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">She takes off her "girdle,"</span> - <p> - Knit vpon hir kyrtel, vnder þe clere mantyle, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1832</span> - <p> - Gered hit watȝ w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> grene sylke, & w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> - golde schaped, - </p> - <p> - Noȝt bot arou<i>n</i>de brayden, beten w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> fyngreȝ; - </p> - <p> - & þat ho bede to þe burne, & blyþely bi-soȝt - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and beseeches him to take it.</span> - <p> - Þaȝ hit vn-worþi were, þat he hit take wolde. - </p> - <span class="linenum">1836</span> - <p> - & he nay þat he nolde negh<i>e</i> i<i>n</i> no wyse, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne again refuses to accept anything,</span> - <p> - Nauþer golde ne garysou<i>n</i>, er God hy<i>m</i> g<i>ra</i>ce sende, - </p> - <p> - To acheue to þe chau<i>n</i>ce þat he hade chosen þere. - </p> - <p> - "& þerfore, I pray yow, displese yow noȝt, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1840</span> - <p> - & letteȝ be yo<i>ur</i> bisinesse, for I bayþe hit yow neu<i>er</i> - </p> - <p class="i8"> - to grau<i>n</i>te; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - I am derely to yow biholde, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Bi-cause of yo<i>ur</i> sembelau<i>n</i>t, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but promises, "ever in hot and in cold, to be her - true servant."</span> <span class="linenum">1844</span> - <p class="i4"> - & eu<i>er</i> i<i>n</i> hot & colde - </p> - <p class="i4"> - To be yo<i>ur</i> trwe seruau<i>n</i>t. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> ryng (?). <sup>2</sup> þat þat, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXIX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"Do you refuse it," says the lady, because it is - simple?</span> - <p> - "Now forsake ȝe þis silke." sayde þe burde þe<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - "For hit is symple i<i>n</i> hit-self. & so hit wel semeȝ? - </p> - <span class="linenum">1848</span> - <p> - Lo! so hit is littel, & lasse hit is worþy; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Whoso knew the virtues that it possesses, would - highly prize it.</span> - <p> - Bot who-so knew þe costes þat knit ar þer-i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - He wolde hit prayse at more prys, parauenture; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">For he who is girded with this green lace,</span> - <p> - For quat gome so is gorde w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þis grene lace, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1852</span> - <p> - While he hit hade hemely halched aboute, - </p> - <p> - Þer is no haþel vnder heuen to-hewe hym þat myȝt; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">cannot be wounded or slain."</span> - <p> - For he myȝt not he slayn, for slyȝt vpon erþe." - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i> kest þe knyȝt, & hit come to his hert, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight thinks of his adventure at the Green - Chapel.</span> <span class="linenum">1856</span> - <p> - Hit were a Iuel for þe Iopardé, þat hy<i>m</i> iugged were, - </p> - <p> - When he acheued to þe chapel, his chek forto fech; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lady presses him to accept the lace.</span> - <p> - Myȝ<sup>1</sup> he haf slypped to þe vn-slayn, þe sleȝt were - noble. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 116.]</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne ho þulged with hir þrepe, & þoled hir to speke, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1860</span> - <p> - & ho bere on hy<i>m</i> þe belt, & bede hit hy<i>m</i> swyþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He consents not only to take the girdle, but to - keep the possession of it a secret.</span> - <p> - & he g<i>ra</i>nted, & [ho] hy<i>m</i> gafe with a goud wylle, - </p> - <p> - & bisoȝt hy<i>m</i>, for hir sake, disceu<i>er</i> hit neu<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - Bot to lelly layne for<sup>2</sup> hir lorde; þe leude hy<i>m</i> - acordeȝ. - </p> - <span class="linenum">1864</span> - <p> - Þat neu<i>er</i> wyȝe schulde hit wyt, Iwysse, bot þay twayne, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - for noȝte; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He þonkked hir oft ful swyþe, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ful þro w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hert & þoȝt. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">By that time the lady has kissed him thrice.</span> - <span class="linenum">1868</span> - <p class="i4"> - Bi þat on þry<i>n</i>ne syþe, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He hatȝ kyst þe knyȝt so toȝt. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> myȝt (?). <sup>2</sup> fro (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then she takes her leave.</span> - <p> - The<i>n</i>ne lachcheȝ ho hir leue, & leueȝ hy<i>m</i> - þere, - </p> - <p> - For more myrþe of þat mon moȝt ho not gete; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne then dresses himself,</span> <span - class="linenum">1872</span> - <p> - When ho<sup>1</sup> watȝ gon, s<i>ir</i> G. gereȝ hy<i>m</i> - sone, - </p> - <p> - Rises, & riches hy<i>m</i> i<i>n</i> araye noble, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and conceals the love-lace about his person.</span> - <p> - Lays vp þe luf-lace, þe lady hy<i>m</i> raȝt, - </p> - <p> - Hid hit ful holdely, þ<i>er</i> he hit eft fonde; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1876</span> - <p> - Syþe<i>n</i> cheuely to þe chapel choses he þe waye, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He then hies to mass,</span> - <p> - Preuely aproched to a prest, & prayed hy<i>m</i> þere - </p> - <p> - Þat he wolde lyfte<sup>2</sup> his lyf, & lern hy<i>m</i> bett<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - How his sawle schulde be saued, when he schuld seye heþe<i>n</i>. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and shrives him of his misdeeds.</span> <span - class="linenum">1880</span> - <p> - Þere he schrof hy<i>m</i> schyrly, & schewed his mysdedeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Of þe more & þe my<i>n</i>ne, & m<i>er</i>ci besecheȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and prays for absolution.</span> - <p> - & of absoluciou<i>n</i> he on þe segge calles; - </p> - <p> - & he asoyled hy<i>m</i> surely, & sette hy<i>m</i> so clene, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He returns to the hall, and makes himself so - merry among the ladies,</span> <span class="linenum">1884</span> - <p> - As domeȝ-day schulde haf ben diȝt on þe morn. - </p> - <p> - & syþen he mace hy<i>m</i> as mery amo<i>n</i>g þe fre ladyes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">with comely carols,</span> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> comlych caroles, & alle ky<i>n</i>nes ioye, - </p> - <p> - As neu<i>er</i> he did bot þat daye, to þe derk nyȝt, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1888</span> - <p class="i8"> - w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> blys; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Vche mon hade daynte þare, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">that they said,</span> - <p class="i4"> - Of hy<i>m</i>, & sayde Iwysse, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Thus merry was he never before since hither he - came."</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þ<i>us</i> myry he watȝ neu<i>er</i> are, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1892</span> - <p class="i4"> - Syn he com hider, er þis. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> he, in MS. <sup>2</sup> lyste (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXXI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne's host is still in the field.</span> - <p> - Now hy<i>m</i> lenge i<i>n</i> þat lee, þ<i>er</i> luf hy<i>m</i> - bi-tyde; - </p> - <p> - Ȝet is þe lorde on þe lau<i>n</i>de, ledande his gomnes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He has destroyed the fox.</span> - <p> - He hatȝ forfaren þis fox, þ<i>a</i>t he folȝed longe; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1896</span> - <p> - As he sprent ou<i>er</i> a spe<i>n</i>né, to spye þe schrewe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 116<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p> - Þer as he herd þe howndes, þat hasted hy<i>m</i> swyþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He spied Reynard coming through a "rough grove,"</span> - <p> - Renaud com richchande þurȝ a roȝe greue, - </p> - <p> - & alle þe rabel i<i>n</i> a res, ryȝt at his heleȝ. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and tried to hit him with his sword.</span> <span - class="linenum">1900</span> - <p> - Þe wyȝe watȝ war of þe wylde, & warly abides, - </p> - <p> - & braydeȝ out þe bryȝt bronde, & at þe best casteȝ; - </p> - <p> - & he schu<i>n</i>t for þe scharp, & schulde haf arered, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The fox "shunts," and is seized by one of the - dogs.</span> - <p> - A rach rapes hy<i>m</i> to, ryȝt er he myȝt, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1904</span> - <p> - & ryȝt bifore þe hors fete þay fel on hy<i>m</i> alle, - </p> - <p> - & woried me þis wyly wyth a wroth noyse. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord takes him out of the hound's mouth.</span> - <p> - Þe lorde lyȝteȝ bilyue, & cacheȝ by<sup>1</sup> - sone, - </p> - <p> - Rased hy<i>m</i> ful radly out of þe rach mouþes, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1908</span> - <p> - Haldeȝ heȝe ou<i>er</i> his hede, haloweȝ faste, - </p> - <p> - & þ<i>er</i> bayen hy<i>m</i> mony bray<sup>2</sup> hou<i>n</i>deȝ; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Hunters hasten thither with horns full many.</span> - <p> - Hu<i>n</i>tes hyȝed hem þeder, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> horneȝ ful - mony, - </p> - <p> - Ay re-chatande aryȝt til þay þe renk seȝen; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1912</span> - <p> - Bi þat watȝ comen his compeyny noble, - </p> - <p> - Alle þat eu<i>er</i> ber bugle blowed at ones, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It was the merriest meet that ever was heard.</span> - <p> - & alle þise oþ<i>er</i> halowed, þat hade no hornes, - </p> - <p> - Hit watȝ þe myriest mute þat eu<i>er</i> me<i>n</i> herde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1916</span> - <p> - Þe rich rurd þat þ<i>er</i> watȝ raysed for renaude saule, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> lote; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The hounds are rewarded,</span> - <p class="i4"> - Hor hou<i>n</i>deȝ þay þ<i>er</i> rewarde, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Her<sup>3</sup> hedeȝ þay fawne & frote, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and then they take Reynard and "turn off his - coat."</span> <span class="linenum">1920</span> - <p class="i4"> - & syþen þay tan reynarde, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & tyrnen of his cote. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> hy<i>m</i> (?). <sup>2</sup> braþ (?). <sup>3</sup> Her - her, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXXII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The hunters then hasten home.</span> - <p> - & þe<i>n</i>ne þay helden to home, for hit watȝ nieȝ nyȝt, - </p> - <p> - Strakande ful stoutly i<i>n</i> hor store horneȝ; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord at last alights at his dear home,</span> - <span class="linenum">1924</span> - <p> - Þe lorde is lyȝt at þe laste at hys lef home, - </p> - <p> - Fyndeȝ fire vpon flet, þe freke þ<i>er</i> by-side, - </p> - <p> - Sir Gawayn þe gode, þat glad watȝ w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> alle, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">where he finds Gawayne amusing the ladies.</span> - <p> - Amo<i>n</i>g þe ladies for luf he ladde much ioye, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1928</span> - <p> - He were a bleau<i>n</i>t of blwe, þat bradde to þe erþe, - </p> - <p> - His surkot semed hy<i>m</i> wel, þat softe watȝ forred, - </p> - <p> - & his hode of þat ilke henged on his schulder, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight comes forward and welcomes his host,</span> - <p> - Blande al of blau<i>n</i>ner were boþe al aboute. - </p> - <span class="linenum">1932</span> - <p> - He meteȝ me þis god mon i<i>n</i> myddeȝ þe flore, - </p> - <p> - & al with gomen he hy<i>m</i> gret, & goudly he sayde, - </p> - <p> - "I schal fylle vpon fyrst oure forwardeȝ nouþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 117.]</span> - <p> - Þat we spedly han spoken, þer spared watȝ no drynk;" - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and according to covenant kisses him thrice.</span> - <span class="linenum">1936</span> - <p> - Þen acoles he [þe] knyȝt, & kysses hy<i>m</i> þryes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">(See l. 1868.)</span> - <p> - As sauerly & sadly as he hem sette couþe. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"By Christ," says the other, "ye have had much - bliss!"</span> - <p> - "Bi Kryst," q<i>uod</i> þat oþ<i>er</i> knyȝt, "ȝe cach much - sele, - </p> - <p> - I<i>n</i> cheuisau<i>n</i>ce of þis chaffer, ȝif ȝe hade - goud chepeȝ." - </p> - <span class="linenum">1940</span> - <p> - "Ȝe of þe chepe no charg," q<i>uod</i> chefly þat oþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - "As is pertly payed þe chepeȝ þat I aȝte." - </p> - <p> - "Mary," q<i>uod</i> þat oþ<i>er</i> mon, "myn is bi-hynde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I have hunted all day and have gotten nothing,</span> - <p> - For I haf hu<i>n</i>ted al þis day, & noȝt haf I geten, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but the skin of this foul fox,</span> <span - class="linenum">1944</span> - <p> - Bot þis foule fox felle, þe fende haf þe godeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">a poor reward for three such kisses."</span> - <p> - & þat is ful pore, for to pay for suche prys þi<i>n</i>ges, - </p> - <p> - As ȝe haf þryȝt me here, þro suche þre cosses, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - so gode." - </p> - <span class="linenum">1948</span> - <p class="i4"> - "I-noȝ," q<i>uod</i> s<i>ir</i> Gawayn, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - "I þonk yow, bi þe rode;" - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He then tells him how the fox was slain.</span> - <p class="i4"> - & how þe fox watȝ slayn, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He tolde hy<i>m</i>, as þay stode. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XXXIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">With much mirth and minstrelsy they made merry,</span> - <span class="linenum">1952</span> - <p> - With m<i>er</i>þe & mynstralsye, wyth meteȝ at hor wylle, - </p> - <p> - Þay maden as mery as any me<i>n</i> moȝten, - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> laȝy<i>n</i>g of ladies, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> - loteȝ of bordes; - </p> - <p> - Gawayn & þe gode mo<i>n</i> so glad were þay boþe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1956</span> - <p> - Bot if þe douthe had doted, oþ<i>er</i> dronken ben oþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - Boþe þe mon & þe meyny maden mony iapeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">until the time came for them to part.</span> - <p> - Til þe sesou<i>n</i> watȝ seȝen, þat þay seu<i>er</i> moste; - </p> - <p> - Burneȝ to hor bedde be-houed at þe laste. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne takes leave of his host.</span> <span - class="linenum">1960</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne loȝly his leue at þe lorde fyrst - </p> - <p> - Fochcheȝ þis fre mon, & fayre he hy<i>m</i> þonkkeȝ; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and thanks him for his happy "sojourn."</span> - <p> - "Of such a sellyly<sup>1</sup> soiorne, as I haf hade here, - </p> - <p> - Yo<i>ur</i> hono<i>ur</i>, at þis hyȝe fest, þe hyȝe ky<i>n</i>g - yow ȝelde! - </p> - <span class="linenum">1964</span> - <p> - I ȝef yow me for on of yo<i>ur</i>eȝ, if yowre-self lykeȝ, - </p> - <p> - For I mot nedes, as ȝe wot, meue to morne; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He asks for a man to teach him the way to the - Green Chapel.</span> - <p> - & ȝe me take su<i>m</i> tolke, to teche, as ȝe hyȝt, - </p> - <p> - Þe gate to þe grene chapel, as god wyl me suffer - </p> - <span class="linenum">1968</span> - <p> - To dele, on nwȝereȝ day, þe dome of my wyrdes." - </p> - <p> - "In god fayþe," q<i>uod</i> þe god mon. "wyth a goud wylle; - </p> - <p> - Al þat eu<i>er</i> I yow hyȝt, halde schal I rede." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">A servant is assigned to him,</span> - <p> - Þer asy<i>n</i>gnes he a seruau<i>n</i>t, to sett hy<i>m</i> i<i>n</i> - þe waye, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 117<i>b</i>.]</span> <span class="linenum">1972</span> - <p> - & cou<i>n</i>due hy<i>m</i> by þe downeȝ, þat he no drechch - had, - </p> - <p> - For to f[e]rk þurȝ þe fryth, & fare at þe gaynest, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - bi greue. - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe lorde Gawayn con þonk, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1976</span> - <p class="i4"> - Such worchip he wolde hy<i>m</i> weue; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and then he takes leave of the ladies,</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe<i>n</i> at þo ladyeȝ wlonk. - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe knyȝt hatȝ tan his leue. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> selly (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXXIV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">kissing them sorrowfully.</span> - <p> - With care & wyth kyssy<i>n</i>g he carppeȝ hem tille, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1980</span> - <p> - & fele þryuande þonkkeȝ he þrat hom to haue, - </p> - <p> - & þay ȝelden hy<i>m</i> aȝay[n] ȝeply þat ilk; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They commend him to Christ.</span> - <p> - Þay bikende hy<i>m</i> to Kryst, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> ful colde syky<i>n</i>geȝ. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He then departs, thanking each one he meets "for - his service and solace."</span> - <p> - Syþen fro þe meyny he menskly de-partes; - </p> - <span class="linenum">1984</span> - <p> - Vche mon þat he mette, he made hem a þonke, - </p> - <p> - For his seruyse, & his solace, & his sere pyne, - </p> - <p> - Þat þay wyth busynes had ben, aboute hy<i>m</i> to serue; - </p> - <p> - & vche segge as sore, to seu<i>er</i> w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hy<i>m</i> - þere, - </p> - <span class="linenum">1988</span> - <p> - As þay hade wonde worþyly w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þat wlonk eu<i>er</i>. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He retires to rest but sleeps but little,</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i> w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> ledes & lyȝt he watȝ ladde - to his chambre, - </p> - <p> - & blybely broȝt to his bedde, to be at his rest; - </p> - <p> - ȝif he ne slepe sou<i>n</i>dyly, say ne dar I, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">for much has he to think of on the morrow.</span> - <span class="linenum">1992</span> - <p> - For he hade muche on þe morn to my<i>n</i>ne, ȝif he wolde, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - in þoȝt; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Let him there lie still.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Let hy<i>m</i> lyȝe þere stille, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He hatȝ<sup>1</sup> nere þat he soȝt, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Be still awhile, and I shall tell how they - wrought.</span> <span class="linenum">1996</span> - <p class="i4"> - & ȝe wyl a whyle be stylle, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - I schal telle yow how þay wroȝt. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> watȝ (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - [FYTTE THE FOURTH.] - </h2> - <h2> - I. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">New Year's Day approaches.</span> - <p> - Now neȝeȝ þe nwȝere, & þe nyȝt passeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Þe day dryueȝ to þe derk, as dryȝtyn biddeȝ; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The weather is stormy.</span> <span - class="linenum">2000</span> - <p> - Bot wylde wedereȝ of þe worlde wakned þeroute, - </p> - <p> - Clowdes kesten kenly þe colde to þe erþe, - </p> - <p> - Wyth nyȝe<sup>1</sup> in-nogh<i>e</i> of þe norþe, þe naked to - tene; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Snow falls.</span> - <p> - Þe snawe snitered ful snart, þat snayped þe wylde; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2004</span> - <p> - Þe werbelande wynde wapped fro þe hyȝe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The dales are full of drift.</span> - <p> - & drof vche dale ful of dryftes ful grete. - </p> - <p> - Þe leude lystened ful wel, þat leȝ i<i>n</i> his bedde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne in his bed hears each cock that crows.</span> - <p> - Þaȝ he lowkeȝ his liddeȝ, ful lyttel he slepes; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2008</span> - <p> - Bi vch kok þat crue, he knwe wel þe steuen. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 118.]</span> - <p> - De-liu<i>er</i>ly he dressed vp, er þe day sprenged, - </p> - <p> - For þere watȝ lyȝt of a lau[m]pe, þat lemed i<i>n</i> his - chambre; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He calls for his chamberlain, and bids him bring - him his armour.</span> - <p> - He called to his chamberlayn, þat cofly hy<i>m</i> swared, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2012</span> - <p> - & bede hy<i>m</i> bry<i>n</i>g hy<i>m</i> his bruny, & his - blonk sadel; - </p> - <p> - Þat oþ<i>er</i> ferkeȝ hy<i>m</i> vp, & fecheȝ hy<i>m</i> - his wedeȝ, - </p> - <p> - & grayþeȝ me s<i>ir</i> Gawayn vpon a grett wyse. - </p> - <p> - Fyrst he clad hy<i>m</i> i<i>n</i> his cloþeȝ, þe colde for to - were; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2016</span> - <p> - & syþen his oþ<i>er</i> harnays, þat holdely watȝ keped, - </p> - <p> - Boþe his pau<i>n</i>ce, & his plateȝ, piked ful clene, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Men knock off the rust from his rich habergeon.</span> - <p> - Þe ry<i>n</i>geȝ<sup>2</sup> rokked of þe roust, of his riche - bruny; - </p> - <p> - & al watȝ fresch as vpon fyrst, & he watȝ fayn þe<i>n</i>ne - </p> - <span class="linenum">2020</span> - <p class="i8"> - to þonk; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He hade vpon vche pece, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Wypped ful wel & wlonk; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight then calls for his steed.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe gayest i<i>n</i> to Grece, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2024</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe burne bede bry<i>n</i>g his blonk. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> nywe (?). <sup>2</sup> rynkeȝ (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - II. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">While he clothed himself in his rich weeds,</span> - <p> - Whyle þe wlonkest wedes he warp on hy<i>m</i>-seluen; - </p> - <p> - His cote, wyth be conysau<i>n</i>ce of þe clere werkeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Ennurned vpon veluet v<i>er</i>tuu<i>us</i><sup>1</sup> stoneȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2028</span> - <p> - Aboute beten, & bou<i>n</i>den, enbrauded semeȝ, - </p> - <p> - & fayre furred w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-i<i>n</i>ne wyth fayre pelures. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">he forgot not the "lace," the lady's gift,</span> - <p> - Ȝet laft he not þe lace, þe ladieȝ gifte, - </p> - <p> - Þat for-gat not Gawayn, for gode of hy<i>m</i>-seluen; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2032</span> - <p> - Bi he hade belted þe bronde vpon his balȝe hau<i>n</i>cheȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">but with it doubly girded his loins.</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>n dressed he his drurye double hy<i>m</i> aboute; - </p> - <p> - Swyþe sweþled vmbe his swange swetely, þat knyȝt, - </p> - <p> - Þe gordel of þe grene silke, þat gay wel bisemed, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2036</span> - <p> - Vpon þat ryol red cloþe, þat ryche watȝ to schewe. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He wore it not for its rich ornaments,</span> - <p> - Bot wered not þis ilk wyȝe for wele þis gordel, - </p> - <p> - For pryde of þe pendau<i>n</i>teȝ, þaȝ polyst þay were, - </p> - <p> - & þaȝ þe glyt<i>er</i>ande golde glent vpon endeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"but to save himself when it behoved him to - suffer."</span> <span class="linenum">2040</span> - <p> - Bot forto sau<i>en</i> hy<i>m</i>-self, when suffer hy<i>m</i> - by-houed, - </p> - <p> - To byde bale w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-oute dabate, of bronde hy<i>m</i> to - were, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - oþ<i>er</i> knyffe; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Bi þat þe bolde mon bou<i>n</i>, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2044</span> - <p class="i4"> - Wy<i>n</i>neȝ þeroute bilyue, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">All the renowned assembly he thanks full oft.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Alle þe meyny of renou<i>n</i>, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He þonkkeȝ ofte ful ryue. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> v<i>er</i>tuo<i>us</i> (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - III. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 118<i>b</i>.]<br />Then was Gringolet - arrayed,</span> - <p> - The<i>n</i>ne watȝ Gryngolet grayþe, þat gret watȝ & - huge, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2048</span> - <p> - & hade ben soio<i>ur</i>ned sau<i>er</i>ly, & i<i>n</i> a - siker wyse, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">full ready to prick on.</span> - <p> - Hy<i>m</i> lyst prik for poy<i>n</i>t, þat proude hors þe<i>n</i>ne; - </p> - <p> - Þe wyȝe wy<i>n</i>neȝ hy<i>m</i> to, & wyteȝ on his - lyre, - </p> - <p> - & sayde soberly hy<i>m</i>-self, & by his soth swereȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2052</span> - <p> - "Here is a meyny i<i>n</i> þis mote, þat on menske þenkkeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne returns thanks for the honour and - kindness shown to him by all.</span> - <p> - Þe mon hem maynteines, ioy mot þay haue; - </p> - <p> - Þe leue lady, on lyue luf hir bityde; - </p> - <p> - Ȝif þay for charyté cherysen a gest, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2056</span> - <p> - & halden hono<i>ur</i> i<i>n</i> her honde, þe haþel he<i>m</i> - ȝelde, - </p> - <p> - Þat haldeȝ þe heuen vpon hyȝe, & also yow alle! - </p> - <p> - & ȝif I myȝt lyf vpon londe lede any quyle, - </p> - <p> - I schuld rech yow su<i>m</i> rewarde redyly, if I myȝt." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He then steps into his saddle,</span> <span - class="linenum">2060</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>n steppeȝ he i<i>n</i>-to stirop, & strydeȝ - alofte; - </p> - <p> - His schalk schewed hy<i>m</i> his schelde, on schulder he hit laȝt, - </p> - <p> - Gordeȝ to Gryngolet, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> his gilt heleȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and "starts on the stone" without more delay.</span> - <p> - & he starteȝ on þe ston, stod he no lenger, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2064</span> - <p class="i8"> - to prau<i>n</i>ce; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - His haþel on hors watȝ þe<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þat bere his spere & lau<i>n</i>ce. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"This castle to Christ I commend; may he give it - ever good chance!"</span> - <p class="i4"> - "Þis kastel to Kryst I ke<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2068</span> - <p class="i4"> - He gef hit ay god chau<i>n</i>ce!" - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - IV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The gates are soon opened.</span> - <p> - The brygge watȝ brayde dou<i>n</i>, & þe brode ȝateȝ - </p> - <p> - Vnbarred, & born open, vpon boþe halue; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight passes thereout,</span> - <p> - Þe burne blessed hy<i>m</i> bilyue, & þe bredeȝ passed; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2072</span> - <p> - Prayses þe porter, bifore þe prynce kneled, - </p> - <p> - Gef hym God & goud day, þat Gawayn he saue; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and goes on his way accompanied by his guide.</span> - <p> - & went on his way, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> his wyȝe one, - </p> - <p> - Þat schulde teche hy<i>m</i> to to<i>ur</i>ne to þat tene place, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2076</span> - <p> - Þer þe ruful race he schulde re-sayue. - </p> - <p> - Þay boȝen bi bonkkeȝ, þ<i>er</i> boȝeȝ ar bare, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They climb by cliffs,</span> - <p> - Þay clomben bi clyffeȝ, þer clengeȝ þe colde; - </p> - <p> - Þe heuen watȝ vp halt, bot vgly þer vnder, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2080</span> - <p> - Mist muged on þe mor, malt on þe mou<i>n</i>teȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">where each "hill had a hat and a mist-cloak,"</span> - <p> - Vch hille hade a hatte, a myst-hakel huge; - </p> - <p> - Brokeȝ byled, & breke, bi bonkkeȝ aboute, - </p> - <p> - Schyre schat<i>er</i>ande on schoreȝ, þ<i>er</i> þay dou<i>n</i> - schowued. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 119.]</span> <span class="linenum">2084</span> - <p> - Welawylle watȝ þe way, þer þay bi wod schulden, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">until daylight.</span> - <p> - Til hit watȝ sone sesou<i>n</i>, þat þe su<i>n</i>ne ryses, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - þat tyde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">They were then on a "hill full high."</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þay were on a hille ful hyȝe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2088</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe quyte snaw lay bisyde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The servant bade his master abide, saying,</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe burne þat rod hy<i>m</i> by - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Bede his mayster abide. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - V. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"I have brought you hither,</span> - <p> - "For I haf wo<i>n</i>nen yow hider, wyȝe, at þis tyme, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2092</span> - <p> - & now nar ȝe not fer fro þat note place, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">ye are not now far from the noted place.</span> - <p> - Þat ȝe han spied & spuryed so specially aft<i>er</i>; - </p> - <p> - Bot I schal say yow for soþe, syþen I yow knowe, - </p> - <p> - & ȝe ar a lede vpon lyue, þat I wel louy, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2096</span> - <p> - Wolde ȝe worch bi my wytte, ȝe worþed þe bett<i>er</i>. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Full perilous is it esteemed.</span> - <p> - Þe place þat ȝe prece to, ful perelo<i>us</i> is halden; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord of that 'waste' is stiff and stern.</span> - <p> - Þer woneȝ a wyȝe i<i>n</i> þat waste, þe worst vpon erþe; - </p> - <p> - For he is stiffe, & sturne, & to strike louies, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2100</span> - <p> - & more he is þe<i>n</i> any mon vpon myddelerde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">His body is bigger 'than the best four in - Arthur's house.'</span> - <p> - & his body bigger þe<i>n</i> þe best fowre. - </p> - <p> - Þat ar i<i>n</i> Arþureȝ ho<i>us</i>, Hestor<sup>1</sup> oþ<i>er</i> - oþ<i>er</i>. - </p> - <p> - He cheueȝ þat chau<i>n</i>ce at þe chapel grene; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">None passes by the Green Chapel, 'that he does - not ding to death with dint of his hand.'</span> <span class="linenum">2104</span> - <p> - Þer passes non bi þat place, so proude i<i>n</i> his armes, - </p> - <p> - Þat he ne dy<i>n</i>neȝ hy<i>m</i> to deþe, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> - dynt of his honde; - </p> - <p> - For he is a mon methles, & mercy non vses, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">For be it churl or chaplain, monk, mass-priest, - 'or any man else,' he kills them all.</span> - <p> - For he hit chorle, oþ<i>er</i> chaplayn, þat bi þe chapel rydes, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2108</span> - <p> - Monk, oþ<i>er</i> masse-prest, oþ<i>er</i> any mon elles, - </p> - <p> - H<i>ym</i> þynk as queme hy<i>m</i> to quelle, as quyk go hy<i>m</i> - seluen. - </p> - <p> - For-þy I say þe as soþe as ȝe i<i>n</i> sadel sitte, - </p> - <p> - Com ȝe þere, ȝe be kylled, [I] may þe knyȝt rede, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2112</span> - <p> - Trawe ȝe me þat trwely, þaȝ ȝe had twenty lyues - </p> - <p class="i8"> - to spende; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He has lived there full long.</span> - <p class="i4"> - He hatȝ wonyd here ful ȝore, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - On bent much baret bende, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Against his dints sore ye may not defend you.</span> - <span class="linenum">2116</span> - <p class="i4"> - Aȝayn his dynteȝ sore, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Ȝe may not yow defende." - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> Hector (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - VI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Wherefore, good Sir Gawayne, let this man alone.</span> - <p> - "For-þy, goude s<i>ir</i> Gawayn, let þe gome one, - </p> - <p> - & gotȝ a-way su<i>m</i> oþ<i>er</i> gate; vpon Goddeȝ - halue; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Go by some other region,</span> <span - class="linenum">2120</span> - <p> - Cayreȝ bi su<i>m</i> oþ<i>er</i> kyth, þer Kryst mot yow spede; - </p> - <p> - & I schal hyȝ me hom aȝayn, & hete yow fyrre, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 119<i>b</i>.]<br />I swear by God and all - His saints, that I will never say that ever ye attempted to flee from - any man."</span> - <p> - Þat I schal swere bi God, & alle his gode halȝeȝ, - </p> - <p> - As help me God & þe halydam, & oþeȝ i<i>n</i>-nogh<i>e</i>, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2124</span> - <p> - Þat I schal lelly yow layne, & lance neu<i>er</i> tale, - </p> - <p> - Þat eu<i>er</i> ȝe fondet to fle, for freke þat I wyst." - </p> - <p> - "G<i>ra</i>nt m<i>er</i>ci;" q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, & gruchy<i>ng</i> - he sayde, - </p> - <p> - "Wel worth þe wyȝe, þat woldeȝ my gode, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2128</span> - <p> - & þat lelly me layne, I leue wel þ<i>o</i>u woldeȝ! - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne replies that to shun this danger would - mark him as a "coward knight."</span> - <p> - Bot helde þ<i>o</i>u hit neu<i>er</i> so holde, & I here passed, - </p> - <p> - Fou<i>n</i>ded for ferde for to fle, i<i>n</i> fo<i>ur</i>me þat þ<i>o</i>u - telleȝ, - </p> - <p> - I were a knyȝt kowarde, I myȝt not<sup>1</sup> be excused. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">To the Chapel, therefore, he will go,</span> - <span class="linenum">2132</span> - <p> - Bot I wy1 to þe chape1, for chau<i>n</i>ce þat may falle, - </p> - <p> - & talk wyth þat ilk tulk þe tale þat me lyste, - </p> - <p> - Worþe hit wele, oþ<i>er</i> wo, as þe wyrde lykeȝ - </p> - <p class="i8"> - hit hafe; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">though the owner thereof were a stern knave.</span> - <span class="linenum">2136</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þaȝe he be a sturn knape, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - To stiȝtel, &<sup>2</sup> stad w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> staue, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Full well can God devise his servants for to - save."</span> - <p class="i4"> - Ful wel con dryȝtyn schape, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - His seruau<i>n</i>teȝ forto saue." - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> mot, in MS. <sup>2</sup> & &, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - VII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"Mary!" quoth the other, "since it pleases thee - to lose thy life,</span> <span class="linenum">2140</span> - <p> - "Mary!" q<i>uod</i> þat oþ<i>er</i> mon, "now þ<i>o</i>u so much - spelleȝ, - </p> - <p> - Þat þ<i>o</i>u wylt þyn awen nye nyme to þy-seluen, - </p> - <p> - & þe lyst lese þy lyf, þe lette I ne kepe; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">take thy helmet on thy head, and thy spear in thy - hand, and ride down this path by yon rock-side,</span> - <p> - Haf here þi helme on þy hede, þi spere i<i>n</i> þi honde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2144</span> - <p> - & ryde me dou<i>n</i> þis ilk rake, bi ȝon rokke syde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">till thou come to the bottom of the valley;</span> - <p> - Til þ<i>o</i>u be broȝt to þe boþem of þe brem valay; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">look a little to the left,</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne loke a littel on þe lau<i>n</i>de, on þi lyfte honde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and thou shalt see the Chapel itself and the man - that guards it."</span> - <p> - & þ<i>o</i>u schal se i<i>n</i> þat slade þe self chapel, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2148</span> - <p> - & þe borelych burne on bent, þat hit kepeȝ. - </p> - <p> - Now fareȝ wel on Godeȝ half, Gawayn þe noble, - </p> - <p> - For alle þe golde vpon grou<i>n</i>de I nolde go with þe, - </p> - <p> - Ne bere þe felaȝschip þurȝ þis fryth on fote fyrre." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Having thus spoken the guide takes leave of the - knight.</span> <span class="linenum">2152</span> - <p> - Bi þat þe wyȝe i<i>n</i> þe wod wendeȝ his brydel, - </p> - <p> - Hit þe hors w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe heleȝ, as harde as he myȝt, - </p> - <p> - Lepeȝ hy<i>m</i> ou<i>er</i> þe lau<i>n</i>de, & leueȝ - þe knyȝt þere, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - al one. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"By God's self," says Sir Gawayne, "I will - neither weep nor groan.</span> <span class="linenum">2156</span> - <p class="i4"> - "Bi Goddeȝ self," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - "I wyl nauþ<i>er</i> grete ne grone, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">To God's will I am full ready."</span> - <p class="i4"> - To Goddeȝ wylle I am ful bayn, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & to hy<i>m</i> I haf me tone." - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - VIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 120.]<br />Then he pursues his journey,</span> - <span class="linenum">2160</span> - <p> - The<i>n</i>ne gyrdeȝ he to Gryngolet, & gedereȝ þe rake, - </p> - <p> - Schowueȝ i<i>n</i> bi a schore, at a schaȝe syde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">rides through the dale, and looks about.</span> - <p> - Rideȝ þurȝ þe roȝe bonk, ryȝt to þe dale; - </p> - <p> - & þe<i>n</i>ne he wayted hy<i>m</i> aboute, & wylde hit hy<i>m</i> - þoȝt, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He sees no sign of a resting-place, but only high - and steep banks.</span> <span class="linenum">2164</span> - <p> - & seȝe no sy<i>n</i>gne of resette, bisydeȝ nowhere, - </p> - <p> - Bot hyȝe bonkkeȝ & brent, vpon boþe halue, - </p> - <p> - & ruȝe knokled knarreȝ, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> knorned stoneȝ; - </p> - <p> - Þe skweȝ of þe scowtes skayued<sup>1</sup> hy<i>m</i> þoȝt. - </p> - <span class="linenum">2168</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne he houed, & wyth-hylde his hors at þat tyde, - </p> - <p> - & ofte chau<i>n</i>ged his cher, þe chapel to seche; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">No chapel could he discern.</span> - <p> - He seȝ non suche i<i>n</i> no syde, & selly hy<i>m</i> þoȝt, - </p> - <p> - Sone a lyttel on a lau<i>n</i>de, a lawe as hit we[re]; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">At last he sees a hill by the side of a stream;</span> - <span class="linenum">2172</span> - <p> - A balȝ berȝ, bi a bonke, þe bry<i>m</i>me by-syde, - </p> - <p> - Bi a forȝ of a flode, þ<i>a</i>t ferked þare; - </p> - <p> - Þe borne blubred þer-i<i>n</i>ne, as hit boyled hade. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">thither he goes,</span> - <p> - Þe knyȝt kacheȝ his caple, & com to þe lawe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">alights and fastens his horse to a branch of a - tree.</span> <span class="linenum">2176</span> - <p> - Liȝteȝ dou<i>n</i> luflyly, & at a lynde tacheȝ - </p> - <p> - Þe rayne, & his riche, with a roȝe brau<i>n</i>che; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He walks around the hill, debating with himself - what it might be,</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>[n]e he boȝeȝ to þe berȝe, aboute hit he - walke, - </p> - <p> - D[e]batande w<i>i</i>th hy<i>m</i>-self, quat hit be myȝt. - </p> - <span class="linenum">2180</span> - <p> - Hit hade a hole on þe ende, & on ayþer syde, - </p> - <p> - & ou<i>er</i>-growen w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> gresse i<i>n</i> glodes ay - where, - </p> - <p> - & al watȝ holȝ i<i>n</i>-w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>, nobot an - olde caue, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and at last finds an old cave in the crag.</span> - <p> - Or a creuisse of an olde cragge, he couþe hit noȝt deme - </p> - <span class="linenum">2184</span> - <p class="i8"> - w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> spelle, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - "We,<sup>2</sup> lorde," q<i>uod</i> þe gentyle knyȝt, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - "Wheþer þis be þe grene chapelle; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He prays that about midnight he may tell his - matins.</span> - <p class="i4"> - He myȝt aboute myd-nyȝt, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2188</span> - <p class="i4"> - [Þ]e dele his maty<i>n</i>nes telle!" - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> skayned (?). <sup>2</sup> wel (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - IX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"Truly," says Sir Gawayne, "a desert is here,</span> - <p> - "Now i-wysse," q<i>uod</i> Wowayn, "wysty is here; - </p> - <p> - Þis oritore is vgly, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> erbeȝ ou<i>er</i>-growen; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">a fitting place for the man in green to 'deal - here his devotions in devil fashion.'</span> - <p> - Wel bisemeȝ þe wyȝe wruxled i<i>n</i> grene - </p> - <span class="linenum">2192</span> - <p> - Dele here his deuociou<i>n</i>, on þe deueleȝ wyse; - </p> - <p> - Now I fele hit is þe fende, i<i>n</i> my fyue wytteȝ, - </p> - <p> - Þat hatȝ stoken me þis steuen, to strye me here; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It is most cursed kirk that ever I entered."</span> - <p> - Þis is a chapel of meschau<i>n</i>ce, þat chekke hit by-tyde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2196</span> - <p> - Hit is þe corsedest kyrk, þat eu<i>er</i> i com i<i>n</i>ne!" - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 120<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p> - With heȝe helme on his hede, his lau<i>n</i>ce i<i>n</i> his - honde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Roaming about he hears a loud noise,</span> - <p> - He romeȝ vp to þe rokke of þo roȝ woneȝ; - </p> - <p> - Þene herde he of þat hyȝe hil, i<i>n</i> a harde roche, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">from beyond the brook.</span> <span - class="linenum">2200</span> - <p> - Biȝonde þe broke, i<i>n</i> a bonk, a wonder breme noyse, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It clattered like the grinding of a scythe on a - grindstone.</span> - <p> - Quat! hit clat<i>er</i>ed i<i>n</i> þe clyff, as hit cleue schulde, - </p> - <p> - As one vpon a gryndelston hade grou<i>n</i>den a syþe; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">It whirred like a mill-stream.</span> - <p> - What! hit wharred, & whette, as wat<i>er</i> at a mulne, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2204</span> - <p> - What! hit rusched, & ronge, rawþe to here. - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne "bi Godde," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, "þat gere as<sup>1</sup> - I trowe, - </p> - <p> - Is ryched at þe reu<i>er</i>ence, me renk to mete, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - bi rote; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2208</span> - <p class="i4"> - Let God worche we loo, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Though my life I forgo," says the knight, "no - noise shall terrify me."</span> - <p class="i4"> - Hit helppeȝ me not a mote, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - My lif þaȝ I for-goo, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Drede dotȝ me no lote." - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> at, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - X. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then cried he aloud,</span> <span class="linenum">2212</span> - <p> - The<i>n</i>ne þe knyȝt con calle ful hyȝe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Who dwells here discourse with me to hold?"</span> - <p> - "Who stiȝtleȝ i<i>n</i> þis sted, me steuen to holde? - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Now is the good Gawayne going aright</span> - <p> - For now is gode Gawayn goande ryȝt here, - </p> - <p> - If any wyȝe oȝt wyl wy<i>n</i>ne hider fast, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2216</span> - <p> - Oþ<i>er</i> now, oþ<i>er</i> neu<i>er</i>, his nedeȝ to spede." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He hears a voice commanding him to abide where he - is.</span> - <p> - "Abyde," q<i>uod</i> on on þe bonke, abouen ou<i>er</i> his hede, - </p> - <p> - "& þ<i>o</i>u schal haf al i<i>n</i> hast, þat I þe hyȝt - ones." - </p> - <p> - Ȝet he rusched on þat rurde, rapely a þrowe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2220</span> - <p> - & wyth quetty<i>n</i>g a-wharf, er he wolde lyȝt; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Soon there comes out of a hole, with a fell - weapon,</span> - <p> - & syþen he keu<i>er</i>eȝ bi a cragge, & comeȝ of a - hole, - </p> - <p> - Whyrlande out of a wro, wyth a felle weppen, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">a Danish axe, quite new,</span> - <p> - A deneȝ ax nwe dyȝt, þe dynt w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> [t]o ȝelde - </p> - <span class="linenum">2224</span> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> a borelych bytte, bende by þe halme, - </p> - <p> - Fyled i<i>n</i> a fylor, fowre fote large, - </p> - <p> - Hit watȝ no lasse, bi þat lace þat lemed ful bryȝt. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">the "knight in green," clothed as before.</span> - <p> - & þe gome i<i>n</i> þe erene gered as fyrst, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2228</span> - <p> - Boþe þe lyre & þe leggeȝ, lokkeȝ, & berde, - </p> - <p> - Saue þat fayre on his fote he fou<i>n</i>deȝ on þe erþe, - </p> - <p> - Sette þe stele to þe stone, & stalked bysyde. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">When he reaches the stream, he hops over and - strides about.</span> - <p> - When he wan to þe watter, þer he wade nolde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2232</span> - <p> - He hypped ou<i>er</i> on hys ax, & orpedly strydeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Bremly broþe on a bent, þat brode watȝ a-boute, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - on snawe. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 121.]<br />He meets Sir Gawayne without - obeisance.</span> - <p class="i4"> - S<i>ir</i> Gawayn þe knyȝt con mete. - </p> - <span class="linenum">2236</span> - <p class="i4"> - He ne lutte hy<i>m</i> no þy<i>n</i>g lowe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The other tells him that he is now ready for - conversation</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þat oþ<i>er</i> sayde, "now, s<i>ir</i> swete, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Of steuen mon may þe trowe." - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"God preserve thee!" says the Green Knight,</span> - <p> - "Gawayn," q<i>uod</i> þat grene gome, "God þe mot loke! - </p> - <span class="linenum">2240</span> - <p> - I-wysse þ<i>o</i>u art welcom,<sup>1</sup> wyȝe, to my place, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"as a true knight 'thou hast timed thy travel'</span> - <p> - & þ<i>o</i>u hatȝ tymed þi trauayl as t<i>ru</i>e<sup>2</sup> - mo<i>n</i> schulde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Thou knowest the covenant between us,</span> - <p> - & þ<i>o</i>u knoweȝ þe couenau<i>n</i>teȝ kest v<i>us</i> - by-twene, - </p> - <p> - At þis tyme twelmonyth þ<i>o</i>u toke þ<i>a</i>t þe falled, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">that on New Year's day I should return thy blow</span> - <span class="linenum">2244</span> - <p> - & I schulde at þis nwe ȝere ȝeply þe quyte. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Here we are alone,</span> - <p> - & we ar i<i>n</i> þis valay, v<i>er</i>ayly oure one, - </p> - <p> - Here ar no renkes vs to rydde, rele as v<i>us</i> likeȝ; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Have off thy helmet and take thy pay at once."</span> - <p> - Haf þy<sup>3</sup> helme of þy hede, & haf here þy pay; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2248</span> - <p> - Busk no more debate þ<i>en</i> I þe bede þe<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - "When þ<i>o</i>u wypped of my hede at a wap one." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"By God," quoth Sir Gawayne, "I shall not - begrudge thee thy will."</span> - <p> - "Nay, bi God," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, "þ<i>a</i>t me gost lante, - </p> - <p> - I schal gruch þe no grwe, for grem þat falleȝ; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2252</span> - <p> - Botstyȝtel þe vpon on strok, & I schal stonde stylle, - </p> - <p> - & warp þe no werny<i>n</i>g, to worch as þe lykeȝ, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - no whare." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Then he shows his bare neck,</span> - <p class="i4"> - He lened w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe nek, & lutte, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2256</span> - <p class="i4"> - & schewed þat schyre al bare, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & lette as he noȝt dutte, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and appears undaunted.</span> - <p class="i4"> - For drede he wolde not dare. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> welcon, in MS. <sup>2</sup> t<i>ru</i>ee in MS. <sup>3</sup> - MS. þy þy. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then the man in green seizes his grim tool.</span> - <p> - The<i>n</i> þe gome i<i>n</i> þe grene grayþed hy<i>m</i> swyþe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2260</span> - <p> - Gedereȝ yp hys gry<i>m</i>me tole, Gawayn to smyte; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">With all his force he raises it aloft.</span> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> alle þe bur i<i>n</i> his body he ber hit on lofte, - </p> - <p> - Mu<i>n</i>t as maȝtyly, as marre hy<i>m</i> he wolde; - </p> - <p> - Hade hit dryuen adou<i>n</i>, as dreȝ as he atled, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2264</span> - <p> - Þer hade ben ded of his dynt, þat doȝty watȝ eu<i>er</i>. - </p> - <p> - Bot Gawayn on þat giserne glyfte hy<i>m</i> bysyde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">As it came gliding down,</span> - <p> - As hit com glydande adou<i>n</i>, on glode hy<i>m</i> to schende, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne shrank a little with his shoulders.</span> - <p> - & schranke a lytel w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe schulderes, for þe scharp - yrne. - </p> - <span class="linenum">2268</span> - <p> - Þat oþ<i>er</i> schalk wyth a schu<i>n</i>t þe schene wythhaldeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The other reproved him, saying,</span> - <p> - & þe<i>n</i>ne repreued he þe prynce w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> mony - prowde wordeȝ: - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Thou art not Gawayne that is so good esteemed,</span> - <p> - "Þ<i>o</i>u art not Gawayn," q<i>uod</i> þe gome, "þ<i>a</i>t is so - goud halden, - </p> - <p> - Þat neu<i>er</i> arȝed for no here, by hylle ne be vale, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 121<i>b</i>.]<br />for thou fleest for fear - before thou feelest harm.</span> <span class="linenum">2272</span> - <p> - & now þ<i>o</i>u fles for ferde, er þ<i>o</i>u fele harmeȝ; - </p> - <p> - Such cowardise of þat knyȝt cowþe I neu<i>er</i> here. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I never flinched when thou struckest.</span> - <p> - Nawþ<i>er</i> fyked I, ne flaȝe, freke, quen þ<i>o</i>u myntest, - </p> - <p> - Ne kest no kauelac<i>i</i>on, in ky<i>n</i>geȝ ho<i>us</i> - Arthor, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">My head flew to my foot, yet I never fled,</span> - <span class="linenum">2276</span> - <p> - My hede flaȝ to my fote, & ȝet flaȝ I neu<i>er</i>; - </p> - <p> - & þ<i>o</i>u, er any harme hent, arȝeȝ i<i>n</i> hert, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">wherefore I ought to be called the better man."</span> - <p> - Wherfore þe better burne me burde be called - </p> - <p class="i8"> - þ<i>e</i>r-fore." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"I shunted once," says Gawayne, "but will no - more.</span> <span class="linenum">2280</span> - <p class="i4"> - Q<i>uod</i> G:, "I schu<i>n</i>t oneȝ, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & so wyl I no more, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Bot paȝ my hede falle on þe stoneȝ, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - I con not hit restore. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Bring me to the point; deal me my destiny at - once."</span> <span class="linenum">2284</span> - <p> - Bot busk, burne, bi þi fayth, & bry<i>n</i>g me to þe poy<i>n</i>t, - </p> - <p> - Dele to me my destiné, & do hit out of honde, - </p> - <p> - For I schal stonde þe a strok, & start no more, - </p> - <p> - Til þy<i>n</i> ax haue me hitte, haf here my trawþe." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Have at thee, then," says the other.</span> - <span class="linenum">2288</span> - <p> - "Haf at þe þe<i>n</i>ne," q<i>uod</i> þ<i>a</i>t oþ<i>er</i>, & - heueȝ hit alofte, - </p> - <p> - & wayteȝ as wroþely, as he wode were; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">With that he aims at him a blow.</span> - <p> - He mynteȝ at hy<i>m</i> maȝtyly, bot not þe mon ryueȝ,<sup>1</sup> - </p> - <p> - With-helde het<i>er</i>ly h[i]s honde, er hit hurt myȝt. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne never flinches, but stands as still as a - stone.</span> <span class="linenum">2292</span> - <p> - Gawayn grayþely hit bydeȝ, & glent w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> no - membre, - </p> - <p> - Bot stode stylle as þe ston, oþ<i>er</i> a stubbe auþer, - </p> - <p> - Þat raþeled is i<i>n</i> roche grou<i>n</i>de, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> roteȝ - a hundreth. - </p> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i> muryly efte con he mele, þe mon i<i>n</i> þe grene, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Now," says the Green Knight, "I must hit thee, - since thy heart is whole."</span> <span class="linenum">2296</span> - <p> - "So now þ<i>o</i>u hatȝ þi hert holle, hitte me bihou[e]s; - </p> - <p> - Halde þe now þe hyȝe hode, þat Arþur þe raȝt, - </p> - <p> - & kepe þy kanel at þis kest, ȝif hit keu<i>er</i> may." - </p> - <p> - G: ful gryndelly w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> greme þe<i>n</i>ne sayde, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Thrash on," says the other.</span> <span - class="linenum">2300</span> - <p> - "Wy þresch on, þ<i>o</i>u þro mon, þ<i>o</i>u þreteȝ to longe, - </p> - <p> - I hope þat þi hert arȝe wyth þyn awen seluen." - </p> - <p> - "For soþe," q<i>uod</i> þat oþ<i>er</i> freke, "so felly þ<i>o</i>u - spekeȝ, - </p> - <p> - I wyl no leng<i>er</i> on lyte lette þin ernde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2304</span> - <p class="i8"> - riȝt nowe." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Then the Green Knight makes ready to strike.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe<i>n</i>ne tas he<sup>2</sup> hy<i>m</i> stryþe to stryke, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & frou<i>n</i>ses boþe lyppe & browe, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - No meruayle þaȝ hy<i>m</i> myslyke, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2308</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þat hoped of no rescowe. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> ? <i>ryneȝ</i> = touches. <sup>2</sup> he he, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XIV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">He let fall his loom on the bare</span> - <p> - He lyftes lyȝtly his lome, & let hit dou<i>n</i> fayre, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 122.]<br />neck of Sir Gawayne.</span> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe barbe of þe bitte bi þe bare nek - </p> - <p> - Þaȝ he homered het<i>er</i>ly, hurt hy<i>m</i> no more, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2312</span> - <p> - Bot snyrt hy<i>m</i> on þat on syde, þat seu<i>er</i>ed þe hyde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The sharp weapon pierced the flesh so that the - blood flowed.</span> - <p> - Þe scharp schrank to þe flesche þurȝ þe schyre grece, - </p> - <p> - Þat þe schene blod ov<i>er</i> his schulderes schot to þe erþe. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">When the knight saw the blood on the snow,</span> - <p> - & quen þe burne seȝ þe blode blenk on þe snawe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2316</span> - <p> - He sprit forth spe<i>n</i>ne fote more þe<i>n</i> a spere lenþe, - </p> - <p> - Hent het<i>er</i>ly his helme, & on his hed cast, - </p> - <p> - Schot wit<i>h</i> his schuldereȝ his fayre schelde vnder, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">he unsheathed his sword, and thus spake:</span> - <p> - Braydeȝ out a bryȝt sworde, & bremely he spekeȝ; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2320</span> - <p> - Neu<i>er</i> syn þat he watȝ burne borne of his moder, - </p> - <p> - Watȝ he neu<i>er</i> i<i>n</i> þis worlde, wyȝe half so - blyþe:— - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Cease, man, of thy blow.</span> - <p> - "Bly<i>n</i>ne, burne, of þy bur, bede me no mo; - </p> - <p> - I haf a stroke i<i>n</i> þis sted w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-oute stryf hent, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">If thou givest me any more, readily shall I - requite thee.</span> <span class="linenum">2324</span> - <p> - & if þow recheȝ me any mo, I redyly schal quyte, - </p> - <p> - & ȝelde ȝederly aȝayn, & þ<i>er</i> to ȝe - tryst, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - & foo; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Our agreement stipulates only one stroke."</span> - <p class="i4"> - Bot on stroke here me falleȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2328</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þe couenau<i>n</i>t schop ryȝt so, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - [Sikered]<sup>1</sup> in Arþureȝ halleȝ, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & þer-fore, hende, now hoo!" - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> Illegible. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XV. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The Green Knight rested on his axe,</span> - <p> - The haþel heldet hy<i>m</i> fro, & on his ax rested, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2332</span> - <p> - Sette þe schaft vpon schore, & to be scharp lened, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">looked on Sir Gawayne, who appeared bold and - fearless,</span> - <p> - & loked to þe leude, þat on þe launde ȝede, - </p> - <p> - How þat doȝty dredles deruely þer stondeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Armed ful aȝleȝ; i<i>n</i> hert hit hy<i>m</i> lykeȝ. - </p> - <span class="linenum">2336</span> - <p> - þe<i>n</i>n he meleȝ muryly, wyth a much steuen, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and addressed him as follows: "Bold knight, be - not so wroth,</span> - <p> - & wyth a r[a]ykande rurde he to þe renk sayde, - </p> - <p> - "Bolde burne, on þis bent be not so gryndel; - </p> - <p> - No mon here vn-man<i>er</i>ly þe mys-boden habbe, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2340</span> - <p> - Ne kyd, bot as couenau<i>n</i>de, at ky<i>n</i>geȝ kort schaped; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I promised thee a stroke and thou hast it, be - satisfied.</span> - <p> - I hyȝt þe a strok, & þ<i>o</i>u hit hatȝ, halde þe wel - payed, - </p> - <p> - I relece þe of þe remnau<i>n</i>t, of ryȝtes alle oþ<i>er</i>; - </p> - <p> - Ȝif<sup>1</sup> I deliuer had bene, a boffet, parau<i>n</i>t<i>e</i>r, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I could have dealt worse with thee.</span> <span - class="linenum">2344</span> - <p> - I couþe wroþeloker haf waret, [&] to þe haf wroȝt ang<i>er</i>.<sup>2</sup> - </p> - <p> - Fyrst I mansed þe muryly, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> a mynt one, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I menaced thee with one blow for the covenant</span> - <p> - & roue þe wyth no rof, sore w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> ryȝt I þe p<i>ro</i>fered, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 122<i>b</i>.]<br /> between us on the first - night.</span> - <p> - For þe forwarde that we fest i<i>n</i> þe fyrst nyȝt, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2348</span> - <p> - & þ<i>o</i>u trystyly þe trawþe & trwly me haldeȝ, - </p> - <p> - Al þe gayne þow me gef, as god mon shulde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Another I aimed at thee because thou kissedst my - wife.</span> - <p> - Þat oþ<i>er</i> mu<i>n</i>t for þe morne, mon, I þe profered, - </p> - <p> - Þ<i>o</i>u kyssedes my clere wyf, þe cosseȝ me raȝteȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2352</span> - <p> - For boþe two here I þe bede bot two bare myntes, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - boute scaþe; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">A true man should restore truly, and then he need - fear no harm.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Trwe mon trwe restore, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe<i>n</i>ne þar mo<i>n</i> drede no waþe; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Thou failedst at the third time, and therefore - take thee that tap. (See l. 1861.)</span> <span class="linenum">2356</span> - <p class="i4"> - At þe þrid þ<i>o</i>u fayled þore, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & þ<i>er</i>-for þat tappe ta þe. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> uf, in MS. <sup>2</sup> This word is doubtful. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XVI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">For my weed (woven by my wife) thou wearest.</span> - <p> - For hit is my wede þat þ<i>o</i>u wereȝ, þ<i>a</i>t ilke wouen - girdel, - </p> - <p> - Myn owen wyf hit þe weued, I wot wel forsoþe; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I know thy kisses and my wife's wooing.</span> - <span class="linenum">2360</span> - <p> - Now know I wel þy cosses, & þy costes als, - </p> - <p> - & þe wowy<i>n</i>g of my wyf, I wroȝt hit myseluen; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I sent her to try thee, and faultless I found - thee.</span> - <p> - I sende hir to asay þe, & sothly me þynkkeȝ, - </p> - <p> - On þe fautlest freke, þat eu<i>er</i> on fote ȝede; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2364</span> - <p> - As perle bi þe quite pese is of prys more, - </p> - <p> - So is Gawayn, i<i>n</i> god fayth, bi oþ<i>er</i> gay knyȝteȝ. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">But yet thou sinnedst a little,</span> - <p> - Bot here you lakked a lyttel, s<i>ir</i>, & lewte yow wonted, - </p> - <p> - Bot þat watȝ for no wylyde werke, ne wowy<i>n</i>g nauþ<i>er</i>, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">for love of thy life."</span> <span - class="linenum">2368</span> - <p> - Bot for ȝe lufed yo<i>ur</i> lyf, þe lasse I yow blame." - </p> - <p> - Þat oþ<i>er</i> stif mon i<i>n</i> study stod a gret whyle; - </p> - <p> - So agreued for greme he gryed w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne stands confounded.</span> - <p> - Alle þe blode of his brest blende i<i>n</i> his face, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2372</span> - <p> - Þat al he schrank for schome, þat þe schalk talked. - </p> - <p> - Þe forme worde vpon folde, þat þe freke meled,— - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Cursed," he says, "be cowardice and covetousness - both!"</span> - <p> - "Corsed worth cowarddyse & couetyse boþe! - </p> - <p> - I<i>n</i> yow is vylany & vyse, þat v<i>er</i>tue disstryeȝ." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Then he takes off the girdle and throws it to the - knight.</span> <span class="linenum">2376</span> - <p> - Þe<i>n</i>ne he kaȝt to þe knot, & þe kest lawseȝ, - </p> - <p> - Brayde broþely þe belt to þe burne seluen: - </p> - <p> - "Lo! þer þe falssy<i>n</i>g, foule mot hit falle! - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He curses his cowardice,</span> - <p> - For care of þy knokke cowardyse me taȝt - </p> - <span class="linenum">2380</span> - <p> - To a-corde me w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> couetyse, my kynde to for-sake, - </p> - <p> - Þat is larges & lewte, þat longeȝ to knyȝteȝ. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">and confesses himself to have been guilty of - untruth.</span> - <p> - Now am I fawty, & falce, & ferde haf ben eu<i>er</i>; - </p> - <p> - Of trecherye & vn-trawþe boþe bityde sorȝe - </p> - <span class="linenum">2384</span> - <p class="i8"> - & care! - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 123.]<br /></span> - <p class="i4"> - I bi-knowe yow, knyȝt, here stylle, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Al fawty is my fare, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Leteȝ me ou<i>er</i>-take yo<i>ur</i> wylle, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2388</span> - <p class="i4"> - & efle I schal be ware." - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XVII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then the other, laughing, thus spoke:</span> - <p> - The<i>n</i>ne loȝe þat oþ<i>er</i> leude, & luflyly sayde, - </p> - <p> - "I halde hit hardily<sup>1</sup> hole, þe harme þat I hade; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"Thou art confessed so clean,</span> - <p> - Þ<i>o</i>u art confessed so clene, be-knowen of þy mysses, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2392</span> - <p> - & hatȝ þe penau<i>n</i>ce apert, of þe poy<i>n</i>t of myn - egge, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">that I hold thee as pure as if thou hadst never - been guilty.</span> - <p> - I halde þe polysed of þat plyȝt, & pured as clene, - </p> - <p> - As þ<i>o</i>u hadeȝ neu<i>er</i> forfeted, syþe<i>n</i> þ<i>o</i>u - watȝ fyrst borne. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I give thee, sir, the gold-hemmed girdle,</span> - <p> - & I gif þe, s<i>ir</i>, þe gurdel þat is golde he<i>m</i>med; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2396</span> - <p> - For hit is grene as my goune, s<i>ir</i> G:, ȝe maye - </p> - <p> - Þenk vpon þis ilke þrepe, þ<i>er</i> þ<i>o</i>u forth þry<i>n</i>geȝ - </p> - <p> - Amo<i>n</i>g prynces of prys, & þis a pure token - </p> - <span class="sidenote">as a token of thy adventure at the Green Chapel.</span> - <p> - Of þe chau<i>n</i>ce of þe grene chapel, at cheualro<i>us</i> knyȝteȝ; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Come again to my abode, and abide there for the - remainder of the festival."</span> <span class="linenum">2400</span> - <p> - & ȝe schal i<i>n</i> þis nwe ȝer aȝayn to my woneȝ, - </p> - <p> - & we schy<i>n</i> reuel þe remnau<i>n</i>t of þis ryche fest, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - ful bene." - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þer laþed hy<i>m</i> fast þe lorde, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2404</span> - <p class="i4"> - & sayde, "w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> my wyf, I wene, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - We schal yow wel acorde, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þat watȝ yo<i>ur</i> enmy kene." - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> hardilyly, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XVIII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"Nay, forsooth," says Gawayne,</span> - <p> - "Nay, for soþe," q<i>uod</i> þe segge, & sesed hys helme, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2408</span> - <p> - & hatȝ hit of hendely, & þe haþel þonkkeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">"I have sojourned sadly, but bliss betide thee!</span> - <p> - "I haf soiorned sadly, sele yow bytyde, - </p> - <p> - & he ȝelde hit yow ȝare, þat ȝarkkeȝ al me<i>n</i>skes! - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Commend me to your comely wife and that other - lady who have beguiled me.</span> - <p> - & comau<i>n</i>deȝ me to þat cortays, yo<i>ur</i> comlych - fere, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2412</span> - <p> - Boþe þat on & þat oþ<i>er</i>, myn hono<i>ur</i>ed ladyeȝ. - </p> - <p> - Þat þ<i>us</i> hor knyȝt wyth hor kest han koy<i>n</i>tly - bigyled. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">But it is no marvel for a man to be brought to - grief through a woman's wiles.</span> - <p> - Bot hit is no ferly, þaȝ a fole madde, - </p> - <p> - & þurȝ wyles of wy<i>m</i>men be wonen to sorȝe; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Adam, Solomon, Samson, and David were beguiled by - women.</span> <span class="linenum">2416</span> - <p> - For so watȝ Adam i<i>n</i> erde w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> one bygyled, - </p> - <p> - & Salamon w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> fele sere, & Samson eft soneȝ, - </p> - <p> - Dalyda dalt hy<i>m</i> hys wyrde, & Dauyth þer-aft<i>er</i> - </p> - <p> - Watȝ blended w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> Barsabe, þat much bale þoled. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">How could a man love them and believe them not?</span> - <span class="linenum">2420</span> - <p> - Now þese were wrathed wyth her wyles, h<i>i</i>t were a wy<i>n</i>ne - huge, - </p> - <p> - To luf hom wel, & leue hem not, a leude þat couþe, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 123<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p> - For þes wer forne<sup>1</sup> þe freest þat folȝed alle þe sele, - </p> - <p> - Ex-ellently of alle þyse oþ<i>er</i>, vnder heuen-ryche, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2424</span> - <p class="i8"> - þat mused; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & alle þay were bi-wyled, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - With<sup>2</sup> wy<i>m</i>men þat þay vsed, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Though I be now beguiled, methinks I should be - excused.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Þaȝ I be now bigyled, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2428</span> - <p class="i4"> - Me þink me burde be excused." - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> forme (?) <sup>2</sup> with wyth, in MS. - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XIX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">But God reward you for your girdle.</span> - <p> - "Bot yo<i>ur</i> gordel," q<i>uod</i> G: "God yow for-ȝelde! - </p> - <p> - Þat wyl I welde wyth good wylle, not for þe wy<i>n</i>ne golde, - </p> - <p> - Ne þe saynt, ne þe sylk, ne þe syde pendau<i>n</i>des, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2432</span> - <p> - For wele, ne for worchyp, ne for þe wlonk werkkeȝ, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I will wear it in remembrance of my fault.</span> - <p> - Bot i<i>n</i> sy<i>n</i>gne of my surfet I schal se hit ofte; - </p> - <p> - When I ride i<i>n</i> renou<i>n</i>, remorde to myseluen - </p> - <p> - Þe faut & þe fayntyse of þe flesche crabbed, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2436</span> - <p> - How tender hit is to entyse teches of fylþe; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">And when pride shall prick me,</span> - <p> - & þ<i>us</i>, quen pryde schal me pryk, for prowes of armes, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">a look to this lace shall abate it.</span> - <p> - Þe loke to þis luf lace schal leþe my hert. - </p> - <p> - Bot on I wolde yow pray, displeses yow neu<i>er</i>; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2440</span> - <p> - Syn ȝe be lorde of þe ȝonde[r] londe, þ<i>er</i> I haf lent - i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <p> - Wyth yow wyth worschyp,—þe wyȝe hit yow ȝelde - </p> - <p> - Þat vp-haldeȝ þe heu<i>en</i>, & on hyȝ sitteȝ,— - </p> - <span class="sidenote">But tell me your right name and I shall have - done."</span> - <p> - How norne ȝe yowre ryȝt nome, & þe<i>n</i>ne no more?" - </p> - <span class="linenum">2444</span> - <p> - "Þat schal I telle þe trwly," q<i>uod</i> þ<i>a</i>t oþ<i>er</i> þe<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The Green Knight replies, "I am called Bernlak de - Hautdesert, through might of Morgain la Fey, the pupil of Merlin.</span> - <p> - "Bernlak de Hautdesert I hat i<i>n</i> þis londe, - </p> - <p> - Þurȝ myȝt of Morgne la Faye, þat i<i>n</i> my ho<i>us</i> - lenges, - </p> - <p> - &<sup>1</sup> koyntyse of clergye, bi craftes wel lerned, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2448</span> - <p> - Þe maystres of M<i>er</i>lyn, mony ho<sup>2</sup> taken; - </p> - <p> - For ho hatȝ dalt drwry ful dere su<i>m</i> tyme, - </p> - <p> - With þat conable klerk, þat knowes alle yo<i>ur</i> knyȝteȝ - </p> - <p class="i8"> - at hame; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2452</span> - <p class="i4"> - Morgne þe goddes, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þer-fore hit is hir name; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">She can tame even the haughtiest.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Weldeȝ non so hyȝe hawtesse, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þat ho ne con make ful tame. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> in (?). <sup>2</sup> ho hatȝ (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XX. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">It was she who caused me to test the renown of - the Round Table,</span> <span class="linenum">2456</span> - <p> - Ho wayned me vpon þis wyse to yo<i>ur</i> wy<i>n</i>ne halle, - </p> - <p> - For to assay þe surquidre, ȝif hit soth were, - </p> - <p> - Þat re<i>n</i>nes of þe grete renou<i>n</i> of þe Rou<i>n</i>de Table; - </p> - <p> - Ho wayned me þis wonder, yo<i>ur</i> wytteȝ to reue, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 124.]<br />hoping to grieve Guenever and - cause her death through fear.</span> <span class="linenum">2460</span> - <p> - For to haf greued Gayno<i>ur</i>, & gart hir to dyȝe. - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> gopny<i>n</i>g<sup>1</sup> of þat ilke gomen, þat - gostlych speked, - </p> - <p> - W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> his hede i<i>n</i> his honde, bifore þe hyȝe - table. - </p> - <p> - Þat is ho þat is at home, þe au<i>n</i>cian lady; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">She is even thine aunt.</span> <span - class="linenum">2464</span> - <p> - Ho is euen þyn au<i>n</i>t, Arþureȝ half suster, - </p> - <p> - Þe duches doȝter of Tyntagelle, þat dere Vt<i>er</i> aft<i>er</i> - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Therefore come to her and make merry in my - house."</span> - <p> - Hade Arþur vpon, þat aþel is nowþe. - </p> - <p> - Þerfore I eþe þe, haþel, to com to þy nau<i>n</i>t, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2468</span> - <p> - Make myry i<i>n</i> my ho<i>us</i>, my meny þe louies, - </p> - <p> - & I wol þe as wel, wyȝe, bi my faythe, - </p> - <p> - As any gome vnder God, for þy grete trauþe." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne refuses to return with the Green Knight.</span> - <p> - & he nikked hy<i>m</i> naye, he nolde bi no wayes; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2472</span> - <p> - Þay acolen & kyssen, [bikennen] ayþer oþ<i>er</i> - </p> - <p> - To þe prynce of paradise, & parten ryȝt þere, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - on coolde; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">On horse full fair he bends to Arthur's hall.</span> - <p class="i4"> - Gawayn on blonk ful bene, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2476</span> - <p class="i4"> - To þe ky<i>n</i>geȝ burȝ buskeȝ bolde, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - & þe knyȝt i<i>n</i> þe enker grene, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Whider-warde so eu<i>er</i> he wolde. - </p> - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> glopnyng (?). - </p> - </div> - <h2> - XXI. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Wild ways now Gawayne rides.</span> - <p> - Wylde wayeȝ i<i>n</i> þe worlde Wowen now rydeȝ, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2480</span> - <p> - On Gryngolet, þat þe g<i>ra</i>ce hade geten of his lyue; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Oft he harboured in house and oft thereout.</span> - <p> - Ofte he herbered i<i>n</i> house, & ofte al þeroute, - </p> - <p> - & mony a-venture i<i>n</i> vale, & venquyst ofte, - </p> - <p> - Þat I ne tyȝt, at þis tyme, i<i>n</i> tale to remene. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The wound in his neck became whole.</span> <span - class="linenum">2484</span> - <p> - Þe hurt watȝ hole, þat he hade hent i<i>n</i> his nek, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He still carried about him the belt,</span> - <p> - & þe blykkande belt he bere þeraboute, - </p> - <p> - A belef as a bauderyk, bou<i>n</i>den bi his syde, - </p> - <p> - Loken vnder his lyfte arme, þe lace, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> a knot, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">in token of his fault.</span> <span - class="linenum">2488</span> - <p> - I<i>n</i> tokeny<i>n</i>g he watȝ tane i<i>n</i> tech of a faute; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Thus he comes to the Court of King Arthur.</span> - <p> - & þ<i>us</i> he co<i>m</i>mes to þe co<i>u</i>rt, knyȝt al i<i>n</i> - sou<i>n</i>de. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Great then was the joy of all.</span> - <p> - Þer wakned wele i<i>n</i> þat wone, when wyst þe grete, - </p> - <p> - Þat gode G: watȝ co<i>m</i>men, gayn hit hym þoȝt; - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The king and his knights ask him concerning his - journey.</span> <span class="linenum">2492</span> - <p> - Þe ky<i>n</i>g kysseȝ þe knyȝt, & þe whene alce, - </p> - <p> - & syþen mony syker knyȝt, þat soȝt hy<i>m</i> to haylce, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne tells them of his adventures,</span> - <p> - Of his fare þat hy<i>m</i> frayned, & ferlyly he telles; - </p> - <p> - Biknowoȝ alle þe costes of care þat he hade,— - </p> - <span class="linenum">2496</span> - <p> - Þe chau<i>n</i>ce of þe chapel, þe chere of þe knyȝt, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 124<i>b</i>.]<br />the love of the lady, and - lastly of the lace.</span> - <p> - Þe luf of þe ladi, þe lace at þe last. - </p> - <p> - Þe nirt i<i>n</i> þe nek he naked hem schewed, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He showed them the cut in his neck.</span> - <p> - Þat he laȝt for his vnleute at þe leudes hondes, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2500</span> - <p class="i8"> - for blame; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He tened quen he schulde telle, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He groaned for grief and shame, and the blood - rushed into his face.</span> - <p class="i4"> - He groned for gref & grame; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Þe blod i<i>n</i> his face con melle, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2504</span> - <p class="i4"> - When he hit schulde schewe, for schame. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <h2> - XXII. - </h2> - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"Lo!" says he, handling the lace, "this is the - band of blame,</span> - <p> - "Lo! lorde," q<i>uod</i> þe leude, & þe lace hondeled, - </p> - <p> - "Þis is þe bende of þis blame I bere [in] my nek, - </p> - <p> - Þis is þe laþe & þe losse, þat I laȝt haue, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">a token of my cowardice and covetousness,</span> - <span class="linenum">2508</span> - <p> - Of couardise & couetyse, þat I haf caȝt þare, - </p> - <p> - Þis is þe token of vn-trawþe, þat I am tan i<i>n</i>ne, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">I must needs wear it as long as I live."</span> - <p> - & I mot nedeȝ hit were, wyle I may last; - </p> - <p> - For non may hyden his harme, bot vnhap ne may hit, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2512</span> - <p> - For þ<i>er</i> hit oneȝ is tachched, twy<i>n</i>ne wil hit neu<i>er</i>." - </p> - <span class="sidenote">The king comforts the knight, and all the court - too.</span> - <p> - Þe ky<i>n</i>g comforteȝ þe knyȝt, & alle þe co<i>u</i>rt - als, - </p> - <p> - Laȝen loude þ<i>er</i>-at, & luflyly acorden, - </p> - <p> - Þat lordes & ladis, þ<i>a</i>t longed to þe Table, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Each knight of the brotherhood agrees to wear a - bright green belt,</span> <span class="linenum">2516</span> - <p> - Vche burne of þe broþ<i>er</i>-hede a bauderyk schulde haue, - </p> - <p> - A bende, a belef hy<i>m</i> aboute, of a bryȝt grene, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">for Gawayne's sake,</span> - <p> - & þat, for sake of þat segge, i<i>n</i> swete to were. - </p> - <p> - For þat watȝ acorded þe renou<i>n</i> of þe Rou<i>n</i>de Table, - </p> - <span class="sidenote">who ever more honoured it.</span> <span - class="linenum">2520</span> - <p> - & he hono<i>ur</i>ed þat hit hade, eu<i>er</i>-more aft<i>er</i>, - </p> - <p> - As hit is breued i<i>n</i> þe best boke of romau<i>n</i>ce. - </p> - <span class="sidenote">Thus in Arthur's day this adventure befell.</span> - <p> - Þ<i>us</i> i<i>n</i> Arthur<i>us</i> day þis au<i>n</i>t<i>er</i> - bitidde, - </p> - <p> - Þe Brut<i>us</i> boke<i>es</i> þ<i>er</i>-of beres wyttenesse; - </p> - <span class="linenum">2524</span> - <p> - Syþ<i>en</i> Brut<i>us</i>, þe bolde burne, boȝed hider fyrst, - </p> - <p> - Aft<i>er</i> þe segge & þe asaute watȝ sesed at Troye, - </p> - <p class="i8"> - I-wysse; - </p> - <p class="i4"> - Mony au<i>n</i>t<i>er</i>eȝ here bi-forne, - </p> - <span class="linenum">2528</span> - <p class="i4"> - Haf fallen suche er þis: - </p> - <span class="sidenote">He that bore the crown of thorns bring us to His - bliss!</span> - <p class="i4"> - Now þat bere þe crou<i>n</i> of þorne, - </p> - <p class="i4"> - He bry<i>n</i>g v<i>us</i> to his blysse! AMEN. - </p> - </div> - </div> - <hr /> - <p> - NOTES. - </p> - <table border="0"> - <tr> - <td> - Line 8 - </td> - <td> - Ricchis turns, goes,<br /> The - king ...<br /> <i>Ricchis</i> his reynys and the Renke - metys:<br /> Girden to gedur with þere grete speires.—T.B. - l. 1232. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 37 - </td> - <td> - <i> Þis kyng lay at Camylot vpon kryst-masse</i>.<br /> - <i>Camalot</i>, in Malory's "Morte Arthure," is said to be the same as - Winchester. Ritson supposes it to be <i>Caer-went</i>, in - Monmouthshire, and afterwards confounded with <i>Caer-wynt</i>, or <i>Winchester</i>. - But popular tradition here seems the best guide, which assigned the - site of Camalot to the ruins of a castle on a hill, near the church of - South Cadbury, in Somersetshire (Sir F. Madden). - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 65 - </td> - <td> - <i> Nowel nayted o-newe, neuened ful ofte</i>.<br /> - Christmas celebrated anew, mentioned full often.<br /> Sir - F. Madden leaves the word <i>nayted</i> unexplained in his Glossary to - "Syr Gawayne." - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 124 - </td> - <td> - <i>syluener</i> = <i>sylueren</i>, i.e. silver dishes. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 139 - </td> - <td> - <i>lyndes</i> = <i>lendes</i>, loins. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 142 - </td> - <td> - <i>in his muckel</i>, in his greatness. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 184 - </td> - <td> - Watȝ euesed al umbe-torne—? was trimmed, all cut evenly - around; <i>umbe-torne</i> may be an error for <i>vmbe-corue</i> = cut - round. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 216 - </td> - <td> - <i>in gracios werkes</i>. Sir F. Madden reads <i>gracons</i> for <i>gracios</i>, - and suggests <i>Greek</i> as the meaning of it. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 244-5 - </td> - <td> - <i> As al were slypped vpon slepe so slaked hor - loteȝ<br /> in hyȝe</i>.<br /> - As all were fallen asleep so ceased their - words<br /> in haste - (suddenly).<br /> Sir F. Madden reads <i>slaked horloteȝ</i>, - instead of <i>slaked hor loteȝ</i>, which, according to his - glossary, signifies drunken vagabonds. He evidently takes <i>horloteȝ</i> - to be another (and a very uncommon) form of <i>harloteȝ</i> = <i>harlots</i>. - But <i>harlot</i>, or vagabond, would be a very inappropriate term to - apply to the noble <i>Knights of the Round Table</i>. Moreover, <i>slaked</i> - never, I think, means drunken. The general sense of the verb <i>slake</i> - is to let loose, lessen, cease. Cf. lines 411-2, where <i>sloke</i>, - another form of <i>slake</i>, occurs with a similar meaning:<br /> - — <i>layt no fyrre; bot slokes</i>.<br /> - — seek no further, but stop (cease).<br /> - Sir F. Madden suggests <i>blows</i> as the explanation of <i>slokes</i>. - It is, however, a <i>verb</i> in the imperative mood. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 286 - </td> - <td> - <i>Brayn</i>. Mätzner suggests <i>brayn-wod</i>. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 296 - </td> - <td> - <i>barlay</i> = par loi. This word is exceedingly common in the T. - Book (see l. 3391).<br /> I bid you now, - <i>barlay</i>, with besines at all<br /> Þat ye - set you most soverainly my suster to gete.—T.B. l. 2780. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 394 - </td> - <td> - <i>siker</i>. Sir F. Madden reads <i>swer</i>. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 440 - </td> - <td> - <i>bluk</i>. Sir F. Madden suggests <i>blunk</i> (horse). I am - inclined to keep to the reading of the MS., and explain <i>bluk</i> as - = <i>bulk</i> = trunk. Cf. the use of the word <i>Blok</i> in "Early - English Alliterative Poems," p. 100, l. 272. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 558 - </td> - <td> - <i>derue doel</i>, etc. = great grief. Sir F. Madden reads <i>derne</i>, - i.e. secret, instead of <i>derue</i> (= <i>derf</i>). Cf. line 564. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 577 - </td> - <td> - <i>knaged</i>, fastened.<br /> The braunches - were borly, sum of bright gold,<br /> With - leuys full luffly, light of the same;<br /> With - burions aboue bright to beholde;<br /> And - fruit on yt fourmyt of fairest of shap,<br /> Of - mony kynd that was knyt, <i>knagged</i> aboue.—T.B. l. 4973. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 629 - </td> - <td> - <i>& ay quere hit is endeleȝ</i>, - etc.<br /> And everywhere it is <i>endless</i>, - etc.<br /> Sir F. Madden reads <i>emdeleȝ</i>, i.e. with equal - sides. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 652 - </td> - <td> - <i>for-be</i> = <i>for-bi</i> = surpassing, beyond. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 681 - </td> - <td> - for <i>Hadet</i> read <i>Halet</i> = <i>haled</i> = exiled (?). See - line 1049. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 806 - </td> - <td> - <i>auinant</i> = <i>auenaunt</i>, pleasantly. Sir F. Madden reads <i>amnant</i>. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 954 - </td> - <td> - <i>of</i>. Should we not read <i>on</i> (?). - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 957 - </td> - <td> - <i> Þat oþer wyth a gorger watȝ gered ouer - þe swyre</i>.<br /> The <i>gorger</i> or <i>wimple</i> is stated first - to have appeared in Edward the First's reign, and an example is found - on the monument of Aveline, Countess of Lancaster, who died in 1269. - From the poem, however, it would seem that the <i>gorger</i> was - confined to elderly ladies (Sir F. Madden) - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 968 - </td> - <td> - <i>More lykker-wys on to lyk,<br /> Watȝ - þat scho had on lode.</i><br /> A more pleasant - one to like,<br /> Was that (one) she had under - her control. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 988 - </td> - <td> - <i>tayt</i> = lively, and hence pleasant, agreeable. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1015 - </td> - <td> - <i>in vayres</i>, in purity. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1020 - </td> - <td> - <i>dut</i> = <i>dunt</i> (?) = <i>dint</i> (?), referring to <i>sword-sports</i>. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1022 - </td> - <td> - <i>sayn[t] Ioneȝ day</i>. This is the 27th of December, and the - last of the feast. Sometimes the Christmas festivities were prolonged - to New Year's Day (Sir F. Madden). - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1047 - </td> - <td> - <i>derne dede</i> = secret deed. I would prefer to read <i>derue dede</i> - = great deed. Cf. lines 558, 564. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1053 - </td> - <td> - <i>I wot in worlde</i>, etc. = <i>I not</i> (I know not) <i>in worlde</i>, - etc. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1054 - </td> - <td> - <i>I nolde, bot if I hit negh myȝt on nwȝeres - morne,</i><br /> <i>For alle þe londe in-wyth - Logres,</i> etc.<br /> I would not [delay to set out], unless I might - approach it on New Year's morn, for all the lands within England, etc. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1074 - </td> - <td> - <i>in spenne</i> = <i>in space</i> = in the interval = meanwhile. See - line 1503. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1160 - </td> - <td> - <i>slentyng of arwes</i>. Sir F. Madden reads <i>sleutyng</i>.<br /> - "Of drawyn swordis <i>sclentyng</i> to and - fra,<br /> The brycht mettale, and othir - armouris seir,<br /> Quharon the sonnys blenkis - betis cleir,<br /> Glitteris and schane, and - vnder bemys brycht,<br /> Castis ane new - twynklyng or a lemand lycht."<br /> (G. - Douglas' Æneid, Vol. i, p. 421.) - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1281 - </td> - <td> - <i>let lyk</i> = appeared pleased. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1283 - </td> - <td> - <i>Þaȝ I were burde bryȝtest, þe - burde in mynde hade</i>, etc.<br /> The sense requires us to read:<br /> - <i>Þaȝ ho were burde bryȝtest, þe - burne in mynde hade</i>, etc.<br /> i.e., Though she were lady fairest, - the knight in mind had, etc. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1440 - </td> - <td> - <i>Long sythen [seuered] for þe sounder þat wiȝt - for-olde</i><br /> Long since separated from the <i>sounder</i> or herd - that fierce (one) for-aged (grew very old).<br /> "Now - to speke of the boore, the fyrste year he is<br /> A - pygge of the <i>sounder</i> callyd, as haue I blys;<br /> The - secounde yere an hogge, and soo shall he be,<br /> And - an hoggestere, whan he is of yeres thre;<br /> And - when he is foure yere, a boor shall he be,<br /> From - the <i>sounder</i> of the swyne thenne departyth he;<br /> A - synguler is he soo, for alone he woll go."<br /> (Book - of St. Alban's, ed. 1496, sig. <i>d</i>., i.) - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1476 - </td> - <td> - <i>totes</i> = looks, toots.<br /> Sho went up - wightly by a walle syde.<br /> To the toppe of - a toure and <i>tot</i> ouer the water.—T.B. l. 862.<br /> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1623 - </td> - <td> - A verb [? <i>lalede</i> = cried] seems wanting after <i>lorde</i>. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1702 - </td> - <td> - <i>fnasted</i>, breathed.<br /> These balfull - bestes were, as the boke tellus,<br /> Full - flaumond of fyre with <i>fnastyng</i> of logh.—T.B. l. 168. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1710 - </td> - <td> - <i>a strothe rande</i> = a rugged path. Cf. the phrases <i>tene greue</i>, - l. 1707; <i>roȝe greue</i>, l. 1898. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1729 - </td> - <td> - <i>bi lag</i> = <i>be-lagh</i>(?) = below (?). - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1719 - </td> - <td> - <i>Thenne watȝ hit lif vpon list</i>, - etc.<br /> Should we not read:<br /> <i>Thenne - watȝ hit list vpon lif</i>, etc.<br /> i.e., Then was there joy in - life, etc. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1780 - </td> - <td> - <i>lyf</i> = <i>lef</i>(?), beloved (one). - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1869 - </td> - <td> - <i>Ho hatȝ kyst þe knyȝt so toȝt</i>.<br /> - <i>She has kissed the knight so courteous</i>.<br /> Sir F. - Madden explains <i>toȝt</i>, promptly. <i>Toȝt</i> seems to - be the same as the Northumbrian <i>taght</i> in the following extract - from the "Morte Arthure":<br /> "There come in - at the fyrste course, before the kyng seluene,<br /> Bare - hevedys that ware bryghte, burnyste with sylver,<br /> Alle - with <i>taghte</i> mene and <i>towne</i> in togers fulle ryche."—(p. 15.)<br /> - The word <i>towne</i> (well-behaved) still exists in <i>wan-ton</i>, - the original meaning of which was ill-mannered, ill-bred. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1909 - </td> - <td> - <i>bray houndeȝ</i> = <i>braþ houndeȝ</i>, i.e. fierce - hounds. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 1995 - </td> - <td> - <i>He hatȝ nere þat he soȝt</i> = <i>He watȝ nere þat - he soȝt</i> = He was near to that which he sought. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 2160 - </td> - <td> - <i>gedereȝ þe rake</i> = takes the path or way. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 2167 - </td> - <td> - <i>Þe skweȝ of þe scowtes skayued hym þoȝt</i>.<br /> - The shadows of the hills appeared wild (desolate) to him. Sir F. - Madden reads <i>skayned</i>, of which he gives no explanation. <i>Skayued</i> - = <i>skayfed</i>, seems to be the N. Prov. English <i>scafe</i>, wild. - Scotch <i>schaivie</i>, wild, mad. O.N. <i>skeifr</i>. Sw. <i>skef</i>, - awry, distorted. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 2204 - </td> - <td> - <i>ronge</i> = clattered. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 2211 - </td> - <td> - <i>Drede dotȝ me no lote</i> =<br /> - No noise shall cause me to dread (fear). - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 2357 - </td> - <td> - <i>& þer-for þat tappe ta þe</i>.<br /> - And therefore take thee that tap.<br /> <i>ta - þe</i> = take thee. Sir F. Madden reads <i>taþe = taketh</i>. See l. 413, - where <i>to þe</i> rhymes with <i>sothe</i>. We have no imperatives in - <i>th</i> in this poem. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 2401 - </td> - <td> - <i>We schyn reuel</i>, etc. Sir F. Madden reads <i>wasch yn reuel</i>. - But <i>schyn</i> = shall. See Glossary to "Alliterative Poems." - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 2474 - </td> - <td> - <i>on-coolde</i> = <i>on-colde</i> = <i>coldly</i> = sorrowfully. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td> - 2489 - </td> - <td> - <i>in-sounde = soundly</i>, well. Cf. <i>in-blande</i> = together; <i>in-lyche</i>, - alike; <i>inmyddeȝ</i>, amidst. - </td> - </tr> - </table> - -<div style='display:block;margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIR GAWAYNE AND THE GREEN KNIGHT ***</div> -<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0;'>This file should be named 14568-h.htm or 14568-h.zip</div> -<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0;'>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in https://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/6/14568/</div> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight - An Alliterative Romance-Poem (c. 1360 A.D.) - -Author: Anonymous - -Release Date: January 3, 2005 [EBook #14568] - -Language: English, Middle (1100-1500) - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIR GAWAYNE AND THE GREEN KNIGHT *** - - - - -Produced by Ted Garvin, Keith Edkins and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team - - - - - - -Sir Gawayne - -and - -The Green Knight: - - -AN ALLITERATIVE ROMANCE-POEM, -(AB. 1360 A.D.) - - -BY THE AUTHOR OF -"EARLY ENGLISH ALLITERATIVE POEMS." - - -RE-EDITED FROM COTTON. MS. NERO, A.x., IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM, -BY -RICHARD MORRIS, -EDITOR OF HAMPOLE'S "PRICKE OF CONSCIENCE," -"EARLY ENGLISH ALLITERATIVE POEMS," ETC.; -MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF THE PHILOLOGICAL SOCIETY. - - -SECOND EDITION, REVISED, 1869. - -LONDON -MDCCCLXIV. - -JOHN CHILDS AND SON, PRINTERS. - - - * * * * * - -PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. - -In re-editing the present romance-poem I have been saved all labour of -transcription by using the very accurate text contained in Sir F. Madden's -"Syr Gawayne." - -I have not only read his copy with the manuscript, but also the -proof-sheets as they came to hand, hoping by this means to give the reader -a text free from any errors of transcription. - -The present edition differs from that of the earlier one in having the -contractions of the manuscript expanded and side-notes added to the text to -enable the reader to follow with some degree of ease the author's pleasant -narrative of Sir Gawayne's adventures. - -The Glossary is taken from Sir F. Madden's "Syr Gawayne,"[1] to which, for -the better interpretation of the text, I have made several additions, and -have, moreover, glossed nearly all the words previously left unexplained. - -For a description of the Manuscript, and particulars relating to the -authorship and dialect of the present work, the reader is referred to the -preface to Early English Alliterative Poems. - -R.M. - - LONDON, - December 22, 1864. - - [Footnote 1: Sir F. Madden has most generously placed at the disposal of - the Early English Text Society any of his works which it may determine to - re-edit.] - - * * * * * - -INTRODUCTION. - -No Knight of the Round Table has been so highly honoured by the old -Romance-writers as Sir Gawayne, the son of Loth, and nephew to the renowned -Arthur. They delighted to describe him as Gawayne the good, a man matchless -on mould, the most gracious that under God lived, the hardiest of hand, the -most fortunate in arms, and the most polite in hall, whose knowledge, -knighthood, kindly works, doings, doughtiness, and deeds of arms were known -in all lands. - -When Arthur beheld the dead body of his kinsman lying on the ground bathed -in blood, he is said to have exclaimed, "O righteous God, this blood were -worthy to be preserved and enshrined in gold!" Our author, too, loves to -speak of his hero in similar terms of praise, calling him the knight -faultless in his five wits, void of every offence, and adorned with every -earthly virtue. He represents him as one whose trust was in the five -wounds, and in whom the five virtues which distinguished the true knight -were more firmly established than in any other on earth. - -The author of the present story, who, as we know from his religious poems, -had an utter horror of moral impurity, could have chosen no better subject -for a romance in which amusement and moral instruction were to be combined. -In the following tale he shows how the true knight, though tempted sorely -not once alone, but twice, nay thrice, breaks not his vow of chastity, but -turns aside the tempter's shafts with the shield of purity and arm of -faith, and so passes scatheless through the perilous defile of trial and -opportunity seeming safe. - -But while our author has borrowed many of the details of his story from the -"Roman de Perceval" by Chrestien de Troyes, he has made the narrative more -attractive by the introduction of several original and highly interesting -passages which throw light on the manners and amusements of our ancestors. - -The following elaborate descriptions are well deserving of especial -notice:-- - - I. The mode of completely arming a knight (ll. 568-589). - - II. The hunting and breaking the deer (ll. 1126-1359). - - III. The hunting and unlacing the wild boar (ll. 1412-1614). - - IV. A fox hunt (ll. 1675-1921). - -The following is an outline of the story of Gawayne's adventures, more or -less in the words of the writer himself:-- - - Arthur, the greatest of Britain's kings, holds the Christmas festival - at Camelot, surrounded by the celebrated knights of the Round Table, - noble lords, the most renowned under heaven, and ladies the loveliest - that ever had life (ll. 37-57). This noble company celebrate the New - Year by a religious service, by the bestowal of gifts, and the most - joyous mirth. Lords and ladies take their seats at the table--Queen - Guenever, the grey-eyed, gaily dressed, sits at the daïs, the high - table, or table of state, where too sat Gawayne and Ywain together with - other worthies of the Round Table (ll. 58-84, 107-115). Arthur, in mood - as joyful as a child, his blood young and his brain wild, declares that - he will not eat nor sit long at the table until some adventurous thing, - some uncouth tale, some great marvel, or some encounter of arms has - occurred to mark the return of the New Year (ll. 85-106). - - The first course was announced with cracking of trumpets, with the - noise of nakers and noble pipes. - - "Each two had dishes twelve, - Good beer and bright wine both." - - Scarcely was the first course served when another noise than that of - music was heard. There rushes in at the hall-door a knight of gigantic - stature--the greatest on earth--in measure high. He was clothed - entirely in green, and rode upon a green foal (ll. 116-178). Fair wavy - hair fell about the shoulders of the Green Knight, and a great beard - like a bush hung upon his breast (ll. 179-202). - - The knight carried no helmet, shield, or spear, but in one hand a holly - bough, and in the other an axe "huge and unmeet," the edge of which was - as keen as a sharp razor (ll. 203-220). Thus arrayed, the Green Knight - enters the hall without saluting any one. The first word that he - uttered was, "Where is the govenour of this gang? gladly would I see - him and with himself speak reason." To the knights he cast his eye, - looking for the most renowned. Much did the noble assembly marvel to - see a man and a horse of such a hue, green as the grass. Even greener - they seemed than green enamel on bright gold. Many marvels had they - seen, but none such as this. They were afraid to answer, but sat - stone-still in a dead silence, as if overpowered by sleep; - - "Not all from fear, but some for courtesy" (ll. 221-249). - - Then Arthur before the high daïs salutes the Green Knight, bids him - welcome, and entreats him to stay awhile at his Court. The knight says - that his errand is not to abide in any dwelling, but to seek the most - valiant of the heroes of the Round Table that he may put his courage to - the proof, and thus satisfy himself as to the fame of Arthur's court. - "I come," he says, "in peace, as ye may see by this branch that I bear - here. Had I come with hostile intentions, I should not have left my - hauberk, helmet, shield, sharp spear, and other weapons behind me. But - because I desire no war, 'my weeds are softer.' If thou be so bold as - all men say, thou wilt grant me the request I am about to make." "Sir - courteous knight," replies Arthur, "if thou cravest battle only, here - failest thou not to fight." "Nay," says the Green Knight, "I seek no - fighting. Here about on this bench are only beardless children. Were I - arrayed in arms on a high steed no man here would be a match for me - (ll. 250-282). But it is now Christmas time, and this is the New Year, - and I see around me many brave ones;--if any be so bold in his blood - that dare strike a stroke for another, I shall give him this rich axe - to do with it whatever he pleases. I shall abide the first blow just as - I sit, and will stand him a stroke, stiff on this floor, provided that - I deal him another in return. - - And yet give I him respite, - A twelvemonth and a day; - Now haste and let see tite (soon) - Dare any here-in ought say.'" - - If he astounded them at first, much more so did he after this speech, - and fear held them all silent. The knight, righting himself in his - saddle, rolls fiercely his red eyes about, bends his bristly green - brows, and strokes his beard awaiting a reply. But finding none that - would carp with him, he exclaims, "What! is this Arthur's house, the - fame of which has spread through so many realms? Forsooth, the renown - of the Round Table is overturned by the word of one man's speech, for - all tremble for dread without a blow being struck!" (ll. 283-313). With - this he laughed so loud that Arthur blushed for very shame, and waxed - as wroth as the wind. "I know no man," he says, "that is aghast at thy - great words. Give me now thy axe and I will grant thee thy request!" - Arthur seizes the axe, grasps the handle, and sternly brandishes it - about, while the Green Knight, with a stern cheer and a dry - countenance, stroking his beard and drawing down his coat, awaits the - blow (ll. 314-335). Sir Gawayne, the nephew of the king, beseeches his - uncle to let him undertake the encounter; and, at the earnest entreaty - of his nobles, Arthur consents "to give Gawayne the game" (ll. - 336-365). - - Sir Gawayne then takes possession of the axe, but, before the blow is - dealt, the Green Knight asks the name of his opponent. "In good faith," - answers the good knight, "Gawayne I am called, that bids thee to this - buffet, whatever may befall after, and at this time twelvemonth will - take from thee another, with whatever weapon thou wilt, and with no - wight else alive." "By Gog," quoth the Green Knight, "it pleases me - well that I shall receive at thy fist that which I have sought - here--moreover thou hast truly rehearsed the terms of the - covenant,--but thou shalt first pledge me thy word that thou wilt seek - me thyself, wheresoever on earth thou believest I may be found, and - fetch thee such wages as thou dealest me to-day before this company of - doughty ones." "Where should I seek thee?" replies Gawayne, "where is - thy place? I know not thee, thy court, or thy name. I wot not where - thou dwellest, but teach me thereto, tell me how thou art called, and I - shall endeavour to find thee,--and that I swear thee for truth and by - my sure troth." "That is enough in New Year," says the groom in green, - "if I tell thee when I have received the tap. When thou hast smitten - me, then smartly I will teach thee of my house, my home, and my own - name, so that thou mayest follow my track and fulfil the covenant - between us. If I spend no speech, then speedest thou the better, for - then mayest thou remain in thy own land and seek no further; but cease - thy talking[1] (ll. 366-412). Take now thy grim tool to thee and let us - see how thou knockest." "Gladly, sir, for sooth," quoth Gawayne, and - his axe he brandishes. - - [Footnote 1: This, I think, is the true explanation of slokes.] - - The Green Knight adjusts himself on the ground, bends slightly his - head, lays his long lovely locks over his crown, and lays bare his neck - for the blow. Gawayne then gripped the axe, and, raising it on high, - let it fall quickly upon the knight's neck and severed the head from - the body. The fair head fell from the neck to the earth, and many - turned it aside with their feet as it rolled forth. The blood burst - from the body, yet the knight never faltered nor fell; but boldly he - started forth on stiff shanks and fiercely rushed forward, seized his - head, and lifted it up quickly. Then he runs to his horse, the bridle - he catches, steps into his stirrups and strides aloft. His head by the - hair he holds in his hands, and sits as firmly in his saddle as if no - mishap had ailed him, though headless he was (ll. 413-439). He turned - his ugly trunk about--that ugly body that bled,--and holding the head - in his hand, he directed the face toward the "dearest on the dais." The - head lifted up its eyelids and looked abroad, and thus much spoke with - its mouth as ye may now hear: - - "Loke, Gawayne, thou be prompt to go as thou hast promised, and seek - till thou find me according to thy promise made in the hearing of these - knights. Get thee to the Green Chapel, I charge thee, to fetch such a - dint as thou hast dealt, to be returned on New Year's morn. As the - Knight of the Green Chapel I am known to many, wherefore if thou - seekest thou canst not fail to find me. Therefore come, or recreant be - called." With a fierce start the reins he turns, rushes out of the - hall-door, his head in his hand, so that the fire of the flint flew - from the hoofs of his foal. To what kingdom he belonged knew none - there, nor knew they from whence he had come. What then? - - "The king and Gawayne there - At that green (one) they laugh and grin." - - Though Arthur wondered much at the marvel, he let no one see that he - was at all troubled about it, but full loudly thus spake to his comely - queen with courteous speech: - - "Dear dame, to-day be never dismayed, well happens such craft at - Christmas time. I may now proceed to meat, for I cannot deny that I - have witnessed a wondrous adventure this day" (ll. 440-475). - - He looked upon Sir Gawayne and said, "Now, sir, hang up thine axe, for - enough has it hewn." So the weapon was hung up on high that all might - look upon it, and "by true title thereof tell the wonder." Then all the - knights hastened to their seats at the table, so did the king and our - good knight, and they were there served with all dainties, "with all - manner of meat and minstrelsy." - - Though words were wanting when they first to seat went, now are their - hands full of stern work, and the marvel affords them good subject for - conversation. But a year passes full quickly and never returns,--the - beginning is seldom like the end; wherefore this Christmas passed away - and the year after, and each season in turn followed after another (ll. - 476-520). Thus winter winds round again, and then Gawayne thinks of his - wearisome journey (ll. 521-535). On All-hallows day Arthur entertains - right nobly the lords and ladies of his court in honour of his nephew, - for whom all courteous knights and lovely ladies were in great grief. - Nevertheless they spoke only of mirth, and, though joyless themselves, - made many a joke to cheer the good Sir Gawayne (ll. 536-565). Early on - the morrow Sir Gawayne, with great ceremony, is arrayed in his armour - (ll. 566-589), and thus completely equipped for his adventure he first - hears mass, and afterwards takes leave of Arthur, the knights of the - Round Table, and the lords and ladies of the court, who kiss him and - commend him to Christ. He bids them all good day, as he thought, for - evermore (ll. 590-669); - - "Very much was the warm water that poured from eyes that day." - - Now rides our knight through the realms of England with no companion - but his foal, and no one to hold converse with save God alone. From - Camelot, in Somersetshire, he proceeds through Gloucestershire and the - adjoining counties into Montgomeryshire, and thence through North Wales - to Holyhead, adjoining the Isle of Anglesea (ll. 670-700), from which - he passes into the very narrow peninsula of Wirral, in Cheshire, where - dwelt but few that loved God or man. Gawayne enquires after the Green - Knight of the Green Chapel, but all the inhabitants declare that they - have never seen "any man of such hues of green." - - The knight thence pursues his journey by strange paths, over hill and - moor, encountering on his way not only serpents, wolves, bulls, bears, - and boars, but wood satyrs and giants. But worse than all those, - however, was the sharp winter, "when the cold clear water shed from the - clouds, and froze ere it might fall to the earth. Nearly slain with the - sleet he slept in his armour, more nights than enough, in naked rocks" - (ll. 701-729). - - Thus in peril and plight the knight travels on until Christmas-eve, and - to Mary he makes his moan that she may direct him to some abode. On the - morn he arrives at an immense forest, wondrously wild, surrounded by - high hills on every side, where he found hoary oaks full huge, a - hundred together. The hazel and the hawthorn intermingled were all - overgrown with moss, and upon their boughs sat many sad birds that - piteously piped for pain of the cold. Gawayne besought the Lord and - Mary to guide him to some habitation where he might hear mass (ll. - 730-762). Scarcely had he crossed himself thrice, when he perceived a - dwelling in the wood set upon a hill. It was the loveliest castle he - had ever beheld. It was pitched on a prairie, with a park all about it, - enclosing many a tree for more than two miles. It shone as the sun - through the bright oaks (ll. 763-772). - - Gawayne urges on his steed Gringolet, and finds himself at the "chief - gate." He called aloud, and soon there appeared a "porter" on the wall, - who demanded his errand. - - "Good sir," quoth Gawayne, "wouldst thou go to the high lord of this - house, and crave a lodging for me?" - - "Yea, by Peter!" replied the porter, "well I know that thou art welcome - to dwell here as long as thou likest." - - The drawbridge is soon let down, and the gates opened wide to receive - the knight. Many noble ones hasten to bid him welcome (ll. 773-825). - They take away his helmet, sword, and shield, and many a proud one - presses forward to do him honour. They bring him into the hall, where a - fire was brightly burning upon the hearth. Then the lord of the land[1] - comes from his chamber and welcomes Sir Gawayne, telling him that he is - to consider the place as his own. Our knight is next conducted to a - bright bower, where was noble bedding--curtains of pure silk, with - golden hems, and Tarsic tapestries upon the walls and the floors (ll. - 826-859). Here the knight doffed his armour and put on rich robes, - which so well became him, that all declared that a more comely knight - Christ had never made (ll. 860-883). - - [Footnote 1: Gawayne is now in the castle of the Green Knight, who, - divested of his elvish or supernatural character, appears to our - knight merely as a bold one with a beaver-hued beard.] - - A table is soon raised, and Gawayne, having washed, proceeds to meat. - Many dishes are set before him--"sews" of various kinds, fish of all - kinds, some baked in bread, others broiled on the embers, some boiled, - and others seasoned with spices. The knight expresses himself well - pleased, and calls it a most noble and princely feast. - - After dinner, in reply to numerous questions, he tells his host that he - is Gawayne, one of the Knights of the Round Table. When this was made - known great was the joy in the hall. Each one said softly to his - companion, "Now we shall see courteous behaviour and learn the terms of - noble discourse, since we have amongst us 'that fine father of - nurture.' Truly God has highly favoured us in sending us such a noble - guest as Sir Gawayne" (ll. 884-927). At the end of the Christmas - festival Gawayne desires to take his departure from the castle, but his - host persuades him to stay, promising to direct him to the Green Chapel - (about two miles from the castle), that he may be there by the - appointed time (ll. 1029-1082). - - A covenant is made between them, the terms of which were that the lord - of the castle should go out early to the chase, that Gawayne meanwhile - should lie in his loft at his ease, then rise at his usual hour, and - afterwards sit at table with his hostess, and that at the end of the - day they should make an exchange of whatever they might obtain in the - interim. "Whatever I win in the wood," says the lord, "shall be yours, - and what thou gettest shall be mine" (ll. 1083-1125). - - Full early before daybreak the folk uprise, saddle their horses, and - truss their mails. The noble lord of the land, arrayed for riding, eats - hastily a sop, and having heard mass, proceeds with a hundred hunters - to hunt the wild deer (ll. 1126-1177). - - All this time Gawayne lies in his gay bed. His nap is disturbed by a - little noise at the door, which is softly opened. He heaves up his head - out of the clothes, and, peeping through the curtains, beholds a most - lovely lady (the wife of his host). She came towards the bed, and the - knight laid himself down quickly, pretending to be asleep. The lady - stole to the bed, cast up the curtains, crept within, sat her softly on - the bed-side, and waited some time till the knight should awake. After - lurking awhile under the clothes considering what it all meant, Gawayne - unlocked his eyelids, and put on a look of surprise, at the same time - making the sign of the cross, as if afraid of some hidden danger (ll. - 1178-1207). "Good morrow, sir," said that fair lady, "ye are a careless - sleeper to let one enter thus. I shall bind you in your bed, of that be - ye sure." "Good morrow," quoth Gawayne, "I shall act according to your - will with great pleasure, but permit me to rise that I may the more - comfortably converse with you." "Nay, beau sir," said that sweet one, - "ye shall not rise from your bed, for since I have caught my knight I - shall hold talk with him. I ween well that ye are Sir Gawayne that all - the world worships, whose honour and courtesy are so greatly praised. - Now ye are here, and we are alone (my lord and his men being afar off, - other men, too, are in bed, so are my maidens), and the door is safely - closed, I shall use my time well while it lasts. Ye are welcome to my - person to do with it as ye please, and I will be your servant" (ll. - 1208-1240). - - Gawayne behaves most discreetly, for the remembrance of his forthcoming - adventure at the Green Chapel prevents him from thinking of love (ll. - 1205-1289). At last the lady takes leave of the knight by catching him - in her arms and kissing him (ll. 1290-1307). The day passes away - merrily, and at dusk the Lord of the castle returns from the chase. He - presents the venison to Gawayne according to the previous covenant - between them. Our knight gives his host a kiss as the only piece of - good fortune that had fallen to him during the day. "It is good," says - the other, "and would be much better if ye would tell me where ye won - such bliss" (ll. 1308-1394). "That was not in our covenant," replies - Gawayne, "so try me no more." After much laughing on both sides they - proceed to supper, and afterwards, while the choice wine is being - carried round, Gawayne and his host renew their agreement. Late at - night they take leave of each other and hasten to their beds. "By the - time that the cock had crowed and cackled thrice" the lord was up, and - after "meat and mass" were over the hunters make for the woods, where - they give chase to a wild boar who had grown old and mischievous (ll. - 1395-1467). - - While the sportsmen are hunting this "wild swine" our lovely knight - lies in his bed. He is not forgotten by the lady, who pays him an early - visit, seeking to make further trial of his virtues. She sits softly by - his side and tells him that he has forgotten what she taught him the - day before (ll. 1468-1486). "I taught you of kissing," says she; "that - becomes every courteous knight." Gawayne says that he must not take - that which is forbidden him. The lady replies that he is strong enough - to enforce his own wishes. Our knight answers that every gift not given - with a good will is worthless. His fair visitor then enquires how it is - that he who is so skilled in the true sport of love and so renowned a - knight, has never talked to her of love (ll. 1487-1524). "You ought," - she says, "to show and teach a young thing like me some tokens of - true-love's crafts; I come hither and sit here alone to learn of you - some game; do teach me of your wit while my lord is from home." Gawayne - replies that he cannot undertake the task of expounding true-love and - tales of arms to one who has far more wisdom than he possesses. Thus - did our knight avoid all appearance of evil, though sorely pressed to - do what was wrong (ll. 1525-1552). The lady, having bestowed two kisses - upon Sir Gawayne, takes her leave of him (ll. 1553-1557). - - At the end of the day the lord of the castle returns home with the - shields and head of the wild boar. He shows them to his guest, who - declares that "such a brawn of a beast, nor such sides of a swine," he - never before has seen. Gawayne takes possession of the spoil according - to covenant, and in return he bestows two kisses upon his host, who - declares that his guest has indeed been rich with "such chaffer" (ll. - 1558-1647). - - After much persuasion, Gawayne consents to stop at the castle another - day (ll. 1648-1685). Early on the morrow the lord and his men hasten to - the woods, and come upon the track of a fox, the hunting of which - affords them plenty of employment and sport (ll. 1686-1730). Meanwhile - our good knight sleeps soundly within his comely curtains. He is again - visited by the lady of the castle. So gaily was she attired, and so - "faultless of her features," that great joy warmed the heart of Sir - Gawayne. With soft and pleasant smiles "they smite into mirth," and are - soon engaged in conversation. Had not Mary thought of her knight, he - would have been in great peril (ll. 1731-1769). So sorely does the fair - one press him with her love, that he fears lest he should become a - traitor to his host. The lady enquires whether he has a mistress to - whom he has plighted his troth. The knight swears by St John that he - neither has nor desires one. This answer causes the dame to sigh for - sorrow, and telling him that she must depart, she asks for some gift, - if it were only a glove, by which she might "think on the knight and - lessen her grief" (ll. 1770-1800). Gawayne assures her that he has - nothing worthy of her acceptance; that he is on an "uncouth errand," - and therefore has "no men with no mails containing precious things," - for which he is truly sorry. - - Quoth that lovesome (one)-- - - "Though I had nought of yours, - Yet should ye have of mine. - - Thus saying, she offers him a rich ring of red gold "with a shining - stone standing aloft," that shone like the beams of the bright sun. The - knight refused the gift, as he had nothing to give in return. "Since ye - refuse my ring," says the lady, "because it seems too rich, and ye - would not be beholden to me, I shall give you my girdle that is less - valuable" (ll. 1801-1835). But Gawayne replies that he will not accept - gold or reward of any kind, though "ever in hot and in cold" he will be - her true servant. - - "Do ye refuse it," asks the lady, "because it seems simple and of - little value? Whoso knew the virtues that are knit therein would - estimate it more highly. For he who is girded with this green lace - cannot be wounded or slain by any man under heaven." The knight thinks - awhile, and it strikes him that this would be a "jewel for the - jeopardy" that he had to undergo at the Green Chapel. So he not only - accepts the lace, but promises to keep the possession of it a secret - (ll. 1836-1865). By that time the lady had kissed him thrice, and she - then takes "her leave and leaves him there." - - Gawayne rises, dresses himself in noble array, and conceals the "love - lace" where he might find it again. He then hies to mass, shrives him - of his misdeeds, and obtains absolution. On his return to the hall he - solaces the ladies with comely carols and all kinds of joy (ll. - 1866-1892). The dark night came, and then the lord of the castle, - having slain the fox, returns to his "dear home," where he finds a fire - brightly turning and his guest amusing the ladies (ll. 1893-1927). - Gawayne, in fulfilment of his agreement, kisses his host thrice.[1] "By - Christ," quoth the other knight, "ye have caught much bliss. I have - hunted all this day and nought have I got but the skin of this foul fox - (the devil have the goods!), and that is full poor for to pay for such - precious things" (ll. 1928-1951). - - After the usual evening's entertainment, Gawayne retires to rest. The - next morning, being New Year's day, is cold and stormy. Snow falls, and - the dales are full of drift. Our knight in his bed locks his eyelids, - but full little he sleeps. By each cock that crows he knows the hour, - and before day-break he calls for his chamberlain, who quickly brings - him his armour (ll. 1952-2014). While Gawayne clothed himself in his - rich weeds he forgot not the "lace, the lady's gift," but with it - doubly girded his loins. He wore it not for its rich ornaments, "but to - save himself when it behoved him to suffer," and as a safeguard against - sword or knife (ll. 2015-2046). - - Having thanked his host and all the renowned assembly for the great - kindness he had experienced at their hands, "he steps into stirrups and - strides aloft" (ll. 2047-2068). - - The drawbridge is let down, and the broad gates unbarred and borne open - upon both sides, and the knight, after commending the castle to Christ, - passes thereout and goes on his way accompanied by his guide, that - should teach him to turn to that place where he should receive the - much-dreaded blow. They climb over cliffs, where each hill had a hat - and a mist-cloak, until the next morn, when they find themselves on a - full high hill covered with snow. The servant bids his master remain - awhile, saying, "I have brought you hither at this time, and now ye are - not far from that noted place that ye have so often enquired after. The - place that ye press to is esteemed full perilous, and there dwells a - man in that waste the worst upon earth, for he is stiff and stern and - loves to strike, and greater is he than any man upon middle-earth, and - his body is bigger than the best four in Arthur's house. He keeps the - Green Chapel; there passes none by that place, however proud in arms, - that he does not 'ding him to death with dint of his hand.' He is a man - immoderate and 'no mercy uses,' for be it churl or chaplain that by the - chapel rides, monk or mass-priest, or any man else, it is as pleasant - to him to kill them as to go alive himself. Wherefore I tell thee - truly, 'come ye there, ye be killed, though ye had twenty lives to - spend. He has dwelt there long of yore, and on field much sorrow has - wrought. Against his sore dints ye may not defend you' (ll. 2069-2117). - Therefore, good Sir Gawayne, let the man alone, and for God's sake go - by some other path, and then I shall hie me home again. I swear to you - by - - [Footnote 1: He only in part keeps to his covenant, as he holds back - the love-lace.] - - God and all His saints that I will never say that ever ye attempted to - flee from any man." - - Gawayne thanks his guide for his well-meant kindness, but declares that - to the Green Chapel he will go, though the owner thereof be "a stern - knave," for God can devise means to save his servants. - - "Mary!" quoth the other, "since it pleases thee to lose thy life I will - not hinder thee. Have thy helmet on thy head, thy spear in thy hand, - and ride down this path by yon rock-side, till thou be brought to the - bottom of the valley. Then look a little on the plain, on thy left - hand, and thou shalt see in that slade the chapel itself, and the burly - knight that guards it (ll. 2118-2148). Now, farewell Gawayne the noble! - for all the gold upon ground I would not go with thee nor bear thee - fellowship through this wood 'on foot farther.'" Thus having spoken, he - gallops away and leaves the knight alone. - - Gawayne now pursues his journey, rides through the dale, and looks - about. He sees no signs of a resting-place, but only high and steep - banks, and the very shadows of the high woods seemed wild and - distorted. No chapel, however, could he discover. After a while he sees - a round hill by the side of a stream; thither he goes, alights, and - fastens his horse to the branch of a tree. He walks about the hill, - debating with himself what it might be. It had a hole in the one end - and on each side, and everywhere overgrown with grass, but whether it - was only an old cave or a crevice of an old crag he could not tell (ll. - 2149-2188). - - "Now, indeed," quoth Gawayne, "a desert is here; this oratory is ugly - with herbs overgrown. It is a fitting place for the man in green to - 'deal here his devotions after the devil's manner.' Now I feel it is - the fiend (the devil) in my five wits that has covenanted with me that - he may destroy me. This is a chapel of misfortune--evil betide it! It - is the most cursed kirk that ever I came in." With his helmet on his - head, and spear in his hand, he roams up to the rock, and then he hears - from that high hill beyond the brook a wondrous wild noise. Lo! it - clattered in the cliff as if one upon a grindstone were grinding a - scythe. It whirred like the water at a mill, and rushed and re-echoed, - terrible to hear. "Though my life I forgo," says Gawayne, "no noise - shall cause me to fear." - - Then he cried aloud, "Who dwells in this place, discourse with me to - hold? For now is good Gawayne going right here if any brave wight will - hie him hither, either now or never" (ll. 2189-2216). - - "Abide," quoth one on the bank above, over his head, "and thou shalt - have all in haste that I promised thee once." - - Soon there comes out of a hole in the crag, with a fell weapon a Danish - axe quite new, the "man in the green," clothed as at first as his legs, - locks and beard. But now he is on foot and walks on the earth. When he - reaches the stream, he hops over and boldly strides about. He meets Sir - Gawayne, who tells him that he is quite ready to fulfil his part of the - compact. "Gawayne," quoth that 'green gome' (man), "may God preserve - thee! Truly thou art welcome to my place, 'and thou hast timed thy - travel' as a true man should. Thou knowest the covenants made between - us, at this time twelve-month, that on New Year's day I should return - thee thy blow. We are now in this valley by ourselves, and can do as we - please (ll. 2217-2246). Have, therefore, thy helmet off thy head, and - 'have here thy pay.' Let us have no more talk than when thou didst - strike off my head with a single blow." - - "Nay, by God!" quoth Gawayne, "I shall not begrudge thee thy will for - any harm that may happen, but will stand still while thou strikest." - - Then he stoops a little and shows his bare neck, unmoved by any fear. - The Green Knight takes up his "grim tool," and with all his force - raises it aloft, as if he meant utterly to destroy him. As the axe came - gliding down Gawayne "shrank a little with the shoulders from the sharp - iron." The other withheld his weapon, and then reproved the prince with - many proud words. "Thou art not Gawayne that is so good esteemed, that - never feared for no host by hill nor by vale, for now thou fleest for - fear before thou feelest harm (ll. 2247-2272). Such cowardice of that - knight did I never hear. I never flinched nor fled when thou didst aim - at me in King Arthur's house. My head flew to my feet and yet I never - fled, wherefore I deserve to be called the better man." - - Quoth Gawayne, "I shunted once, but will do so no more, though my head - fall on the stones. But hasten and bring me to the point; deal me my - destiny, and do it out of hand, for I shall stand thee a stroke and - start no more until thine axe has hit me--have here my troth." "Have at - thee, then," said the other, and heaves the axe aloft, and looks as - savagely as if he were mad. He aims at the other mightily, but - withholds his hand ere it might hurt. Gawayne readily abides the blow - without flinching with any member, and stood still as a stone or a tree - fixed in rocky ground with a hundred roots. - - Then merrily the other did speak, "Since now thou hast thy heart whole - it behoves me to strike, so take care of thy neck." Gawayne answers - with great wroth, "Thrash on, thou fierce man, thou threatenest too - long; I believe thy own heart fails thee." - - "Forsooth," quoth the other, "since thou speakest so boldly, I will no - longer delay" (ll. 2273-2304). Then, contracting "both lips and brow," - he made ready to strike, and let fall his axe on the bare neck of Sir - Gawayne. "Though he hammered" fiercely, he only "severed the hide," - causing the blood to flow. When Gawayne saw his blood on the snow, he - quickly seized his helmet and placed it on his head. Then he drew out - his bright sword, and thus angrily spoke: "Cease, man, of thy blow, bid - me no more. I have received a stroke in this place without opposition, - but if thou givest me any more readily shall I requite thee, of that be - thou sure. Our covenant stipulates one stroke, and therefore now - cease." - - The Green Knight, resting on his axe, looks on Sir Gawayne, as bold and - fearless he there stood, and then with a loud voice thus addresses the - knight: "Bold knight, be not so wroth, no man here has wronged thee - (ll. 2305-2339); I promised thee a stroke, and thou hast it, so hold - thee well pleased. I could have dealt much worse with thee, and caused - thee much sorrow. Two blows I aimed at thee, for twice thou kissedst my - fair wife; but I struck thee not, because thou restoredst them to me - according to agreement. At the third time thou failedst, and therefore - I have given thee that tap. That woven girdle, given thee by my own - wife, belongs to me. I know well thy kisses, thy conduct also, and the - wooing of my wife, for I wrought it myself. I sent her to try thee, and - truly methinks thou art the most faultless man that ever on foot went. - Still, sir, thou wert wanting in good faith; but as it proceeded from - no immorality, thou being only desirous of saving thy life, the less I - blame thee." - - Gawayne stood confounded, the blood rushed into his face, and he shrank - within himself for very shame. "Cursed," he cried, "be cowardice and - covetousness both; in you are villany and vice, that virtue destroy." - Then he takes off the girdle and throws it to the knight in green, - cursing his cowardice and covetousness. The Green Knight, laughing, - thus spoke: "Thou hast confessed so clean, and acknowledged thy faults, - that I hold thee as pure as thou hadst never forfeited since thou wast - first born. I give thee, sir, the gold-hemmed girdle as a token of thy - adventure at the Green Chapel. Come now to my castle, and we shall - enjoy together the festivities of the New Year" (ll. 2340-2406). - - "Nay, forsooth," quoth the knight, "but for your kindness may God - requite you. Commend me to that courteous one your comely wife, who - with her crafts has beguiled me. But it is no uncommon thing for a man - to come to sorrow through women's wiles; for so was Adam beguiled with - one, and Solomon with many. Samson was destroyed by Delilah, and David - suffered much through Bathsheba. 'It were indeed great bliss for a - man to love them well and believe them not.' Since the greatest - upon earth were so beguiled, methinks I should be excused. But God - reward you for your girdle, which I will ever wear in remembrance of my - fault, and when pride shall exalt me, a look to this love-lace shall - lessen it (ll. 2407-2438). But since ye are the lord of yonder land, - from whom I have received so much honour, tell me truly your right - name, and I shall ask no more questions." - - Quoth the other, "I am called Bernlak de Hautdesert, through might of - Morgain la Fay, who dwells in my house. Much has she learnt of Merlin, - who knows all your knights at home. She brought me to your hall for to - essay the prowess of the Round Table. She wrought this wonder to - bereave you of your wits, hoping to have grieved Guenever and - affrighted her to death by means of the man that spoke with his head in - his hand before the high table. She is even thine aunt, Arthur's half - sister; wherefore come to thine aunt, for all my household love thee." - - Gawayne refuses to accompany the Green Knight, and so, with many - embraces and kind wishes, they separate--the one to his castle, the - other to Arthur's court. - - After passing through many wild ways, our knight recovers from the - wound in his neck, and at last comes safe and sound to the court of - King Arthur. Great then was the joy of all; the king and queen kiss - their brave knight, and make many enquiries about his journey. He tells - them of his adventures, hiding nothing--"the chance of the chapel, the - cheer of the knight, the love of the lady, and lastly of the lace." - Groaning for grief and shame he shows them the cut in his neck, which - he had received for his unfaithfulness (ll. 2439-2504). The king and - his courtiers comfort the knight--they laugh loudly at his adventures, - and unanimously agree that those lords and ladies that belonged to the - Round Table, and each knight of the brotherhood should ever after wear - a bright green belt for Gawayne's sake. And he upon whom it was - conferred honoured it evermore after. - - Thus in Arthur's time this adventure befell, whereof the "Brutus Books" - bear witness (ll. 2505-2530). - -I need not say that the Brutus Books we possess do not contain the -legend here set forth, though it is not much more improbable than some of -the statements contained in them. If the reader desires to know the -relation in which this and the like stories stand to the original Arthur -legends, he will find it discussed in Sir F. Madden's Preface to his -edition of "Syr Gawayne," which also contains a sketch of the very -different views taken of Sir Gawayne by the different Romance writers. - -Into this and other literary questions I do not enter here, as I -have nothing to add to Sir F. Madden's statements; but in the text of the -Poem I have differed from him in some few readings, which will be found -noticed in the Notes and Glossary. - -As the manuscript is fast fading, I am glad that the existence of the Early -English Text Society has enabled us to secure a wider diffusion of its -contents before the original shall be no longer legible. - -We want nothing but an increased supply of members to enable us to give to -a large circle of readers many an equally interesting record of Early -English minds. - - * * * * * - - -NOTE: The Old English "yogh" characters have been translated both -upper and lower-case yoghs to digit 3's. There are Unicode -allocations for these (in HTML Ȝ and ȝ) but at present -no font which implements these. Substiting the digit 3 seemed a -workable compromise which anybody can read. The linked html -"Old English 'yogh' file" uses Ȝ and ȝ representations, -and is included for users with specialist fonts. - - - * * * * * - - - - - -SYR GAWAYN AND THE GRENE KNY3T. - -[FYTTE THE FIRST.] - - I. - - [A] Siþen þe sege & þe assaut wat3 sesed at Troye, [Fol. 91a.] - Þe bor3 brittened & brent to bronde3 & aske3, - Þe tulk þat þe trammes of tresoun þer wro3t, - 4 Wat3 tried for his tricherie, þe trewest on erthe; - Hit wat3 Ennias þe athel, & his highe kynde, - Þat siþen depreced prouinces, & patrounes bicome - Welne3e of al þe wele in þe west iles, - 8 [B] Fro riche Romulus to Rome ricchis hym swyþe, - With gret bobbaunce þat bur3e he biges vpon fyrst, - & neuenes hit his aune nome, as hit now hat; - Ticius to Tuskan [turnes,] & teldes bigynnes; - 12 Langaberde in Lumbardie lyftes vp homes; - [C] & fer ouer þe French flod Felix Brutus - On mony bonkkes ful brode Bretayn he sette3, - wyth wynne; - 16 [D] Where werre, & wrake, & wonder, - Bi syþe3 hat3 wont þer-inne, - [E] & oft boþe blysse & blunder - Ful skete hat3 skyfted synne. - -[Sidenote A: After the siege of Troy] -[Sidenote B: Romulus built Rome,] -[Sidenote C: and Felix Brutus founded Britain,] -[Sidenote D: a land of war and wonder,] -[Sidenote E: and oft of bliss and blunder.] - - II. - - 20 Ande quen þis Bretayn wat3 bigged bi þis burn rych, - [A] Bolde bredden þer-inne, baret þat lofden, - In mony turned tyme tene þat wro3ten; - Mo ferlyes on þis folde han fallen here oft - 24 [B] Þen in any oþer þat I wot, syn þat ilk tyme. - [C] Bot of alle þat here bult of Bretaygne kynges - Ay wat3 Arthur þe hendest; as I haf herde telle; - For-þi an aunter in erde I attle to schawe, [Fol. 91b.] - 28 Þat a selly in si3t summe men hit holden, - & an outtrage awenture of Arthure3 wondere3; - [D] If 3e wyl lysten þis laye bot on littel quile, - I schal telle hit, as-tit, as I in toun herde, - 32 with tonge; - As hit is stad & stoken, - In stori stif & stronge, - With lel letteres loken, - 36 In londe so hat3 ben longe. - -[Sidenote A: Bold men increased in the Land,] -[Sidenote B: and many marvels happened.] -[Sidenote C: Of all Britain's kings Arthur was the noblest.] -[Sidenote D: Listen a while and ye shall hear the story of an "outrageous - adventure."] - - III. - - [A] Þis kyng lay at Camylot vpon kryst-masse, - With mony luflych lorde, lede3 of þe best, - [B] Rekenly of þe rounde table alle þo rich breþer, - 40 With rych reuel ory3t, & rechles merþes; - Þer tournayed tulkes bi-tyme3 ful mony, - Iusted ful Iolilé þise gentyle kni3tes, - Syþen kayred to þe court, caroles to make. - 44 [C] For þer þe fest wat3 ilyche ful fiften dayes, - With alle þe mete & þe mirþe þat men couþe a-vyse; - Such glaumande gle glorious to here, - Dere dyn vp-on day, daunsyng on ny3tes, - 48 [D] Al wat3 hap vpon he3e in halle3 & chambre3, - With lorde3 & ladies, as leuest him þo3t; - With all þe wele of þe worlde þay woned þer samen, - [E] Þe most kyd kny3te3 vnder kryste seluen, - 52 & þe louelokkest ladies þat euer lif haden, - & he þe comlokest kyng þat þe court haldes; - For al wat3 þis fayre folk in her first age, - on sille; - 56 [F] Þe hapnest vnder heuen, - Kyng hy3est mon of wylle, - Hit were[1] now gret nye to neuen - So hardy a here on hille. - -[Sidenote A: Arthur held at Camelot his Christmas feast,] -[Sidenote B: with all the knights of the Round Table,] -[Sidenote C: full fifteen days.] -[Sidenote D: All was joy in hall and chamber,] -[Sidenote E: among brave knights and lovely ladies,] -[Sidenote F: the happiest under heaven.] -[Footnote 1: MS. werere.] - - IV. - - 60 [A] Wyle nw 3er wat3 so 3ep þat hit wat3 nwe cummen, - Þat day doubble on þe dece wat3 þe douth serued, - Fro þe kyng wat3 cummen with kny3tes in to þe halle, - Þe chauntre of þe chapel cheued to an ende; - 64 Loude crye wat3 þer kest of clerke3 & oþer, - Nowel nayted o-newe, neuened ful ofte; [Fol. 92] - & syþen riche forth runnen to reche honde-selle, - [B] 3e3ed 3eres 3iftes on hi3, 3elde hem bi hond, - 68 Debated busyly aboute þo giftes; - Ladies la3ed ful loude, þo3 þay lost haden, - & he þat wan wat3 not wrothe, þat may 3e wel trawe. - [C] Alle þis mirþe þay maden to þe mete tyme; - 72 When þay had waschen, worþyly þay wenten to sete, - Þe best burne ay abof, as hit best semed; - [D] Whene Guenore ful gay, grayþed in þe myddes. - Dressed on þe dere des, dubbed al aboute, - 76 Smal sendal bisides, a selure hir ouer - Of tryed Tolouse, of Tars tapites in-noghe, - Þat were enbrawded & beten wyth þe best gemmes, - Þat my3t be preued of prys wyth penyes to bye, - 80 in daye; - [E] Þe comlokest to discrye, - Þer glent with y3en gray, - A semloker þat euer he sy3e, - 84 Soth mo3t no mon say. - -[Sidenote A: They celebrate the New Year with great joy.] -[Sidenote B: Gifts are demanded and bestowed.] -[Sidenote C: Lords and ladies take their seats at the table.] -[Sidenote D: Queen Guenever appears gaily dressed.] -[Sidenote E: A lady fairer of form might no one say he had ever before - seen.] - - V. - - [A] Bot Arthure wolde not ete til al were serued, - He wat3 so Ioly of his Ioyfnes, & sum-quat child gered, - His lif liked hym ly3t, he louied þe lasse - 88 [B] Auþer to lenge lye, or to longe sitte, - So bi-sied him his 3onge blod & his brayn wylde; - & also anoþer maner meued him eke, - Þat he þur3 nobelay had nomen, ho wolde neuer ete - 92 Vpon such a dere day, er hym deuised were - [C] Of sum auenturus þyng an vncouþe tale, - Of sum mayn meruayle, þat he my3t trawe, - Of[1] alderes, of armes, of oþer auenturus, - 96 Oþer sum segg hym bi-so3t of sum siker kny3t, - To Ioyne wyth hym in iustyng in Iopardé to lay, - Lede lif for lyf, leue vchon oþer, - As fortune wolde fulsun hom þe fayrer to haue. - 100 Þis wat3 [þe] kynges countenaunce where he in court were, - At vch farand fest among his fre meny, - in halle; [Fol. 92b.] - [D] Þer-fore of face so fere. - 104 He sti3tle3 stif in stalle, - Ful 3ep in þat nw 3ere, - Much mirthe he mas with alle. - -[Sidenote A: Arthur would not eat,] -[Sidenote B: nor would he long sit] -[Sidenote C: until he had witnessed a "wondrous adventure" of some kind.] -[Sidenote D: He of face so bold makes much mirth with all.] -[Footnote 1: Of of, in MS.] - - VI. - - [A] Thus þer stondes in stale þe stif kyng his-seluen, - 108 Talkkande bifore þe hy3e table of trifles ful hende - [B] There gode Gawan wat3 grayþed, Gwenore bisyde - [C] & Agrauayn a la dure mayn on þat oþer syde sittes - Boþe þe kynges sister sunes, & ful siker kni3tes; - 112 [D] Bischop Bawdewyn abof bi-gine3 þe table, - [E] & Ywan, Vryn son, ette wit hym-seluen; - Þise were di3t on þe des, & derworþly serued, - & siþen mony siker segge at þe sidborde3. - 116 [F] Þen þe first cors come with crakkyng of trumpes, - Wyth mony baner ful bry3t, þat þer-bi henged, - Nwe nakryn noyse with þe noble pipes, - Wylde werbles & wy3t wakned lote, - 120 Þat mony hert ful hi3e hef at her towches; - [G] Dayntes dryuen þer-wyth of ful dere metes, - Foysoun of þe fresche, & on so fele disches, - Þat pine to fynde þe place þe peple bi-forne - 124 For to sette þe syluener,[1] þat sere sewes halden, - on clothe; - Iche lede as he loued hym-selue - Þer laght with-outen loþe, - 128 [H] Ay two had disches twelue, - [I] Good ber, & bry3t wyn boþe. - -[Sidenote A: The king talks with his knights.] -[Sidenote B: Gawayne,] -[Sidenote C: Agravayn,] -[Sidenote D: Bishop Bawdewyn,] -[Sidenote E: and Ywain sit on the dais.] -[Sidenote F: The first course is served with cracking of trumpets.] -[Sidenote G: It consisted of all dainties in season.] -[Sidenote H: Each two had dishes twelve,] -[Sidenote I: good beer and bright wine both.] -[Footnote 1: svlueren (?) (dishes).] - - VII. - - [A] Now wyl I of hor seruise say yow no more, - For veh wy3e may wel wit no wont þat þer were; - 132 [B] An oþer noyse ful newe ne3ed biliue, - Þat þe lude my3t haf leue lif-lode to cach. - For vneþe wat3 þe noyce not a whyle sesed, - & þe fyrst cource in þe court kyndely serued, - 136 [C] Þer hales in at þe halle dor an aghlich mayster, - On þe most on þe molde on mesure hyghe; - Fro þe swyre to þe swange so sware & so þik, - [D] & his lyndes & his lymes so longe & so grete, - 140 Half etayn in erde I hope þat he were. [Fol. 93.] - [E] Bot mon most I algate mynn hym to bene, - & þat þe myriest in his muckel þat my3t ride; - [F] For of bak & of brest al were his bodi sturne, - 144 [G] Bot his wombe & his wast were worthily smale, - & alle his fetures fol3ande, in forme þat he hade, - ful clene; - For wonder of his hwe men hade, - 148 Set in his semblaunt sene; - He ferde as freke were fade, - & ouer-al enker grene. - -[Sidenote A: There was no want of anything.] -[Sidenote B: Scarcely had the first course commenced,] -[Sidenote C: when there rushes in at the hall-door a knight;] -[Sidenote D: the tallest on earth] -[Sidenote E: he must have been.] -[Sidenote F: His back and breast were great,] -[Sidenote G: but his belly and waist were small.] - - VIII. - - [A] Ande al grayþed in grene þis gome & his wedes, - 152 A strayt cote ful stre3t, þat stek on his sides, - A mere mantile abof, mensked with-inne, - With pelure pured apert þe pane ful clene, - With blyþe blaunner ful bry3t, & his hod boþe, - 156 Þat wat3 la3t fro his lokke3, & layde on his schulderes - Heme wel haled, hose of þat same grene, - [B] Þat spenet on his sparlyr, & clene spures vnder, - Of bry3t golde, vpon silk bordes, barred ful ryche - 160 & scholes vnder schankes, þere þe schalk rides; - & alle his vesture uerayly wat3 clene verdure, - Boþe þe barres of his belt & oþer blyþe stones, - Þat were richely rayled in his aray clene, - 164 [C] Aboutte hym-self & his sadel, vpon silk werke3, - Þat were to tor for to telle of tryfles þe halue, - Þat were enbrauded abof, wyth bryddes & fly3es, - With gay gaudi of grene, þe golde ay in myddes; - 168 Þe pendauntes of his payttrure, þe proude cropure - His molaynes, & alle þe metail anamayld was þenne - Þe steropes þat he stod on, stayned of þe same, - & his arsoun3 al after, & his aþel sturtes, - 172 Þat euer glemered[1] & glent al of grene stones. - [D] Þe fole þat he ferkkes on, fyn of þat ilke, - sertayn; - A grene hors gret & þikke, - 176 [E] A stede ful stif to strayne, - In brawden brydel quik, - To þe gome he wat3 ful gayn. [Fol. 93b.] - -[Sidenote A: He was clothed entirely in green.] -[Sidenote B: His spurs were of bright gold.] -[Sidenote C: His saddle was embroidered with birds and flies.] -[Sidenote D: The foal that he rode upon was green;] -[Sidenote E: it was a steed full stiff to guide.] -[Footnote 1: glemed (?).] - - IX. - - [A] Wel gay wat3 þis gome gered in grene, - 180 & þe here of his hed of his hors swete; - Fayre fannand fax vmbe-foldes his schulderes; - [B] A much berd as[1] a busk ouer his brest henges, - Þat wyth his hi3lich here, þat of his hed reches, - 184 Wat3 euesed al vmbe-torne, a-bof his elbowes, - Þat half his armes þer vnder were halched in þe wyse - Of a kynge3 capados, þat closes his swyre. - [C] Þe mane of þat mayn hors much to hit lyke, - 188 Wel cresped & cemmed wyth knottes ful mony, - Folden in wyth fildore aboute þe fayre grene, - Ay a herle of þe here, an oþer of golde; - [D] Þe tayl & his toppyng twynnen of a sute, - 192 & bounden boþe wyth a bande of a bry3t grene, - Dubbed wyth ful dere stone3, as þe dok lasted, - Syþen þrawen wyth a þwong a þwarle knot alofte, - Þer mony belle3 ful bry3t of brende golde rungen. - 196 [E] Such a fole vpon folde, ne freke þat hym rydes, - Wat3 neuer sene in þat sale wyth sy3t er þat tyme, - with y3e; - He loked as layt so ly3t, - 200 So sayd al þat hym sy3e, - [F] Hit semed as no mon my3t, - Vnder his dyntte3 dry3e. - -[Sidenote A: Gaily was the knight attired.] -[Sidenote B: His great beard, like a bush, hung on his breast.] -[Sidenote C: The horse's mane was decked with golden threads.] -[Sidenote D: Its tail was bound with a green band.] -[Sidenote E: Such a foal nor a knight were never before seen.] -[Sidenote F: It seemed that no man might endure his dints.] -[Footnote 1: as as, in MS.] - - X. - - [A] Wheþer hade he no helme ne hawb[e]rgh nauþer, - 204 Ne no pysan, ne no plate þat pented to armes, - Ne no schafte, ne no schelde, to schwne ne to smyte, - [B] Bot in his on honde he hade a holyn bobbe, - Þat is grattest in grene, when greue3 ar bare, - 208 [C] & an ax in his oþer, a hoge & vn-mete, - A spetos sparþe to expoun in spelle quo-so my3t; - Þe hede of an eln3erde þe large lenkþe hade, - Þe grayn al of grene stele & of golde hewen, - 212 [D] Þe bit burnyst bry3t, with a brod egge, - As wel schapen to schere as scharp rasores; - Þe stele of a stif staf þe sturne hit bi-grypte, - Þat wat3 wounden wyth yrn to þe wande3 ende, [Fol. 94.] - 216 [E] & al bigrauen with grene, in gracios[1] werkes; - A lace lapped aboute, þat louked at þe hede, - & so after þe halme halched ful ofte, - Wyth tryed tassele3 þerto tacched in-noghe, - 220 [F] On botoun3 of þe bry3t grene brayden ful ryche. - Þis haþel helde3 hym in, & þe halle entres, - Driuande to þe he3e dece, dut he no woþe, - [G] Haylsed he neuer one, bot he3e he ouer loked. - 224 Þe fyrst word þat he warp, "wher is," he sayd, - [H] "Þe gouernour of þis gyng? gladly I wolde - Se þat segg in sy3t, & with hym self speke - raysoun." - 228 To kny3te3 he kest his y3e, - & reled hym vp & doun, - [I] He stemmed & con studie, - Quo walt þer most renoun. - -[Sidenote A: The knight carried neither spear nor shield,] -[Sidenote B: In one hand was a holly bough,] -[Sidenote C: in the other an axe,] -[Sidenote D: the edge of which was as keen as a sharp razor,] -[Sidenote E: and the handle was encased in iron, curiously "graven with - green, in gracious works."] -[Sidenote F: Thus arrayed the Green Knight enters the hall,] -[Sidenote G: without saluting any one.] -[Sidenote H: He asks for the "governor" of the company,] -[Sidenote I: and looks for the most renowned.] -[Footnote 1: looks like gracons in MS.] - - XI. - - 232 [A] Ther wat3 lokyng on lenþe, þe lude to be-holde, - For vch mon had meruayle quat hit mene my3t, - Þat a haþel & a horse my3t such a hwe lach, - [B] As growe grene as þe gres & grener hit semed, - 236 Þen grene aumayl on golde lowande bry3ter; - Al studied þat þer stod, & stalked hym nerre, - [C] Wyth al þe wonder of þe worlde, what he worch schulde. - For fele sellye3 had þay sen, bot such neuer are, - 240 For-þi for fantoum & fayry3e þe folk þere hit demed; - [D] Þer-fore to answare wat3 ar3e mony aþel freke, - & al stouned at his steuen, & stonstil seten, - [E] In a swoghe sylence þur3 þe sale riche - 244 As al were slypped vpon slepe so slaked hor lote3 - in hy3e; - I deme hit not al for doute, - [F] Bot sum for cortaysye, - 248 Bot let hym þat al schulde loute, - Cast vnto þat wy3e. - -[Sidenote A: Much they marvel to see a man and a horse] -[Sidenote B: as green as grass.] -[Sidenote C: Never before had they seen such a sight as this.] -[Sidenote D: They were afraid to answer,] -[Sidenote E: and were as silent as if sleep had taken possession of them;] -[Sidenote F: some from fear and others from courtesy.] - - XII. - - [A] Þenn Arþour bifore þe hi3 dece þat auenture byholde3, - & rekenly hym reuerenced, for rad was he neuer, - 252 & sayde, "wy3e, welcum iwys to þis place, - [B] Þe hede of þis ostel Arthour I hat, [Fol. 94b.] - Li3t luflych adoun, & lenge, I þe praye, - & quat so þy wylle is, we schal wyt after." - 256 [C] "Nay, as help me," quod þe haþel, "he þat on hy3e syttes, - To wone any quyle in þis won, hit wat3 not myn ernde; - Bot for þe los of þe lede is lyft vp so hy3e, - & þy bur3 & þy burnes best ar holden, - 260 Stifest vnder stel-gere on stedes to ryde, - [D] Þe wy3test & þe worþyest of þe worldes kynde, - Preue for to play wyth in oþer pure layke3; - & here is kydde cortaysye, as I haf herd carp, - 264 & þat hat3 wayned me hider, I-wyis, at þis tyme. - 3e may be seker bi þis braunch þat I bere here, - [E] Þat I passe as in pes, & no ply3t seche; - For had I founded in fere, in fe3tyng wyse, - 268 [F] I haue a hauberghe at home & a helme boþe, - A schelde, & a scharp spere, schinande bry3t, - Ande oþer weppenes to welde, I wene wel als, - Bot for I wolde no were, my wede3 ar softer. - 272 Bot if þou be so bold as alle burne3 tellen, - Þou wyl grant me godly þe gomen þat I ask, - bi ry3t." - [G] Arthour con onsware, - 276 & sayd, "sir cortays kny3t, - If þou craue batayl bare, - Here fayle3 þou not to fy3t." - -[Sidenote A: Arthur salutes the Green Knight.] -[Sidenote B: bids him welcome, and invites him to stay awhile.] -[Sidenote C: The knight says that he will not tarry.] -[Sidenote D: He seeks the most valiant that he may prove him.] -[Sidenote E: He comes in peace.] -[Sidenote F: At home, however, he has both shield and spear.] -[Sidenote G: Arthur assures him that he shall not fail to find an opponent - worthy of him.] - - XIII. - - [A] "Nay, frayst I no fy3t, in fayth I þe telle, - 280 [B] Hit arn aboute on þis bench bot berdle3 chylder; - If I were hasped in armes on a he3e stede, - [C] Here is no mon me to mach, for my3te3 so[1] wayke. - For-þy I craue in þis court a crystmas gomen, - 284 [D] For hit is 3ol & nwe 3er, & here ar 3ep mony; - If any so hardy in þis hous holde3 hym-seluen, - [E] Be so bolde in his blod, brayn in hys hede, - Þat dar stifly strike a strok for an oþer, - 288 I schal gif hym of my gyft þys giserne ryche, - [F] Þis ax, þat is heué in-nogh, to hondele as hym lykes, - & I schal bide þe fyrst bur, as bare as I sitte. [Fol. 95.] - If any freke be so felle to fonde þat I telle, - 292 Lepe ly3tly me to, & lach þis weppen, - I quit clayme hit for euer, kepe hit as his auen, - [G] & I schal stonde hym a strok, stif on þis flet, - Elle3 þou wyl di3t me þe dom to dele hym an oþer, - 296 barlay; - & 3et gif hym respite, - [H] A twelmonyth & a day;-- - Now hy3e, & let se tite - 300 Dar any her-inne o3t say." - -[Sidenote A: "I seek no fight," says the knight.] -[Sidenote B: "'Here are only beardless children.'] -[Sidenote C: Here is no man to match me.] -[Sidenote D: Here are brave ones many,] -[Sidenote E: if any be bold enough to 'strike a stroke for another,'] -[Sidenote F: this axe shall be his;] -[Sidenote G: but I shall give him a 'stroke' in return] -[Sidenote H: within a twelvemonth and a day."] -[Footnote 1: MS. fo.] - - XIV. - - [A] If he hem stowned vpon fyrst, stiller were þanne - Alle þe hered-men in halle, þe hy3 & þe lo3e; - [B] Þe renk on his rounce hym ruched in his sadel, - 304 & runisch-ly his rede y3en he reled aboute, - [C] Bende his bresed bro3e3, bly-cande grene, - [D] Wayued his berde for to wayte quo-so wolde ryse. - When non wolde kepe hym with carp he co3ed ful hy3e, - 308 Ande rimed hym ful richley, & ry3t hym to speke: - [E] "What, is þis Arþures hous," quod þe haþel þenne, - "Þat al þe rous rennes of, þur3 ryalmes so mony? - Where is now your sourquydrye & your conquestes, - 312 Your gry[n]del-layk, & your greme, & your grete wordes? - [F] Now is þe reuel & þe renoun of þe rounde table - Ouer-walt wyth a worde of on wy3es speche; - For al dares for drede, with-oute dynt schewed!" - 316 Wyth þis he la3es so loude, þat þe lorde greued; - [G] Þe blod schot for scham in-to his schyre face - & lere; - [H] He wex as wroth as wynde, - 320 So did alle þat þer were - Þe kyng as kene bi kynde, - Þen stod þat stif mon nere. - -[Sidenote A: Fear kept all silent.] -[Sidenote B: The knight rolled his red eyes about,] -[Sidenote C: and bent his bristly green brows.] -[Sidenote D: Waving his beard awhile, he exclaimed:] -[Sidenote E: "What! is this Arthur's court?] -[Sidenote F: Forsooth the renown of the Round Table is overturned 'with a - word of one man's speech.'"] -[Sidenote G: Arthur blushes for shame.] -[Sidenote H: He waxes as wroth as the wind.] - - XV. - - [A] Ande sayde, "haþel, by heuen þyn askyng is nys, - 324 & as þou foly hat3 frayst, fynde þe be-houes; - I know no gome þat is gast of þy grete wordes. - Gif me now þy geserne, vpon gode3 halue, - & I schal bayþen þy bone, þat þou boden habbes." - 328 Ly3tly lepe3 he hym to, & la3t at his honde; [Fol. 95b.] - Þen feersly þat oþer freke vpon fote ly3tis. - [B] Now hat3 Arthure his axe, & þe halme grype3, - & sturnely sture3 hit aboute, þat stryke wyth hit þo3t. - 332 Þe stif mon hym bifore stod vpon hy3t, - Herre þen ani in þe hous by þe hede & more; - [C] Wyth sturne schere[1] þer he stod, he stroked his berde, - & wyth a countenaunce dry3e he dro3 doun his cote, - 336 No more mate ne dismayd for hys mayn dinte3, - Þen any burne vpon bench hade bro3t hym to drynk - of wyne, - [D] Gawan, þat sate bi þe quene, - 340 To þe kyng he can enclyne, - "I be-seche now with sa3e3 sene, - Þis melly mot be myne." - -[Sidenote A: He assures the knight that no one is afraid of his great - words.] -[Sidenote B: Arthur seizes his axe.] -[Sidenote C: The knight, stroking his beard, awaits the blow, and with a - "dry countenance" draws down his coat.] -[Sidenote D: Sir Gawayne beseeches the king to let him undertake the blow.] -[Footnote 1: chere (?).] - - XVI. - - "Wolde 3e, worþilych lorde," quod Gawan to þe kyng, - 344 [A] "Bid me bo3e fro þis benche, & stonde by yow þere, - Þat I wyth-oute vylanye my3t voyde þis table, - & þat my legge lady lyked not ille, - I wolde com to your counseyl, bifore your cort ryche. - 348 [B] For me þink hit not semly, as hit is soþ knawen, - Þer such an askyng is heuened so hy3e in your sale, - Þa33e 3our-self be talenttyf to take hit to your-seluen, - [C] Whil mony so bolde yow aboute vpon bench sytten, - 352 Þat vnder heuen, I hope, non ha3er er of wylle, - Ne better bodyes on bent, þer baret is rered; - [D] I am þe wakkest, I wot, and of wyt feblest, - & lest lur of my lyf, quo laytes þe soþe, - 356 Bot for as much as 3e ar myn em, I am only to prayse, - No bounté bot your blod I in my bodé knowe; - & syþen þis note is so nys, þat no3t hit yow falles, - & I haue frayned hit at yow fyrst, folde3 hit to me, - 360 & if I carp not comlyly, let alle þis cort rych, - bout blame." - [E] Ryche to-geder con roun, - & syþen þay redden alle same, - 364 To ryd þe kyng wyth croun, - & gif Gawan þe game. - -[Sidenote A: He asks permission to leave the table; he says,] -[Sidenote B: it is not meet that Arthur should be active in the matter,] -[Sidenote C: while so many bold ones sit upon bench.] -[Sidenote D: Although the weakest, he is quite ready to meet the Green - Knight.] -[Sidenote E: The nobles entreat Arthur to "give Gawayne the game."] - - XVII. - - Þen comaunded þe kyng þe kny3t for to ryse; [Fol. 96.] - & he ful radly vp ros, & ruchched hym fayre, - 368 [A] Kneled doun bifore þe kyng, & cache3 þat weppen; - & he luflyly hit hym laft, & lyfte vp his honde, - & gef hym godde3 blessyng, & gladly hym biddes - [B] Þat his hert & his honde schulde hardi be boþe. - 372 "Kepe þe cosyn," quod þe kyng, "þat þou on kyrf sette, - & if þou rede3 hym ry3t, redly I trowe, - Þat þou schal byden þe bur þat he schal bede after. - Gawan got3 to þe gome, with giserne in honde, - 376 & he baldly hym byde3, he bayst neuer þe helder - [C] Þen carppe3 to sir Gawan þe kny3t in þe grene, - "Refourme we oure for-wardes, er we fyrre passe. - Fyrst I eþe þe, haþel, how þat þou hattes, - 380 Þat þou me telle truly, as I tryst may?" - [D] "In god fayth," quod þe goode kny3t, "Gawan I hatte, - Þat bede þe þis buffet, quat-so bi-falle3 after, - & at þis tyme twelmonyth take at þe anoþer, - 384 Wyth what weppen so[1] þou wylt, & wyth no wy3 elle3, - on lyue." - Þat oþer on-sware3 agayn, - "Sir Gawan, so mot I þryue, - 388 [E] As I am ferly fayn. - Þis dint þat þou schal dryue." - -[Sidenote A: The king gives his nephew his weapon,] -[Sidenote B: and tells him to keep heart and hand steady.] -[Sidenote C: The Green Knight enquires the name of his opponent.] -[Sidenote D: Sir Gawayne tells him his name, and declares that he is - willing to give and receive a blow.] -[Sidenote E: The other thereof is glad.] -[Footnote 1: MS. fo.] - - XVIII. - - [A] "Bigog," quod þe grene kny3t, "sir Gawan, melykes, - Þat I schal fange at þy fust þat I haf frayst here; - 392 & þou hat3 redily rehersed, bi resoun ful trwe, - Clanly al þe couenaunt þat I þe kynge asked, - Saf þat þou schal siker me, segge, bi þi trawþe, - Þat þou schal seche me þi-self, where-so þou hopes - 396 I may be funde vpon folde, & foch þe such wages - [B] As þou deles me to day, bifore þis douþe ryche." - [C] "Where schulde I wale þe," quod Gauan, "where is þy place? - I wot neuer where þou wonyes, bi hym þat me wro3t, - 400 Ne I know not þe, kny3t, þy cort, ne þi name. - [D] Bot teche me truly þer-to, & telle me howe þou hattes, - & I schal ware alle my wyt to wynne me þeder, - & þat I swere þe for soþe, & by my seker traweþ." [Fol. 96b.] - 404 "Þat is in-nogh in nwe 3er, hit nedes no more," - Quod þe gome in þe grene to Gawan þe hende, - [E] "3if I þe telle trwly, quen I þe tape haue, - & þou me smoþely hat3 smyten, smartly I þe teche - 408 Of my hous, & my home, & myn owen nome, - Þen may þou frayst my fare, & forwarde3 holde, - [F] & if I spende no speche, þenne spede3 þou þe better, - For þou may leng in þy londe, & layt no fyrre, - 412 bot slokes; - [G] Ta now þy grymme tole to þe, - & let se how þou cnoke3." - "Gladly sir, for soþe," - 416 Quod Gawan; his ax he strokes. - -[Sidenote A: "It pleases me well, Sir Gawayne," says the Green Knight, - "that I shall receive a blow from thy fist; but thou must swear that thou - wilt seek me,] -[Sidenote B: to receive the blow in return."] -[Sidenote C: "Where shall I seek thee?" says Sir Gawayne;] -[Sidenote D: "tell me thy name and abode and I will find thee."] -[Sidenote E: "When thou hast smitten me," says the knight, "then tell I - thee of my home and name;] -[Sidenote F: if I speak not at all, so much the better for thee.] -[Sidenote G: Take now thy grim tool, and let us see how thou knockest."] - - XIX. - - [A] The grene kny3t vpon grounde grayþely hym dresses, - A littel lut with þe hede, þe lere he discouere3, - [B] His longe louelych lokke3 he layd ouer his croun. - 420 Let þe naked nec to þe note schewe. - Gauan gripped to his ax, & gederes hit on hy3t, - Þe kay fot on þe folde he be-fore sette, - [C] Let hit doun ly3tly ly3t on þe naked, - 424 Þat þe scharp of þe schalk schyndered þe bones, - [D] & schrank þur3 þe schyire grece, & scade hit in twynne, - Þat þe bit of þe broun stel bot on þe grounde. - [E] Þe fayre hede fro þe halce hit [felle] to þe erþe, - 428 [F] Þat fele hit foyned wyth her fete, þere hit forth roled; - Þe blod brayd fro þe body, þat blykked on þe grene; - [G] & nawþer faltered ne fel þe freke neuer þe helder, - Bot styþly he start forth vpon styf schonkes, - 432 [H] & ru[n]yschly he ra3t out, þere as renkke3 stoden, - La3t to his lufly hed, & lyft hit vp sone; - & syþen bo3e3 to his blonk, þe brydel he cachche3, - [I] Steppe3 in to stel bawe & stryde3 alofte, - 436 [J] & his hede by þe here in his honde halde3; - & as sadly þe segge hym in his sadel sette, - As non vnhap had hym ayled, þa3 hedle3 he[1] we[re], - in stedde; - 440 [K] He brayde his bluk[2] aboute, - Þat vgly bodi þat bledde, [Fol. 97.] - Moni on of hym had doute, - Bi þat his resoun3 were redde. - -[Sidenote A: The Green Knight] -[Sidenote B: puts his long lovely locks aside and lays bare his neck.] -[Sidenote C: Sir Gawayne lets fall his axe] -[Sidenote D: and severs the head from the body.] -[Sidenote E: The head falls to the earth.] -[Sidenote F: Many kick it aside with their feet.] -[Sidenote G: The knight never falters;] -[Sidenote H: he rushes forth, seizes his head,] -[Sidenote I: steps into the saddle,] -[Sidenote J: holding the while the head in his hand by the hair,] -[Sidenote K: and turns his horse about.] -[Footnote 1: MS. ho.] -[Footnote 2: blunk (?).] - - XX. - - 444 For þe hede in his honde he halde3 vp euen, - [A] To-ward þe derrest on þe dece he dresse3 þe face, - & hit lyfte vp þe y3e-lydde3, & loked ful brode, - [B] & meled þus much with his muthe, as 3e may now here. - 448 "Loke, Gawan, þou be grayþe to go as þou hette3, - & layte as lelly til þou me, lude, fynde, - [C] As þou hat3 hette in þis halle, herande þise kny3tes; - [D] To þe grene chapel þou chose, I charge þe to fotte, - 452 Such a dunt as þou hat3 dalt disserued þou habbe3, - [E] To be 3ederly 3olden on nw 3eres morn; - Þe kny3t of þe grene chapel men knowen me mony; - [F] For-þi me forto fynde if þou frayste3, fayle3 þou neuer, - 456 [G] Þer-fore com, oþer recreaunt be calde þe be-houeus." - With a runisch rout þe rayne3 he torne3, - [H] Halled out at þe hal-dor, his hed in his hande, - Þat þe fyr of þe flynt fla3e fro fole houes. - 460 To quat kyth he be-com, knwe non þere, - Neuermore þen þay wyste fram queþen. he wat3 wonnen; - what þenne? - Þe kyng & Gawen þare, - 464 [I] At þat grene þay la3e & grenne, - 3et breued wat3 hit ful bare, - A meruayl among þo menne. - -[Sidenote A: The head lifts up its eyelids,] -[Sidenote B: and addresses Sir Gawayne; "Look thou, be ready to go as thou - hast promised,] -[Sidenote C: and seek till thou findest me.] -[Sidenote D: Get thee to the Green Chapel,] -[Sidenote E: there to receive a blow on New Year's morn.] -[Sidenote F: Fail thou never;] -[Sidenote G: come, or recreant be called."] -[Sidenote H: The Green Knight then rushes out of the hall, his head in his - hand.] -[Sidenote I: At that green one Arthur and Gawayne "laugh and grin."] - - XXI. - - [A] Þa3 Arþer þe hende kyng at hert hade wonder, - 468 He let no semblaunt be sene, bot sayde ful hy3e - To þe comlych quene, wyth cortays speche, - [B] "Dere dame, to day demay yow neuer; - Wel by-commes such craft vpon cristmasse, - 472 Laykyng of enterlude3, to la3e & to syng. - Among þise, kynde caroles of kny3te3 & ladye3; - [C] Neuer-þe-lece to my mete I may me wel dres, - For I haf sen a selly, I may not for-sake." - 476 He glent vpon sir Gawen, & gaynly he sayde, - [D] "Now sir, heng vp þyn ax, þat hat3 in-nogh hewen." - & hit wat3 don abof þe dece, on doser to henge, [Fol. 97b.] - Þer alle men for meruayl my3t on hit loke, - 480 & bi trwe tytel þer-of to telle þe wonder. - [E] Þenne þay bo3ed to a borde þise burnes to-geder, - Þe kyng & þe gode kny3t, & kene men hem serued - Of alle dayntye3 double, as derrest my3t falle, - 484 Wyth alle maner of mete & mynstralcie boþe; - Wyth wele walt þay þat day, til worþed an ende, - in londe. - [F] Now þenk wel, sir Gawan, - 488 For woþe þat þou ne wonde, - Þis auenture forto frayn, - Þat þou hat3 tan on honde. - -[Sidenote A: Arthur addresses the queen:] -[Sidenote B: "Dear dame, be not dismayed; such marvels well become the - Christmas festival;] -[Sidenote C: I may now go to meat.] -[Sidenote D: Sir Gawayne, hang up thine axe.] -[Sidenote E: The king and his knights sit feasting at the board till day is - ended.] -[Sidenote F: Now beware, Sir Gawayne, lest thou fail to seek the adventure - that thou hast taken in hand.] - -[FYTTE THE SECOND.] - - I. - - [A] This hanselle hat3 Arthur of auenturus on fyrst, - 492 In 3onge 3er, for he 3erned 3elpyng to here, - Tha3 hym worde3 were wane, when þay to sete wenten; - Now ar þay stoken of sturne werk staf-ful her hond. - Gawan wat3 glad to be-gynne þose gomne3 in halle, - 496 Bot þa3 þe ende be heuy, haf 3e no wonder; - For þa3 men ben mery in mynde, quen þay han mayn drynk, - [B] A 3ere 3ernes ful 3erne, & 3elde3 neuer lyke, - Þe forme to þe fynisment folde3 ful selden. - 500 For-þi þis 3ol ouer-3ede, & þe 3ere after, - & vche sesoun serlepes sued after oþer; - [C] After crysten-masse com þe crabbed lentoun, - Þat frayste3 flesch wyth þe fysche & fode more symple - 504 Bot þenne þe weder of þe worlde wyth wynter hit þrepe3, - [D] Colde clenge3 adoun, cloude3 vp-lyften, - Schyre schede3 þe rayn in schowre3 ful warme, - Falle3 vpon fayre flat, flowre3 þere schewen, - 508 [E] Boþe grounde3 & þe greue3 grene ar her wede3, - [F] Brydde3 busken to bylde, & bremlych syngen, - [G] For solace of þe softe somer þat sues þer after, - bi bonk; - 512 [H] & blossume3 bolne to blowe, - Bi rawe3 rych & ronk, - [I] Þen note3 noble in-no3e, - Ar herde in wod so wlonk. [Fol. 98] - -[Sidenote A: This marvel serves to keep up a brisk conversation in Court.] -[Sidenote B: The year passes full quickly and never returns.] -[Sidenote C: After Christmas comes the "crabbed Lenten."] -[Sidenote D: Spring sets in and warm showers descend;] -[Sidenote E: the groves become green,] -[Sidenote F: birds build and sing,] -[Sidenote G: for joy of the summer that follows;] -[Sidenote H: blossoms begin to bloom,] -[Sidenote I: and noble notes are heard in the woods] - - II. - - 516 [A] After þe sesoun of somer wyth þe soft wynde3, - Quen 3eferus syfle3 hym-self on sede3 & erbe3, - [B] Wela-wynne is þe wort þat woxes þer-oute. - When þe donkande dewe drope3 of þe leue3, - 520 To bide a blysful blusch of þe bry3t sunne. - [C] Bot þen hy3es heruest, & hardenes hym sone. - Warne3 hym for þe wynter to wax ful rype; - [D] He dryues wyth dro3t þe dust for to ryse. - 524 Fro þe face of þe folde to fly3e ful hy3e; - Wroþe wynde of þe welkyn wrastele3 with þe sunne, - [E] Þe leue3 lancen fro þe lynde, & ly3ten on þe grounde, - [F] & al grayes þe gres, þat grene wat3 ere; - 528 Þenne al rype3 & rote3 þat ros vpon fyrst, - & þus 3irne3 þe 3ere in 3isterdaye3 mony, - [G] & wynter wynde3 a3ayn, as þe worlde aske3 - no sage. - 532 Til me3el-mas mone, - Wat3 cumen wyth wynter wage; - [H] Þen þenkke3 Gawan ful sone, - Of his anious uyage. - -[Sidenote A: Then the soft winds of summer,] -[Sidenote B: beautiful are the flowers wet with dew-drops.] -[Sidenote C: But harvest approaches soon,] -[Sidenote D: and drives the dust about.] -[Sidenote E: The leaves drop off the trees,] -[Sidenote F: the grass becomes gray, and all ripens and rots.] -[Sidenote G: Winter winds round again,] -[Sidenote H: and then Sir Gawayne thinks of his dread journey.] - - III. - - 536 [A] 3et quyl al-hal-day with Arþer he lenges, - & he made a fare on þat fest, for þe freke3 sake, - With much reuel & ryche of þe rounde table; - Kny3te3 ful cortays & comlych ladies, - 540 Al for luf of þat lede in longynge þay were, - Bot neuer-þe-lece ne þe later þay neuened bot merþe, - Mony ioyle3 for þat ientyle iape3 þer maden. - [B] For aftter mete, with mournyng he mele3 to his eme, - 544 & speke3 of his passage, & pertly he sayde, - [C] "Now, lege lorde of my lyf, leue I yow ask; - 3e knowe þe cost of þis cace, kepe I no more - To telle yow tene3 þer-of neuer bot trifel; - 548 [D] Bot I am boun to þe bur barely to morne, - To sech þe gome of þe grene, as god wyl me wysse." - Þenne þe best of þe bur3 bo3ed to-geder, - Aywan, & Errik, & oþer ful mony, - 552 Sir Doddinaual de Sauage, þe duk of Clarence, [Fol. 98b.] - Launcelot, & Lyonel, & Lucan þe gode, - Sir Boos, & sir Byduer, big men boþe, - [E] & mony oþer menskful, with Mador de la Port. - 556 Alle þis compayny of court com þe kyng nerre, - For to counseyl þe kny3t, with care at her hert; - [F] Þere wat3 much derue[1] doel driuen in þe sale, - Þat so worthe as Wawan schulde wende on þat ernde, - 560 To dry3e a delful dynt, & dele no more - wyth bronde. - Þe kny3t mad ay god chere, - & sayde, "quat schuld I wonde, - 564 [G] Of destines derf & dere, - What may mon do bot fonde?" - -[Sidenote A: On All-hallows day Arthur makes a feast for his nephew's - sake.] -[Sidenote B: After meat, Sir Gawayne thus speaks to his uncle:] -[Sidenote C: "Now, liege lord, I ask leave of you,] -[Sidenote D: for I am bound on the morn to seek the Green Knight."] -[Sidenote E: Many nobles, the best of the court, counsel and comfort him.] -[Sidenote F: Much sorrow prevails in the hall.] -[Sidenote G: Gawayne declares that he has nothing to fear.] -[Footnote 1: derne (?).] - - IV. - - [A] He dowelle3 þer al þat day, and dresse3 on þe morn, - Aske3 erly hys arme3, & alle were þay bro3t - 568 [B] Fyrst a tule tapit, ty3t ouer þe flet, - & miche wat3 þe gyld gere þat glent þer alofte; - [C] Þe stif mon steppe3 þeron, & þe stel hondole3, - [D] Dubbed in a dublet of a dere tars, - 572 & syþen a crafty capados, closed aloft, - Þat wyth a bry3t blaunner was bounden with-inne; - [E] Þenne set þay þe sabatoun3 vpon þe segge fote3, - His lege3 lapped in stel with luflych greue3, - 576 With polayne3 piched þer-to, policed ful clene, - Aboute his kne3 knaged wyth knote3 of golde; - [F] Queme quyssewes þen, þat coyntlych closed - His thik þrawen þy3e3 with þwonges to-tachched; - 580 [G] & syþen þe brawden bryne of bry3t stel rynge3, - Vmbe-weued þat wy3, vpon wlonk stuffe; - [H] & wel bornyst brace vpon his boþe armes, - With gode cowters & gay, & gloue3 of plate, - 584 & alle þe godlych gere þat hym gayn schulde - Þat tyde; - [I] Wyth ryche cote armure, - [J] His gold spore3 spend with pryde, - 588 [K] Gurde wyth a bront ful sure, - With silk sayn vmbe his syde. - -[Sidenote A: On the morn he asks for his arms.] -[Sidenote B: A carpet is spread on the floor,] -[Sidenote C: and he steps thereon.] -[Sidenote D: He is dubbed in a doublet of Tarsic silk, and a well-made - hood.] -[Sidenote E: They set steel slices on his feet, and lap his legs in steel - greaves.] -[Sidenote F: Fair cuisses enclose his thighs,] -[Sidenote G: and afterwards they put on the steel habergeon,] -[Sidenote H: well-burnished braces, elbow pieces, and gloves of plate.] -[Sidenote I: Over all this is placed the coat armour.] -[Sidenote J: His spurs are then fixed,] -[Sidenote K: and his sword is attached to his side by a silken girdle.] - - V. - - [A] When he wat3 hasped in armes, his harnays wat3 ryche, [Fol. 99a.] - Þe lest lachet ou[þ]er loupe lemed of golde; - 592 So harnayst as he wat3 he herkne3 his masse, - Offred & honoured at þe he3e auter; - [B] Syþen he come3 to þe kyng & to his cort fere3, - Lache3 lufly his leue at lorde3 & ladye3; - 596 & þay hym kyst & conueyed, bikende hym to kryst. - [C] Bi þat wat3 Gryngolet grayth, & gurde with a sadel, - Þat glemed ful gayly with mony golde frenges, - Ay quere naylet ful nwe for þat note ryched; - 600 Þe brydel barred aboute, with bry3t golde bounden; - [D] Þe apparayl of þe payttrure, & of þe proude skyrte3, - Þe cropore, & þe couertor, acorded wyth þe arsoune3; - & al wat3 rayled on red ryche golde nayle3, - 604 Þat al glytered & glent as glem of þe sunne. - [E] Þenne hentes he þe holme, & hastily hit kysses, - Þat wat3 stapled stifly, & stoffed wyth-inne: - Hit wat3 hy3e on his hede, hasped bihynde, - 608 [F] Wyth a ly3tli vrysoun ouer þe auentayle, - [G] Enbrawden & bounden wyth þe best gemme3, - On brode sylkyn borde, & brydde3 on seme3, - As papiaye3 paynted pernyng bitwene, - 612 Tortors & trulofe3 entayled so þyk, - As mony burde þer aboute had ben seuen wynter - in toune; - [H] Þe cercle wat3 more o prys, - 616 Þat vmbe-clypped hys croun, - Of diamaunte3 a deuys, - Þat boþe were bry3t & broun. - -[Sidenote A: Thus arrayed the knight hears mass,] -[Sidenote B: and afterwards takes leave of Arthur and his court.] -[Sidenote C: By that time his horse Gringolet was ready,] -[Sidenote D: the harness of which glittered like the "gleam of the sun."] -[Sidenote E: Then Sir Gawayne sets his helmet upon his head,] -[Sidenote F: fastened behind with a "urisoun,"] -[Sidenote G: richly embroidered with gems.] -[Sidenote H: The circle around the helmet was decked with diamonds.] - - VI. - - [A] Then þay schewed hym þe schelde, þat was of schyr goule3, - 620 Wyth þe pentangel de-paynt of pure golde hwe3; - He brayde3 hit by þe baude-ryk, aboute þe hals kestes, - Þat bisemed þe segge semlyly fayre. - [B] & quy þe pentangel apende3 to þat prynce noble, - 624 I am in tent yow to telle, þof tary hyt me schulde; - Hit is a syngne þat Salamon set sum-quyle, - In bytoknyng of trawþe, bi tytle þat hit habbe3, - For hit is a figure þat halde3 fyue poynte3, [Fol. 99b] - 628 & vche lyne vmbe-lappe3 & louke3 in oþer, - [C] & ay quere hit is endele3,[1] & Englych hit callen - Ouer-al, as I here, þe endeles knot. - For-þy hit acorde3 to þis kny3t, & to his cler arme3, - 632 For ay faythful in fyue & sere fyue syþe3, - [D] Gawan wat3 for gode knawen, & as golde pured, - Voyded of vche vylany, wyth vertue3[2] ennourned - in mote; - 636 For-þy þe pen-tangel nwe - He ber in schelde & cote, - [E] As tulk of tale most trwe, - & gentylest kny3t of lote. - -[Sidenote A: Then they show him his shield with the "pentangle" of pure - gold.] -[Sidenote B: The "pentangle" was devised by Solomon as a token of truth.] -[Sidenote C: It is called the endless knot] -[Sidenote D: It well becomes the good Sir Gawayne,] -[Sidenote E: a knight the truest of speech and the fairest of form.] -[Footnote 1: MS emdele3.] -[Footnote 2: MS verertue3] - - VII. - - 640 [A] Fyrst he wat3 funden fautle3 in his fyue wytte3, - & efte fayled neuer þe freke in his fyue fyngres, - [B] & alle his afyaunce vpon folde wat3 in þe fyue wounde3 - Þat Cryst ka3t on þe croys, as þe crede telle3; - 644 & quere-so-euer þys mon in melly wat3 stad, - His þro þo3t wat3 in þat, þur3 alle oþer þynge3, - Þat alle his forsnes he fong at þe fyue ioye3, - Þat þe hende heuen quene had of hir chylde; - 648 At þis cause þe kny3t comlyche hade - [C] In þe more half of his schelde hir ymage depaynted, - Þat quen he blusched þerto, his belde neuer payred. - Þe fyrst[1] fyue þat I finde þat þe frek vsed, - 652 Wat3 fraunchyse, & fela3schyp for-be[2] al þyng; - [D] His clannes & his cortaysye croked were neuer, - & pite, þat passe3 alle poynte3, þyse pure fyue - Were harder happed on þat haþel þen on any oþer. - 656 Now alle þese fyue syþe3, forsoþe, were fetled on þis kny3t, - & vchone halched in oþer, þat non ende hade, - & fyched vpon fyue poynte3, þat fayld neuer, - Ne samned neuer in no syde, ne sundred nouþ[er], - 660 With-outen ende at any noke [a]i quere fynde, - Where-euer þe gomen bygan, or glod to an ende. - [E] Þer-fore on his schene schelde schapen wat3 þe knot, - Þus alle wyth red golde vpon rede gowle3, - 664 Þat is þe pure pentaungel wyth þe peple called, [Fol. 100] - with lore. - Now grayþed is Gawan gay, - [F] & la3t his launce ry3t þore, - 668 & gef hem alle goud day, - He wende for euer more. - -[Sidenote A: He was found faultless in his five wits.] -[Sidenote B: His trust was in the five wounds.] -[Sidenote C: The image of the Virgin was depicted upon his shield.] -[Sidenote D: In cleanness and courtesy he was never found wanting,] -[Sidenote E: therefore was the endless knot fastened on his shield.] -[Sidenote F: Sir Gawayne seizes his lance and bids all "good day."] -[Footnote 1: MS fyft.] -[Footnote 2: for-bi (?).] - - VIII. - - [A] He sperred þe sted with þe spure3, & sprong on his way, - So stif þat þe ston fyr stroke out þer-after; - 672 [B] Al þat se3 þat semly syked in hert, - & sayde soþly al same segges til oþer, - Carande for þat comly, "bi Kryst, hit is scaþe, - Þat þou, leude, schal be lost, þat art of lyf noble! - 676 [C] To fynde hys fere vpon folde, in fayth is not eþe; - Warloker to haf wro3t had more wyt bene, - & haf dy3t 3onder dere a duk to haue worþed; - [D] A lowande leder of lede3 in londe hym wel seme3, - 680 & so had better haf ben þen britned to no3t, - [E] Hadet wyth an aluisch mon, for angarde3 pryde. - Who knew euer any kyng such counsel to take, - As kny3te3 in caueloun3 on cryst-masse gomne3!" - 684 [F] Wel much wat3 þe warme water þat waltered of y3en, - When þat semly syre so3t fro þo wone3 - þat[1] daye; - He made non abode, - 688 Bot wy3tly went hys way, - [G] Mony wylsum way he rode, - Þe bok as I herde say. - -[Sidenote A: He spurs his horse and goes on his way.] -[Sidenote B: All that saw that seemly one mourned in their hearts.] -[Sidenote C: They declared that his equal was not to be found upon earth.] -[Sidenote D: It would have been better for him to have been a leader of - men,] -[Sidenote E: than to die by the hands of "an elvish man."] -[Sidenote F: Much was the warm water that poured from eyes that day.] -[Sidenote G: Meanwhile many a weary way goes Sir Gawayne.] -[Footnote 1: MS. þad.] - - IX. - - [A] Now ride3 þis renk þur3 þe ryalme of Logres, - 692 Sir Gauan on Gode3 halue, þa3 hym no gomen þo3t; - Oft, leudle3 alone, he lenge3 on ny3te3, - Þer he fonde no3t hym byfore þe fare þat he lyked; - [B] Hade he no fere bot his fole, bi frythe3 & doune3, - 696 Ne no gome bot God, bi gate wyth to karp, - [C] Til þat he ne3ed ful noghe[1] in to þe Norþe Wale3; - Alle þe iles of Anglesay on lyft half he halde3, - & fare3 ouer þe forde3 by þe for-londe3, - 700 [D] Ouer at þe Holy-Hede, til he hade eft bonk - In þe wyldrenesse of Wyrale; wonde þer bot lyte - [E] Þat auþer God oþer gome wyth goud hert louied. [Fol. 100b] - & ay he frayned, as he ferde, at freke3 þat he met, - 704 [F] If þay hade herde any karp of a kny3t grene, - In any grounde þer-aboute, of þe grene chapel;[2] - & al nykked hym wyth nay, þat neuer in her lyue - [G] Þay se3e neuer no segge þat wat3 of suche hwe3 - 708 of grene. - Þe kny3t tok gates straunge, - In mony a bonk vnbene, - [H] His cher ful oft con chaunge, - 712 Þat chapel er he my3t sene. - -[Sidenote A: Now rides the knight through the realms of England.] -[Sidenote B: He has no companion but his horse.] -[Sidenote C: No men does he see till he approaches North Wales.] -[Sidenote D: From Holyhead he passes into Wirral.] -[Sidenote E: There he finds but few that loved God or man.] -[Sidenote F: He enquires after the Green Knight of the Green Chapel,] -[Sidenote G: but can gain no tidings of him.] -[Sidenote H: His cheer oft changed before he found the Chapel.] -[Footnote 1: nyghe (?).] -[Footnote 2: MS. clapel.] - - X. - - [A] Mony klyf he ouer-clambe in contraye3 straunge, - Fer floten fro his frende3 fremedly he ryde3; - [B] At vche warþe oþer water þer þe wy3e passed, - 716 He fonde a foo hym byfore, bot ferly hit were, - & þat so foule & so felle, þat fe3t hym by-hode; - [C] So mony meruayl hi mount þer þe mon fynde3, - Hit were to tore for to telle of þe tenþe dole. - 720 [D] Sumwhyle wyth worme3 he werre3, & with wolues als, - Sumwhyle wyth wodwos, þat woned in þe knarre3, - [E] Boþe wyth bulle3 & bere3, & bore3 oþer-quyle, - & etayne3, þat hym a-nelede, of þe he3e felle; - 724 [F] Nade he ben du3ty & dry3e, & dry3tyn had serued, - Douteles he hade ben ded, & dreped ful ofte. - [G] For werre wrathed hym not so much, þat wynter was wors, - When þe colde cler water fro þe cloude3 schadden, - 728 & fres er hit falle my3t to þe fale erþe; - Ner slayn wyth þe slete he sleped in his yrnes, - Mo ny3te3 þen in-noghe in naked rokke3, - Þer as claterande fro þe crest þe colde borne renne3, - 732 & henged he3e ouer his hede in hard ÿsse-ikkles. - [H] Þus in peryl, & payne, & plytes ful harde, - Bi contray carye3 þis kny3t, tyl kryst-masse euen, - al one; - 736 Þe kny3t wel þat tyde, - [I] To Mary made his mone. - Þat ho hym red to ryde, - & wysse hym to sum wone. [Fol. 101.] - -[Sidenote A: Many a cliff he climbed over;] -[Sidenote B: many a ford and stream he crossed, and everywhere he found a - foe.] -[Sidenote C: It were too tedious to tell the tenth part of his adventures] -[Sidenote D: with serpents, wolves, and wild men;] -[Sidenote E: with bulls, bears, and boars.] -[Sidenote F: Had he not been both brave and good, doubtless he had been - dead.] -[Sidenote G: The sharp winter was far worse than any war that ever troubled - him.] -[Sidenote H: Thus in peril he travels till Christmas-eve.] -[Sidenote I: To the Virgin Mary he prays to guide him to some abode.] - - XI. - - 740 [A] Bi a mounte on þe morne meryly he rydes, - Into a forest ful dep, þat ferly wat3 wylde, - Hi3e hille3 on vche a halue, & holt wode3 vnder, - [B] Of hore oke3 fill hoge a hundreth to-geder; - 744 Þe hasel & þe ha3-þorne were harled al samen, - With ro3e raged mosse rayled ay-where, - [C] With mony brydde3 vnblyþe vpon bare twyges, - Þat pitosly þer piped for pyne of þe colde. - 748 Þe gome vpon Gryngolet glyde3 hem vnder, - [D] Þur3 mony misy & myre, mon al hym one, - Carande for his costes, lest he ne keuer schulde, - To se þe seruy[1] of þat syre, þat on þat self ny3t - 752 Of a burde wat3 borne, oure baret to quelle; - [E] & þerfore sykyng he sayde, "I be-seche þe, lorde, - & Mary, þat is myldest moder so dere. - Of sum herber, þer he3ly I my3t here masse. - 756 Ande þy matyne3 to-morne, mekely I ask, - & þer-to prestly I pray my pater & aue, - & crede." - He rode in his prayere, - 760 & cryed for his mysdede, - [F] He sayned hym in syþes sere, - & sayde "cros Kryst me spede!" - -[Sidenote A: On the morn Sir Gawayne finds himself in a deep forest,] -[Sidenote B: where were old oaks many a hundred.] -[Sidenote C: Many sad birds upon bare twigs piped piteously for the cold.] -[Sidenote D: Through many a mire he goes, that he may celebrate the birth - of Christ.] -[Sidenote E: He beseeches the Virgin Mary to direct him to some lodging - where he may hear mass.] -[Sidenote F: Blessing himself, he says, "Cross of Christ, speed me!"] -[Footnote 1: seruyce (?).] - - XII. - - [A] Nade he sayned hym-self, segge, bot þrye, - 764 Er he wat3 war in þe wod of a won in a mote. - [B] Abof a launde, on a lawe, loken vnder bo3e3, - Of mony borelych bole, aboute bi þe diches; - [C] A castel þe comlokest þat euer kny3t a3te, - 768 Pyched on a prayere, a park al aboute, - With a pyked palays, pyned ful þik, - Þat vmbe-te3e mony tre mo þen two myle. - Þat holde on þat on syde þe haþel auysed, - 772 [D] As hit schemered & schon þur3 þe schyre oke3; - Þenne hat3 he hendly of his helme, & he3ly he þonke3 - Iesus & say[nt] Gilyan, þat gentyle ar boþe, - Þat cortaysly hade hym kydde, & his cry herkened. [Fol. 101b.] - 776 "Now bone hostel," coþe þe burne, "I be-seche yow 3ette!" - Þenne gedere3 he to Gryngolet with þe gilt hele3, - [E] & he ful chauncely hat3 chosen to þe chef gate, - Þat bro3t bremly þe burne to þe bryge ende, - 780 in haste; - [F] Þe bryge wat3 breme vp-brayde, - Þe 3ate3 wer stoken faste, - Þe walle3 were wel arayed, - 784 Hit dut no wynde3 blaste. - -[Sidenote A: Scarcely had he blessed himself thrice] -[Sidenote B: when he saw a dwelling in the wood, set on a hill,] -[Sidenote C: the comeliest castle that knight ever owned.] -[Sidenote D: It shone as the sun through the bright oaks.] -[Sidenote E: Sir Gawayne goes to the chief gate,] -[Sidenote F: and finds the draw-bridge raised, and the gates shut fast.] - - XIII. - - [A] Þe burne bode on bonk, þat on blonk houed, - Of þe depe double dich þat drof to þe place, - Þe walle wod in þe water wonderly depe, - 788 [B] Ande eft a ful huge he3t hit haled vpon lofte, - Of harde hewen ston vp to þe table3, - [C] Enbaned vnder þe abataylment, in þe best lawe; - & syþen garyte3 ful gaye gered bi-twene, - 792 Wyth mony luflych loupe, þat louked ful clene; - A better barbican þat burne blusched vpon neuer; - & innermore he be-helde þat halle ful hy3e, - [D] Towre telded bytwene trochet ful þik, - 796 Fayre fylyole3 þat fy3ed, & ferlyly long, - [E] With coruon coprounes, craftyly sle3e; - Chalk whyt chymnees þer ches he in-no3e, - Vpon bastel roue3, þat blenked ful quyte; - 800 So mony pynakle payntet wat3 poudred ay quere, - Among þe castel carnele3, clambred so þik, - Þat pared out of papure purely hit semed. - [F] Þe fre freke on þe fole hit fayr in-n[o]ghe þo3t, - 804 If he my3t keuer to com þe cloyster wyth-inne, - To herber in þat hostel, whyl halyday lested - auinant; - [G] He calde, & sone þer com - 808 A porter pure plesaunt, - On þe wal his ernd he nome, - & haylsed þe kny3t erraunt. - -[Sidenote A: The knight abides on the bank,] -[Sidenote B: and observes the "huge height,"] -[Sidenote C: with its battlements and watch towers.] -[Sidenote D: Bright and long were its round towers,] -[Sidenote E: with their well-made capitals.] -[Sidenote F: He thinks it fair enough if he might only come within the - cloister.] -[Sidenote G: He calls, and soon there comes a porter to know the knight's - errand.] - - XIV. - - [A] "Gode sir," quod Gawan, "wolde3 þou go myn ernde, - 812 To þe he3 lorde of þis hous, herber to craue?" - "3e, Peter," quod þe porter, "& purely I trowe,[1] [Fol. 102.] - [B] Þat 3e be, wy3e, welcum to won quyle yow lyke3." - Þen 3ede þat wy3e a3ayn awyþe, - 816 & folke frely hym wyth, to fonge þe kny3t; - [C] Þay let doun þe grete dra3t, & derely out 3eden, - & kneled doun on her knes vpon þe colde erþe, - To welcum þis ilk wy3, as worþy hom þo3t; - 820 [D] Þay 3olden hym þe brode 3ate, 3arked vp wyde, - & he hem raysed rekenly, & rod ouer þe brygge; - Sere segge3 hym sesed by sadel, quel[2] he ly3t, - [E] & syþen stabeled his stede stif men in-no3e. - 824 [F] Kny3te3 & swyere3 comen doun þenne, - For to bryng þis burne[3] wyth blys in-to halle; - [G] Quen he hef vp his helme, þer hi3ed in-noghe - For to hent hit at his honde, þe hende to seruen, - 828 His bronde & his blasoun boþe þay token. - Þen haylsed he ful hendly þo haþele3 vch one, - & mony proud mon þer presed, þat prynce to honour; - Alle hasped in his he3 wede to halle þay hym wonnen, - 832 Þer fayre fyre vpon flet fersly brenned. - [H] Þenne þe lorde of þe lede loute3 fro his chambre, - For to mete wyth menske þe mon on þe flor; - He sayde, "3e ar welcum to welde as yow lyke3, - 836 Þat here is, al is yowre awen, to haue at yowre wylle - & welde." - "Graunt mercy," quod Gawayn, - "Þer Kryst hit yow for-3elde," - 840 [I] As freke3 þat semed fayn, - Ayþer oþer in arme3 con felde. - -[Sidenote A: "Good sir," says Gawayne, "ask the high lord of this house to - grant me a lodging."] -[Sidenote B: "You are welcome to dwell here as long as you like," replied - the porter.] -[Sidenote C: The draw-bridge is let down,] -[Sidenote D: and the gate is opened wide to receive him.] -[Sidenote E: His horse is well stabled.] -[Sidenote F: Knights and squires bring Gawayne into the hall.] -[Sidenote G: Many a one hastens to take his helmet and sword.] -[Sidenote H: The lord of the country bids him welcome,] -[Sidenote I: and they embrace each other.] -[Footnote 1: trowoe, MS.] -[Footnote 2: quyle (?) or quen (?).] -[Footnote 3: buurne, MS.] - - XV. - - [A] Gawayn gly3t on þe gome þat godly hym gret, - [B] & þu3t hit a bolde burne þat þe bur3 a3te, - 844 A hoge haþel for þe none3, & of hyghe elde;[1] - [C] Brode bry3t wat3 his berde, & al beuer hwed, - Sturne stif on þe stryþþe on stal-worth schonke3, - [D] Felle face as þe fyre, & fre of hys speche; - 848 & wel hym semed for soþe, as þe segge þu3t, - To lede a lortschyp in lee of leude3 ful gode. - [E] Þe lorde hym charred to a chambre, & chefly cumaunde3[2] [Fol.] - To delyuer hym a leude, hym lo3ly to serue; [102b.] - 852 & þere were boun at his bode burne3 in-no3e, - [F] Þat bro3t hym to a bry3t boure, þer beddyng wat3 noble, - Of cortynes of clene sylk, wyth cler golde hemme3, - [G] & couertore3 ful curious, with comlych pane3, - 856 Of bry3t blaunnier a-boue enbrawded bisyde3, - Rudele3 rennande on rope3, red golde rynge3, - [H] Tapyte3 ty3t to þe wo3e, of tuly & tars, - & vnder fete, on þe flet, of fol3ande sute. - 860 [I] Þer he wat3 dispoyled, wyth speche3 of myerþe, - Þe burn of his bruny, & of his bry3t wede3; - [J] Ryche robes ful rad renkke3 hem[3] bro3ten, - For to charge, & to chaunge, & chose of þe best. - 864 Sone as he on hent, & happed þer-inne, - Þat sete on hym[4] semly, wyth saylande skyrte3, - [K] Þe ver by his uisage verayly hit semed - Wel ne3 to vche haþel alle on hwes, - 868 Lowande & lufly, alle his lymme3 vnder, - [L] Þat a comloker kny3t neuer Kryst made, - hem þo3t; - Wheþen in worlde he were, - 872 Hit semed as he my3t - Be prynce with-outen pere, - In felde þer felle men fy3t. - -[Sidenote A: Gawayne looks on his host;] -[Sidenote B: a big bold one he seemed.] -[Sidenote C: Beaver-hued was his broad beard,] -[Sidenote D: and his face as "fell as the fire."] -[Sidenote E: The lord leads Gawayne to a chamber, and assigns him a page to - wait upon him.] -[Sidenote F: In this bright bower was noble bedding;] -[Sidenote G: the curtains were of pure silk with golden hems;] -[Sidenote H: Tarsic tapestries covered the walls and the floor.] -[Sidenote I: Here the knight doffed his armour,] -[Sidenote J: and put on rich robes,] -[Sidenote K: which well became him.] -[Sidenote L: A more comely knight Christ never made.] -[Footnote 1: eldee, MS.] -[Footnote 2: clesly, MS.] -[Footnote 3: hym (?).] -[Footnote 4: MS. hyn.] - - XVI. - - [A] A cheyer by-fore þe chemné, þer charcole brenned, - 876 Wat3 grayþed for sir Gawan, grayþely with cloþe3, - Whyssynes vpon queldepoyntes, þa[t] koynt wer boþe; - [B] & þenne a mere mantyle wat3 on þat mon cast, - Of a broun bleeaunt, enbrauded ful ryche, - 880 & fayre furred wyth-inne with felle3 of þe best, - Alle of ermyn in erde, his hode of þe same; - & he sete in þat settel semlych ryche, - & achaufed hym chefly,[1] & þenne his cher mended. - 884 [C] Sone wat3 telded vp a tapit, on treste3 ful fayre, - [D] Clad wyth a clene cloþe, þat cler quyt schewed, - Sanap, & salure, & syluer-in spone3; - Þe wy3e wesche at his wylle, & went to his mete [Fol. 103.] - 888 Segge3 hym serued semly in-no3e, - [E] Wyth sere sewes & sete,[2] sesounde of þe best, - Double felde, as hit falle3, & fele kyn fische3; - [F] Summe baken in bred, summe brad on þe glede3, - 892 [G] Summe soþen, summe in sewe, sauered with spyces, - & ay sawes[3] so sle3e3, þat þe segge lyked. - Þe freke calde hit a fest ful frely & ofte, - [H] Ful hendely, quen alle þe haþeles re-hayted hym at one3 - 896 as hende; - "Þis penaunce now 3e take, - & eft hit schal amende;" - [I] Þat mon much merþe con make. - 900 For wyn in his hed þat wende. - -[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] Þenne wat3 spyed & spured vpon spare wyse. - Bi preue poynte3 of þat prynce, put to hym-seluen, - Þat he be-knew cortaysly of þe court þat he were, - 904 [B] Þat aþel Arthure þe hende halde3 hym one, - Þat is þe ryche ryal kyng of þe rounde table; - & hit wat3 Wawen hym-self þat in þat won sytte3, - Comen to þat krystmasse, as case hym þen lymped. - 908 [C] When þe lorde hade lerned þat he þe leude hade, - Loude la3ed he þerat, so lef hit hym þo3t, - [D] & alle þe men in þat mote maden much joye, - To apere in his presense prestly þat tyme, - 912 Þat alle prys, & prowes, & pured þewes - Apendes to hys persoun, & praysed is euer, - By-fore alle men vpon molde, his mensk is þe most. - [E] Vch segge ful softly sayde to his fere, - 916 [F] "Now schal we semlych se sle3te3 of þewe3, - & þe teccheles termes of talkyng noble, - Wich spede is in speche, vnspurd may we lerne, - [G] Syn we haf fonged þat fyne fader of nurture; - 920 God hat3 geuen vus his grace godly for soþe, - Þat such a gest as Gawan graunte3 vus to haue, - When burne3 blyþe of his burþe schal sitte - & synge. - 924 In menyng of manere3 mere, - Þis burne now schal vus bryng, [Fol. 103b.] - [H] I hope þat 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 þat þe diner wat3 done, & þe dere vp, - Hit wat3 ne3 at þe niy3t ne3ed þe tyme; - Chaplayne3[1] to þe chapeles chosen þe gate, - Rungen ful rychely, ry3t as þay schulden, - 932 [B] To þe hersum euensong of þe hy3e tyde. - Þe lorde loutes þerto, & þe lady als, - In-to a comly closet coyntly ho entre3; - Gawan glyde3 ful gay, & gos þeder sone; - 936 Þe lorde laches hym by þe lappe, & lede3 hym to sytte, - & couþly hym knowe3, & calle3 hym his nome, - & sayde he wat3 þe welcomest wy3e of þe worlde; - [C] & he hym þonkked þroly, & ayþer halched oþer. - 940 & seten soberly samen þe seruise-quyle; - Þenne lyst þe lady to loke on þe kny3t. - [D] Þenne com ho of hir closet, with mony cler burde3, - Ho wat3 þe fayrest in felle, of flesche & of lyre, - 944 & of compas, & colour, & costes of alle oþer, - [E] & wener þen Wenore, as þe wy3e þo3t. - He ches þur3 þe chaunsel, to cheryche þat hende; - [F] An oþer lady hir lad bi þe lyft honde, - 948 Þat wat3 alder þen ho, an auncian hit semed, - & he3ly honowred with haþele3 aboute. - [G] Bot yn-lyke on to loke þo ladyes were, - [H] For if þe 3onge wat3 3ep, 3ol3e wat3 þat oþer; - 952 Riche red on þat on rayled ay quere, - [I] Rugh ronkled cheke3 þat oþer on rolled; - Kerchofes of þat on wyth mony cler perle3 - [J] Hir brest & hir bry3t þrote bare displayed, - 956 Schon schyrer þen snawe, þat scheder[2] on hille3; - Þat oþer wyth a gorger wat3 gered ouer þe 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] Þat no3t wat3 bare of þat burde bot þe blake bro3es. [Fol. 104.] - Þe tweyne y3en, & þe nase, þe naked lyppe3, - & þose were soure to se, & sellyly blered; - 964 A mensk lady on molde mon may hir calle, - for gode; - [M] Hir body wat3 schort & þik. - [N] Hir buttoke3 bay & brode, - 968 More lykker-wys on to lyk, - Wat3 þat 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 þat gay, þat graciously loked, - Wyth leue la3t of þe lorde he went hem a3aynes; - 972 [B] Þe alder he haylses, heldande ful lowe, - Þe loueloker he lappe3 a lyttel in arme3, - [C] He kysses hir comlyly, & kny3tly he mele3; - Þay kallen hym of a quoyntaunce, & he hit quyk aske3 - 976 [D] To be her seruaunt sothly, if hem-self lyked. - Þay tan hym bytwene hem, wyth talkyng hym leden - [E] To chambre, to chemné, & chefly þay asken - [F] Spyce3, þat vn-sparely men speded hom to bryng, - 980 & þe wynne-lych wyne þer-with vche tyme. - Þe lorde luflych aloft lepe3 ful ofte, - Mynned merthe to be made vpon mony syþe3. - [G] Hent he3ly of his hode, & on a spere henged, - 984 & wayned hom to wynne þe worchip þer-of, - [H] Þat most myrþe my3t mene[1] þat crystenmas whyle; - "& i schal fonde, bi my fayth, to fylter wyth þe best, - Er me wont þe wede3, with help of my frende3." - 988 Þus wyth la3ande lote3 þe lorde hit tayt[2] make3, - [I] For to glade sir Gawayn with gomne3 in halle - þat ny3t; - Til þat hit wat3 tyme, - 992 Þe 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 þe morne, as vch mon myne3 þat tyme, - 996 [B] [Þ]at dry3tyn for oure destyné to de3e wat3 borne, - Wele waxe3 in vche a won in worlde, for his sake; - [C] So did hit þere on þat day, þur3 dayntes mony; - Boþe at mes & at mele, messes ful quaynt [Fol. 104b.] -1000 Derf men vpon dece drest of þe best. - [D] Þe olde auncian wyf he3est ho sytte3; - Þe lorde lufly her by lent, as I trowe; - [E] Gawan & þe gay burde to-geder þay seten, -1004 Euen in-mydde3, as þe messe metely come; - & syþen þur3 al þe sale, as hem best semed, - [F] Bi vche grome at his degre grayþely wat3 serued. - Þer wat3 mete, þer wat3 myrþe, þer wat3 much ioye, -1008 Þat for to telle þerof hit me tene were, - & to poynte hit 3et I pyned me parauenture; - [G] Bot 3et I wot þat Wawen & þe wale burde - Such comfort of her compaynye ca3ten to-geder, -1012 Þur3 her dere dalyaunce of her derne worde3, - Wyth clene cortays carp, closed fro fylþe; - & hor play wat3 passande vche prynce gomen, - in vayres; -1016 [H] Trumpe3 & nakerys, - Much pypyng þer repayres, - Vche mon tented hys, - & þay two tented þayres. - -[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 þer dryuen þat day & þat oþer, - & þe þryd as þro þronge in þerafter; - [B] Þe ioye of sayn Ione3 day wat3 gentyle to here, - & wat3 þe last of þe layk, leude3 þer þo3ten. -1024 Þer wer gestes to go vpon þe gray morne, - For-þy wonderly þay woke, & þe wyn dronken, - Daunsed ful dre3ly wyth dere carole3; - [C] At þe last, when hit wat3 late, þay lachen her leue, -1028 Vchon to wende on his way, þat wat3 wy3e stronge. - Gawan gef hym god-day, þe god mon hym lachche3, - Ledes hym to his awen chambre, þ[e] chymné bysyde, - [D] & þere he dra3e3 hym on-dry3e, & derely hym þonkke3, -1032 Of þe wynne worschip &[1] he hym wayned hade, - As to honour his hous on þat hy3e tyde, - & enbelyse his bur3 with his bele chere. - "I-wysse sir, quyl I leue, me worþe3 þe better, -1036 Þat Gawayn hat3 ben my gest, at Godde3 awen fest." [Fol. 105.] - "Grant merci[2] sir," quod Gawayn, "in god fayth hit is yowre3, - Al þe honour is your awen, þe he3e kyng yow 3elde; - & I am wy3e at your wylle, to worch youre hest, -1040 As I am halden þer-to, in hy3e & in lo3e, - bi ri3t." - [E] Þe lorde fast can hym payne, - To holde lenger þe kny3t, -1044 To hym answre3 Gawayn, - Bi non way þat 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: þat (?).] -[Footnote 2: nerci, in MS.] - - XXII. - - [A] Then frayned þe freke ful fayre at him-seluen, - Quat derne[1] dede had hym dryuen, at þat dere tyme, -1048 So kenly fro þe kynge3 kourt to kayre al his one, - Er þe halidaye3 holly were halet out of toun? - [B] "For soþe sir," quod þe segge, "3e sayn bot þe trawþe - A he3e ernde & a hasty me hade fro þo 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 þe londe in-wyth Logres, so me oure lorde help! -1056 For-þy, sir, þis enquest I require yow here, - [C] Þat 3e me telle with trawþe, if euer 3e tale herde - Of þe grene chapel, quere hit on grounde stonde3, - & of þe kny3t þat hit kepes, of colour of grene? -1060 Þer wat3 stabled bi statut a steuen vus by-twene, - [D] To mete þat mon at þat mere, 3if I my3t last; - & of þat ilk nw3ere hot neked now wonte3, - & I wolde loke on þat lede, if God me let wolde, -1064 Gladloker, bi Godde3 sun, þen any god welde! - For-þi, I-wysse, bi 3owre wylle, wende me bi-houes, - [E] Naf I now to busy bot bare þre daye3, - & me als fayn to falle feye as fayly of myyn ernde." -1068 [F] Þenne la3ande quod þe lorde, "now leng þe by-houes, - For I schal teche yow to þa[t] terme bi þe tyme3 ende, - Þe grene chapayle vpon grounde, greue yow no more; - Bot 3e schal be in yowre bed, burne, at þyn ese, -1072 Quyle forth dayej, & ferk on pe fyrst of pe 3ere, - & cum to þat merk at mydmorn, to make quat yow like3 [Fol. 105b] - in spenne; - Dowelle3 whyle new 3eres daye, -1076 & rys, & rayke3 þenne, - [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] Þenne wat3 Gawan ful glad, & gomenly he la3ed,-- -1080 "Now I þonk yow þryuandely þur3 alle oþer þynge, - [B] Now acheued is my chaunce, I schal at your wylle - Dowelle, & elle3 do quat 3e demen." - Þenne sesed hym þe syre, & set hym bysyde, -1084 [C] Let þe ladie3 be fette, to lyke hem þe better; - Þer wat3 seme solace by hem-self stille; - Þe lorde let for luf lote3 so myry, - As wy3 þat wolde of his wyte, ne wyst quat he my3t. -1088 Þenne he carped to þe kny3t, criande loude, - [D] "3e han demed to do þe dede þat I bidde; - Wyl 3e halde þis hes here at þys one3?" - "3e sir, for-soþe," sayd þe segge trwe, -1092 "Whyl I byde in yowre bor3e, be bayn to 3ow[r]e hest." - "For 3e haf trauayled," quod þe tulk, "towen fro ferre, - & syþen waked me wyth, 3e arn not wel waryst, - [E] Nauþer of sostnaunce ne of slepe, soþly I knowe; -1096 3e schal lenge in your lofte, & ly3e in your ese, - [F] To morn quyle þe messe-quyle, & to mete wende, - When 3e wyl, wyth my wyf, þat 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 þyse, -1104 Hym heldande, as þe 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 þe freke, "a forwarde we make; - Quat-so-euer I wynne in þe wod, hit worþe3 to youre3, - [B] & quat chek so 3e acheue, chaunge me þer-forne; -1108 Swete, swap we so, sware with trawþe, - Queþer, leude, so lymp lere oþer better." - "Bi God," quod Gawayn þe gode, "I grant þer-tylle, - & þat yow lyst forto layke, lef hit me þynkes. [Fol. 106.] -1112 [C] "Who bringe3 vus þis beuerage, þis bargayn is maked:" - So sayde þe lorde of þat lede; þay la3ed vchone, - Þay dronken, & daylyeden, & dalten vnty3tel,[1] - Þise lorde3 & ladye3, quyle þat hem lyked; -1116 & syþen with frenkysch fare & fele fayre lote3 - Þay 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 þe laste, - ful softe; - To bed 3et er þay 3ede, - Recorded couenaunte3 ofte; -1124 Þe olde lorde of þat leude,[2] - Cowþe 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 þe day þe folk vp-rysen, - Gestes þat go wolde, hor grome3 þay calden, -1128 [B] & þay busken vp bilyue, blonkke3 to sadel, - Tyffen he[r] takles, trussen her males, - Richen hem þe rychest, to ryde alle arayde, - Lepen vp ly3tly, lachen her brydeles, -1132 [C] Vche wy3e on his way, þer hym wel lyked. - [D] Þe leue lorde of þe londe wat3 not þe last, - A-rayed for þe 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 þat þat any day-ly3t lemed vpon erþe, - He with his haþeles on hy3e horsses weren. - [G] Þenne þise cacheres þat couþe, cowpled hor hounde3, -1140 Vnclosed þe kenel dore, & calde hem þer-oute, - [H] Blwe bygly in bugle3 þre bare mote; - Braches bayed þerfore, & breme noyse maked, - [I] & þay chastysed, & charred, on chasyng þat went; -1144 A hundreth of hunteres, as I haf herde telle, - of þe best; - [J] To trystors vewters 3od, - Couples huntes of kest, -1148 Þer ros for blaste3 gode, [Fol. 106b.] - [K] Gret rurd in þat 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 þe fyrst quethe of þe quest quaked þe wylde; - Der drof in þe dale, doted for drede, -1152 Hi3ed to þe hy3e, bot heterly þay were - [B] Restayed with þe stablye, þat stoutly ascryed; - [C] Þay let þe hertte3 haf þe gate, with þe hy3e hedes, - Þe breme bukke3 also, with hor brode paume3; -1156 For þe fre lorde hade de-fende in fermysoun tyme, - Þat þer schulde no mon mene[1] to þe male dere. - [D] Þe hinde3 were halden in, with hay & war, - Þe does dryuen with gret dyn to þe depe slade3; -1160 Þer my3t mon se, as þay slypte, slentyng of arwes, - [E] At vche [þat] wende vnder wande wapped a flone, - Þat bigly bote on þe broun, with ful brode hede3, - [F] What! þay brayen, & bleden, bi bonkke3 þay 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 þat schotten, -1168 Wat3 al to-raced & rent, at þe resayt. - Bi þay were tened at þe hy3e, & taysed to þe wattre3, - Þe lede3 were so lerned at þe lo3e trysteres, - & þe gre-hounde3 so grete, þat geten hem bylyue, -1172 & hem to fylched, as fast as freke3 my3t loke, - þer ry3t. - [H] Þe lorde for blys abloy - Ful oft con launce & ly3t, -1176 [I] & drof þat day wyth Ioy - Thus to þe 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] Þus layke3 þis lorde by lynde wode3 eue3, - & G. þe god mon, in gay bed lyge3, -1180 [B] Lurkke3 quyl þe day-ly3t lemed on þe 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 þe cloþes, - A corner of þe cortyn he ca3t vp a lyttel, [Fol. 107.] - & wayte3 warly þider-warde, quat hit be my3t. - [D] Hit wat3 þe ladi, loflyest to be-holde, -1188 Þat dro3 þe dor after hir ful dernly[1] & stylle, - [E] & bo3ed to-warde þe bed; & þe burne schamed. - & layde hym doun lystyly, & let as he slepte. - [F] & ho stepped stilly. & stel to his bedde, -1192 [G] Kest vp þe cortyn, & creped with-inne, - & set hir ful softly on þe bed-syde, - & lenged þere selly longe, to loke quen he wakened. - Þe lede lay lurked a ful longe quyle, -1196 [H] Compast in his concience to quat þat cace my3t - Mene oþer amount, to meruayle hym þo3t; - Bot 3et he sayde in hym-self, "more semly hit were - To aspye wyth my spelle [in] space quat ho wolde." -1200 [I] þen he wakenede, & wroth, & to hir warde torned, - [J] & vn-louked his y3e-lydde3, & let as hym wondered, - & sayned hym, as bi his sa3e þe sauer to worthe, - with hande; -1204 Wyth chynne & cheke ful swete, - Boþe 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 þat fayr lady, - "3e ar a sleper vn-sly3e, þat mon may slyde hider; - Now ar 3e tan astyt, bot true vus may schape, - [B] I schal bynde yow in your bedde, þat be 3e trayst:" -1212 Al la3ande þe lady lanced þo bourde3. - [C] "Goud moroun g[aye],"[1] quod Gawayn þe blyþe, - "Me schal worþe at your wille, & þat me wel lyke3, - For I 3elde me 3ederly, & 3e3e after grace, -1216 & þat is þe best, be my dome, for me by-houe3 nede;" - & þus he bourded a-3ayn with mony a blyþe la3ter. - [D] "Bot wolde 3e, lady louely, þen leue me grante, - & de-prece your prysoun, & pray hym to ryse, -1220 I wolde bo3e of þis bed, & busk me better, - I schulde keuer þe more comfort to karp yow wyth." - [E] "Nay, for soþe, beau sir," sayd þat swete, [Fol. 107b] - "3e schal not rise of your bedde, I rych yow better, -1224 [F] I schal happe yow here þat oþer half als, - & syþen karp wyth my kny3t þat I ka3t haue; - [G] For I wene wel, Iwysse, sir Wawen 3e are, - Þat alle þe worlde worchipe3, quere-so 3e ride; -1228 Your honour, your hendelayk is hendely praysed - [H] With lorde3, wyth ladyes, with alle þat lyf bere. - & now 3e ar here, iwysse, & we bot oure one; - [I] "My lorde & his lede3 ar on lenþe faren, -1232 [J] Oþer burne3 in her bedde, & my burde3 als, - [K] Þe dor drawen, & dit with a derf haspe; - [L] & syþen I haue in þis hous hym þat 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 þynkke3, - [A] Þa3 I be not now he þat 3e of speken; - To reche to such reuerence as 3e reherce here -1244 I am wy3e vn-worþy, I wot wel my-seluen; - Bi God, I were glad, & yow god þo3t, - [B] At sa3e oþer at seruyce þat I sette my3t - To þe plesaunce of your prys, hit were a pure ioye." -1248 "In god fayth, sir Gawayn," quod þe gay lady, - "Þe prys & þe prowes þat plese3 al oþer, - If I hit lakked, oþer set at ly3t, hit were littel daynté; - [C] Bot hit ar ladyes in-no3e, þat leuer wer nowþe -1252 Haf þe hende in hor holde, as I þe habbe here, - To daly witt derely your daynté worde3, - Keuer hem comfort, & colen her care3, - [D] Þen much of þe garysourn oþer golde þat[1] þay hauen; -1256 Bot I louue[2] þat ilk lorde þat þe lyfte halde3, - I haf hit holly in my honde þat al desyres, - þur3e grace." - Scho made hym so gret chere, -1260 Þat wat3 so fayr of face, [Fol. 108.] - [E] Þe 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. þat þat.] -[Footnote 2: louie or loune (?).] - - VI. - - [A] "Madame," quod þe myry mon, "Mary yow 3elde, -1264 For I haf founden, in god fayth, yowre fraunchis nobele, - & oþer ful much of oþer folk fongen hor dede3; - Bot þe daynté þat þay delen for my disert nysen, - Hit is þe worchyp of your-self, þat no3t hot wel conne3." -1268 [B] "Bi Mary," quod þe menskful, "me þynk hit anoþer; - For were I worth al þe wone of wymmen alyue, - & al þe wele of þe worlde were in my honde, - [C] & I schulde chepen & chose, to cheue me a lorde, -1272 For þe costes þat I haf knowen vpun þe kny3t here, - Of bewté, & debonerté, & blyþe semblaunt, - [D] & þat I haf er herkkened, & halde hit here trwee, - Þer schulde no freke vpon folde bifore yow be chosen." -1276 "I-wysse, worþy," quod þe wy3e, "3e haf waled wel better, - [E] Bot I am proude of þe prys þat 3e put on me, - & soberly your seruaunt my souerayn I holde yow, - & yowre kny3t I be-com, & Kryst yow for-3elde." -1280 Þus þay meled of much-quat, til myd-morn paste, - & ay þe lady let lyk, a[1] hym loued mych; - [F] Þe freke ferde with defence, & feted ful fayre. - Þa3 I were burde bry3test, þe burde in mynde hade, -1284 Þe lasse luf in his lode, for lur þat he so3t, - boute hone; - Þe dunte þat schulde[2] hym deue, - & nede3 hit most be done; -1288 [G] Þe lady þenn 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] Þenne ho gef hym god-day, & wyth a glent la3ed. - & as ho stod, ho stonyed hym wyth ful stor worde3: -1292 [B] "Now he þat spede3 vche spech, þis disport 3elde yow! - Bot þat 3e be Gawan, hit got3 in mynde." - "Quer-fore?" quod þe freke, & freschly he aske3, - Ferde lest he hade fayled in fourme of his castes; -1296 Bot þe burde hym blessed, & bi þis 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] Þen quod Wowen, "I-wysse, worþe 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 þat, & cache3 hym in arme3, - Loute3 luflych adoun, & þe leude kysse3; - Þay comly bykennen to Kryst ayþer oþer; -1308 Ho dos hir forth at þe 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, blyþely to masse, -1312 & þenne he meued to his mete, þat menskly hym keped, - [G] & made myry al day til þe mone rysed, - with game; - With[3] neuer freke fayrer fonge, -1316 [H] Bitwene two so dyngne dame, - Þe alder & þe 3onge, - Much solace set þay 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 þe lorde of þe londe is lent on his gamne3, -1320 To hunt in holte3 & heþe, at hynde3 barayne, - Such a sowme he þer slowe bi þat þe sunne heldet, - Of dos & of oþer dere, to deme were wonder. - Þenne fersly þay flokked in folk at þe laste, -1324 [B] & quykly of þe quelled dere a querré þay maked; - Þe best bo3ed þerto, with burne3 in-noghe, - [C] Gedered þe grattest of gres þat þer were, - & didden hem derely vndo, as þe dede aske3; -1328 [D] Serched hem at þe asay, summe þat þer were, - Two fyngeres þay fonde of þe fowlest of alle; - [E] Syþen þay slyt þe slot, sesed þe erber, - [F] Schaued wyth a scharp knyf, & þe schyre knitten; -1332 Syþen rytte þay þe foure lymmes, & rent of þe hyde, - [G] Þen brek þay þe bale, þe bale3 out token, - [H] Lystily forlancyng, & bere of þe knot; [Fol. 109.] - Þay gryped to þe gargulun, & grayþely departed -1336 [I] Þe wesaunt fro þe wynt-hole, & walt out þe gutte3; - Þen scher þay out þe schuldere3 with her scharp knyue3, - [J] Haled hem by a lyttel hole, to haue hole sydes; - Siþen britned þay þe brest, & brayden hit in twynne, -1340 & eft at þe gargulun bigyne3 on þenne, - [K] Ryue3 hit vp radly, ry3t to þe by3t, - Voyde3 out þe a-vanters, & verayly þerafter - Alle þe ryme3 by þe rybbe3 radly þay lance; -1344 So ryde þay of by resoun bi þe rygge bone3, - Euenden to þe haunche, þat henged alle samen, - & heuen hit vp al hole, & hwen hit of þere, - & þat þayneme for þe noumbles, bi nome as I trowe, -1348 bi kynde; - [L] Bi þe by3t al of þe þy3es, - Þe lappe3 þay lance bi-hynde, - [M] To hewe hit in two þay hy3es, -1352 Bi þe 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] Boþe þe hede & þe hals þay hwen of þenne, - & syþen sunder þay þe syde3 swyft fro þe chyne, - & þe corbeles fee þay kest in a greue;[1] -1356 Þenn þurled þay ayþer þik side þur3, bi þe rybbe, - & henged þenne a[y]þer bi ho3es of þe fourche3, - Vche freke for his fee, as falle3 forto haue. - Vpon a felle of þe fayre best, fede þay þayr houndes, -1360 [B] Wyth þe lyuer & þe ly3te3, þe leþer of þe paunche3, - & bred baþed in blod, blende þer amonge3; - Baldely þay blw prys, bayed þayr rachche3, - [C] Syþen fonge þay her flesche folden to home, -1364 Strakande ful stoutly mony stif mote3. - Bi þat þe dayly3t wat3 done, þe douthe wat3 al wonen - In-to þe comly castel, þer þe kny3t bide3 - ful stille; -1368 Wyth blys & bry3t fyr bette, - Þe lord is comen þer-tylle, - [D] When Gawayn wyth hym mette, - Þer 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 þe lorde in þat sale to samen alle þe meny,[Fol.] - Boþe þe ladyes on loghe to ly3t with her burdes, [109b.] - [B] Bi-fore alle þe folk on þe flette, freke3 he bedde3 - Verayly his venysoun to fech hym byforne; -1376 [C] & al godly in gomen Gaway[n] he called, - Teche3 hym to þe tayles of ful tayt bestes, - Schewe3 hym þe schyree grece schorne vpon rybbes. - [D] "How paye3 yow þis play? haf I prys wonnen? -1380 Haue I þryuandely þonk þur3 my craft serued?" - "3e I-wysse," quod þat oþer wy3e, "here is wayth fayrest - [E] Þat I se3 þis seuen 3ere in sesoun of wynter." - "& al I gif yow, Gawayn," quod þe gome þenne, -1384 "For by a-corde of couenaunt 3e craue hit as your awen." - "Þis is soth," quod þe segge, "I say yow þatilke, - &[1] I haf worthyly þis wone3 wyth-inne, - [F] I-wysse with as god wylle hit worþe3 to 3oure3." -1388 He hasppe3 his fayre hals his arme3 wyth-inne, - & kysses hym as comlyly as he[2] couþe awyse: - "Tas yow þere my cheuicaunce, I cheued no more, - I wowche hit saf fynly, þa3 feler hit were." -1392 "Hit is god," quod þe god mon, "grant mercy þerfore, - [G] Hit may be such, hit is þe better, &[1] 3e me breue wolde - Where 3e wan þis ilk wele, biwytte of hor[3] seluen?" - [H] "Þat wat3 not forward," quod he, "frayst me no more, -1396 For 3e haftan þat yow tyde3, trawe3e non oþer - 3e mowe." - Þay la3ed, & made hem blyþe, - [I] Wyth lote3 þat were to lowe, -1400 To soper þay 3ede asswyþe, - 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 syþen by þe chymné in chamber þay seten. - [B] Wy3e3 þe walle wyn we3ed to hem oft, -1404 & efte in her bourdyng þay bayþen in þe morn, - To fylle þe same forwarde3 þat þay by-fore maden, - [C] Þat chaunce so bytyde3 hor cheuysaunce to chaunge, - What nwe3 so þay nome, at na3t quen þay metten -1408 Þay acorded of þe couenaunte3 byfore þe court alle; - Þe beuerage wat3 bro3t forth in bourde at þat tyme; [Fol. 110.] - [D] Þenne þay louelych le3ten leue at þe last, - Vche burne to his bedde busked bylyue. -1412 [E] Bi þat þe coke hade crowe3[1] & cakled bot þryse, - Þe lorde wat3 lopen of his bedde, [&] þe leude3 vch one, - So þat þe mete & þe masse wat3 metely delyuered; - Þe douthe dressed to þe wod, er any day sprenged, -1416 to chace; - [F] He3 with hunte & horne3, - Þur3 playne3 þay passe in space, - Vn-coupled among þo þorne3, -1420 Rache3 þat 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 þay calle of a quest in aker syde, - Þe hunt re-hayted þe hounde3, þat hit fyrst mynged, - [B] Wylde worde3 hym warp wyth a wrast noyce; -1424 Þe hownde3 þat hit herde, hastid þider swyþe, - & fellen as fast to þe fuyt, fourty at ones; - Þenne such a glauerande glam of gedered rachche3 - Ros, þat þe rochere3 rungen aboute; -1428 Huntere3 hem hardened with horne & wyth muthe. - [C] Þen al in a semblé sweyed to-geder, - Bitwene a flosche in þat fryth, & a foo cragge; - In a knot, bi a clyffe, at þe kerre syde, -1432 Þer as þe rogh rocher vn-rydely wat3 fallen, - [Þay] ferden to þe fyndyng, & freke3 hem after; - [D] Þay vmbe-kesten þe knarre & þe knot boþe. - Wy3e3, whyl þay wysten wel wyt inne hem hit were, -1436 Þe best þat þer breued wat3 wyth þe blod hounde3. - [E] Þenne þay beten on þe buske3, & bede hym vp ryse, - & he vnsoundyly out so3t segge3 ouer-þwert, - [F] On þe sellokest swyn swenged out þere, -1440 Long sythen for[1] þe sounder þat wi3t for-olde, - For he wat3 b[este &] bor alþer grattest, - [And eue]re quen he gronyed, þenne greued mony, - [G] For [þre a]t þe fyrst þrast he þry3t to þe erþe, -1444 & [sped hym] forth good sped, boute spyt more, - [Ande þay] halowed hyghe ful hy3e & hay! hay! cryed - Haden horne3 to mouþe heterly rechated; [Fol. 110b.] - [H] Mony wat3 þe myry mouthe of men & of hounde3, -1448 Þat buskke3 after þis bor, with bost & wyth noyse, - To quelle; - Ful oft he byde3 þe baye, - & mayme3 þe mute Inn-melle, -1452 [I] He hurte3 of þe hounde3, & þay - 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 þenne, - Haled to hym of her arewe3, hitten hym oft; -1456 Bot þe poynte3 payred at þe pyth þat py3t in his schelde3, - & þe barbe3 of his browe bite non wolde, - [B] Þa3 þe schauen schaft schyndered in pece3, - Þe hede hypped a3ayn, were-so-euer hit hitte; -1460 [C] Bot quon þe dynte3 hym dered of her dry3e stroke3, - Þen, brayn-wod for bate, on burne3 he rase3, - [D] Hurte3 hem ful heterly þer he forth hy3e3, - & mony ar3ed þerat, & on-lyte dro3en. -1464 Bot þe lorde on a ly3t horce launces hym after, - [E] As burne bolde vpon bent his bugle he blowe3, - He rechated, & r[ode][1] þur3 rone3 ful þyk, - Suande þis wy[ld]e swyn til þe sunne schafted. -1468 [F] Þis day wyth þis ilk dede þay dryuen on þis wyse, - Whyle oure luflych lede lys in his bedde, - [G] Gawayn grayþely at home, in gere3 ful ryche - of hewe; -1472 Þe 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 þe cortyn, & at þe kny3t totes, - Sir Wawen her welcumed worþy on fyrst, - & ho hym 3elde3 a3ayn, ful 3erne of hir worde3, - [B] Sette3 hir sof[t]ly by his syde, & swyþely ho la3e3, -1480 & wyth a luflych loke ho layde[1] hym þyse worde3: - "Sir, 3if 3e be Wawen, wonder me þynkke3, - Wy3e þat is so wel wrast alway to god, - & conne3 not of compaynye þe coste3 vnder-take, -1484 & if mon kennes yow hom to knowe, 3e kest hom of your mynde;[Fol.] - [C] Þou hat3 for-3eten 3ederly þat 3isterday I ta3tte [111] - alder-truest token of talk þat I cowþe." - "What is þat?" quod þe wyghe, "I-wysse I wot neuer, -1488 If hit be sothe þat 3e breue, þe blame is myn awen." - [D] "3et I kende yow of kyssyng," quod þe clere þenne, - "Quere-so countenaunce is couþe, quikly to clayme, - Þat bicumes vche a kny3t, þat cortaysy vses." -1492 "Do way," quod þat derf mon, "my dere, þat speche, - [E] For þat durst I not do, lest I denayed were, - If I were werned, I were wrang I-wysse, 3if I profered." - "Ma fay," quod þe mere wyf, "3e may not be werned, -1496 [F] 3e ar stif in-noghe to constrayne wyth strenkþe, 3if yow lyke3, - 3if any were so vilanous þat yow denaye[2] wolde." - "3e, be God," quod Gawayn, "good is your speche, - Bot þrete is vn-þryuande in þede þer I lende, -1500 [G] & vche gift þat 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 þynkke3, - in space." -1504 [H] Þe lady loute3 a-doun, - & comlyly kysses his face, - Much speche þay þer 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," þat worþy þer sayde, - "& yow wrathed not þer-wyth, what were þe skylle, - Þat so 3ong & so 3epe, as 3e [ar] at þis tyme, - So cortayse, so kny3tyly, as 3e ar knowen oute, -1512 [B] & of alle cheualry to chose, þe chef þyng a-losed, - Is[2] þe lel layk of luf, þe lettrure of armes; - F[or] to telle of þis tenelyng of þis trwe kny3te3, - Hit is þe 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 Þat euer longed to luf, lasse ne more; - [E] & 3e, þat ar so cortays & coynt of your hetes, - Oghe to a 3onke þynk 3ern to schewe, - & teche sum tokene3 of trweluf craftes. -1528 Why ar 3e lewed, þat alle þe los welde3, - Oþer 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 fayþe," quod Gawayn, "God yow for3elde, -1536 Gret is þe gode gle, & gomen to me huge, - Þat so worþy 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 þe toruayle[1] to my-self, to trwluf expoun, - & towche þe teme3 of tyxt, & tale3 of arme3, - To yow þat, I wot wel, welde3 more sly3t - Of þat art, bi þe half, or a hundreth of seche -1544 As I am, oþer euer schal, in erde þer I leue, - Hit were a fole fele-folde, my fre, by my trawþe. - [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!" - Þus hym frayned þat fre, & fondet hym ofte, - Forto haf wonnen hym to wo3e, what-so scho þo3t elle3, - [E] Bot he de fended hym so fayr, þat no faut semed, -1552 Ne non euel on nawþer halue, nawþer þay wysten, - bot blysse; - Þay la3ed & layked longe, - At þe 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 ruþes hym þe renk, & ryses to þe masse, - & siþen hor diner wat3 dy3t & derely serued. [Fol. 112.] -1560 [B] Þe lede with þe ladye3 layked alle day, - Bot þe lorde ouer þe londe3 launced ful ofte, - Swe3 his vncely swyn, þat swynge3 bi þe bonkke3, - [C] & bote þe best of his brache3 þe bakke3 in sunder; -1564 Þer 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 þe folk gedered; - Bot 3et þe styffest to start bi stounde3 he made, -1568 Til at þe last he wat3 so mat, he my3t no more renne, - [E] Bot in þe hast þat he my3t, he to a hole wynne3, - Of a rasse, bi a rokk, þer renne3 þe boerne, - He gete þe bonk at his bak, bigyne3 to scrape, -1572 [F] Þe froþe femed[3] at his mouth vnfayre bi þe wyke3, - Whette3 his whyte tusche3; with hym þen irked - Alle þe burne3 so bolde, þat hym by stoden, - [G] To nye hym on-ferum, bot ne3e hym non durst -1576 for woþe; - He hade hurt so mony byforne, - Þat al þu3t[4] þenne ful loþe, - [H] Be more wyth his tusche3 torne, -1580 Þat 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: þo3t (?).] - - XVIII. - - [A] Til þe kny3t com hym-self, kachande his blonk, - Sy3 hym byde at þe bay, his burne3 bysyde, - [B] He ly3tes luflych[1] adoun, leue3 his corsour, -1584 Brayde3 out a bry3t bront, & bigly forth stryde3, - Founde3 fast þur3 þe forth, þer þe felle byde3, - [C] Þe wylde wat3 war of þe wy3e with weppen in honde, - Hef hy3ly þe here, so hetterly he fnast, -1588 Þat fele ferde for þe freke3,[2] lest felle hym þe worre; - [D] Þe swyn sette3 hym out on þe segge euen, - Þat þe burne & þe bor were boþe vpon hepe3, - In þe wy3t-est of þe water, þe worre hade þat oþer; -1592 [E] For þe mon merkke3 hym wel, as þay mette fyrst, - Set sadly þe scharp in þe slot euen, - [F] Hit hym vp to þe hult, þat þe hert schyndered, - & he 3arrande hym 3elde, & 3edoun[3] þe water, -1596 ful tyt; - A hundreth hounde3 hym hent, [Fol. 112b.] - [G] Þat 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 haþele3 þat my3t; - [B] Brachetes bayed þat best, as bidden þe maystere3, -1604 Of þat chargeaunt chace þat were chef huntes. - [C] Þenne a wy3e þat wat3 wys vpon wod crafte3, - To vnlace þis bor lufly bigynne3; - [D] Fyrst he hewes of his hed, & on hi3e sette3, -1608 & syþen rende3 him al roghe bi þe rygge after, - [E] Brayde3 out þe boweles, brenne3 hom on glede, - With bred blent þer-with his braches rewarde3; - Syþen he britne3 out þe brawen in bry3t brode [s]chelde3, -1612 [F] & hat3 out þe hastlette3, as hi3tly biseme3; - [G] & 3et hem halche3 al hole þe halue3 to-geder, - & syþen on a stif stange stoutly hem henges. - Now with þis ilk swyn þay swengen to home; -1616 [H] Þe bores hed wat3 borne bifore þe burnes seluen, - Þat him for-ferde in þe forþe, þur3 forse of his honde, - so stronge; - Til he se3 sir Gawayne, -1620 In halle hym þo3t ful longe, - [I] He calde, & he com gayn, - His fee3 þer 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] Þe lorde ful lowde with lote, & la3ed myry, -1624 When he se3e sir G: with solace he speke3; - Þe goude ladye3 were geten, & gedered þe meyny, - [B] He schewe3 hem þe schelde3, & schapes hem þe tale, - Of þe largesse, & þe lenþe, þe liþerne3 alse, -1628 Of þe were of þe wylde swyn, in wod þer he fled. - Þat oþer kny3t ful comly comended his dede3, - & praysed hit as gret prys, þat he proued hade; - [C] For suche a brawne of a best, þe bolde burne sayde, -1632 Ne such sydes of a swyn, segh he neuer are. - Þenne hondeled þay þe hoge hed, þe hende mon hit praysed, - & let lodly þerat þe lorde forte here: [Fol. 113.] - [D] "Now Gawayn," quod þe god mon, "þis gomen is your awen, -1636 Bi fyn for-warde & faste, faythely 3e knowe." - "Hit is sothe," quod þe segge, "& as siker trwe; - Alle my get I schal yow gif agayn, bi my trawþe." - [E] He [hent] þe haþel aboute þe halse, & hendely hym kysses, -1640 & efter-sones of þe same he serued hym þere. - "Now ar we euen," quod þe haþel, "in þis euen-tide, - Of alle þe couenauntes þat we knyt, syþen I com hider, - bi lawe;" -1644 [F] Þe lorde sayde, "bi saynt Gile, - 3e ar þe best þat 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] Þenne þay teldet table3 [on] trestes alofte, - [B] Kesten cloþe3 vpon, clere ly3t þenne - [C] Wakned bi wo3e3, waxen torches - Segge3 sette, & serued in sale al aboute; -1652 [D] Much glam & gle glent vp þer-inne, - Aboute þe fyre vpon flet, & on fele wyse, - [E] At þe soper & after, mony aþel songe3, - As coundutes of kryst-masse, & carole3 newe, -1656 With alle þe manerly merþe þat mon may of telle. - [F] & euer oure luflych kny3t þe lady bi-syde; - Such semblaunt to þat segge semly ho made, - [G] Wyth stille stollen countenaunce, þat stalworth to plese, -1660 Þat al for-wondered wat3 þe 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 þe dede turned - to wrast; -1664 [H] Quen þay hade played in halle, - As longe as hor wylle hom last, - [I] To chambre he[1] con hym calle, - & to þe chem-ne þay 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 þer þay dronken, & dalten, & demed eft nwe, - To norne on þe same note, on nwe3ere3 euen; - [B] Bot þe kny3t craued leue, to kayre on þe morn, - For hit wat3 ne3 at þe terme, þat he to[1] schulde. -1672 Þe lorde hym letted of þat, to lenge hym resteyed, [Fol. 113b.] - [C] & sayde, "as I am trwe segge, I siker my trawþe, - [D] Þou schal cheue to þe grene chapel, þy charres to make, - Leude, on nw3ere3 ly3t, longe bifore pryme: -1676 For-þy þow lye in þy loft, & lach þyn ese, - & I schal hunt in þis holt, & halde þe towche3, - Chaunge wyth þe cheuisaunce, bi þat I charre hider; - For I haf fraysted þe twys, & faythful I fynde þe, -1680 Now þrid tyme þrowe best þenk on þe morne, - Make we mery quyl we may, & mynne vpon Ioye, - For þe lur may mon lach, when so mon lyke3." - Þis wat3 grayþely graunted, & Gawayn is lenged, -1684 [E] Bliþe bro3t wat3 hym drynk, & þay to bedde 3eden, - with li3t; - [F] Sir G: lis & slepes, - Ful stille & softe al ni3t; -1688 [G] Þe lorde þat 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 þe mornyng, his mounture he askes; -1692 [B] Alle þe haþeles þat on horse schulde helden hym after, - Were boun busked on hor blonkke3, bi-fore[2] þe halle 3ate3; - [C] Ferly fayre wat3 þe folde, for þe forst clenged, - In rede rudede vpon rak rises þe sunne, -1696 [D] & ful clere coste3[3] þe clowdes of þe welkyn. - Hunteres vnhardeled bi a holt syde, - Rocheres roungen bi rys, for rurde of her hornes; - [E] Summe fel in þe fute, þer þe fox bade, -1700 Trayle3 ofte a trayteres[4], bi traunt of her wyles; - A kenet kryes þerof, þe hunt on hym calles, - His fela3es fallen hym to, þat fnasted ful þike, - [F] Runnen forth in a rabel, in his ry3t fare; -1704 & he fyske3 hem by-fore, þay founden hym sone, - [G] & quen þay seghe hym with sy3t, þay sued hym fast, - Wre3ande h[ym] ful [w]eterly with a wroth noyse; - [H] & he trantes & tornayee3 þur3 mony tene greue; -1708 Hamloune3, & herkene3, bi hegge3 ful ofte; - [I] At þe last bi a littel dich he lepe3 ouer a spenné, [Fol. 114.] - Stele3 out ful stilly bi a strothe rande, - [J] Went haf wylt of þe wode, with wyle3 fro þe houndes, -1712 Þenne wat3 he went, er he wyst, to[5] a wale tryster, - [K] Þer þre þro at a þrich þrat hym at ones, - al graye; - [L] He blenched a3ayn bilyue, -1716 & stifly start onstray, - With alle þe wo on lyue, - [M] To þe 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 lyþen þe hounde3, -1720 When alle þe mute hade hym met, menged to-geder, - Suche a sor3e at þat sy3t þay sette on his hede, - As alle þe clamberande clyffes hade clatered on hepes; - [B] Here he wat3 halawed, when haþele3 hym metten, -1724 Loude he wat3 3ayned, with 3arande speche; - [C] Þer he wat3 þreted, & ofte þef called, - & ay þe titleres at his tayl, þat tary he ne my3t; - Ofte he wat3 runnen at, when he out rayked, -1728 [D] & ofte reled in a3ayn, so reniarde wat3 wylé. - [E] & 3e he lad hem bi lag, mon, þe lorde & his meyny; - On þis maner bi þe mountes, quyle myd, ouer, vnder, - [F] Whyle þe hende kny3t at home holsumly slepe3, -1732 With-inne þe comly cortynes, on þe colde morne. - Bot þe lady for luf let not to slepe, - Ne þe purpose to payre, þat py3t in hir hert, - Bot ros hir vp radly, rayked hir þeder, -1736 [G] In a mery mantyle, mete to þe erþe, - Þat wat3 furred ful fyne with felle3, wel pured, - No hwe3 goud on hir hede, bot þe ha3er stones - Trased aboute hir tressour, be twenty in clusteres; -1740 [H] Hir þryuen face & hir þrote þrowen al naked, - Hir brest bare bifore, & bihinde eke. - [I] Ho come3 with-inne þe chambre dore, & closes hit hir after, - [J] Wayne3[1] vp a wyndow, & on þe wy3e calle3, -1744 & radly þus re-hayted hym, with hir riche worde3, - with[2] chere; - [K] "A! mon, how may þou slepe, - [L] Þis morning is so clere?" [Fol. 114b.] -1748 He wat3 in drowping depe, - Bot þenne 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, à sec. manu.] - - XXV. - - [A] In dre3 droupyng of dreme draueled þat noble, - As mon þat wat3 in mornyng of mony þro þo3tes, -1752 How þat destiné schulde þat day [dy3t] his wyrde, - At þe grene chapel, when he þe gome metes, - & bi-houes his buffet abide, with-oute debate more; - [B] Bot quen þat comly he keuered his wyttes, -1756 Swenges out of þe sweuenes, & sware3 with hast. - Þe lady luflych com la3ande swete, - [C] Felle ouer his fayre face, & fetly him kyssed; - He welcume3 hir worþily, 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 smoþe smylyng & smolt þay smeten in-to merþe, -1764 Þat al wat3 blis & bonchef, þat breke hem bi-twene, - & wynne, - Þay lanced wordes gode, - Much wele þen wat3 þer-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 þat prynce of pris de-presed hym so þikke. - Nurned hym so ne3e þe þred, þat nede hym bi-houed, -1772 Oþer lach þer hir luf, oþer lodly re-fuse; - He cared for his cortaysye, lest craþayn he were, - [B] & more for his meschef, 3if he schulde make synne, - & be traytor to þat tolke, þat þat telde a3t. -1776 "God schylde," quod þe schalk, "þat schal not be-falle!" - With luf-la3yng a lyt, he layd hym by-syde - Alle þe speche3 of specialté þat sprange of her mouthe. - Quod þat burde to þe burne, "blame 3e disserue, -1780 3if 3e luf not þat lyf þat 3e lye nexte, - Bifore alle þe wy3e3 in þe worlde, wounded in hert, - [C] Bot if 3e haf a lemman, a leuer, þat yow lyke3 better, - & folden fayth to þat fre, festned so harde, -1784 Þat yow lausen ne lyst, & þat I leue nouþe; [Fol. 115.] - And þat 3e telle me þat, now trwly I pray yow, - For alle þe lufe3 vpon lyue, layne not þe soþe, - for gile." -1788 [D] Þe kny3t sayde, "be sayn Ion," - & smeþely con he smyle, - "In fayth I welde ri3t non, - Ne non wil welde þe 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 "Þat is a worde," quod þat wy3t, "þat worst is of alle, - Bot I am swared for soþe, þat sore me þinkke3; - [A] Kysse me now coraly, & I schal cach heþen, - I may bot mourne vpon molde, as may þat much louyes." -1796 Sykande ho swe3e doun, & semly hym kyssed, - & siþen ho seueres hym fro, & says as ho stondes, - "Now, dere, at þis de-partyng, do me þis ese, - [B] Gif me sumquat of þy gifte, þi gloue if[1] hit were, -1800 [C] Þat I may mynne on þe mon, my mournyng to lassen." - "Now Iwysse," quod þat wy3e, "I wolde I hade here - Þe leuest þing for þy luf, þat I in londe welde, - [D] For 3e haf deserued, forsoþe, sellyly ofte -1804 More rewarde bi resoun, þen I reche my3t, - Bot to dele yow for drurye, þat dawed bot neked; - Hit is not your honour to haf at þis tyme - A gloue for a garysoun, of Gawayne3 gifte3, -1808 & I am here [on] an erande in erde3 vncouþe, - [E] & haue no men wyth no male3, with menskful þinge3; - Þat mislyke3 me, ladé, for luf at þis tyme,[2] - Iche tolke mon do as he is tan, tas to non ille, -1812 ne pine." - [F] "Nay, hende of hy3e honours," - Quod þat lufsum vnder lyne, - [G] "Þa3 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, - Þat bere blusschande beme3 as þe bry3t sunne; -1820 Wyt 3e wel, hit wat3 worth wele ful hoge. - [B] Bot þe renk hit renayed, & redyly he sayde, - "I wil no gifte3 for gode, my gay, at þis 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, þat he hit sese nolde; - [D] & ho sore þat he forsoke, & sayde þer-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, þat gaynes yow lasse." - Ho la3t a lace ly3tly, þat[2] leke vmbe hir syde3, - [E] Knit vpon hir kyrtel, vnder þe clere mantyle, -1832 Gered hit wat3 with grene sylke, & with golde schaped, - No3t bot arounde brayden, beten with fyngre3; - & þat ho bede to þe burne, & blyþely bi-so3t - [F] Þa3 hit vn-worþi were, þat he hit take wolde. -1836 & he nay þat he nolde neghe in no wyse, - [G] Nauþer golde ne garysoun, er God hym grace sende, - To acheue to þe chaunce þat he hade chosen þere. - "& þerfore, I pray yow, displese yow no3t, -1840 & lette3 be your bisinesse, for I bayþe 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: þat þat, in MS.] - - XXIX. - - [A] "Now forsake 3e þis silke." sayde þe burde þenne, - "For hit is symple in hit-self. & so hit wel seme3? -1848 Lo! so hit is littel, & lasse hit is worþy; - [B] Bot who-so knew þe costes þat knit ar þer-inne, - He wolde hit prayse at more prys, parauenture; - [C] For quat gome so is gorde with þis grene lace, -1852 While he hit hade hemely halched aboute, - Þer is no haþel vnder heuen to-hewe hym þat my3t; - [D] For he my3t not he slayn, for sly3t vpon erþe." - Þen kest þe kny3t, & hit come to his hert, -1856 [E] Hit were a Iuel for þe Iopardé, þat hym iugged were, - When he acheued to þe chapel, his chek forto fech; - [F] My3[1] he haf slypped to þe vn-slayn, þe sle3t were noble. - Þenne ho þulged with hir þrepe, & þoled hir to speke, [Fol. 116.] -1860 & ho bere on hym þe belt, & bede hit hym swyþe, - [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; þe leude hym acorde3. -1864 Þat neuer wy3e schulde hit wyt, Iwysse, bot þay twayne, - for no3te; - He þonkked hir oft ful swyþe, - Ful þro with hert & þo3t. -1868 [H] Bi þat on þrynne syþe, - He hat3 kyst þe 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 þere, - For more myrþe of þat 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 þe luf-lace, þe lady hym ra3t, - Hid hit ful holdely, þer he hit eft fonde; -1876 Syþen cheuely to þe chapel choses he þe waye, - [D] Preuely aproched to a prest, & prayed hym þere - Þat he wolde lyfte[2] his lyf, & lern hym better, - How his sawle schulde be saued, when he schuld seye heþen. -1880 [E] Þere he schrof hym schyrly, & schewed his mysdede3, - Of þe more & þe mynne, & merci beseche3, - [F] & of absolucioun he on þe segge calles; - & he asoyled hym surely, & sette hym so clene, -1884 [G] As dome3-day schulde haf ben di3t on þe morn. - & syþen he mace hym as mery among þe fre ladyes, - [H] With comlych caroles, & alle kynnes ioye, - As neuer he did bot þat daye, to þe derk ny3t, -1888 with blys; - Vche mon hade daynte þare, - [I] Of hym, & sayde Iwysse, - [J] Þus myry he wat3 neuer are, -1892 Syn he com hider, er þis. - -[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 þat lee, þer luf hym bi-tyde; - 3et is þe lorde on þe launde, ledande his gomnes, - [B] He hat3 forfaren þis fox, þat he fol3ed longe; -1896 As he sprent ouer a spenné, to spye þe schrewe, - Þer as he herd þe howndes, þat hasted hym swyþe, [Fol. 116b.] - [C] Renaud com richchande þur3 a ro3e greue, - & alle þe rabel in a res, ry3t at his hele3. -1900 [D] Þe wy3e wat3 war of þe wylde, & warly abides, - & brayde3 out þe bry3t bronde, & at þe best caste3; - & he schunt for þe scharp, & schulde haf arered, - [E] A rach rapes hym to, ry3t er he my3t, -1904 & ry3t bifore þe hors fete þay fel on hym alle, - & woried me þis wyly wyth a wroth noyse. - [F] Þe lorde ly3te3 bilyue, & cache3 by[1] sone, - Rased hym ful radly out of þe rach mouþes, -1908 Halde3 he3e ouer his hede, halowe3 faste, - & þer bayen hym mony bray[2] hounde3; - [G] Huntes hy3ed hem þeder, with horne3 ful mony, - Ay re-chatande ary3t til þay þe renk se3en; -1912 Bi þat wat3 comen his compeyny noble, - Alle þat euer ber bugle blowed at ones, - [H] & alle þise oþer halowed, þat hade no hornes, - Hit wat3 þe myriest mute þat euer men herde, -1916 Þe rich rurd þat þer wat3 raysed for renaude saule, - with lote; - [I] Hor hounde3 þay þer rewarde, - Her[3] hede3 þay fawne & frote, -1920 [J] & syþen þay 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: braþ (?).] -[Footnote 3: Her her, in MS.] - - XXXII. - - [A] & þenne þay helden to home, for hit wat3 nie3 ny3t, - Strakande ful stoutly in hor store horne3; -1924 [B] Þe lorde is ly3t at þe laste at hys lef home, - Fynde3 fire vpon flet, þe freke þer by-side, - Sir Gawayn þe gode, þat glad wat3 with alle, - [C] Among þe ladies for luf he ladde much ioye, -1928 He were a bleaunt of blwe, þat bradde to þe erþe, - His surkot semed hym wel, þat softe wat3 forred, - & his hode of þat ilke henged on his schulder, - [D] Blande al of blaunner were boþe al aboute. -1932 He mete3 me þis god mon in mydde3 þe flore, - & al with gomen he hym gret, & goudly he sayde, - "I schal fylle vpon fyrst oure forwarde3 nouþe, - Þat we spedly han spoken, þer spared wat3 no drynk;" [Fol. 117.] -1936 [E] Þen acoles he [þe] kny3t, & kysses hym þryes, - [F] As sauerly & sadly as he hem sette couþe. - [G] "Bi Kryst," quod þat oþer kny3t, "3e cach much sele, - In cheuisaunce of þis chaffer, 3if 3e hade goud chepe3." -1940 "3e of þe chepe no charg," quod chefly þat oþer, - "As is pertly payed þe chepe3 þat I a3te." - "Mary," quod þat oþer mon, "myn is bi-hynde, - [H] For I haf hunted al þis day, & no3t haf I geten, -1944 [I] Bot þis foule fox felle, þe fende haf þe gode3, - [J] & þat is ful pore, for to pay for suche prys þinges, - As 3e haf þry3t me here, þro suche þre cosses, - so gode." -1948 "I-no3," quod sir Gawayn, - "I þonk yow, bi þe rode;" - [K] & how þe fox wat3 slayn, - He tolde hym, as þay 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 merþe & mynstralsye, wyth mete3 at hor wylle, - Þay maden as mery as any men mo3ten, - With la3yng of ladies, with lote3 of bordes; - Gawayn & þe gode mon so glad were þay boþe, -1956 Bot if þe douthe had doted, oþer dronken ben oþer, - Boþe þe mon & þe meyny maden mony iape3, - [B] Til þe sesoun wat3 se3en, þat þay seuer moste; - Burne3 to hor bedde be-houed at þe laste. -1960 [C] Þenne lo3ly his leue at þe lorde fyrst - Fochche3 þis fre mon, & fayre he hym þonkke3; - [D] "Of such a sellyly[1] soiorne, as I haf hade here, - Your honour, at þis hy3e fest, þe 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, - Þe gate to þe grene chapel, as god wyl me suffer -1968 To dele, on nw3ere3 day, þe dome of my wyrdes." - "In god fayþe," quod þe god mon. "wyth a goud wylle; - Al þat euer I yow hy3t, halde schal I rede." - [F] Þer asyngnes he a seruaunt, to sett hym in þe waye, -1972 & coundue hym by þe downe3, þat he no drechch had, [Fol. 117b.] - For to f[e]rk þur3 þe fryth, & fare at þe gaynest, - bi greue. - Þe lorde Gawayn con þonk, -1976 Such worchip he wolde hym weue; - [G] Þen at þo ladye3 wlonk. - Þe 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 þryuande þonkke3 he þrat hom to haue, - & þay 3elden hym a3ay[n] 3eply þat ilk; - [B] Þay bikende hym to Kryst, with ful colde sykynge3. - [C] Syþen fro þe meyny he menskly de-partes; -1984 Vche mon þat he mette, he made hem a þonke, - For his seruyse, & his solace, & his sere pyne, - Þat þay wyth busynes had ben, aboute hym to serue; - & vche segge as sore, to seuer with hym þere, -1988 As þay hade wonde worþyly with þat wlonk euer. - [D] Þen 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 þe morn to mynne, 3if he wolde, - in þo3t; - [F] Let hym ly3e þere stille, - He hat3[1] nere þat he so3t, -1996 [G] & 3e wyl a whyle be stylle, - I schal telle yow how þay 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 þe nw3ere, & þe ny3t passe3, - Þe day dryue3 to þe derk, as dry3tyn bidde3; -2000 [B] Bot wylde wedere3 of þe worlde wakned þeroute, - Clowdes kesten kenly þe colde to þe erþe, - Wyth ny3e[1] in-noghe of þe norþe, þe naked to tene; - [C] Þe snawe snitered ful snart, þat snayped þe wylde; -2004 Þe werbelande wynde wapped fro þe hy3e, - [D] & drof vche dale ful of dryftes ful grete. - Þe leude lystened ful wel, þat le3 in his bedde, - [E] Þa3 he lowke3 his lidde3, ful lyttel he slepes; -2008 Bi vch kok þat crue, he knwe wel þe steuen. - De-liuerly he dressed vp, er þe day sprenged, [Fol. 118.] - For þere wat3 ly3t of a lau[m]pe, þat lemed in his chambre; - [F] He called to his chamberlayn, þat cofly hym swared, -2012 & bede hym bryng hym his bruny, & his blonk sadel; - Þat oþer ferke3 hym vp, & feche3 hym his wede3, - & grayþe3 me sir Gawayn vpon a grett wyse. - Fyrst he clad hym in his cloþe3, þe colde for to were; -2016 & syþen his oþer harnays, þat holdely wat3 keped, - Boþe his paunce, & his plate3, piked ful clene, - [G] Þe rynge3[2] rokked of þe roust, of his riche bruny; - & al wat3 fresch as vpon fyrst, & he wat3 fayn þenne -2020 to þonk; - He hade vpon vche pece, - Wypped ful wel & wlonk; - [H] Þe gayest in to Grece, -2024 Þe 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 þe wlonkest wedes he warp on hym-seluen; - His cote, wyth be conysaunce of þe 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 þe lace, þe ladie3 gifte, - Þat for-gat not Gawayn, for gode of hym-seluen; -2032 Bi he hade belted þe bronde vpon his bal3e haunche3, - [C] Þenn dressed he his drurye double hym aboute; - Swyþe sweþled vmbe his swange swetely, þat kny3t, - Þe gordel of þe grene silke, þat gay wel bisemed, -2036 Vpon þat ryol red cloþe, þat ryche wat3 to schewe. - [D] Bot wered not þis ilk wy3e for wele þis gordel, - For pryde of þe pendaunte3, þa3 polyst þay were, - & þa3 þe 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, - oþer knyffe; - Bi þat þe bolde mon boun, -2044 Wynne3 þeroute bilyue, - [F] Alle þe meyny of renoun, - He þonkke3 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 grayþe, þat gret wat3 & huge, [Fol. 118b.] -2048 & hade ben soiourned sauerly, & in a siker wyse, - [B] Hym lyst prik for poynt, þat proude hors þenne; - Þe wy3e wynne3 hym to, & wyte3 on his lyre, - & sayde soberly hym-self, & by his soth swere3, -2052 "Here is a meyny in þis mote, þat on menske þenkke3, - [C] Þe mon hem maynteines, ioy mot þay haue; - Þe leue lady, on lyue luf hir bityde; - 3if þay for charyté cherysen a gest, -2056 & halden honour in her honde, þe haþel hem 3elde, - Þat halde3 þe 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] Þenn 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 þe ston, stod he no lenger, -2064 to praunce; - His haþel on hors wat3 þenne, - Þat bere his spere & launce. - [F] "Þis 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, & þe brode 3ate3 - Vnbarred, & born open, vpon boþe halue; - [B] Þe burne blessed hym bilyue, & þe brede3 passed; -2072 Prayses þe porter, bifore þe prynce kneled, - Gef hym God & goud day, þat Gawayn he saue; - [C] & went on his way, with his wy3e one, - Þat schulde teche hym to tourne to þat tene place, -2076 Þer þe ruful race he schulde re-sayue. - Þay bo3en bi bonkke3, þer bo3e3 ar bare, - [D] Þay clomben bi clyffe3, þer clenge3 þe colde; - Þe heuen wat3 vp halt, bot vgly þer vnder, -2080 Mist muged on þe mor, malt on þe mounte3, - [E] Vch hille hade a hatte, a myst-hakel huge; - Broke3 byled, & breke, bi bonkke3 aboute, - Schyre schaterande on schore3, þer þay doun schowued. -2084 Welawylle wat3 þe way, þer þay bi wod schulden, [Fol. 119.] - [F] Til hit wat3 sone sesoun, þat þe sunne ryses, - þat tyde; - [G] Þay were on a hille ful hy3e, -2088 Þe quyte snaw lay bisyde; - [H] Þe burne þat 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 þis tyme, -2092 & now nar 3e not fer fro þat note place, - [B] Þat 3e han spied & spuryed so specially after; - Bot I schal say yow for soþe, syþen I yow knowe, - & 3e ar a lede vpon lyue, þat I wel louy, -2096 Wolde 3e worch bi my wytte, 3e worþed þe better. - [C] Þe place þat 3e prece to, ful perelous is halden; - [D] Þer wone3 a wy3e in þat waste, þe worst vpon erþe; - For he is stiffe, & sturne, & to strike louies, -2100 & more he is þen any mon vpon myddelerde, - [E] & his body bigger þen þe best fowre. - Þat ar in Arþure3 hous, Hestor[1] oþer oþer. - He cheue3 þat chaunce at þe chapel grene; -2104 [F] Þer passes non bi þat place, so proude in his armes, - Þat he ne dynne3 hym to deþe, with dynt of his honde; - For he is a mon methles, & mercy non vses, - [G] For be hit chorle, oþer chaplayn, þat bi þe chapel rydes, -2108 Monk, oþer masse-prest, oþer any mon elles, - Hym þynk as queme hym to quelle, as quyk go hym seluen. - For-þy I say þe as soþe as 3e in sadel sitte, - Com 3e þere, 3e be kylled, [I] may þe kny3t rede, -2112 Trawe 3e me þat trwely, þa3 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-þy, goude sir Gawayn, let þe gome one, - & got3 a-way sum oþer gate; vpon Godde3 halue; -2120 [B] Cayre3 bi sum oþer kyth, þer Kryst mot yow spede; - & I schal hy3 me hom a3ayn, & hete yow fyrre, - [C] Þat I schal swere bi God, & alle his gode hal3e3, [Fol. 119b.] - As help me God & þe halydam, & oþe3 in-noghe, -2124 Þat I schal lelly yow layne, & lance neuer tale, - Þat euer 3e fondet to fle, for freke þat I wyst." - "Grant merci;" quod Gawayn, & gruchyng he sayde, - "Wel worth þe wy3e, þat wolde3 my gode, -2128 & þat lelly me layne, I leue wel þou wolde3! - [D] Bot helde þou hit neuer so holde, & I here passed, - Founded for ferde for to fle, in fourme þat þou telle3, - I were a kny3t kowarde, I my3t not[1] be excused. -2132 [E] Bot I wy1 to þe chape1, for chaunce þat may falle, - & talk wyth þat ilk tulk þe tale þat me lyste, - Worþe hit wele, oþer wo, as þe wyrde lyke3 - hit hafe; -2136 [F] Þa3e 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 þat oþer mon, "now þou so much spelle3, - Þat þou wylt þyn awen nye nyme to þy-seluen, - & þe lyst lese þy lyf, þe lette I ne kepe; - [B] Haf here þi helme on þy hede, þi spere in þi honde, -2144 & ryde me doun þis ilk rake, bi 3on rokke syde, - [C] Til þou be bro3t to þe boþem of þe brem valay; - [D] Þenne loke a littel on þe launde, on þi lyfte honde, - [E] & þou schal se in þat slade þe self chapel, -2148 & þe borelych burne on bent, þat hit kepe3. - Now fare3 wel on Gode3 half, Gawayn þe noble, - For alle þe golde vpon grounde I nolde go with þe, - Ne bere þe fela3schip þur3 þis fryth on fote fyrre." -2152 [F] Bi þat þe wy3e in þe wod wende3 his brydel, - Hit þe hors with þe hele3, as harde as he my3t, - Lepe3 hym ouer þe launde, & leue3 þe kny3t þere, - al one. -2156 [G] "Bi Godde3 self," quod Gawayn, - "I wyl nauþer 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 þe rake, [Fol. 120.] - Schowue3 in bi a schore, at a scha3e syde, - [B] Ride3 þur3 þe ro3e bonk, ry3t to þe dale; - & þenne he wayted hym aboute, & wylde hit hym þo3t, -2164 [C] & se3e no syngne of resette, bisyde3 nowhere, - Bot hy3e bonkke3 & brent, vpon boþe halue, - & ru3e knokled knarre3, with knorned stone3; - Þe skwe3 of þe scowtes skayued[1] hym þo3t. -2168 Þenne he houed, & wyth-hylde his hors at þat tyde, - & ofte chaunged his cher, þe chapel to seche; - [D] He se3 non suche in no syde, & selly hym þo3t, - Sone a lyttel on a launde, a lawe as hit we[re]; -2172 [E] A bal3 ber3, bi a bonke, þe brymme by-syde, - Bi a for3 of a flode, þat ferked þare; - Þe borne blubred þer-inne, as hit boyled hade. - [F] Þe kny3t kache3 his caple, & com to þe lawe, -2176 [G] Li3te3 doun luflyly, & at a lynde tache3 - Þe rayne, & his riche, with a ro3e braunche; - [H] Þen[n]e he bo3e3 to þe ber3e, aboute hit he walke, - D[e]batande with hym-self, quat hit be my3t. -2180 Hit hade a hole on þe ende, & on ayþer 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 couþe hit no3t deme -2184 with spelle, - "We,[2] lorde," quod þe gentyle kny3t, - "Wheþer þis be þe grene chapelle; - [J] He my3t aboute myd-ny3t, -2188 [Þ]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; - Þis oritore is vgly, with erbe3 ouer-growen; - [B] Wel biseme3 þe wy3e wruxled in grene -2192 Dele here his deuocioun, on þe deuele3 wyse; - Now I fele hit is þe fende, in my fyue wytte3, - Þat hat3 stoken me þis steuen, to strye me here; - [C] Þis is a chapel of meschaunce, þat chekke hit by-tyde, -2196 Hit is þe corsedest kyrk, þat euer i com inne!" - With he3e helme on his hede, his launce in his honde, [Fol. 120b.] - [D] He rome3 vp to þe rokke of þo ro3 wone3; - Þene herde he of þat hy3e hil, in a harde roche, -2200 [E] Bi3onde þe broke, in a bonk, a wonder breme noyse, - [F] Quat! hit clatered in þe clyff, as hit cleue schulde, - As one vpon a gryndelston hade grounden a syþe; - [G] What! hit wharred, & whette, as water at a mulne, -2204 What! hit rusched, & ronge, rawþe to here. - Þenne "bi Godde," quod Gawayn, "þat gere as[1] I trowe, - Is ryched at þe reuerence, me renk to mete, - bi rote; -2208 Let God worche we loo, - [H] Hit helppe3 me not a mote, - My lif þa3 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 þe kny3t con calle ful hy3e, - [B] "Who sti3tle3 in þis sted, me steuen to holde? - [C] For now is gode Gawayn goande ry3t here, - If any wy3e o3t wyl wynne hider fast, -2216 Oþer now, oþer neuer, his nede3 to spede." - [D] "Abyde," quod on on þe bonke, abouen ouer his hede, - "& þou schal haf al in hast, þat I þe hy3t ones." - 3et he rusched on þat rurde, rapely a þrowe, -2220 & wyth quettyng a-wharf, er he wolde ly3t; - [E] & syþen he keuere3 bi a cragge, & come3 of a hole, - Whyrlande out of a wro, wyth a felle weppen, - [F] A dene3 ax nwe dy3t, þe dynt with [t]o 3elde -2224 With a borelych bytte, bende by þe halme, - Fyled in a fylor, fowre fote large, - Hit wat3 no lasse, bi þat lace þat lemed ful bry3t. - [G] & þe gome in þe erene gered as fyrst, -2228 Boþe þe lyre & þe legge3, lokke3, & berde, - Saue þat fayre on his fote he founde3 on þe erþe, - Sette þe stele to þe stone, & stalked bysyde. - [H] When he wan to þe watter, þer he wade nolde, -2232 He hypped ouer on hys ax, & orpedly stryde3, - Bremly broþe on a bent, þat brode wat3 a-boute, - on snawe. - [I] Sir Gawayn þe kny3t con mete. [Fol. 121.] -2236 He ne lutte hym no þyng lowe, - [J] Þat oþer sayde, "now, sir swete, - Of steuen mon may þe 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 þat grene gome, "God þe mot loke! -2240 I-wysse þou art welcom,[1] wy3e, to my place, - [B] & þou hat3 tymed þi trauayl as true[2] mon schulde; - [C] & þou knowe3 þe couenaunte3 kest vus by-twene, - At þis tyme twelmonyth þou toke þat þe falled, -2244 [D] & I schulde at þis nwe 3ere 3eply þe quyte. - [E] & we ar in þis valay, verayly oure one, - Here ar no renkes vs to rydde, rele as vus like3; - [F] Haf þy[3] helme of þy hede, & haf here þy pay; -2248 Busk no more debate þen I þe bede þenne, - "When þou wypped of my hede at a wap one." - [G] "Nay, bi God," quod Gawayn, "þat me gost lante, - I schal gruch þe no grwe, for grem þat falle3; -2252 Botsty3tel þe vpon on strok, & I schal stonde stylle, - & warp þe no wernyng, to worch as þe lyke3, - no whare." - [H] He lened with þe nek, & lutte, -2256 & schewed þat 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. þy þy.] - - XII. - - [A] Then þe gome in þe grene grayþed hym swyþe, -2260 Gedere3 yp hys grymme tole, Gawayn to smyte; - [B] With alle þe 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 Þer hade ben ded of his dynt, þat do3ty wat3 euer. - Bot Gawayn on þat giserne glyfte hym bysyde, - [C] As hit com glydande adoun, on glode hym to schende, - [D] & schranke a lytel with þe schulderes, for þe scharp yrne. -2268 Þat oþer schalk wyth a schunt þe schene wythhalde3, - [E] & þenne repreued he þe prynce with mony prowde worde3: - [F] "Þou art not Gawayn," quod þe gome, "þat is so goud halden, - Þat neuer ar3ed for no here, by hylle ne be vale, -2272 [G] & now þou fles for ferde, er þou fele harme3; [Fol. 121b.] - Such cowardise of þat kny3t cowþe I neuer here. - [H] Nawþer fyked I, ne fla3e, freke, quen þou myntest, - Ne kest no kauelacion, in kynge3 hous Arthor, -2276 [I] My hede fla3 to my fote, & 3et fla3 I neuer; - & þou, er any harme hent, ar3e3 in hert, - [J] Wherfore þe better burne me burde be called - þer-fore." -2280 [K] Quod G:, "I schunt one3, - & so wyl I no more, - Bot pa3 my hede falle on þe 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 þi fayth, & bryng me to þe poynt, - Dele to me my destiné, & do hit out of honde, - For I schal stonde þe a strok, & start no more, - Til þyn ax haue me hitte, haf here my trawþe." -2288 [B] "Haf at þe þenne," quod þat oþer, & heue3 hit alofte, - & wayte3 as wroþely, as he wode were; - [C] He mynte3 at hym ma3tyly, bot not þe mon ryue3,[1] - With-helde heterly h[i]s honde, er hit hurt my3t. -2292 [D] Gawayn grayþely hit byde3, & glent with no membre, - Bot stode stylle as þe ston, oþer a stubbe auþer, - Þat raþeled is in roche grounde, with rote3 a hundreth. - Þen muryly efte con he mele, þe mon in þe grene, -2296 [E] "So now þou hat3 þi hert holle, hitte me bihou[e]s; - Halde þe now þe hy3e hode, þat Arþur þe ra3t, - & kepe þy kanel at þis kest, 3if hit keuer may." - G: ful gryndelly with greme þenne sayde, -2300 [F] "Wy þresch on, þou þro mon, þou þrete3 to longe, - I hope þat þi hert ar3e wyth þyn awen seluen." - "For soþe," quod þat oþer freke, "so felly þou speke3, - I wyl no lenger on lyte lette þin ernde, -2304 ri3t nowe." - [G] Þenne tas he[2] hym stryþe to stryke, - & frounses boþe lyppe & browe, - No meruayle þa3 hym myslyke, -2308 Þat 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 þe barbe of þe bitte bi þe bare nek [Fol. 122.] - Þa3 he homered heterly, hurt hym no more, -2312 Bot snyrt hym on þat on syde, þat seuered þe hyde; - [C] Þe scharp schrank to þe flesche þur3 þe schyre grece, - Þat þe schene blod over his schulderes schot to þe erþe. - [D] & quen þe burne se3 þe blode blenk on þe snawe, -2316 He sprit forth spenne fote more þen a spere lenþe, - 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 þat he wat3 burne borne of his moder, - Wat3 he neuer in þis worlde, wy3e half so blyþe:-- - [F] "Blynne, burne, of þy bur, bede me no mo; - I haf a stroke in þis sted with-oute stryf hent, -2324 [G] & if þow reche3 me any mo, I redyly schal quyte, - & 3elde 3ederly a3ayn, & þer to 3e tryst, - & foo; - [H] Bot on stroke here me falle3, -2328 Þe couenaunt schop ry3t so, - [Sikered][1] in Arþure3 halle3, - & þer-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 haþel heldet hym fro, & on his ax rested, -2332 Sette þe schaft vpon schore, & to be scharp lened, - [B] & loked to þe leude, þat on þe launde 3ede, - How þat do3ty dredles deruely þer stonde3, - Armed ful a3le3; in hert hit hym lyke3. -2336 þenn he mele3 muryly, wyth a much steuen, - [C] & wyth a r[a]ykande rurde he to þe renk sayde, - "Bolde burne, on þis bent be not so gryndel; - No mon here vn-manerly þe mys-boden habbe, -2340 Ne kyd, bot as couenaunde, at kynge3 kort schaped; - [D] I hy3t þe a strok, & þou hit hat3, halde þe wel payed, - I relece þe of þe remnaunt, of ry3tes alle oþer; - 3if[1] I deliuer had bene, a boffet, paraunter, -2344 [E] I couþe wroþeloker haf waret, [&] to þe haf wro3t anger.[2] - Fyrst I mansed þe muryly, with a mynt one, - [F] & roue þe wyth no rof, sore with ry3t I þe profered, - For þe forwarde that we fest in þe fyrst ny3t, [Fol. 122b.] -2348 & þou trystyly þe trawþe & trwly me halde3, - Al þe gayne þow me gef, as god mon shulde; - [G] Þat oþer munt for þe morne, mon, I þe profered, - Þou kyssedes my clere wyf, þe cosse3 me ra3te3, -2352 For boþe two here I þe bede bot two bare myntes, - boute scaþe; - [H] Trwe mon trwe restore, - Þenne þar mon drede no waþe; -2356 [I] At þe þrid þou fayled þore, - & þer-for þat tappe ta þe. - -[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 þat þou were3, þat ilke wouen girdel, - Myn owen wyf hit þe weued, I wot wel forsoþe; -2360 [B] Now know I wel þy cosses, & þy costes als, - & þe wowyng of my wyf, I wro3t hit myseluen; - [C] I sende hir to asay þe, & sothly me þynkke3, - On þe fautlest freke, þat euer on fote 3ede; -2364 As perle bi þe quite pese is of prys more, - So is Gawayn, in god fayth, bi oþer gay kny3te3. - [D] Bot here you lakked a lyttel, sir, & lewte yow wonted, - Bot þat wat3 for no wylyde werke, ne wowyng nauþer, -2368 [E] Bot for 3e lufed your lyf, þe lasse I yow blame." - Þat oþer stif mon in study stod a gret whyle; - So agreued for greme he gryed with-inne, - [F] Alle þe blode of his brest blende in his face, -2372 Þat al he schrank for schome, þat þe schalk talked. - Þe forme worde vpon folde, þat þe freke meled,-- - [G] "Corsed worth cowarddyse & couetyse boþe! - In yow is vylany & vyse, þat vertue disstrye3." -2376 [H] Þenne he ka3t to þe knot, & þe kest lawse3, - Brayde broþely þe belt to þe burne seluen: - "Lo! þer þe falssyng, foule mot hit falle! - [I] For care of þy knokke cowardyse me ta3t -2380 To a-corde me with couetyse, my kynde to for-sake, - Þat is larges & lewte, þat longe3 to kny3te3. - [J] Now am I fawty, & falce, & ferde haf ben euer; - Of trecherye & vn-trawþe boþe 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: ] - - XVII. - - [A] Thenne lo3e þat oþer leude, & luflyly sayde, - "I halde hit hardily[1] hole, þe harme þat I hade; - [B] Þou art confessed so clene, be-knowen of þy mysses, -2392 & hat3 þe penaunce apert, of þe poynt of myn egge, - [C] I halde þe polysed of þat ply3t, & pured as clene, - As þou hade3 neuer forfeted, syþen þou wat3 fyrst borne. - [D] & I gif þe, sir, þe gurdel þat is golde hemmed; -2396 For hit is grene as my goune, sir G:, 3e maye - Þenk vpon þis ilke þrepe, þer þou forth þrynge3 - Among prynces of prys, & þis a pure token - [E] Of þe chaunce of þe grene chapel, at cheualrous kny3te3; -2400 [F] & 3e schal in þis nwe 3er a3ayn to my wone3, - & we schyn reuel þe remnaunt of þis ryche fest, - ful bene." - Þer laþed hym fast þe lorde, -2404 & sayde, "with my wyf, I wene, - We schal yow wel acorde, - Þat wat3 your enmy kene." - -[Sidenote A: Then the other, laughing, thus spoke:] -[Sidenote B: "Thou art confessed so clean,] -[Sidenote C: that I hold thee as pure as if thou hadst never been guilty.] -[Sidenote D: I give thee, sir, the gold-hemmed girdle,] -[Sidenote E: as a token of thy adventure at the Green Chapel.] -[Sidenote F: Come again to my abode, and abide there for the remainder of - the festival."] -[Footnote 1: hardilyly, in MS.] - - XVIII. - - [A] "Nay, for soþe," quod þe segge, & sesed hys helme, -2408 & hat3 hit of hendely, & þe haþel þonkke3, - [B] "I haf soiorned sadly, sele yow bytyde, - & he 3elde hit yow 3are, þat 3arkke3 al menskes! - [C] & comaunde3 me to þat cortays, your comlych fere, -2412 Boþe þat on & þat oþer, myn honoured ladye3. - Þat þus hor kny3t wyth hor kest han koyntly bigyled. - [D] Bot hit is no ferly, þa3 a fole madde, - & þur3 wyles of wymmen be wonen to sor3e; -2416 [E] For so wat3 Adam in erde with one bygyled, - & Salamon with fele sere, & Samson eft sone3, - Dalyda dalt hym hys wyrde, & Dauyth þer-after - Wat3 blended with Barsabe, þat much bale þoled. -2420 Now þese were wrathed wyth her wyles, hit were a wynne huge, - [F] To luf hom wel, & leue hem not, a leude þat couþe, - For þes wer forne[1] þe freest þat fol3ed alle þe sele, [Fol.] - Ex-ellently of alle þyse oþer, vnder heuen-ryche, [123b.] -2424 þat mused; - & alle þay were bi-wyled, - With[2] wymmen þat þay vsed, - [G] Þa3 I be now bigyled, -2428 Me þink me burde be excused." - -[Sidenote A: "Nay, forsooth," says Gawayne,] -[Sidenote B: "I have sojourned sadly, but bliss betide thee!] -[Sidenote C: Commend me to your comely wife and that other lady who have - beguiled me.] -[Sidenote D: But it is no marvel for a man to be brought to grief through a - woman's wiles.] -[Sidenote E: Adam, Solomon, Samson, and David were beguiled by women.] -[Sidenote F: How could a man love them and believe them not?] -[Sidenote G: Though I be now beguiled, methinks I should be excused.] -[Footnote 1: forme (?)] -[Footnote 2: with wyth, in MS.] - - XIX. - - [A] "Bot your gordel," quod G: "God yow for-3elde! - Þat wyl I welde wyth good wylle, not for þe wynne golde, - Ne þe saynt, ne þe sylk, ne þe syde pendaundes, -2432 For wele, ne for worchyp, ne for þe wlonk werkke3, - [B] Bot in syngne of my surfet I schal se hit ofte; - When I ride in renoun, remorde to myseluen - Þe faut & þe fayntyse of þe flesche crabbed, -2436 How tender hit is to entyse teches of fylþe; - [C] & þus, quen pryde schal me pryk, for prowes of armes, - [D] Þe loke to þis luf lace schal leþe my hert. - Bot on I wolde yow pray, displeses yow neuer; -2440 Syn 3e be lorde of þe 3onde[r] londe, þer I haf lent inne, - Wyth yow wyth worschyp,--þe wy3e hit yow 3elde - Þat vp-halde3 þe heuen, & on hy3 sitte3,-- - [E] How norne 3e yowre ry3t nome, & þenne no more?" -2444 "Þat schal I telle þe trwly," quod þat oþer þenne, - [F] "Bernlak de Hautdesert I hat in þis londe, - Þur3 my3t of Morgne la Faye, þat in my hous lenges, - &[1] koyntyse of clergye, bi craftes wel lerned, -2448 Þe maystres of Merlyn, mony ho[2] taken; - For ho hat3 dalt drwry ful dere sum tyme, - With þat conable klerk, þat knowes alle your kny3te3 - at hame; -2452 Morgne þe goddes, - Þer-fore hit is hir name; - [G] Welde3 non so hy3e hawtesse, - Þat ho ne con make ful tame. - -[Sidenote A: But God reward you for your girdle.] -[Sidenote B: I will wear it in remembrance of my fault.] -[Sidenote C: And when pride shall prick me,] -[Sidenote D: a look to this lace shall abate it.] -[Sidenote E: But tell me your right name and I shall have done."] -[Sidenote F: The Green Knight replies, "I am called Bernlak de Hautdesert, - through might of Morgain la Fey, the pupil of Merlin.] -[Sidenote G: She can tame even the haughtiest.] -[Footnote 1: in (?).] -[Footnote 2: ho hat3 (?).] - - XX. - -2456 [A] Ho wayned me vpon þis wyse to your wynne halle, - For to assay þe surquidre, 3if hit soth were, - Þat rennes of þe grete renoun of þe Rounde Table; - Ho wayned me þis wonder, your wytte3 to reue, -2460 [B] For to haf greued Gaynour, & gart hir to dy3e. [Fol. 124.] - With gopnyng[1] of þat ilke gomen, þat gostlych speked, - With his hede in his honde, bifore þe hy3e table. - Þat is ho þat is at home, þe auncian lady; -2464 [C] Ho is euen þyn aunt, Arþure3 half suster, - Þe duches do3ter of Tyntagelle, þat dere Vter after - [D] Hade Arþur vpon, þat aþel is nowþe. - Þerfore I eþe þe, haþel, to com to þy naunt, -2468 Make myry in my hous, my meny þe louies, - & I wol þe as wel, wy3e, bi my faythe, - As any gome vnder God, for þy grete trauþe." - [E] & he nikked hym naye, he nolde bi no wayes; -2472 Þay acolen & kyssen, [bikennen] ayþer oþer - To þe prynce of paradise, & parten ry3t þere, - on coolde; - [F] Gawayn on blonk ful bene, -2476 To þe kynge3 bur3 buske3 bolde, - & þe kny3t in þe enker grene, - Whider-warde so euer he wolde. - -[Sidenote A: It was she who caused me to test the renown of the Round - Table,] -[Sidenote B: hoping to grieve Guenever and cause her death through fear.] -[Sidenote C: She is even thine aunt.] -[Sidenote D: Therefore come to her and make merry in my house."] -[Sidenote E: Gawayne refuses to return with the Green Knight.] -[Sidenote F: On horse full fair he bends to Arthur's hall.] -[Footnote 1: glopnyng (?).] - - XXI. - - [A] Wylde waye3 in þe worlde Wowen now ryde3, -2480 On Gryngolet, þat þe grace hade geten of his lyue; - [B] Ofte he herbered in house, & ofte al þeroute, - & mony a-venture in vale, & venquyst ofte, - Þat I ne ty3t, at þis tyme, in tale to remene. -2484 [C] Þe hurt wat3 hole, þat he hade hent in his nek, - [D] & þe blykkande belt he bere þeraboute, - A belef as a bauderyk, bounden bi his syde, - Loken vnder his lyfte arme, þe lace, with a knot, -2488 [E] In tokenyng he wat3 tane in tech of a faute; - [F] & þus he commes to þe court, kny3t al in sounde. - [G] Þer wakned wele in þat wone, when wyst þe grete, - Þat gode G: wat3 commen, gayn hit hym þo3t; -2492 [H] Þe kyng kysse3 þe kny3t, & þe whene alce, - & syþen mony syker kny3t, þat so3t hym to haylce, - [I] Of his fare þat hym frayned, & ferlyly he telles; - Biknowo3 alle þe costes of care þat he hade,-- -2496 Þe chaunce of þe chapel, þe chere of þe kny3t, - [J] Þe luf of þe ladi, þe lace at þe last. [Fol. 124b.] - Þe nirt in þe nek he naked hem schewed, - [K] Þat he la3t for his vnleute at þe leudes hondes, -2500 for blame; - He tened quen he schulde telle, - [L] He groned for gref & grame; - Þe blod in his face con melle, -2504 When he hit schulde schewe, for schame. - -[Sidenote A: Wild ways now Gawayne rides.] -[Sidenote B: Oft he harboured in house and oft thereout.] -[Sidenote C: The wound in his neck became whole.] -[Sidenote D: He still carried about him the belt,] -[Sidenote E: in token of his fault.] -[Sidenote F: Thus he comes to the Court of King Arthur.] -[Sidenote G: Great then was the joy of all.] -[Sidenote H: The king and his knights ask him concerning his journey.] -[Sidenote I: Gawayne tells them of his adventures,] -[Sidenote J: the love of the lady, and lastly of the lace.] -[Sidenote K: He showed them the cut in his neck.] -[Sidenote L: He groaned for grief and shame, and the blood rushed into his - face.] - - XXII. - - [A] "Lo! lorde," quod þe leude, & þe lace hondeled, - "Þis is þe bende of þis blame I bere [in] my nek, - Þis is þe laþe & þe losse, þat I la3t haue, -2508 [B] Of couardise & couetyse, þat I haf ca3t þare, - Þis is þe token of vn-trawþe, þat I am tan inne, - [C] & I mot nede3 hit were, wyle I may last; - For non may hyden his harme, bot vnhap ne may hit, -2512 For þer hit one3 is tachched, twynne wil hit neuer." - [D] Þe kyng comforte3 þe kny3t, & alle þe court als, - La3en loude þer-at, & luflyly acorden, - Þat lordes & ladis, þat longed to þe Table, -2516 [E] Vche burne of þe broþer-hede a bauderyk schulde haue, - A bende, a belef hym aboute, of a bry3t grene, - [F] & þat, for sake of þat segge, in swete to were. - For þat wat3 acorded þe renoun of þe Rounde Table, -2520 [G] & he honoured þat hit hade, euer-more after, - As hit is breued in þe best boke of romaunce. - [H] Þus in Arthurus day þis aunter bitidde, - Þe Brutus bokees þer-of beres wyttenesse; -2524 Syþen Brutus, þe bolde burne, bo3ed hider fyrst, - After þe segge & þe asaute wat3 sesed at Troye, - I-wysse; - Mony auntere3 here bi-forne, -2528 Haf fallen suche er þis: - [I] Now þat bere þe croun of þorne, - He bryng vus to his blysse! AMEN. - -[Sidenote A: "Lo!" says he, handling the lace, "this is the band of blame,] -[Sidenote B: a token of my cowardice and covetousness,] -[Sidenote C: I must needs wear it as long as I live."] -[Sidenote D: The king comforts the knight, and all the court too.] -[Sidenote E: Each knight of the brotherhood agrees to wear a bright green - belt,] -[Sidenote F: for Gawayne's sake,] -[Sidenote G: who ever more honoured it.] -[Sidenote H: Thus in Arthur's day this adventure befell.] -[Sidenote I: He that bore the crown of thorns bring us to His bliss!] - - * * * * * - -NOTES. - -Line 8 Ricchis turns, goes, - The king ... - Ricchis his reynys and the Renke metys: - Girden to gedur with þere grete speires.--T.B. l. 1232. - -37 Þis kyng lay at Camylot vpon kryst-masse. - Camalot, in Malory's "Morte Arthure," is said to be the same as - Winchester. Ritson supposes it to be Caer-went, in Monmouthshire, - and afterwards confounded with Caer-wynt, or Winchester. But - popular tradition here seems the best guide, which assigned the site - of Camalot to the ruins of a castle on a hill, near the church of - South Cadbury, in Somersetshire (Sir F. Madden). - -65 Nowel nayted o-newe, neuened ful ofte. - Christmas celebrated anew, mentioned full often. - Sir F. Madden leaves the word nayted unexplained in his Glossary - to "Syr Gawayne." - -124 syluener = sylueren, i.e. silver dishes. - -139 lyndes = lendes, loins. - -142 in his muckel, in his greatness. - -184 Wat3 euesed al umbe-torne--? was trimmed, all cut evenly around; - umbe-torne may be an error for vmbe-corue = cut round. - -216 in gracios werkes. Sir F. Madden reads gracons for gracios, and - suggests Greek as the meaning of it. - -244-5 As al were slypped vpon slepe so slaked hor lote3 - in hy3e. - As all were fallen asleep so ceased their words - in haste (suddenly). - Sir F. Madden reads slaked horlote3, instead of slaked hor lote3, - which, according to his glossary, signifies drunken vagabonds. - He evidently takes horlote3 to be another (and a very uncommon) form - of harlote3 = harlots. But harlot, or vagabond, would be a very - inappropriate term to apply to the noble Knights of the Round Table. - Moreover, slaked never, I think, means drunken. The general sense of - the verb slake is to let loose, lessen, cease. Cf. lines 411-2, - where sloke, another form of slake, occurs with a similar meaning: - -- layt no fyrre; - bot slokes. - -- seek no further, - but stop (cease). - Sir F. Madden suggests blows as the explanation of slokes. It - is, however, a verb in the imperative mood. - -286 Brayn. Mätzner suggests brayn-wod. - -296 barlay = par loi. This word is exceedingly common in the T. Book - (see l. 3391). - I bid you now, barlay, with besines at all - Þat ye set you most soverainly my suster to gete.--T.B. l. 2780. - -394 siker. Sir F. Madden reads swer. - -440 bluk. Sir F. Madden suggests blunk (horse). I am inclined to keep to - the reading of the MS., and explain bluk as = bulk = trunk. Cf. the - use of the word Blok in "Early English Alliterative Poems," - p. 100, l. 272. - -558 derue doel, etc. = great grief. Sir F. Madden reads derne, i.e. secret, - instead of derue (= derf). Cf. line 564. - -577 knaged, fastened. - The braunches were borly, sum of bright gold, - With leuys full luffly, light of the same; - With burions aboue bright to beholde; - And fruit on yt fourmyt of fairest of shap, - Of mony kynd that was knyt, knagged aboue.--T.B. l. 4973. - -629 & ay quere hit is endele3, etc. - And everywhere it is endless, etc. - Sir F. Madden reads emdele3, i.e. with equal sides. - -652 for-be = for-bi = surpassing, beyond. - -681 for Hadet read Halet = haled = exiled (?). See line 1049. - -806 auinant = auenaunt, pleasantly. Sir F. Madden reads amnant. - -954 of. Should we not read on (?). - -957 Þat oþer wyth a gorger wat3 gered ouer þe swyre. - The gorger or wimple is stated first to have appeared in Edward the - First's reign, and an example is found on the monument of Aveline, - Countess of Lancaster, who died in 1269. From the poem, however, it - would seem that the gorger was confined to elderly ladies (Sir F. - Madden). - -968 More lykker-wys on to lyk, - Wat3 þat scho had on lode. - - A more pleasant one to like, - Was that (one) she had under her control. - -988 tayt = lively, and hence pleasant, agreeable. - -1015 in vayres, in purity. - -1020 dut = dunt (?) = dint (?), referring to sword-sports. - -1022 sayn[t] Ione3 day. This is the 27th of December, and the last of the - feast. Sometimes the Christmas festivities were prolonged to New - Year's Day (Sir F. Madden). - -1047 derne dede = secret deed. I would prefer to read derue dede = - great deed. Cf. lines 558, 564. - -1053 I wot in worlde, etc. = I not (I know not) in worlde, etc. - -1054 I nolde, bot if I hit negh my3t on nw3eres morne, - For alle þe londe in-wyth Logres, etc. - I would not [delay to set out], unless I might approach it on New - Year's morn, for all the lands within England, etc. - -1074 in spenne = in space = in the interval = meanwhile. See line 1503. - -1160 slentyng of arwes. Sir F. Madden reads sleutyng. - "Of drawyn swordis sclentyng to and fra, - The brycht mettale, and othir armouris seir, - Quharon the sonnys blenkis betis cleir, - Glitteris and schane, and vnder bemys brycht, - Castis ane new twynklyng or a lemand lycht." - (G. Douglas' Æneid, Vol. i, p. 421.) - -1281 let lyk = appeared pleased. - -1283 Þa3 I were burde bry3test, þe burde in mynde hade, etc. - The sense requires us to read: - Þa3 ho were burde bry3test, þe burne in mynde hade, etc. - i.e., Though she were lady fairest, the knight in mind had, etc. - -1440 Long sythen [seuered] for þe sounder þat wi3t for-olde - Long since separated from the sounder or herd that fierce (one) - for-aged (grew very old). - "Now to speke of the boore, the fyrste year he is - A pygge of the sounder callyd, as haue I blys; - The secounde yere an hogge, and soo shall he be, - And an hoggestere, whan he is of yeres thre; - And when he is foure yere, a boor shall he be, - From the sounder of the swyne thenne departyth he; - A synguler is he soo, for alone he woll go." - (Book of St. Alban's, ed. 1496, sig. d., i.) - -1476 totes = looks, toots. - Sho went up wightly by a walle syde. - To the toppe of a toure and tot ouer the water.--T.B. l. 862. - -1623 A verb [? lalede = cried] seems wanting after lorde. - -1702 fnasted, breathed. - These balfull bestes were, as the boke tellus, - Full flaumond of fyre with fnastyng of logh.--T.B. l. 168. - -1710 a strothe rande = a rugged path. Cf. the phrases tene greue, l. 1707; - ro3e greue, l. 1898. - -1719 Thenne wat3 hit lif vpon list, etc. - Should we not read: - Thenne wat3 hit list vpon lif, etc. - i.e., Then was there joy in life, etc. - -1729 bi lag = be-lagh(?) = below (?). - -1780 lyf = lef(?), beloved (one). - -1869 Ho hat3 kyst þe kny3t so to3t. - She has kissed the knight so courteous. - Sir F. Madden explains to3t, promptly. To3t seems to be the same as - the Northumbrian taght in the following extract from the "Morte - Arthure": - "There come in at the fyrste course, before the kyng seluene, - Bare hevedys that ware bryghte, burnyste with sylver, - Alle with taghte mene and towne in togers fulle ryche."--(p. 15.) - The word towne (well-behaved) still exists in wan-ton, the - original meaning of which was ill-mannered, ill-bred. - -1909 bray hounde3 = braþ hounde3, i.e. fierce hounds. - -1995 He hat3 nere þat he so3t = He wat3 nere þat he so3t = He was near to - that which he sought. - -2160 gedere3 þe rake = takes the path or way. - -2167 Þe skwe3 of þe scowtes skayued hym þo3t. - The shadows of the hills appeared wild (desolate) to him. Sir F. - Madden reads skayned, of which he gives no explanation. - Skayued = skayfed, seems to be the N. Prov. English scafe, wild. - Scotch schaivie, wild, mad. O.N. skeifr. Sw. skef, awry, distorted. - -2204 ronge = clattered. - -2211 Drede dot3 me no lote = - No noise shall cause me to dread (fear). - -2357 & þer-for þat tappe ta þe. - And therefore take thee that tap. - ta þe = take thee. Sir F. Madden reads taþe = taketh. See l. 413, - where to þe rhymes with sothe. We have no imperatives in th in - this poem. - -2401 We schyn reuel, etc. Sir F. Madden reads wasch yn reuel. - But schyn = shall. See Glossary to "Alliterative Poems." - -2474 on-coolde = on-colde = coldly = sorrowfully. - -2489 in-sounde = soundly, well. Cf. in-blande = together; - in-lyche, alike; inmydde3, amidst. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight, by Anonymous - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIR GAWAYNE AND THE GREEN KNIGHT *** - -***** This file should be named 14568-8.txt or 14568-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - https://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/6/14568/ - -Produced by Ted Garvin, Keith Edkins and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - https://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/old/14568-8.zip b/old/old/14568-8.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 74fc5d0..0000000 --- a/old/old/14568-8.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/old/14568.txt b/old/old/14568.txt deleted file mode 100644 index c3711d3..0000000 --- a/old/old/14568.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5344 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight, by Anonymous - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight - An Alliterative Romance-Poem (c. 1360 A.D.) - -Author: Anonymous - -Release Date: January 3, 2005 [EBook #14568] - -Language: English, Middle (1100-1500) - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIR GAWAYNE AND THE GREEN KNIGHT *** - - - - -Produced by Ted Garvin, Keith Edkins and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team - - - - - - -Sir Gawayne - -and - -The Green Knight: - - -AN ALLITERATIVE ROMANCE-POEM, -(AB. 1360 A.D.) - - -BY THE AUTHOR OF -"EARLY ENGLISH ALLITERATIVE POEMS." - - -RE-EDITED FROM COTTON. MS. NERO, A.x., IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM, -BY -RICHARD MORRIS, -EDITOR OF HAMPOLE'S "PRICKE OF CONSCIENCE," -"EARLY ENGLISH ALLITERATIVE POEMS," ETC.; -MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF THE PHILOLOGICAL SOCIETY. - - -SECOND EDITION, REVISED, 1869. - -LONDON -MDCCCLXIV. - -JOHN CHILDS AND SON, PRINTERS. - - - * * * * * - -PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. - -In re-editing the present romance-poem I have been saved all labour of -transcription by using the very accurate text contained in Sir F. Madden's -"Syr Gawayne." - -I have not only read his copy with the manuscript, but also the -proof-sheets as they came to hand, hoping by this means to give the reader -a text free from any errors of transcription. - -The present edition differs from that of the earlier one in having the -contractions of the manuscript expanded and side-notes added to the text to -enable the reader to follow with some degree of ease the author's pleasant -narrative of Sir Gawayne's adventures. - -The Glossary is taken from Sir F. Madden's "Syr Gawayne,"[1] to which, for -the better interpretation of the text, I have made several additions, and -have, moreover, glossed nearly all the words previously left unexplained. - -For a description of the Manuscript, and particulars relating to the -authorship and dialect of the present work, the reader is referred to the -preface to Early English Alliterative Poems. - -R.M. - - LONDON, - December 22, 1864. - - [Footnote 1: Sir F. Madden has most generously placed at the disposal of - the Early English Text Society any of his works which it may determine to - re-edit.] - - * * * * * - -INTRODUCTION. - -No Knight of the Round Table has been so highly honoured by the old -Romance-writers as Sir Gawayne, the son of Loth, and nephew to the renowned -Arthur. They delighted to describe him as Gawayne the good, a man matchless -on mould, the most gracious that under God lived, the hardiest of hand, the -most fortunate in arms, and the most polite in hall, whose knowledge, -knighthood, kindly works, doings, doughtiness, and deeds of arms were known -in all lands. - -When Arthur beheld the dead body of his kinsman lying on the ground bathed -in blood, he is said to have exclaimed, "O righteous God, this blood were -worthy to be preserved and enshrined in gold!" Our author, too, loves to -speak of his hero in similar terms of praise, calling him the knight -faultless in his five wits, void of every offence, and adorned with every -earthly virtue. He represents him as one whose trust was in the five -wounds, and in whom the five virtues which distinguished the true knight -were more firmly established than in any other on earth. - -The author of the present story, who, as we know from his religious poems, -had an utter horror of moral impurity, could have chosen no better subject -for a romance in which amusement and moral instruction were to be combined. -In the following tale he shows how the true knight, though tempted sorely -not once alone, but twice, nay thrice, breaks not his vow of chastity, but -turns aside the tempter's shafts with the shield of purity and arm of -faith, and so passes scatheless through the perilous defile of trial and -opportunity seeming safe. - -But while our author has borrowed many of the details of his story from the -"Roman de Perceval" by Chrestien de Troyes, he has made the narrative more -attractive by the introduction of several original and highly interesting -passages which throw light on the manners and amusements of our ancestors. - -The following elaborate descriptions are well deserving of especial -notice:-- - - I. The mode of completely arming a knight (ll. 568-589). - - II. The hunting and breaking the deer (ll. 1126-1359). - - III. The hunting and unlacing the wild boar (ll. 1412-1614). - - IV. A fox hunt (ll. 1675-1921). - -The following is an outline of the story of Gawayne's adventures, more or -less in the words of the writer himself:-- - - Arthur, the greatest of Britain's kings, holds the Christmas festival - at Camelot, surrounded by the celebrated knights of the Round Table, - noble lords, the most renowned under heaven, and ladies the loveliest - that ever had life (ll. 37-57). This noble company celebrate the New - Year by a religious service, by the bestowal of gifts, and the most - joyous mirth. Lords and ladies take their seats at the table--Queen - Guenever, the grey-eyed, gaily dressed, sits at the dais, the high - table, or table of state, where too sat Gawayne and Ywain together with - other worthies of the Round Table (ll. 58-84, 107-115). Arthur, in mood - as joyful as a child, his blood young and his brain wild, declares that - he will not eat nor sit long at the table until some adventurous thing, - some uncouth tale, some great marvel, or some encounter of arms has - occurred to mark the return of the New Year (ll. 85-106). - - The first course was announced with cracking of trumpets, with the - noise of nakers and noble pipes. - - "Each two had dishes twelve, - Good beer and bright wine both." - - Scarcely was the first course served when another noise than that of - music was heard. There rushes in at the hall-door a knight of gigantic - stature--the greatest on earth--in measure high. He was clothed - entirely in green, and rode upon a green foal (ll. 116-178). Fair wavy - hair fell about the shoulders of the Green Knight, and a great beard - like a bush hung upon his breast (ll. 179-202). - - The knight carried no helmet, shield, or spear, but in one hand a holly - bough, and in the other an axe "huge and unmeet," the edge of which was - as keen as a sharp razor (ll. 203-220). Thus arrayed, the Green Knight - enters the hall without saluting any one. The first word that he - uttered was, "Where is the govenour of this gang? gladly would I see - him and with himself speak reason." To the knights he cast his eye, - looking for the most renowned. Much did the noble assembly marvel to - see a man and a horse of such a hue, green as the grass. Even greener - they seemed than green enamel on bright gold. Many marvels had they - seen, but none such as this. They were afraid to answer, but sat - stone-still in a dead silence, as if overpowered by sleep; - - "Not all from fear, but some for courtesy" (ll. 221-249). - - Then Arthur before the high dais salutes the Green Knight, bids him - welcome, and entreats him to stay awhile at his Court. The knight says - that his errand is not to abide in any dwelling, but to seek the most - valiant of the heroes of the Round Table that he may put his courage to - the proof, and thus satisfy himself as to the fame of Arthur's court. - "I come," he says, "in peace, as ye may see by this branch that I bear - here. Had I come with hostile intentions, I should not have left my - hauberk, helmet, shield, sharp spear, and other weapons behind me. But - because I desire no war, 'my weeds are softer.' If thou be so bold as - all men say, thou wilt grant me the request I am about to make." "Sir - courteous knight," replies Arthur, "if thou cravest battle only, here - failest thou not to fight." "Nay," says the Green Knight, "I seek no - fighting. Here about on this bench are only beardless children. Were I - arrayed in arms on a high steed no man here would be a match for me - (ll. 250-282). But it is now Christmas time, and this is the New Year, - and I see around me many brave ones;--if any be so bold in his blood - that dare strike a stroke for another, I shall give him this rich axe - to do with it whatever he pleases. I shall abide the first blow just as - I sit, and will stand him a stroke, stiff on this floor, provided that - I deal him another in return. - - And yet give I him respite, - A twelvemonth and a day; - Now haste and let see tite (soon) - Dare any here-in ought say.'" - - If he astounded them at first, much more so did he after this speech, - and fear held them all silent. The knight, righting himself in his - saddle, rolls fiercely his red eyes about, bends his bristly green - brows, and strokes his beard awaiting a reply. But finding none that - would carp with him, he exclaims, "What! is this Arthur's house, the - fame of which has spread through so many realms? Forsooth, the renown - of the Round Table is overturned by the word of one man's speech, for - all tremble for dread without a blow being struck!" (ll. 283-313). With - this he laughed so loud that Arthur blushed for very shame, and waxed - as wroth as the wind. "I know no man," he says, "that is aghast at thy - great words. Give me now thy axe and I will grant thee thy request!" - Arthur seizes the axe, grasps the handle, and sternly brandishes it - about, while the Green Knight, with a stern cheer and a dry - countenance, stroking his beard and drawing down his coat, awaits the - blow (ll. 314-335). Sir Gawayne, the nephew of the king, beseeches his - uncle to let him undertake the encounter; and, at the earnest entreaty - of his nobles, Arthur consents "to give Gawayne the game" (ll. - 336-365). - - Sir Gawayne then takes possession of the axe, but, before the blow is - dealt, the Green Knight asks the name of his opponent. "In good faith," - answers the good knight, "Gawayne I am called, that bids thee to this - buffet, whatever may befall after, and at this time twelvemonth will - take from thee another, with whatever weapon thou wilt, and with no - wight else alive." "By Gog," quoth the Green Knight, "it pleases me - well that I shall receive at thy fist that which I have sought - here--moreover thou hast truly rehearsed the terms of the - covenant,--but thou shalt first pledge me thy word that thou wilt seek - me thyself, wheresoever on earth thou believest I may be found, and - fetch thee such wages as thou dealest me to-day before this company of - doughty ones." "Where should I seek thee?" replies Gawayne, "where is - thy place? I know not thee, thy court, or thy name. I wot not where - thou dwellest, but teach me thereto, tell me how thou art called, and I - shall endeavour to find thee,--and that I swear thee for truth and by - my sure troth." "That is enough in New Year," says the groom in green, - "if I tell thee when I have received the tap. When thou hast smitten - me, then smartly I will teach thee of my house, my home, and my own - name, so that thou mayest follow my track and fulfil the covenant - between us. If I spend no speech, then speedest thou the better, for - then mayest thou remain in thy own land and seek no further; but cease - thy talking[1] (ll. 366-412). Take now thy grim tool to thee and let us - see how thou knockest." "Gladly, sir, for sooth," quoth Gawayne, and - his axe he brandishes. - - [Footnote 1: This, I think, is the true explanation of slokes.] - - The Green Knight adjusts himself on the ground, bends slightly his - head, lays his long lovely locks over his crown, and lays bare his neck - for the blow. Gawayne then gripped the axe, and, raising it on high, - let it fall quickly upon the knight's neck and severed the head from - the body. The fair head fell from the neck to the earth, and many - turned it aside with their feet as it rolled forth. The blood burst - from the body, yet the knight never faltered nor fell; but boldly he - started forth on stiff shanks and fiercely rushed forward, seized his - head, and lifted it up quickly. Then he runs to his horse, the bridle - he catches, steps into his stirrups and strides aloft. His head by the - hair he holds in his hands, and sits as firmly in his saddle as if no - mishap had ailed him, though headless he was (ll. 413-439). He turned - his ugly trunk about--that ugly body that bled,--and holding the head - in his hand, he directed the face toward the "dearest on the dais." The - head lifted up its eyelids and looked abroad, and thus much spoke with - its mouth as ye may now hear: - - "Loke, Gawayne, thou be prompt to go as thou hast promised, and seek - till thou find me according to thy promise made in the hearing of these - knights. Get thee to the Green Chapel, I charge thee, to fetch such a - dint as thou hast dealt, to be returned on New Year's morn. As the - Knight of the Green Chapel I am known to many, wherefore if thou - seekest thou canst not fail to find me. Therefore come, or recreant be - called." With a fierce start the reins he turns, rushes out of the - hall-door, his head in his hand, so that the fire of the flint flew - from the hoofs of his foal. To what kingdom he belonged knew none - there, nor knew they from whence he had come. What then? - - "The king and Gawayne there - At that green (one) they laugh and grin." - - Though Arthur wondered much at the marvel, he let no one see that he - was at all troubled about it, but full loudly thus spake to his comely - queen with courteous speech: - - "Dear dame, to-day be never dismayed, well happens such craft at - Christmas time. I may now proceed to meat, for I cannot deny that I - have witnessed a wondrous adventure this day" (ll. 440-475). - - He looked upon Sir Gawayne and said, "Now, sir, hang up thine axe, for - enough has it hewn." So the weapon was hung up on high that all might - look upon it, and "by true title thereof tell the wonder." Then all the - knights hastened to their seats at the table, so did the king and our - good knight, and they were there served with all dainties, "with all - manner of meat and minstrelsy." - - Though words were wanting when they first to seat went, now are their - hands full of stern work, and the marvel affords them good subject for - conversation. But a year passes full quickly and never returns,--the - beginning is seldom like the end; wherefore this Christmas passed away - and the year after, and each season in turn followed after another (ll. - 476-520). Thus winter winds round again, and then Gawayne thinks of his - wearisome journey (ll. 521-535). On All-hallows day Arthur entertains - right nobly the lords and ladies of his court in honour of his nephew, - for whom all courteous knights and lovely ladies were in great grief. - Nevertheless they spoke only of mirth, and, though joyless themselves, - made many a joke to cheer the good Sir Gawayne (ll. 536-565). Early on - the morrow Sir Gawayne, with great ceremony, is arrayed in his armour - (ll. 566-589), and thus completely equipped for his adventure he first - hears mass, and afterwards takes leave of Arthur, the knights of the - Round Table, and the lords and ladies of the court, who kiss him and - commend him to Christ. He bids them all good day, as he thought, for - evermore (ll. 590-669); - - "Very much was the warm water that poured from eyes that day." - - Now rides our knight through the realms of England with no companion - but his foal, and no one to hold converse with save God alone. From - Camelot, in Somersetshire, he proceeds through Gloucestershire and the - adjoining counties into Montgomeryshire, and thence through North Wales - to Holyhead, adjoining the Isle of Anglesea (ll. 670-700), from which - he passes into the very narrow peninsula of Wirral, in Cheshire, where - dwelt but few that loved God or man. Gawayne enquires after the Green - Knight of the Green Chapel, but all the inhabitants declare that they - have never seen "any man of such hues of green." - - The knight thence pursues his journey by strange paths, over hill and - moor, encountering on his way not only serpents, wolves, bulls, bears, - and boars, but wood satyrs and giants. But worse than all those, - however, was the sharp winter, "when the cold clear water shed from the - clouds, and froze ere it might fall to the earth. Nearly slain with the - sleet he slept in his armour, more nights than enough, in naked rocks" - (ll. 701-729). - - Thus in peril and plight the knight travels on until Christmas-eve, and - to Mary he makes his moan that she may direct him to some abode. On the - morn he arrives at an immense forest, wondrously wild, surrounded by - high hills on every side, where he found hoary oaks full huge, a - hundred together. The hazel and the hawthorn intermingled were all - overgrown with moss, and upon their boughs sat many sad birds that - piteously piped for pain of the cold. Gawayne besought the Lord and - Mary to guide him to some habitation where he might hear mass (ll. - 730-762). Scarcely had he crossed himself thrice, when he perceived a - dwelling in the wood set upon a hill. It was the loveliest castle he - had ever beheld. It was pitched on a prairie, with a park all about it, - enclosing many a tree for more than two miles. It shone as the sun - through the bright oaks (ll. 763-772). - - Gawayne urges on his steed Gringolet, and finds himself at the "chief - gate." He called aloud, and soon there appeared a "porter" on the wall, - who demanded his errand. - - "Good sir," quoth Gawayne, "wouldst thou go to the high lord of this - house, and crave a lodging for me?" - - "Yea, by Peter!" replied the porter, "well I know that thou art welcome - to dwell here as long as thou likest." - - The drawbridge is soon let down, and the gates opened wide to receive - the knight. Many noble ones hasten to bid him welcome (ll. 773-825). - They take away his helmet, sword, and shield, and many a proud one - presses forward to do him honour. They bring him into the hall, where a - fire was brightly burning upon the hearth. Then the lord of the land[1] - comes from his chamber and welcomes Sir Gawayne, telling him that he is - to consider the place as his own. Our knight is next conducted to a - bright bower, where was noble bedding--curtains of pure silk, with - golden hems, and Tarsic tapestries upon the walls and the floors (ll. - 826-859). Here the knight doffed his armour and put on rich robes, - which so well became him, that all declared that a more comely knight - Christ had never made (ll. 860-883). - - [Footnote 1: Gawayne is now in the castle of the Green Knight, who, - divested of his elvish or supernatural character, appears to our - knight merely as a bold one with a beaver-hued beard.] - - A table is soon raised, and Gawayne, having washed, proceeds to meat. - Many dishes are set before him--"sews" of various kinds, fish of all - kinds, some baked in bread, others broiled on the embers, some boiled, - and others seasoned with spices. The knight expresses himself well - pleased, and calls it a most noble and princely feast. - - After dinner, in reply to numerous questions, he tells his host that he - is Gawayne, one of the Knights of the Round Table. When this was made - known great was the joy in the hall. Each one said softly to his - companion, "Now we shall see courteous behaviour and learn the terms of - noble discourse, since we have amongst us 'that fine father of - nurture.' Truly God has highly favoured us in sending us such a noble - guest as Sir Gawayne" (ll. 884-927). At the end of the Christmas - festival Gawayne desires to take his departure from the castle, but his - host persuades him to stay, promising to direct him to the Green Chapel - (about two miles from the castle), that he may be there by the - appointed time (ll. 1029-1082). - - A covenant is made between them, the terms of which were that the lord - of the castle should go out early to the chase, that Gawayne meanwhile - should lie in his loft at his ease, then rise at his usual hour, and - afterwards sit at table with his hostess, and that at the end of the - day they should make an exchange of whatever they might obtain in the - interim. "Whatever I win in the wood," says the lord, "shall be yours, - and what thou gettest shall be mine" (ll. 1083-1125). - - Full early before daybreak the folk uprise, saddle their horses, and - truss their mails. The noble lord of the land, arrayed for riding, eats - hastily a sop, and having heard mass, proceeds with a hundred hunters - to hunt the wild deer (ll. 1126-1177). - - All this time Gawayne lies in his gay bed. His nap is disturbed by a - little noise at the door, which is softly opened. He heaves up his head - out of the clothes, and, peeping through the curtains, beholds a most - lovely lady (the wife of his host). She came towards the bed, and the - knight laid himself down quickly, pretending to be asleep. The lady - stole to the bed, cast up the curtains, crept within, sat her softly on - the bed-side, and waited some time till the knight should awake. After - lurking awhile under the clothes considering what it all meant, Gawayne - unlocked his eyelids, and put on a look of surprise, at the same time - making the sign of the cross, as if afraid of some hidden danger (ll. - 1178-1207). "Good morrow, sir," said that fair lady, "ye are a careless - sleeper to let one enter thus. I shall bind you in your bed, of that be - ye sure." "Good morrow," quoth Gawayne, "I shall act according to your - will with great pleasure, but permit me to rise that I may the more - comfortably converse with you." "Nay, beau sir," said that sweet one, - "ye shall not rise from your bed, for since I have caught my knight I - shall hold talk with him. I ween well that ye are Sir Gawayne that all - the world worships, whose honour and courtesy are so greatly praised. - Now ye are here, and we are alone (my lord and his men being afar off, - other men, too, are in bed, so are my maidens), and the door is safely - closed, I shall use my time well while it lasts. Ye are welcome to my - person to do with it as ye please, and I will be your servant" (ll. - 1208-1240). - - Gawayne behaves most discreetly, for the remembrance of his forthcoming - adventure at the Green Chapel prevents him from thinking of love (ll. - 1205-1289). At last the lady takes leave of the knight by catching him - in her arms and kissing him (ll. 1290-1307). The day passes away - merrily, and at dusk the Lord of the castle returns from the chase. He - presents the venison to Gawayne according to the previous covenant - between them. Our knight gives his host a kiss as the only piece of - good fortune that had fallen to him during the day. "It is good," says - the other, "and would be much better if ye would tell me where ye won - such bliss" (ll. 1308-1394). "That was not in our covenant," replies - Gawayne, "so try me no more." After much laughing on both sides they - proceed to supper, and afterwards, while the choice wine is being - carried round, Gawayne and his host renew their agreement. Late at - night they take leave of each other and hasten to their beds. "By the - time that the cock had crowed and cackled thrice" the lord was up, and - after "meat and mass" were over the hunters make for the woods, where - they give chase to a wild boar who had grown old and mischievous (ll. - 1395-1467). - - While the sportsmen are hunting this "wild swine" our lovely knight - lies in his bed. He is not forgotten by the lady, who pays him an early - visit, seeking to make further trial of his virtues. She sits softly by - his side and tells him that he has forgotten what she taught him the - day before (ll. 1468-1486). "I taught you of kissing," says she; "that - becomes every courteous knight." Gawayne says that he must not take - that which is forbidden him. The lady replies that he is strong enough - to enforce his own wishes. Our knight answers that every gift not given - with a good will is worthless. His fair visitor then enquires how it is - that he who is so skilled in the true sport of love and so renowned a - knight, has never talked to her of love (ll. 1487-1524). "You ought," - she says, "to show and teach a young thing like me some tokens of - true-love's crafts; I come hither and sit here alone to learn of you - some game; do teach me of your wit while my lord is from home." Gawayne - replies that he cannot undertake the task of expounding true-love and - tales of arms to one who has far more wisdom than he possesses. Thus - did our knight avoid all appearance of evil, though sorely pressed to - do what was wrong (ll. 1525-1552). The lady, having bestowed two kisses - upon Sir Gawayne, takes her leave of him (ll. 1553-1557). - - At the end of the day the lord of the castle returns home with the - shields and head of the wild boar. He shows them to his guest, who - declares that "such a brawn of a beast, nor such sides of a swine," he - never before has seen. Gawayne takes possession of the spoil according - to covenant, and in return he bestows two kisses upon his host, who - declares that his guest has indeed been rich with "such chaffer" (ll. - 1558-1647). - - After much persuasion, Gawayne consents to stop at the castle another - day (ll. 1648-1685). Early on the morrow the lord and his men hasten to - the woods, and come upon the track of a fox, the hunting of which - affords them plenty of employment and sport (ll. 1686-1730). Meanwhile - our good knight sleeps soundly within his comely curtains. He is again - visited by the lady of the castle. So gaily was she attired, and so - "faultless of her features," that great joy warmed the heart of Sir - Gawayne. With soft and pleasant smiles "they smite into mirth," and are - soon engaged in conversation. Had not Mary thought of her knight, he - would have been in great peril (ll. 1731-1769). So sorely does the fair - one press him with her love, that he fears lest he should become a - traitor to his host. The lady enquires whether he has a mistress to - whom he has plighted his troth. The knight swears by St John that he - neither has nor desires one. This answer causes the dame to sigh for - sorrow, and telling him that she must depart, she asks for some gift, - if it were only a glove, by which she might "think on the knight and - lessen her grief" (ll. 1770-1800). Gawayne assures her that he has - nothing worthy of her acceptance; that he is on an "uncouth errand," - and therefore has "no men with no mails containing precious things," - for which he is truly sorry. - - Quoth that lovesome (one)-- - - "Though I had nought of yours, - Yet should ye have of mine. - - Thus saying, she offers him a rich ring of red gold "with a shining - stone standing aloft," that shone like the beams of the bright sun. The - knight refused the gift, as he had nothing to give in return. "Since ye - refuse my ring," says the lady, "because it seems too rich, and ye - would not be beholden to me, I shall give you my girdle that is less - valuable" (ll. 1801-1835). But Gawayne replies that he will not accept - gold or reward of any kind, though "ever in hot and in cold" he will be - her true servant. - - "Do ye refuse it," asks the lady, "because it seems simple and of - little value? Whoso knew the virtues that are knit therein would - estimate it more highly. For he who is girded with this green lace - cannot be wounded or slain by any man under heaven." The knight thinks - awhile, and it strikes him that this would be a "jewel for the - jeopardy" that he had to undergo at the Green Chapel. So he not only - accepts the lace, but promises to keep the possession of it a secret - (ll. 1836-1865). By that time the lady had kissed him thrice, and she - then takes "her leave and leaves him there." - - Gawayne rises, dresses himself in noble array, and conceals the "love - lace" where he might find it again. He then hies to mass, shrives him - of his misdeeds, and obtains absolution. On his return to the hall he - solaces the ladies with comely carols and all kinds of joy (ll. - 1866-1892). The dark night came, and then the lord of the castle, - having slain the fox, returns to his "dear home," where he finds a fire - brightly turning and his guest amusing the ladies (ll. 1893-1927). - Gawayne, in fulfilment of his agreement, kisses his host thrice.[1] "By - Christ," quoth the other knight, "ye have caught much bliss. I have - hunted all this day and nought have I got but the skin of this foul fox - (the devil have the goods!), and that is full poor for to pay for such - precious things" (ll. 1928-1951). - - After the usual evening's entertainment, Gawayne retires to rest. The - next morning, being New Year's day, is cold and stormy. Snow falls, and - the dales are full of drift. Our knight in his bed locks his eyelids, - but full little he sleeps. By each cock that crows he knows the hour, - and before day-break he calls for his chamberlain, who quickly brings - him his armour (ll. 1952-2014). While Gawayne clothed himself in his - rich weeds he forgot not the "lace, the lady's gift," but with it - doubly girded his loins. He wore it not for its rich ornaments, "but to - save himself when it behoved him to suffer," and as a safeguard against - sword or knife (ll. 2015-2046). - - Having thanked his host and all the renowned assembly for the great - kindness he had experienced at their hands, "he steps into stirrups and - strides aloft" (ll. 2047-2068). - - The drawbridge is let down, and the broad gates unbarred and borne open - upon both sides, and the knight, after commending the castle to Christ, - passes thereout and goes on his way accompanied by his guide, that - should teach him to turn to that place where he should receive the - much-dreaded blow. They climb over cliffs, where each hill had a hat - and a mist-cloak, until the next morn, when they find themselves on a - full high hill covered with snow. The servant bids his master remain - awhile, saying, "I have brought you hither at this time, and now ye are - not far from that noted place that ye have so often enquired after. The - place that ye press to is esteemed full perilous, and there dwells a - man in that waste the worst upon earth, for he is stiff and stern and - loves to strike, and greater is he than any man upon middle-earth, and - his body is bigger than the best four in Arthur's house. He keeps the - Green Chapel; there passes none by that place, however proud in arms, - that he does not 'ding him to death with dint of his hand.' He is a man - immoderate and 'no mercy uses,' for be it churl or chaplain that by the - chapel rides, monk or mass-priest, or any man else, it is as pleasant - to him to kill them as to go alive himself. Wherefore I tell thee - truly, 'come ye there, ye be killed, though ye had twenty lives to - spend. He has dwelt there long of yore, and on field much sorrow has - wrought. Against his sore dints ye may not defend you' (ll. 2069-2117). - Therefore, good Sir Gawayne, let the man alone, and for God's sake go - by some other path, and then I shall hie me home again. I swear to you - by - - [Footnote 1: He only in part keeps to his covenant, as he holds back - the love-lace.] - - God and all His saints that I will never say that ever ye attempted to - flee from any man." - - Gawayne thanks his guide for his well-meant kindness, but declares that - to the Green Chapel he will go, though the owner thereof be "a stern - knave," for God can devise means to save his servants. - - "Mary!" quoth the other, "since it pleases thee to lose thy life I will - not hinder thee. Have thy helmet on thy head, thy spear in thy hand, - and ride down this path by yon rock-side, till thou be brought to the - bottom of the valley. Then look a little on the plain, on thy left - hand, and thou shalt see in that slade the chapel itself, and the burly - knight that guards it (ll. 2118-2148). Now, farewell Gawayne the noble! - for all the gold upon ground I would not go with thee nor bear thee - fellowship through this wood 'on foot farther.'" Thus having spoken, he - gallops away and leaves the knight alone. - - Gawayne now pursues his journey, rides through the dale, and looks - about. He sees no signs of a resting-place, but only high and steep - banks, and the very shadows of the high woods seemed wild and - distorted. No chapel, however, could he discover. After a while he sees - a round hill by the side of a stream; thither he goes, alights, and - fastens his horse to the branch of a tree. He walks about the hill, - debating with himself what it might be. It had a hole in the one end - and on each side, and everywhere overgrown with grass, but whether it - was only an old cave or a crevice of an old crag he could not tell (ll. - 2149-2188). - - "Now, indeed," quoth Gawayne, "a desert is here; this oratory is ugly - with herbs overgrown. It is a fitting place for the man in green to - 'deal here his devotions after the devil's manner.' Now I feel it is - the fiend (the devil) in my five wits that has covenanted with me that - he may destroy me. This is a chapel of misfortune--evil betide it! It - is the most cursed kirk that ever I came in." With his helmet on his - head, and spear in his hand, he roams up to the rock, and then he hears - from that high hill beyond the brook a wondrous wild noise. Lo! it - clattered in the cliff as if one upon a grindstone were grinding a - scythe. It whirred like the water at a mill, and rushed and re-echoed, - terrible to hear. "Though my life I forgo," says Gawayne, "no noise - shall cause me to fear." - - Then he cried aloud, "Who dwells in this place, discourse with me to - hold? For now is good Gawayne going right here if any brave wight will - hie him hither, either now or never" (ll. 2189-2216). - - "Abide," quoth one on the bank above, over his head, "and thou shalt - have all in haste that I promised thee once." - - Soon there comes out of a hole in the crag, with a fell weapon a Danish - axe quite new, the "man in the green," clothed as at first as his legs, - locks and beard. But now he is on foot and walks on the earth. When he - reaches the stream, he hops over and boldly strides about. He meets Sir - Gawayne, who tells him that he is quite ready to fulfil his part of the - compact. "Gawayne," quoth that 'green gome' (man), "may God preserve - thee! Truly thou art welcome to my place, 'and thou hast timed thy - travel' as a true man should. Thou knowest the covenants made between - us, at this time twelve-month, that on New Year's day I should return - thee thy blow. We are now in this valley by ourselves, and can do as we - please (ll. 2217-2246). Have, therefore, thy helmet off thy head, and - 'have here thy pay.' Let us have no more talk than when thou didst - strike off my head with a single blow." - - "Nay, by God!" quoth Gawayne, "I shall not begrudge thee thy will for - any harm that may happen, but will stand still while thou strikest." - - Then he stoops a little and shows his bare neck, unmoved by any fear. - The Green Knight takes up his "grim tool," and with all his force - raises it aloft, as if he meant utterly to destroy him. As the axe came - gliding down Gawayne "shrank a little with the shoulders from the sharp - iron." The other withheld his weapon, and then reproved the prince with - many proud words. "Thou art not Gawayne that is so good esteemed, that - never feared for no host by hill nor by vale, for now thou fleest for - fear before thou feelest harm (ll. 2247-2272). Such cowardice of that - knight did I never hear. I never flinched nor fled when thou didst aim - at me in King Arthur's house. My head flew to my feet and yet I never - fled, wherefore I deserve to be called the better man." - - Quoth Gawayne, "I shunted once, but will do so no more, though my head - fall on the stones. But hasten and bring me to the point; deal me my - destiny, and do it out of hand, for I shall stand thee a stroke and - start no more until thine axe has hit me--have here my troth." "Have at - thee, then," said the other, and heaves the axe aloft, and looks as - savagely as if he were mad. He aims at the other mightily, but - withholds his hand ere it might hurt. Gawayne readily abides the blow - without flinching with any member, and stood still as a stone or a tree - fixed in rocky ground with a hundred roots. - - Then merrily the other did speak, "Since now thou hast thy heart whole - it behoves me to strike, so take care of thy neck." Gawayne answers - with great wroth, "Thrash on, thou fierce man, thou threatenest too - long; I believe thy own heart fails thee." - - "Forsooth," quoth the other, "since thou speakest so boldly, I will no - longer delay" (ll. 2273-2304). Then, contracting "both lips and brow," - he made ready to strike, and let fall his axe on the bare neck of Sir - Gawayne. "Though he hammered" fiercely, he only "severed the hide," - causing the blood to flow. When Gawayne saw his blood on the snow, he - quickly seized his helmet and placed it on his head. Then he drew out - his bright sword, and thus angrily spoke: "Cease, man, of thy blow, bid - me no more. I have received a stroke in this place without opposition, - but if thou givest me any more readily shall I requite thee, of that be - thou sure. Our covenant stipulates one stroke, and therefore now - cease." - - The Green Knight, resting on his axe, looks on Sir Gawayne, as bold and - fearless he there stood, and then with a loud voice thus addresses the - knight: "Bold knight, be not so wroth, no man here has wronged thee - (ll. 2305-2339); I promised thee a stroke, and thou hast it, so hold - thee well pleased. I could have dealt much worse with thee, and caused - thee much sorrow. Two blows I aimed at thee, for twice thou kissedst my - fair wife; but I struck thee not, because thou restoredst them to me - according to agreement. At the third time thou failedst, and therefore - I have given thee that tap. That woven girdle, given thee by my own - wife, belongs to me. I know well thy kisses, thy conduct also, and the - wooing of my wife, for I wrought it myself. I sent her to try thee, and - truly methinks thou art the most faultless man that ever on foot went. - Still, sir, thou wert wanting in good faith; but as it proceeded from - no immorality, thou being only desirous of saving thy life, the less I - blame thee." - - Gawayne stood confounded, the blood rushed into his face, and he shrank - within himself for very shame. "Cursed," he cried, "be cowardice and - covetousness both; in you are villany and vice, that virtue destroy." - Then he takes off the girdle and throws it to the knight in green, - cursing his cowardice and covetousness. The Green Knight, laughing, - thus spoke: "Thou hast confessed so clean, and acknowledged thy faults, - that I hold thee as pure as thou hadst never forfeited since thou wast - first born. I give thee, sir, the gold-hemmed girdle as a token of thy - adventure at the Green Chapel. Come now to my castle, and we shall - enjoy together the festivities of the New Year" (ll. 2340-2406). - - "Nay, forsooth," quoth the knight, "but for your kindness may God - requite you. Commend me to that courteous one your comely wife, who - with her crafts has beguiled me. But it is no uncommon thing for a man - to come to sorrow through women's wiles; for so was Adam beguiled with - one, and Solomon with many. Samson was destroyed by Delilah, and David - suffered much through Bathsheba. 'It were indeed great bliss for a - man to love them well and believe them not.' Since the greatest - upon earth were so beguiled, methinks I should be excused. But God - reward you for your girdle, which I will ever wear in remembrance of my - fault, and when pride shall exalt me, a look to this love-lace shall - lessen it (ll. 2407-2438). But since ye are the lord of yonder land, - from whom I have received so much honour, tell me truly your right - name, and I shall ask no more questions." - - Quoth the other, "I am called Bernlak de Hautdesert, through might of - Morgain la Fay, who dwells in my house. Much has she learnt of Merlin, - who knows all your knights at home. She brought me to your hall for to - essay the prowess of the Round Table. She wrought this wonder to - bereave you of your wits, hoping to have grieved Guenever and - affrighted her to death by means of the man that spoke with his head in - his hand before the high table. She is even thine aunt, Arthur's half - sister; wherefore come to thine aunt, for all my household love thee." - - Gawayne refuses to accompany the Green Knight, and so, with many - embraces and kind wishes, they separate--the one to his castle, the - other to Arthur's court. - - After passing through many wild ways, our knight recovers from the - wound in his neck, and at last comes safe and sound to the court of - King Arthur. Great then was the joy of all; the king and queen kiss - their brave knight, and make many enquiries about his journey. He tells - them of his adventures, hiding nothing--"the chance of the chapel, the - cheer of the knight, the love of the lady, and lastly of the lace." - Groaning for grief and shame he shows them the cut in his neck, which - he had received for his unfaithfulness (ll. 2439-2504). The king and - his courtiers comfort the knight--they laugh loudly at his adventures, - and unanimously agree that those lords and ladies that belonged to the - Round Table, and each knight of the brotherhood should ever after wear - a bright green belt for Gawayne's sake. And he upon whom it was - conferred honoured it evermore after. - - Thus in Arthur's time this adventure befell, whereof the "Brutus Books" - bear witness (ll. 2505-2530). - -I need not say that the Brutus Books we possess do not contain the -legend here set forth, though it is not much more improbable than some of -the statements contained in them. If the reader desires to know the -relation in which this and the like stories stand to the original Arthur -legends, he will find it discussed in Sir F. Madden's Preface to his -edition of "Syr Gawayne," which also contains a sketch of the very -different views taken of Sir Gawayne by the different Romance writers. - -Into this and other literary questions I do not enter here, as I -have nothing to add to Sir F. Madden's statements; but in the text of the -Poem I have differed from him in some few readings, which will be found -noticed in the Notes and Glossary. - -As the manuscript is fast fading, I am glad that the existence of the Early -English Text Society has enabled us to secure a wider diffusion of its -contents before the original shall be no longer legible. - -We want nothing but an increased supply of members to enable us to give to -a large circle of readers many an equally interesting record of Early -English minds. - - * * * * * - - -NOTE: The Old English "yogh" characters have been translated both -upper and lower-case yoghs to digit 3's. There are Unicode -allocations for these (in HTML Ȝ and ȝ) but at present -no font which implements these. Substiting the digit 3 seemed a -workable compromise which anybody can read. The linked html -"Old English 'yogh' file" uses Ȝ and ȝ representations, -and is included for users with specialist fonts. - - - * * * * * - - - - - -SYR GAWAYN AND THE GRENE KNY3T. - -[FYTTE THE FIRST.] - - I. - - [A] Siþen þe sege & þe assaut wat3 sesed at Troye, [Fol. 91a.] - Þe bor3 brittened & brent to bronde3 & aske3, - Þe tulk þat þe trammes of tresoun þer wro3t, - 4 Wat3 tried for his tricherie, þe trewest on erthe; - Hit wat3 Ennias þe athel, & his highe kynde, - Þat siþen depreced prouinces, & patrounes bicome - Welne3e of al þe wele in þe west iles, - 8 [B] Fro riche Romulus to Rome ricchis hym swyþe, - With gret bobbaunce þat bur3e he biges vpon fyrst, - & neuenes hit his aune nome, as hit now hat; - Ticius to Tuskan [turnes,] & teldes bigynnes; - 12 Langaberde in Lumbardie lyftes vp homes; - [C] & fer ouer þe French flod Felix Brutus - On mony bonkkes ful brode Bretayn he sette3, - wyth wynne; - 16 [D] Where werre, & wrake, & wonder, - Bi syþe3 hat3 wont þer-inne, - [E] & oft boþe blysse & blunder - Ful skete hat3 skyfted synne. - -[Sidenote A: After the siege of Troy] -[Sidenote B: Romulus built Rome,] -[Sidenote C: and Felix Brutus founded Britain,] -[Sidenote D: a land of war and wonder,] -[Sidenote E: and oft of bliss and blunder.] - - II. - - 20 Ande quen þis Bretayn wat3 bigged bi þis burn rych, - [A] Bolde bredden þer-inne, baret þat lofden, - In mony turned tyme tene þat wro3ten; - Mo ferlyes on þis folde han fallen here oft - 24 [B] Þen in any oþer þat I wot, syn þat ilk tyme. - [C] Bot of alle þat here bult of Bretaygne kynges - Ay wat3 Arthur þe hendest; as I haf herde telle; - For-þi an aunter in erde I attle to schawe, [Fol. 91b.] - 28 Þat a selly in si3t summe men hit holden, - & an outtrage awenture of Arthure3 wondere3; - [D] If 3e wyl lysten þis laye bot on littel quile, - I schal telle hit, as-tit, as I in toun herde, - 32 with tonge; - As hit is stad & stoken, - In stori stif & stronge, - With lel letteres loken, - 36 In londe so hat3 ben longe. - -[Sidenote A: Bold men increased in the Land,] -[Sidenote B: and many marvels happened.] -[Sidenote C: Of all Britain's kings Arthur was the noblest.] -[Sidenote D: Listen a while and ye shall hear the story of an "outrageous - adventure."] - - III. - - [A] Þis kyng lay at Camylot vpon kryst-masse, - With mony luflych lorde, lede3 of þe best, - [B] Rekenly of þe rounde table alle þo rich breþer, - 40 With rych reuel ory3t, & rechles merþes; - Þer tournayed tulkes bi-tyme3 ful mony, - Iusted ful Iolile þise gentyle kni3tes, - Syþen kayred to þe court, caroles to make. - 44 [C] For þer þe fest wat3 ilyche ful fiften dayes, - With alle þe mete & þe mirþe þat men couþe a-vyse; - Such glaumande gle glorious to here, - Dere dyn vp-on day, daunsyng on ny3tes, - 48 [D] Al wat3 hap vpon he3e in halle3 & chambre3, - With lorde3 & ladies, as leuest him þo3t; - With all þe wele of þe worlde þay woned þer samen, - [E] Þe most kyd kny3te3 vnder kryste seluen, - 52 & þe louelokkest ladies þat euer lif haden, - & he þe comlokest kyng þat þe court haldes; - For al wat3 þis fayre folk in her first age, - on sille; - 56 [F] Þe hapnest vnder heuen, - Kyng hy3est mon of wylle, - Hit were[1] now gret nye to neuen - So hardy a here on hille. - -[Sidenote A: Arthur held at Camelot his Christmas feast,] -[Sidenote B: with all the knights of the Round Table,] -[Sidenote C: full fifteen days.] -[Sidenote D: All was joy in hall and chamber,] -[Sidenote E: among brave knights and lovely ladies,] -[Sidenote F: the happiest under heaven.] -[Footnote 1: MS. werere.] - - IV. - - 60 [A] Wyle nw 3er wat3 so 3ep þat hit wat3 nwe cummen, - Þat day doubble on þe dece wat3 þe douth serued, - Fro þe kyng wat3 cummen with kny3tes in to þe halle, - Þe chauntre of þe chapel cheued to an ende; - 64 Loude crye wat3 þer kest of clerke3 & oþer, - Nowel nayted o-newe, neuened ful ofte; [Fol. 92] - & syþen riche forth runnen to reche honde-selle, - [B] 3e3ed 3eres 3iftes on hi3, 3elde hem bi hond, - 68 Debated busyly aboute þo giftes; - Ladies la3ed ful loude, þo3 þay lost haden, - & he þat wan wat3 not wrothe, þat may 3e wel trawe. - [C] Alle þis mirþe þay maden to þe mete tyme; - 72 When þay had waschen, worþyly þay wenten to sete, - Þe best burne ay abof, as hit best semed; - [D] Whene Guenore ful gay, grayþed in þe myddes. - Dressed on þe dere des, dubbed al aboute, - 76 Smal sendal bisides, a selure hir ouer - Of tryed Tolouse, of Tars tapites in-noghe, - Þat were enbrawded & beten wyth þe best gemmes, - Þat my3t be preued of prys wyth penyes to bye, - 80 in daye; - [E] Þe comlokest to discrye, - Þer glent with y3en gray, - A semloker þat euer he sy3e, - 84 Soth mo3t no mon say. - -[Sidenote A: They celebrate the New Year with great joy.] -[Sidenote B: Gifts are demanded and bestowed.] -[Sidenote C: Lords and ladies take their seats at the table.] -[Sidenote D: Queen Guenever appears gaily dressed.] -[Sidenote E: A lady fairer of form might no one say he had ever before - seen.] - - V. - - [A] Bot Arthure wolde not ete til al were serued, - He wat3 so Ioly of his Ioyfnes, & sum-quat child gered, - His lif liked hym ly3t, he louied þe lasse - 88 [B] Auþer to lenge lye, or to longe sitte, - So bi-sied him his 3onge blod & his brayn wylde; - & also anoþer maner meued him eke, - Þat he þur3 nobelay had nomen, ho wolde neuer ete - 92 Vpon such a dere day, er hym deuised were - [C] Of sum auenturus þyng an vncouþe tale, - Of sum mayn meruayle, þat he my3t trawe, - Of[1] alderes, of armes, of oþer auenturus, - 96 Oþer sum segg hym bi-so3t of sum siker kny3t, - To Ioyne wyth hym in iustyng in Ioparde to lay, - Lede lif for lyf, leue vchon oþer, - As fortune wolde fulsun hom þe fayrer to haue. - 100 Þis wat3 [þe] kynges countenaunce where he in court were, - At vch farand fest among his fre meny, - in halle; [Fol. 92b.] - [D] Þer-fore of face so fere. - 104 He sti3tle3 stif in stalle, - Ful 3ep in þat nw 3ere, - Much mirthe he mas with alle. - -[Sidenote A: Arthur would not eat,] -[Sidenote B: nor would he long sit] -[Sidenote C: until he had witnessed a "wondrous adventure" of some kind.] -[Sidenote D: He of face so bold makes much mirth with all.] -[Footnote 1: Of of, in MS.] - - VI. - - [A] Thus þer stondes in stale þe stif kyng his-seluen, - 108 Talkkande bifore þe hy3e table of trifles ful hende - [B] There gode Gawan wat3 grayþed, Gwenore bisyde - [C] & Agrauayn a la dure mayn on þat oþer syde sittes - Boþe þe kynges sister sunes, & ful siker kni3tes; - 112 [D] Bischop Bawdewyn abof bi-gine3 þe table, - [E] & Ywan, Vryn son, ette wit hym-seluen; - Þise were di3t on þe des, & derworþly serued, - & siþen mony siker segge at þe sidborde3. - 116 [F] Þen þe first cors come with crakkyng of trumpes, - Wyth mony baner ful bry3t, þat þer-bi henged, - Nwe nakryn noyse with þe noble pipes, - Wylde werbles & wy3t wakned lote, - 120 Þat mony hert ful hi3e hef at her towches; - [G] Dayntes dryuen þer-wyth of ful dere metes, - Foysoun of þe fresche, & on so fele disches, - Þat pine to fynde þe place þe peple bi-forne - 124 For to sette þe syluener,[1] þat sere sewes halden, - on clothe; - Iche lede as he loued hym-selue - Þer laght with-outen loþe, - 128 [H] Ay two had disches twelue, - [I] Good ber, & bry3t wyn boþe. - -[Sidenote A: The king talks with his knights.] -[Sidenote B: Gawayne,] -[Sidenote C: Agravayn,] -[Sidenote D: Bishop Bawdewyn,] -[Sidenote E: and Ywain sit on the dais.] -[Sidenote F: The first course is served with cracking of trumpets.] -[Sidenote G: It consisted of all dainties in season.] -[Sidenote H: Each two had dishes twelve,] -[Sidenote I: good beer and bright wine both.] -[Footnote 1: svlueren (?) (dishes).] - - VII. - - [A] Now wyl I of hor seruise say yow no more, - For veh wy3e may wel wit no wont þat þer were; - 132 [B] An oþer noyse ful newe ne3ed biliue, - Þat þe lude my3t haf leue lif-lode to cach. - For vneþe wat3 þe noyce not a whyle sesed, - & þe fyrst cource in þe court kyndely serued, - 136 [C] Þer hales in at þe halle dor an aghlich mayster, - On þe most on þe molde on mesure hyghe; - Fro þe swyre to þe swange so sware & so þik, - [D] & his lyndes & his lymes so longe & so grete, - 140 Half etayn in erde I hope þat he were. [Fol. 93.] - [E] Bot mon most I algate mynn hym to bene, - & þat þe myriest in his muckel þat my3t ride; - [F] For of bak & of brest al were his bodi sturne, - 144 [G] Bot his wombe & his wast were worthily smale, - & alle his fetures fol3ande, in forme þat he hade, - ful clene; - For wonder of his hwe men hade, - 148 Set in his semblaunt sene; - He ferde as freke were fade, - & ouer-al enker grene. - -[Sidenote A: There was no want of anything.] -[Sidenote B: Scarcely had the first course commenced,] -[Sidenote C: when there rushes in at the hall-door a knight;] -[Sidenote D: the tallest on earth] -[Sidenote E: he must have been.] -[Sidenote F: His back and breast were great,] -[Sidenote G: but his belly and waist were small.] - - VIII. - - [A] Ande al grayþed in grene þis gome & his wedes, - 152 A strayt cote ful stre3t, þat stek on his sides, - A mere mantile abof, mensked with-inne, - With pelure pured apert þe pane ful clene, - With blyþe blaunner ful bry3t, & his hod boþe, - 156 Þat wat3 la3t fro his lokke3, & layde on his schulderes - Heme wel haled, hose of þat same grene, - [B] Þat spenet on his sparlyr, & clene spures vnder, - Of bry3t golde, vpon silk bordes, barred ful ryche - 160 & scholes vnder schankes, þere þe schalk rides; - & alle his vesture uerayly wat3 clene verdure, - Boþe þe barres of his belt & oþer blyþe stones, - Þat were richely rayled in his aray clene, - 164 [C] Aboutte hym-self & his sadel, vpon silk werke3, - Þat were to tor for to telle of tryfles þe halue, - Þat were enbrauded abof, wyth bryddes & fly3es, - With gay gaudi of grene, þe golde ay in myddes; - 168 Þe pendauntes of his payttrure, þe proude cropure - His molaynes, & alle þe metail anamayld was þenne - Þe steropes þat he stod on, stayned of þe same, - & his arsoun3 al after, & his aþel sturtes, - 172 Þat euer glemered[1] & glent al of grene stones. - [D] Þe fole þat he ferkkes on, fyn of þat ilke, - sertayn; - A grene hors gret & þikke, - 176 [E] A stede ful stif to strayne, - In brawden brydel quik, - To þe gome he wat3 ful gayn. [Fol. 93b.] - -[Sidenote A: He was clothed entirely in green.] -[Sidenote B: His spurs were of bright gold.] -[Sidenote C: His saddle was embroidered with birds and flies.] -[Sidenote D: The foal that he rode upon was green;] -[Sidenote E: it was a steed full stiff to guide.] -[Footnote 1: glemed (?).] - - IX. - - [A] Wel gay wat3 þis gome gered in grene, - 180 & þe here of his hed of his hors swete; - Fayre fannand fax vmbe-foldes his schulderes; - [B] A much berd as[1] a busk ouer his brest henges, - Þat wyth his hi3lich here, þat of his hed reches, - 184 Wat3 euesed al vmbe-torne, a-bof his elbowes, - Þat half his armes þer vnder were halched in þe wyse - Of a kynge3 capados, þat closes his swyre. - [C] Þe mane of þat mayn hors much to hit lyke, - 188 Wel cresped & cemmed wyth knottes ful mony, - Folden in wyth fildore aboute þe fayre grene, - Ay a herle of þe here, an oþer of golde; - [D] Þe tayl & his toppyng twynnen of a sute, - 192 & bounden boþe wyth a bande of a bry3t grene, - Dubbed wyth ful dere stone3, as þe dok lasted, - Syþen þrawen wyth a þwong a þwarle knot alofte, - Þer mony belle3 ful bry3t of brende golde rungen. - 196 [E] Such a fole vpon folde, ne freke þat hym rydes, - Wat3 neuer sene in þat sale wyth sy3t er þat tyme, - with y3e; - He loked as layt so ly3t, - 200 So sayd al þat hym sy3e, - [F] Hit semed as no mon my3t, - Vnder his dyntte3 dry3e. - -[Sidenote A: Gaily was the knight attired.] -[Sidenote B: His great beard, like a bush, hung on his breast.] -[Sidenote C: The horse's mane was decked with golden threads.] -[Sidenote D: Its tail was bound with a green band.] -[Sidenote E: Such a foal nor a knight were never before seen.] -[Sidenote F: It seemed that no man might endure his dints.] -[Footnote 1: as as, in MS.] - - X. - - [A] Wheþer hade he no helme ne hawb[e]rgh nauþer, - 204 Ne no pysan, ne no plate þat pented to armes, - Ne no schafte, ne no schelde, to schwne ne to smyte, - [B] Bot in his on honde he hade a holyn bobbe, - Þat is grattest in grene, when greue3 ar bare, - 208 [C] & an ax in his oþer, a hoge & vn-mete, - A spetos sparþe to expoun in spelle quo-so my3t; - Þe hede of an eln3erde þe large lenkþe hade, - Þe grayn al of grene stele & of golde hewen, - 212 [D] Þe bit burnyst bry3t, with a brod egge, - As wel schapen to schere as scharp rasores; - Þe stele of a stif staf þe sturne hit bi-grypte, - Þat wat3 wounden wyth yrn to þe wande3 ende, [Fol. 94.] - 216 [E] & al bigrauen with grene, in gracios[1] werkes; - A lace lapped aboute, þat louked at þe hede, - & so after þe halme halched ful ofte, - Wyth tryed tassele3 þerto tacched in-noghe, - 220 [F] On botoun3 of þe bry3t grene brayden ful ryche. - Þis haþel helde3 hym in, & þe halle entres, - Driuande to þe he3e dece, dut he no woþe, - [G] Haylsed he neuer one, bot he3e he ouer loked. - 224 Þe fyrst word þat he warp, "wher is," he sayd, - [H] "Þe gouernour of þis gyng? gladly I wolde - Se þat segg in sy3t, & with hym self speke - raysoun." - 228 To kny3te3 he kest his y3e, - & reled hym vp & doun, - [I] He stemmed & con studie, - Quo walt þer most renoun. - -[Sidenote A: The knight carried neither spear nor shield,] -[Sidenote B: In one hand was a holly bough,] -[Sidenote C: in the other an axe,] -[Sidenote D: the edge of which was as keen as a sharp razor,] -[Sidenote E: and the handle was encased in iron, curiously "graven with - green, in gracious works."] -[Sidenote F: Thus arrayed the Green Knight enters the hall,] -[Sidenote G: without saluting any one.] -[Sidenote H: He asks for the "governor" of the company,] -[Sidenote I: and looks for the most renowned.] -[Footnote 1: looks like gracons in MS.] - - XI. - - 232 [A] Ther wat3 lokyng on lenþe, þe lude to be-holde, - For vch mon had meruayle quat hit mene my3t, - Þat a haþel & a horse my3t such a hwe lach, - [B] As growe grene as þe gres & grener hit semed, - 236 Þen grene aumayl on golde lowande bry3ter; - Al studied þat þer stod, & stalked hym nerre, - [C] Wyth al þe wonder of þe worlde, what he worch schulde. - For fele sellye3 had þay sen, bot such neuer are, - 240 For-þi for fantoum & fayry3e þe folk þere hit demed; - [D] Þer-fore to answare wat3 ar3e mony aþel freke, - & al stouned at his steuen, & stonstil seten, - [E] In a swoghe sylence þur3 þe sale riche - 244 As al were slypped vpon slepe so slaked hor lote3 - in hy3e; - I deme hit not al for doute, - [F] Bot sum for cortaysye, - 248 Bot let hym þat al schulde loute, - Cast vnto þat wy3e. - -[Sidenote A: Much they marvel to see a man and a horse] -[Sidenote B: as green as grass.] -[Sidenote C: Never before had they seen such a sight as this.] -[Sidenote D: They were afraid to answer,] -[Sidenote E: and were as silent as if sleep had taken possession of them;] -[Sidenote F: some from fear and others from courtesy.] - - XII. - - [A] Þenn Arþour bifore þe hi3 dece þat auenture byholde3, - & rekenly hym reuerenced, for rad was he neuer, - 252 & sayde, "wy3e, welcum iwys to þis place, - [B] Þe hede of þis ostel Arthour I hat, [Fol. 94b.] - Li3t luflych adoun, & lenge, I þe praye, - & quat so þy wylle is, we schal wyt after." - 256 [C] "Nay, as help me," quod þe haþel, "he þat on hy3e syttes, - To wone any quyle in þis won, hit wat3 not myn ernde; - Bot for þe los of þe lede is lyft vp so hy3e, - & þy bur3 & þy burnes best ar holden, - 260 Stifest vnder stel-gere on stedes to ryde, - [D] Þe wy3test & þe worþyest of þe worldes kynde, - Preue for to play wyth in oþer pure layke3; - & here is kydde cortaysye, as I haf herd carp, - 264 & þat hat3 wayned me hider, I-wyis, at þis tyme. - 3e may be seker bi þis braunch þat I bere here, - [E] Þat I passe as in pes, & no ply3t seche; - For had I founded in fere, in fe3tyng wyse, - 268 [F] I haue a hauberghe at home & a helme boþe, - A schelde, & a scharp spere, schinande bry3t, - Ande oþer weppenes to welde, I wene wel als, - Bot for I wolde no were, my wede3 ar softer. - 272 Bot if þou be so bold as alle burne3 tellen, - Þou wyl grant me godly þe gomen þat I ask, - bi ry3t." - [G] Arthour con onsware, - 276 & sayd, "sir cortays kny3t, - If þou craue batayl bare, - Here fayle3 þou not to fy3t." - -[Sidenote A: Arthur salutes the Green Knight.] -[Sidenote B: bids him welcome, and invites him to stay awhile.] -[Sidenote C: The knight says that he will not tarry.] -[Sidenote D: He seeks the most valiant that he may prove him.] -[Sidenote E: He comes in peace.] -[Sidenote F: At home, however, he has both shield and spear.] -[Sidenote G: Arthur assures him that he shall not fail to find an opponent - worthy of him.] - - XIII. - - [A] "Nay, frayst I no fy3t, in fayth I þe telle, - 280 [B] Hit arn aboute on þis bench bot berdle3 chylder; - If I were hasped in armes on a he3e stede, - [C] Here is no mon me to mach, for my3te3 so[1] wayke. - For-þy I craue in þis court a crystmas gomen, - 284 [D] For hit is 3ol & nwe 3er, & here ar 3ep mony; - If any so hardy in þis hous holde3 hym-seluen, - [E] Be so bolde in his blod, brayn in hys hede, - Þat dar stifly strike a strok for an oþer, - 288 I schal gif hym of my gyft þys giserne ryche, - [F] Þis ax, þat is heue in-nogh, to hondele as hym lykes, - & I schal bide þe fyrst bur, as bare as I sitte. [Fol. 95.] - If any freke be so felle to fonde þat I telle, - 292 Lepe ly3tly me to, & lach þis weppen, - I quit clayme hit for euer, kepe hit as his auen, - [G] & I schal stonde hym a strok, stif on þis flet, - Elle3 þou wyl di3t me þe dom to dele hym an oþer, - 296 barlay; - & 3et gif hym respite, - [H] A twelmonyth & a day;-- - Now hy3e, & let se tite - 300 Dar any her-inne o3t say." - -[Sidenote A: "I seek no fight," says the knight.] -[Sidenote B: "'Here are only beardless children.'] -[Sidenote C: Here is no man to match me.] -[Sidenote D: Here are brave ones many,] -[Sidenote E: if any be bold enough to 'strike a stroke for another,'] -[Sidenote F: this axe shall be his;] -[Sidenote G: but I shall give him a 'stroke' in return] -[Sidenote H: within a twelvemonth and a day."] -[Footnote 1: MS. fo.] - - XIV. - - [A] If he hem stowned vpon fyrst, stiller were þanne - Alle þe hered-men in halle, þe hy3 & þe lo3e; - [B] Þe renk on his rounce hym ruched in his sadel, - 304 & runisch-ly his rede y3en he reled aboute, - [C] Bende his bresed bro3e3, bly-cande grene, - [D] Wayued his berde for to wayte quo-so wolde ryse. - When non wolde kepe hym with carp he co3ed ful hy3e, - 308 Ande rimed hym ful richley, & ry3t hym to speke: - [E] "What, is þis Arþures hous," quod þe haþel þenne, - "Þat al þe rous rennes of, þur3 ryalmes so mony? - Where is now your sourquydrye & your conquestes, - 312 Your gry[n]del-layk, & your greme, & your grete wordes? - [F] Now is þe reuel & þe renoun of þe rounde table - Ouer-walt wyth a worde of on wy3es speche; - For al dares for drede, with-oute dynt schewed!" - 316 Wyth þis he la3es so loude, þat þe lorde greued; - [G] Þe blod schot for scham in-to his schyre face - & lere; - [H] He wex as wroth as wynde, - 320 So did alle þat þer were - Þe kyng as kene bi kynde, - Þen stod þat stif mon nere. - -[Sidenote A: Fear kept all silent.] -[Sidenote B: The knight rolled his red eyes about,] -[Sidenote C: and bent his bristly green brows.] -[Sidenote D: Waving his beard awhile, he exclaimed:] -[Sidenote E: "What! is this Arthur's court?] -[Sidenote F: Forsooth the renown of the Round Table is overturned 'with a - word of one man's speech.'"] -[Sidenote G: Arthur blushes for shame.] -[Sidenote H: He waxes as wroth as the wind.] - - XV. - - [A] Ande sayde, "haþel, by heuen þyn askyng is nys, - 324 & as þou foly hat3 frayst, fynde þe be-houes; - I know no gome þat is gast of þy grete wordes. - Gif me now þy geserne, vpon gode3 halue, - & I schal bayþen þy bone, þat þou boden habbes." - 328 Ly3tly lepe3 he hym to, & la3t at his honde; [Fol. 95b.] - Þen feersly þat oþer freke vpon fote ly3tis. - [B] Now hat3 Arthure his axe, & þe halme grype3, - & sturnely sture3 hit aboute, þat stryke wyth hit þo3t. - 332 Þe stif mon hym bifore stod vpon hy3t, - Herre þen ani in þe hous by þe hede & more; - [C] Wyth sturne schere[1] þer he stod, he stroked his berde, - & wyth a countenaunce dry3e he dro3 doun his cote, - 336 No more mate ne dismayd for hys mayn dinte3, - Þen any burne vpon bench hade bro3t hym to drynk - of wyne, - [D] Gawan, þat sate bi þe quene, - 340 To þe kyng he can enclyne, - "I be-seche now with sa3e3 sene, - Þis melly mot be myne." - -[Sidenote A: He assures the knight that no one is afraid of his great - words.] -[Sidenote B: Arthur seizes his axe.] -[Sidenote C: The knight, stroking his beard, awaits the blow, and with a - "dry countenance" draws down his coat.] -[Sidenote D: Sir Gawayne beseeches the king to let him undertake the blow.] -[Footnote 1: chere (?).] - - XVI. - - "Wolde 3e, worþilych lorde," quod Gawan to þe kyng, - 344 [A] "Bid me bo3e fro þis benche, & stonde by yow þere, - Þat I wyth-oute vylanye my3t voyde þis table, - & þat my legge lady lyked not ille, - I wolde com to your counseyl, bifore your cort ryche. - 348 [B] For me þink hit not semly, as hit is soþ knawen, - Þer such an askyng is heuened so hy3e in your sale, - Þa33e 3our-self be talenttyf to take hit to your-seluen, - [C] Whil mony so bolde yow aboute vpon bench sytten, - 352 Þat vnder heuen, I hope, non ha3er er of wylle, - Ne better bodyes on bent, þer baret is rered; - [D] I am þe wakkest, I wot, and of wyt feblest, - & lest lur of my lyf, quo laytes þe soþe, - 356 Bot for as much as 3e ar myn em, I am only to prayse, - No bounte bot your blod I in my bode knowe; - & syþen þis note is so nys, þat no3t hit yow falles, - & I haue frayned hit at yow fyrst, folde3 hit to me, - 360 & if I carp not comlyly, let alle þis cort rych, - bout blame." - [E] Ryche to-geder con roun, - & syþen þay redden alle same, - 364 To ryd þe kyng wyth croun, - & gif Gawan þe game. - -[Sidenote A: He asks permission to leave the table; he says,] -[Sidenote B: it is not meet that Arthur should be active in the matter,] -[Sidenote C: while so many bold ones sit upon bench.] -[Sidenote D: Although the weakest, he is quite ready to meet the Green - Knight.] -[Sidenote E: The nobles entreat Arthur to "give Gawayne the game."] - - XVII. - - Þen comaunded þe kyng þe kny3t for to ryse; [Fol. 96.] - & he ful radly vp ros, & ruchched hym fayre, - 368 [A] Kneled doun bifore þe kyng, & cache3 þat weppen; - & he luflyly hit hym laft, & lyfte vp his honde, - & gef hym godde3 blessyng, & gladly hym biddes - [B] Þat his hert & his honde schulde hardi be boþe. - 372 "Kepe þe cosyn," quod þe kyng, "þat þou on kyrf sette, - & if þou rede3 hym ry3t, redly I trowe, - Þat þou schal byden þe bur þat he schal bede after. - Gawan got3 to þe gome, with giserne in honde, - 376 & he baldly hym byde3, he bayst neuer þe helder - [C] Þen carppe3 to sir Gawan þe kny3t in þe grene, - "Refourme we oure for-wardes, er we fyrre passe. - Fyrst I eþe þe, haþel, how þat þou hattes, - 380 Þat þou me telle truly, as I tryst may?" - [D] "In god fayth," quod þe goode kny3t, "Gawan I hatte, - Þat bede þe þis buffet, quat-so bi-falle3 after, - & at þis tyme twelmonyth take at þe anoþer, - 384 Wyth what weppen so[1] þou wylt, & wyth no wy3 elle3, - on lyue." - Þat oþer on-sware3 agayn, - "Sir Gawan, so mot I þryue, - 388 [E] As I am ferly fayn. - Þis dint þat þou schal dryue." - -[Sidenote A: The king gives his nephew his weapon,] -[Sidenote B: and tells him to keep heart and hand steady.] -[Sidenote C: The Green Knight enquires the name of his opponent.] -[Sidenote D: Sir Gawayne tells him his name, and declares that he is - willing to give and receive a blow.] -[Sidenote E: The other thereof is glad.] -[Footnote 1: MS. fo.] - - XVIII. - - [A] "Bigog," quod þe grene kny3t, "sir Gawan, melykes, - Þat I schal fange at þy fust þat I haf frayst here; - 392 & þou hat3 redily rehersed, bi resoun ful trwe, - Clanly al þe couenaunt þat I þe kynge asked, - Saf þat þou schal siker me, segge, bi þi trawþe, - Þat þou schal seche me þi-self, where-so þou hopes - 396 I may be funde vpon folde, & foch þe such wages - [B] As þou deles me to day, bifore þis douþe ryche." - [C] "Where schulde I wale þe," quod Gauan, "where is þy place? - I wot neuer where þou wonyes, bi hym þat me wro3t, - 400 Ne I know not þe, kny3t, þy cort, ne þi name. - [D] Bot teche me truly þer-to, & telle me howe þou hattes, - & I schal ware alle my wyt to wynne me þeder, - & þat I swere þe for soþe, & by my seker traweþ." [Fol. 96b.] - 404 "Þat is in-nogh in nwe 3er, hit nedes no more," - Quod þe gome in þe grene to Gawan þe hende, - [E] "3if I þe telle trwly, quen I þe tape haue, - & þou me smoþely hat3 smyten, smartly I þe teche - 408 Of my hous, & my home, & myn owen nome, - Þen may þou frayst my fare, & forwarde3 holde, - [F] & if I spende no speche, þenne spede3 þou þe better, - For þou may leng in þy londe, & layt no fyrre, - 412 bot slokes; - [G] Ta now þy grymme tole to þe, - & let se how þou cnoke3." - "Gladly sir, for soþe," - 416 Quod Gawan; his ax he strokes. - -[Sidenote A: "It pleases me well, Sir Gawayne," says the Green Knight, - "that I shall receive a blow from thy fist; but thou must swear that thou - wilt seek me,] -[Sidenote B: to receive the blow in return."] -[Sidenote C: "Where shall I seek thee?" says Sir Gawayne;] -[Sidenote D: "tell me thy name and abode and I will find thee."] -[Sidenote E: "When thou hast smitten me," says the knight, "then tell I - thee of my home and name;] -[Sidenote F: if I speak not at all, so much the better for thee.] -[Sidenote G: Take now thy grim tool, and let us see how thou knockest."] - - XIX. - - [A] The grene kny3t vpon grounde grayþely hym dresses, - A littel lut with þe hede, þe lere he discouere3, - [B] His longe louelych lokke3 he layd ouer his croun. - 420 Let þe naked nec to þe note schewe. - Gauan gripped to his ax, & gederes hit on hy3t, - Þe kay fot on þe folde he be-fore sette, - [C] Let hit doun ly3tly ly3t on þe naked, - 424 Þat þe scharp of þe schalk schyndered þe bones, - [D] & schrank þur3 þe schyire grece, & scade hit in twynne, - Þat þe bit of þe broun stel bot on þe grounde. - [E] Þe fayre hede fro þe halce hit [felle] to þe erþe, - 428 [F] Þat fele hit foyned wyth her fete, þere hit forth roled; - Þe blod brayd fro þe body, þat blykked on þe grene; - [G] & nawþer faltered ne fel þe freke neuer þe helder, - Bot styþly he start forth vpon styf schonkes, - 432 [H] & ru[n]yschly he ra3t out, þere as renkke3 stoden, - La3t to his lufly hed, & lyft hit vp sone; - & syþen bo3e3 to his blonk, þe brydel he cachche3, - [I] Steppe3 in to stel bawe & stryde3 alofte, - 436 [J] & his hede by þe here in his honde halde3; - & as sadly þe segge hym in his sadel sette, - As non vnhap had hym ayled, þa3 hedle3 he[1] we[re], - in stedde; - 440 [K] He brayde his bluk[2] aboute, - Þat vgly bodi þat bledde, [Fol. 97.] - Moni on of hym had doute, - Bi þat his resoun3 were redde. - -[Sidenote A: The Green Knight] -[Sidenote B: puts his long lovely locks aside and lays bare his neck.] -[Sidenote C: Sir Gawayne lets fall his axe] -[Sidenote D: and severs the head from the body.] -[Sidenote E: The head falls to the earth.] -[Sidenote F: Many kick it aside with their feet.] -[Sidenote G: The knight never falters;] -[Sidenote H: he rushes forth, seizes his head,] -[Sidenote I: steps into the saddle,] -[Sidenote J: holding the while the head in his hand by the hair,] -[Sidenote K: and turns his horse about.] -[Footnote 1: MS. ho.] -[Footnote 2: blunk (?).] - - XX. - - 444 For þe hede in his honde he halde3 vp euen, - [A] To-ward þe derrest on þe dece he dresse3 þe face, - & hit lyfte vp þe y3e-lydde3, & loked ful brode, - [B] & meled þus much with his muthe, as 3e may now here. - 448 "Loke, Gawan, þou be grayþe to go as þou hette3, - & layte as lelly til þou me, lude, fynde, - [C] As þou hat3 hette in þis halle, herande þise kny3tes; - [D] To þe grene chapel þou chose, I charge þe to fotte, - 452 Such a dunt as þou hat3 dalt disserued þou habbe3, - [E] To be 3ederly 3olden on nw 3eres morn; - Þe kny3t of þe grene chapel men knowen me mony; - [F] For-þi me forto fynde if þou frayste3, fayle3 þou neuer, - 456 [G] Þer-fore com, oþer recreaunt be calde þe be-houeus." - With a runisch rout þe rayne3 he torne3, - [H] Halled out at þe hal-dor, his hed in his hande, - Þat þe fyr of þe flynt fla3e fro fole houes. - 460 To quat kyth he be-com, knwe non þere, - Neuermore þen þay wyste fram queþen. he wat3 wonnen; - what þenne? - Þe kyng & Gawen þare, - 464 [I] At þat grene þay la3e & grenne, - 3et breued wat3 hit ful bare, - A meruayl among þo menne. - -[Sidenote A: The head lifts up its eyelids,] -[Sidenote B: and addresses Sir Gawayne; "Look thou, be ready to go as thou - hast promised,] -[Sidenote C: and seek till thou findest me.] -[Sidenote D: Get thee to the Green Chapel,] -[Sidenote E: there to receive a blow on New Year's morn.] -[Sidenote F: Fail thou never;] -[Sidenote G: come, or recreant be called."] -[Sidenote H: The Green Knight then rushes out of the hall, his head in his - hand.] -[Sidenote I: At that green one Arthur and Gawayne "laugh and grin."] - - XXI. - - [A] Þa3 Arþer þe hende kyng at hert hade wonder, - 468 He let no semblaunt be sene, bot sayde ful hy3e - To þe comlych quene, wyth cortays speche, - [B] "Dere dame, to day demay yow neuer; - Wel by-commes such craft vpon cristmasse, - 472 Laykyng of enterlude3, to la3e & to syng. - Among þise, kynde caroles of kny3te3 & ladye3; - [C] Neuer-þe-lece to my mete I may me wel dres, - For I haf sen a selly, I may not for-sake." - 476 He glent vpon sir Gawen, & gaynly he sayde, - [D] "Now sir, heng vp þyn ax, þat hat3 in-nogh hewen." - & hit wat3 don abof þe dece, on doser to henge, [Fol. 97b.] - Þer alle men for meruayl my3t on hit loke, - 480 & bi trwe tytel þer-of to telle þe wonder. - [E] Þenne þay bo3ed to a borde þise burnes to-geder, - Þe kyng & þe gode kny3t, & kene men hem serued - Of alle dayntye3 double, as derrest my3t falle, - 484 Wyth alle maner of mete & mynstralcie boþe; - Wyth wele walt þay þat day, til worþed an ende, - in londe. - [F] Now þenk wel, sir Gawan, - 488 For woþe þat þou ne wonde, - Þis auenture forto frayn, - Þat þou hat3 tan on honde. - -[Sidenote A: Arthur addresses the queen:] -[Sidenote B: "Dear dame, be not dismayed; such marvels well become the - Christmas festival;] -[Sidenote C: I may now go to meat.] -[Sidenote D: Sir Gawayne, hang up thine axe.] -[Sidenote E: The king and his knights sit feasting at the board till day is - ended.] -[Sidenote F: Now beware, Sir Gawayne, lest thou fail to seek the adventure - that thou hast taken in hand.] - -[FYTTE THE SECOND.] - - I. - - [A] This hanselle hat3 Arthur of auenturus on fyrst, - 492 In 3onge 3er, for he 3erned 3elpyng to here, - Tha3 hym worde3 were wane, when þay to sete wenten; - Now ar þay stoken of sturne werk staf-ful her hond. - Gawan wat3 glad to be-gynne þose gomne3 in halle, - 496 Bot þa3 þe ende be heuy, haf 3e no wonder; - For þa3 men ben mery in mynde, quen þay han mayn drynk, - [B] A 3ere 3ernes ful 3erne, & 3elde3 neuer lyke, - Þe forme to þe fynisment folde3 ful selden. - 500 For-þi þis 3ol ouer-3ede, & þe 3ere after, - & vche sesoun serlepes sued after oþer; - [C] After crysten-masse com þe crabbed lentoun, - Þat frayste3 flesch wyth þe fysche & fode more symple - 504 Bot þenne þe weder of þe worlde wyth wynter hit þrepe3, - [D] Colde clenge3 adoun, cloude3 vp-lyften, - Schyre schede3 þe rayn in schowre3 ful warme, - Falle3 vpon fayre flat, flowre3 þere schewen, - 508 [E] Boþe grounde3 & þe greue3 grene ar her wede3, - [F] Brydde3 busken to bylde, & bremlych syngen, - [G] For solace of þe softe somer þat sues þer after, - bi bonk; - 512 [H] & blossume3 bolne to blowe, - Bi rawe3 rych & ronk, - [I] Þen note3 noble in-no3e, - Ar herde in wod so wlonk. [Fol. 98] - -[Sidenote A: This marvel serves to keep up a brisk conversation in Court.] -[Sidenote B: The year passes full quickly and never returns.] -[Sidenote C: After Christmas comes the "crabbed Lenten."] -[Sidenote D: Spring sets in and warm showers descend;] -[Sidenote E: the groves become green,] -[Sidenote F: birds build and sing,] -[Sidenote G: for joy of the summer that follows;] -[Sidenote H: blossoms begin to bloom,] -[Sidenote I: and noble notes are heard in the woods] - - II. - - 516 [A] After þe sesoun of somer wyth þe soft wynde3, - Quen 3eferus syfle3 hym-self on sede3 & erbe3, - [B] Wela-wynne is þe wort þat woxes þer-oute. - When þe donkande dewe drope3 of þe leue3, - 520 To bide a blysful blusch of þe bry3t sunne. - [C] Bot þen hy3es heruest, & hardenes hym sone. - Warne3 hym for þe wynter to wax ful rype; - [D] He dryues wyth dro3t þe dust for to ryse. - 524 Fro þe face of þe folde to fly3e ful hy3e; - Wroþe wynde of þe welkyn wrastele3 with þe sunne, - [E] Þe leue3 lancen fro þe lynde, & ly3ten on þe grounde, - [F] & al grayes þe gres, þat grene wat3 ere; - 528 Þenne al rype3 & rote3 þat ros vpon fyrst, - & þus 3irne3 þe 3ere in 3isterdaye3 mony, - [G] & wynter wynde3 a3ayn, as þe worlde aske3 - no sage. - 532 Til me3el-mas mone, - Wat3 cumen wyth wynter wage; - [H] Þen þenkke3 Gawan ful sone, - Of his anious uyage. - -[Sidenote A: Then the soft winds of summer,] -[Sidenote B: beautiful are the flowers wet with dew-drops.] -[Sidenote C: But harvest approaches soon,] -[Sidenote D: and drives the dust about.] -[Sidenote E: The leaves drop off the trees,] -[Sidenote F: the grass becomes gray, and all ripens and rots.] -[Sidenote G: Winter winds round again,] -[Sidenote H: and then Sir Gawayne thinks of his dread journey.] - - III. - - 536 [A] 3et quyl al-hal-day with Arþer he lenges, - & he made a fare on þat fest, for þe freke3 sake, - With much reuel & ryche of þe rounde table; - Kny3te3 ful cortays & comlych ladies, - 540 Al for luf of þat lede in longynge þay were, - Bot neuer-þe-lece ne þe later þay neuened bot merþe, - Mony ioyle3 for þat ientyle iape3 þer maden. - [B] For aftter mete, with mournyng he mele3 to his eme, - 544 & speke3 of his passage, & pertly he sayde, - [C] "Now, lege lorde of my lyf, leue I yow ask; - 3e knowe þe cost of þis cace, kepe I no more - To telle yow tene3 þer-of neuer bot trifel; - 548 [D] Bot I am boun to þe bur barely to morne, - To sech þe gome of þe grene, as god wyl me wysse." - Þenne þe best of þe bur3 bo3ed to-geder, - Aywan, & Errik, & oþer ful mony, - 552 Sir Doddinaual de Sauage, þe duk of Clarence, [Fol. 98b.] - Launcelot, & Lyonel, & Lucan þe gode, - Sir Boos, & sir Byduer, big men boþe, - [E] & mony oþer menskful, with Mador de la Port. - 556 Alle þis compayny of court com þe kyng nerre, - For to counseyl þe kny3t, with care at her hert; - [F] Þere wat3 much derue[1] doel driuen in þe sale, - Þat so worthe as Wawan schulde wende on þat ernde, - 560 To dry3e a delful dynt, & dele no more - wyth bronde. - Þe kny3t mad ay god chere, - & sayde, "quat schuld I wonde, - 564 [G] Of destines derf & dere, - What may mon do bot fonde?" - -[Sidenote A: On All-hallows day Arthur makes a feast for his nephew's - sake.] -[Sidenote B: After meat, Sir Gawayne thus speaks to his uncle:] -[Sidenote C: "Now, liege lord, I ask leave of you,] -[Sidenote D: for I am bound on the morn to seek the Green Knight."] -[Sidenote E: Many nobles, the best of the court, counsel and comfort him.] -[Sidenote F: Much sorrow prevails in the hall.] -[Sidenote G: Gawayne declares that he has nothing to fear.] -[Footnote 1: derne (?).] - - IV. - - [A] He dowelle3 þer al þat day, and dresse3 on þe morn, - Aske3 erly hys arme3, & alle were þay bro3t - 568 [B] Fyrst a tule tapit, ty3t ouer þe flet, - & miche wat3 þe gyld gere þat glent þer alofte; - [C] Þe stif mon steppe3 þeron, & þe stel hondole3, - [D] Dubbed in a dublet of a dere tars, - 572 & syþen a crafty capados, closed aloft, - Þat wyth a bry3t blaunner was bounden with-inne; - [E] Þenne set þay þe sabatoun3 vpon þe segge fote3, - His lege3 lapped in stel with luflych greue3, - 576 With polayne3 piched þer-to, policed ful clene, - Aboute his kne3 knaged wyth knote3 of golde; - [F] Queme quyssewes þen, þat coyntlych closed - His thik þrawen þy3e3 with þwonges to-tachched; - 580 [G] & syþen þe brawden bryne of bry3t stel rynge3, - Vmbe-weued þat wy3, vpon wlonk stuffe; - [H] & wel bornyst brace vpon his boþe armes, - With gode cowters & gay, & gloue3 of plate, - 584 & alle þe godlych gere þat hym gayn schulde - Þat tyde; - [I] Wyth ryche cote armure, - [J] His gold spore3 spend with pryde, - 588 [K] Gurde wyth a bront ful sure, - With silk sayn vmbe his syde. - -[Sidenote A: On the morn he asks for his arms.] -[Sidenote B: A carpet is spread on the floor,] -[Sidenote C: and he steps thereon.] -[Sidenote D: He is dubbed in a doublet of Tarsic silk, and a well-made - hood.] -[Sidenote E: They set steel slices on his feet, and lap his legs in steel - greaves.] -[Sidenote F: Fair cuisses enclose his thighs,] -[Sidenote G: and afterwards they put on the steel habergeon,] -[Sidenote H: well-burnished braces, elbow pieces, and gloves of plate.] -[Sidenote I: Over all this is placed the coat armour.] -[Sidenote J: His spurs are then fixed,] -[Sidenote K: and his sword is attached to his side by a silken girdle.] - - V. - - [A] When he wat3 hasped in armes, his harnays wat3 ryche, [Fol. 99a.] - Þe lest lachet ou[þ]er loupe lemed of golde; - 592 So harnayst as he wat3 he herkne3 his masse, - Offred & honoured at þe he3e auter; - [B] Syþen he come3 to þe kyng & to his cort fere3, - Lache3 lufly his leue at lorde3 & ladye3; - 596 & þay hym kyst & conueyed, bikende hym to kryst. - [C] Bi þat wat3 Gryngolet grayth, & gurde with a sadel, - Þat glemed ful gayly with mony golde frenges, - Ay quere naylet ful nwe for þat note ryched; - 600 Þe brydel barred aboute, with bry3t golde bounden; - [D] Þe apparayl of þe payttrure, & of þe proude skyrte3, - Þe cropore, & þe couertor, acorded wyth þe arsoune3; - & al wat3 rayled on red ryche golde nayle3, - 604 Þat al glytered & glent as glem of þe sunne. - [E] Þenne hentes he þe holme, & hastily hit kysses, - Þat wat3 stapled stifly, & stoffed wyth-inne: - Hit wat3 hy3e on his hede, hasped bihynde, - 608 [F] Wyth a ly3tli vrysoun ouer þe auentayle, - [G] Enbrawden & bounden wyth þe best gemme3, - On brode sylkyn borde, & brydde3 on seme3, - As papiaye3 paynted pernyng bitwene, - 612 Tortors & trulofe3 entayled so þyk, - As mony burde þer aboute had ben seuen wynter - in toune; - [H] Þe cercle wat3 more o prys, - 616 Þat vmbe-clypped hys croun, - Of diamaunte3 a deuys, - Þat boþe were bry3t & broun. - -[Sidenote A: Thus arrayed the knight hears mass,] -[Sidenote B: and afterwards takes leave of Arthur and his court.] -[Sidenote C: By that time his horse Gringolet was ready,] -[Sidenote D: the harness of which glittered like the "gleam of the sun."] -[Sidenote E: Then Sir Gawayne sets his helmet upon his head,] -[Sidenote F: fastened behind with a "urisoun,"] -[Sidenote G: richly embroidered with gems.] -[Sidenote H: The circle around the helmet was decked with diamonds.] - - VI. - - [A] Then þay schewed hym þe schelde, þat was of schyr goule3, - 620 Wyth þe pentangel de-paynt of pure golde hwe3; - He brayde3 hit by þe baude-ryk, aboute þe hals kestes, - Þat bisemed þe segge semlyly fayre. - [B] & quy þe pentangel apende3 to þat prynce noble, - 624 I am in tent yow to telle, þof tary hyt me schulde; - Hit is a syngne þat Salamon set sum-quyle, - In bytoknyng of trawþe, bi tytle þat hit habbe3, - For hit is a figure þat halde3 fyue poynte3, [Fol. 99b] - 628 & vche lyne vmbe-lappe3 & louke3 in oþer, - [C] & ay quere hit is endele3,[1] & Englych hit callen - Ouer-al, as I here, þe endeles knot. - For-þy hit acorde3 to þis kny3t, & to his cler arme3, - 632 For ay faythful in fyue & sere fyue syþe3, - [D] Gawan wat3 for gode knawen, & as golde pured, - Voyded of vche vylany, wyth vertue3[2] ennourned - in mote; - 636 For-þy þe pen-tangel nwe - He ber in schelde & cote, - [E] As tulk of tale most trwe, - & gentylest kny3t of lote. - -[Sidenote A: Then they show him his shield with the "pentangle" of pure - gold.] -[Sidenote B: The "pentangle" was devised by Solomon as a token of truth.] -[Sidenote C: It is called the endless knot] -[Sidenote D: It well becomes the good Sir Gawayne,] -[Sidenote E: a knight the truest of speech and the fairest of form.] -[Footnote 1: MS emdele3.] -[Footnote 2: MS verertue3] - - VII. - - 640 [A] Fyrst he wat3 funden fautle3 in his fyue wytte3, - & efte fayled neuer þe freke in his fyue fyngres, - [B] & alle his afyaunce vpon folde wat3 in þe fyue wounde3 - Þat Cryst ka3t on þe croys, as þe crede telle3; - 644 & quere-so-euer þys mon in melly wat3 stad, - His þro þo3t wat3 in þat, þur3 alle oþer þynge3, - Þat alle his forsnes he fong at þe fyue ioye3, - Þat þe hende heuen quene had of hir chylde; - 648 At þis cause þe kny3t comlyche hade - [C] In þe more half of his schelde hir ymage depaynted, - Þat quen he blusched þerto, his belde neuer payred. - Þe fyrst[1] fyue þat I finde þat þe frek vsed, - 652 Wat3 fraunchyse, & fela3schyp for-be[2] al þyng; - [D] His clannes & his cortaysye croked were neuer, - & pite, þat passe3 alle poynte3, þyse pure fyue - Were harder happed on þat haþel þen on any oþer. - 656 Now alle þese fyue syþe3, forsoþe, were fetled on þis kny3t, - & vchone halched in oþer, þat non ende hade, - & fyched vpon fyue poynte3, þat fayld neuer, - Ne samned neuer in no syde, ne sundred nouþ[er], - 660 With-outen ende at any noke [a]i quere fynde, - Where-euer þe gomen bygan, or glod to an ende. - [E] Þer-fore on his schene schelde schapen wat3 þe knot, - Þus alle wyth red golde vpon rede gowle3, - 664 Þat is þe pure pentaungel wyth þe peple called, [Fol. 100] - with lore. - Now grayþed is Gawan gay, - [F] & la3t his launce ry3t þore, - 668 & gef hem alle goud day, - He wende for euer more. - -[Sidenote A: He was found faultless in his five wits.] -[Sidenote B: His trust was in the five wounds.] -[Sidenote C: The image of the Virgin was depicted upon his shield.] -[Sidenote D: In cleanness and courtesy he was never found wanting,] -[Sidenote E: therefore was the endless knot fastened on his shield.] -[Sidenote F: Sir Gawayne seizes his lance and bids all "good day."] -[Footnote 1: MS fyft.] -[Footnote 2: for-bi (?).] - - VIII. - - [A] He sperred þe sted with þe spure3, & sprong on his way, - So stif þat þe ston fyr stroke out þer-after; - 672 [B] Al þat se3 þat semly syked in hert, - & sayde soþly al same segges til oþer, - Carande for þat comly, "bi Kryst, hit is scaþe, - Þat þou, leude, schal be lost, þat art of lyf noble! - 676 [C] To fynde hys fere vpon folde, in fayth is not eþe; - Warloker to haf wro3t had more wyt bene, - & haf dy3t 3onder dere a duk to haue worþed; - [D] A lowande leder of lede3 in londe hym wel seme3, - 680 & so had better haf ben þen britned to no3t, - [E] Hadet wyth an aluisch mon, for angarde3 pryde. - Who knew euer any kyng such counsel to take, - As kny3te3 in caueloun3 on cryst-masse gomne3!" - 684 [F] Wel much wat3 þe warme water þat waltered of y3en, - When þat semly syre so3t fro þo wone3 - þat[1] daye; - He made non abode, - 688 Bot wy3tly went hys way, - [G] Mony wylsum way he rode, - Þe bok as I herde say. - -[Sidenote A: He spurs his horse and goes on his way.] -[Sidenote B: All that saw that seemly one mourned in their hearts.] -[Sidenote C: They declared that his equal was not to be found upon earth.] -[Sidenote D: It would have been better for him to have been a leader of - men,] -[Sidenote E: than to die by the hands of "an elvish man."] -[Sidenote F: Much was the warm water that poured from eyes that day.] -[Sidenote G: Meanwhile many a weary way goes Sir Gawayne.] -[Footnote 1: MS. þad.] - - IX. - - [A] Now ride3 þis renk þur3 þe ryalme of Logres, - 692 Sir Gauan on Gode3 halue, þa3 hym no gomen þo3t; - Oft, leudle3 alone, he lenge3 on ny3te3, - Þer he fonde no3t hym byfore þe fare þat he lyked; - [B] Hade he no fere bot his fole, bi frythe3 & doune3, - 696 Ne no gome bot God, bi gate wyth to karp, - [C] Til þat he ne3ed ful noghe[1] in to þe Norþe Wale3; - Alle þe iles of Anglesay on lyft half he halde3, - & fare3 ouer þe forde3 by þe for-londe3, - 700 [D] Ouer at þe Holy-Hede, til he hade eft bonk - In þe wyldrenesse of Wyrale; wonde þer bot lyte - [E] Þat auþer God oþer gome wyth goud hert louied. [Fol. 100b] - & ay he frayned, as he ferde, at freke3 þat he met, - 704 [F] If þay hade herde any karp of a kny3t grene, - In any grounde þer-aboute, of þe grene chapel;[2] - & al nykked hym wyth nay, þat neuer in her lyue - [G] Þay se3e neuer no segge þat wat3 of suche hwe3 - 708 of grene. - Þe kny3t tok gates straunge, - In mony a bonk vnbene, - [H] His cher ful oft con chaunge, - 712 Þat chapel er he my3t sene. - -[Sidenote A: Now rides the knight through the realms of England.] -[Sidenote B: He has no companion but his horse.] -[Sidenote C: No men does he see till he approaches North Wales.] -[Sidenote D: From Holyhead he passes into Wirral.] -[Sidenote E: There he finds but few that loved God or man.] -[Sidenote F: He enquires after the Green Knight of the Green Chapel,] -[Sidenote G: but can gain no tidings of him.] -[Sidenote H: His cheer oft changed before he found the Chapel.] -[Footnote 1: nyghe (?).] -[Footnote 2: MS. clapel.] - - X. - - [A] Mony klyf he ouer-clambe in contraye3 straunge, - Fer floten fro his frende3 fremedly he ryde3; - [B] At vche warþe oþer water þer þe wy3e passed, - 716 He fonde a foo hym byfore, bot ferly hit were, - & þat so foule & so felle, þat fe3t hym by-hode; - [C] So mony meruayl hi mount þer þe mon fynde3, - Hit were to tore for to telle of þe tenþe dole. - 720 [D] Sumwhyle wyth worme3 he werre3, & with wolues als, - Sumwhyle wyth wodwos, þat woned in þe knarre3, - [E] Boþe wyth bulle3 & bere3, & bore3 oþer-quyle, - & etayne3, þat hym a-nelede, of þe he3e felle; - 724 [F] Nade he ben du3ty & dry3e, & dry3tyn had serued, - Douteles he hade ben ded, & dreped ful ofte. - [G] For werre wrathed hym not so much, þat wynter was wors, - When þe colde cler water fro þe cloude3 schadden, - 728 & fres er hit falle my3t to þe fale erþe; - Ner slayn wyth þe slete he sleped in his yrnes, - Mo ny3te3 þen in-noghe in naked rokke3, - Þer as claterande fro þe crest þe colde borne renne3, - 732 & henged he3e ouer his hede in hard ysse-ikkles. - [H] Þus in peryl, & payne, & plytes ful harde, - Bi contray carye3 þis kny3t, tyl kryst-masse euen, - al one; - 736 Þe kny3t wel þat tyde, - [I] To Mary made his mone. - Þat ho hym red to ryde, - & wysse hym to sum wone. [Fol. 101.] - -[Sidenote A: Many a cliff he climbed over;] -[Sidenote B: many a ford and stream he crossed, and everywhere he found a - foe.] -[Sidenote C: It were too tedious to tell the tenth part of his adventures] -[Sidenote D: with serpents, wolves, and wild men;] -[Sidenote E: with bulls, bears, and boars.] -[Sidenote F: Had he not been both brave and good, doubtless he had been - dead.] -[Sidenote G: The sharp winter was far worse than any war that ever troubled - him.] -[Sidenote H: Thus in peril he travels till Christmas-eve.] -[Sidenote I: To the Virgin Mary he prays to guide him to some abode.] - - XI. - - 740 [A] Bi a mounte on þe morne meryly he rydes, - Into a forest ful dep, þat ferly wat3 wylde, - Hi3e hille3 on vche a halue, & holt wode3 vnder, - [B] Of hore oke3 fill hoge a hundreth to-geder; - 744 Þe hasel & þe ha3-þorne were harled al samen, - With ro3e raged mosse rayled ay-where, - [C] With mony brydde3 vnblyþe vpon bare twyges, - Þat pitosly þer piped for pyne of þe colde. - 748 Þe gome vpon Gryngolet glyde3 hem vnder, - [D] Þur3 mony misy & myre, mon al hym one, - Carande for his costes, lest he ne keuer schulde, - To se þe seruy[1] of þat syre, þat on þat self ny3t - 752 Of a burde wat3 borne, oure baret to quelle; - [E] & þerfore sykyng he sayde, "I be-seche þe, lorde, - & Mary, þat is myldest moder so dere. - Of sum herber, þer he3ly I my3t here masse. - 756 Ande þy matyne3 to-morne, mekely I ask, - & þer-to prestly I pray my pater & aue, - & crede." - He rode in his prayere, - 760 & cryed for his mysdede, - [F] He sayned hym in syþes sere, - & sayde "cros Kryst me spede!" - -[Sidenote A: On the morn Sir Gawayne finds himself in a deep forest,] -[Sidenote B: where were old oaks many a hundred.] -[Sidenote C: Many sad birds upon bare twigs piped piteously for the cold.] -[Sidenote D: Through many a mire he goes, that he may celebrate the birth - of Christ.] -[Sidenote E: He beseeches the Virgin Mary to direct him to some lodging - where he may hear mass.] -[Sidenote F: Blessing himself, he says, "Cross of Christ, speed me!"] -[Footnote 1: seruyce (?).] - - XII. - - [A] Nade he sayned hym-self, segge, bot þrye, - 764 Er he wat3 war in þe wod of a won in a mote. - [B] Abof a launde, on a lawe, loken vnder bo3e3, - Of mony borelych bole, aboute bi þe diches; - [C] A castel þe comlokest þat euer kny3t a3te, - 768 Pyched on a prayere, a park al aboute, - With a pyked palays, pyned ful þik, - Þat vmbe-te3e mony tre mo þen two myle. - Þat holde on þat on syde þe haþel auysed, - 772 [D] As hit schemered & schon þur3 þe schyre oke3; - Þenne hat3 he hendly of his helme, & he3ly he þonke3 - Iesus & say[nt] Gilyan, þat gentyle ar boþe, - Þat cortaysly hade hym kydde, & his cry herkened. [Fol. 101b.] - 776 "Now bone hostel," coþe þe burne, "I be-seche yow 3ette!" - Þenne gedere3 he to Gryngolet with þe gilt hele3, - [E] & he ful chauncely hat3 chosen to þe chef gate, - Þat bro3t bremly þe burne to þe bryge ende, - 780 in haste; - [F] Þe bryge wat3 breme vp-brayde, - Þe 3ate3 wer stoken faste, - Þe walle3 were wel arayed, - 784 Hit dut no wynde3 blaste. - -[Sidenote A: Scarcely had he blessed himself thrice] -[Sidenote B: when he saw a dwelling in the wood, set on a hill,] -[Sidenote C: the comeliest castle that knight ever owned.] -[Sidenote D: It shone as the sun through the bright oaks.] -[Sidenote E: Sir Gawayne goes to the chief gate,] -[Sidenote F: and finds the draw-bridge raised, and the gates shut fast.] - - XIII. - - [A] Þe burne bode on bonk, þat on blonk houed, - Of þe depe double dich þat drof to þe place, - Þe walle wod in þe water wonderly depe, - 788 [B] Ande eft a ful huge he3t hit haled vpon lofte, - Of harde hewen ston vp to þe table3, - [C] Enbaned vnder þe abataylment, in þe best lawe; - & syþen garyte3 ful gaye gered bi-twene, - 792 Wyth mony luflych loupe, þat louked ful clene; - A better barbican þat burne blusched vpon neuer; - & innermore he be-helde þat halle ful hy3e, - [D] Towre telded bytwene trochet ful þik, - 796 Fayre fylyole3 þat fy3ed, & ferlyly long, - [E] With coruon coprounes, craftyly sle3e; - Chalk whyt chymnees þer ches he in-no3e, - Vpon bastel roue3, þat blenked ful quyte; - 800 So mony pynakle payntet wat3 poudred ay quere, - Among þe castel carnele3, clambred so þik, - Þat pared out of papure purely hit semed. - [F] Þe fre freke on þe fole hit fayr in-n[o]ghe þo3t, - 804 If he my3t keuer to com þe cloyster wyth-inne, - To herber in þat hostel, whyl halyday lested - auinant; - [G] He calde, & sone þer com - 808 A porter pure plesaunt, - On þe wal his ernd he nome, - & haylsed þe kny3t erraunt. - -[Sidenote A: The knight abides on the bank,] -[Sidenote B: and observes the "huge height,"] -[Sidenote C: with its battlements and watch towers.] -[Sidenote D: Bright and long were its round towers,] -[Sidenote E: with their well-made capitals.] -[Sidenote F: He thinks it fair enough if he might only come within the - cloister.] -[Sidenote G: He calls, and soon there comes a porter to know the knight's - errand.] - - XIV. - - [A] "Gode sir," quod Gawan, "wolde3 þou go myn ernde, - 812 To þe he3 lorde of þis hous, herber to craue?" - "3e, Peter," quod þe porter, "& purely I trowe,[1] [Fol. 102.] - [B] Þat 3e be, wy3e, welcum to won quyle yow lyke3." - Þen 3ede þat wy3e a3ayn awyþe, - 816 & folke frely hym wyth, to fonge þe kny3t; - [C] Þay let doun þe grete dra3t, & derely out 3eden, - & kneled doun on her knes vpon þe colde erþe, - To welcum þis ilk wy3, as worþy hom þo3t; - 820 [D] Þay 3olden hym þe brode 3ate, 3arked vp wyde, - & he hem raysed rekenly, & rod ouer þe brygge; - Sere segge3 hym sesed by sadel, quel[2] he ly3t, - [E] & syþen stabeled his stede stif men in-no3e. - 824 [F] Kny3te3 & swyere3 comen doun þenne, - For to bryng þis burne[3] wyth blys in-to halle; - [G] Quen he hef vp his helme, þer hi3ed in-noghe - For to hent hit at his honde, þe hende to seruen, - 828 His bronde & his blasoun boþe þay token. - Þen haylsed he ful hendly þo haþele3 vch one, - & mony proud mon þer presed, þat prynce to honour; - Alle hasped in his he3 wede to halle þay hym wonnen, - 832 Þer fayre fyre vpon flet fersly brenned. - [H] Þenne þe lorde of þe lede loute3 fro his chambre, - For to mete wyth menske þe mon on þe flor; - He sayde, "3e ar welcum to welde as yow lyke3, - 836 Þat here is, al is yowre awen, to haue at yowre wylle - & welde." - "Graunt mercy," quod Gawayn, - "Þer Kryst hit yow for-3elde," - 840 [I] As freke3 þat semed fayn, - Ayþer oþer in arme3 con felde. - -[Sidenote A: "Good sir," says Gawayne, "ask the high lord of this house to - grant me a lodging."] -[Sidenote B: "You are welcome to dwell here as long as you like," replied - the porter.] -[Sidenote C: The draw-bridge is let down,] -[Sidenote D: and the gate is opened wide to receive him.] -[Sidenote E: His horse is well stabled.] -[Sidenote F: Knights and squires bring Gawayne into the hall.] -[Sidenote G: Many a one hastens to take his helmet and sword.] -[Sidenote H: The lord of the country bids him welcome,] -[Sidenote I: and they embrace each other.] -[Footnote 1: trowoe, MS.] -[Footnote 2: quyle (?) or quen (?).] -[Footnote 3: buurne, MS.] - - XV. - - [A] Gawayn gly3t on þe gome þat godly hym gret, - [B] & þu3t hit a bolde burne þat þe bur3 a3te, - 844 A hoge haþel for þe none3, & of hyghe elde;[1] - [C] Brode bry3t wat3 his berde, & al beuer hwed, - Sturne stif on þe stryþþe on stal-worth schonke3, - [D] Felle face as þe fyre, & fre of hys speche; - 848 & wel hym semed for soþe, as þe segge þu3t, - To lede a lortschyp in lee of leude3 ful gode. - [E] Þe lorde hym charred to a chambre, & chefly cumaunde3[2] [Fol.] - To delyuer hym a leude, hym lo3ly to serue; [102b.] - 852 & þere were boun at his bode burne3 in-no3e, - [F] Þat bro3t hym to a bry3t boure, þer beddyng wat3 noble, - Of cortynes of clene sylk, wyth cler golde hemme3, - [G] & couertore3 ful curious, with comlych pane3, - 856 Of bry3t blaunnier a-boue enbrawded bisyde3, - Rudele3 rennande on rope3, red golde rynge3, - [H] Tapyte3 ty3t to þe wo3e, of tuly & tars, - & vnder fete, on þe flet, of fol3ande sute. - 860 [I] Þer he wat3 dispoyled, wyth speche3 of myerþe, - Þe burn of his bruny, & of his bry3t wede3; - [J] Ryche robes ful rad renkke3 hem[3] bro3ten, - For to charge, & to chaunge, & chose of þe best. - 864 Sone as he on hent, & happed þer-inne, - Þat sete on hym[4] semly, wyth saylande skyrte3, - [K] Þe ver by his uisage verayly hit semed - Wel ne3 to vche haþel alle on hwes, - 868 Lowande & lufly, alle his lymme3 vnder, - [L] Þat a comloker kny3t neuer Kryst made, - hem þo3t; - Wheþen in worlde he were, - 872 Hit semed as he my3t - Be prynce with-outen pere, - In felde þer felle men fy3t. - -[Sidenote A: Gawayne looks on his host;] -[Sidenote B: a big bold one he seemed.] -[Sidenote C: Beaver-hued was his broad beard,] -[Sidenote D: and his face as "fell as the fire."] -[Sidenote E: The lord leads Gawayne to a chamber, and assigns him a page to - wait upon him.] -[Sidenote F: In this bright bower was noble bedding;] -[Sidenote G: the curtains were of pure silk with golden hems;] -[Sidenote H: Tarsic tapestries covered the walls and the floor.] -[Sidenote I: Here the knight doffed his armour,] -[Sidenote J: and put on rich robes,] -[Sidenote K: which well became him.] -[Sidenote L: A more comely knight Christ never made.] -[Footnote 1: eldee, MS.] -[Footnote 2: clesly, MS.] -[Footnote 3: hym (?).] -[Footnote 4: MS. hyn.] - - XVI. - - [A] A cheyer by-fore þe chemne, þer charcole brenned, - 876 Wat3 grayþed for sir Gawan, grayþely with cloþe3, - Whyssynes vpon queldepoyntes, þa[t] koynt wer boþe; - [B] & þenne a mere mantyle wat3 on þat mon cast, - Of a broun bleeaunt, enbrauded ful ryche, - 880 & fayre furred wyth-inne with felle3 of þe best, - Alle of ermyn in erde, his hode of þe same; - & he sete in þat settel semlych ryche, - & achaufed hym chefly,[1] & þenne his cher mended. - 884 [C] Sone wat3 telded vp a tapit, on treste3 ful fayre, - [D] Clad wyth a clene cloþe, þat cler quyt schewed, - Sanap, & salure, & syluer-in spone3; - Þe wy3e wesche at his wylle, & went to his mete [Fol. 103.] - 888 Segge3 hym serued semly in-no3e, - [E] Wyth sere sewes & sete,[2] sesounde of þe best, - Double felde, as hit falle3, & fele kyn fische3; - [F] Summe baken in bred, summe brad on þe glede3, - 892 [G] Summe soþen, summe in sewe, sauered with spyces, - & ay sawes[3] so sle3e3, þat þe segge lyked. - Þe freke calde hit a fest ful frely & ofte, - [H] Ful hendely, quen alle þe haþeles re-hayted hym at one3 - 896 as hende; - "Þis penaunce now 3e take, - & eft hit schal amende;" - [I] Þat mon much merþe con make. - 900 For wyn in his hed þat wende. - -[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] Þenne wat3 spyed & spured vpon spare wyse. - Bi preue poynte3 of þat prynce, put to hym-seluen, - Þat he be-knew cortaysly of þe court þat he were, - 904 [B] Þat aþel Arthure þe hende halde3 hym one, - Þat is þe ryche ryal kyng of þe rounde table; - & hit wat3 Wawen hym-self þat in þat won sytte3, - Comen to þat krystmasse, as case hym þen lymped. - 908 [C] When þe lorde hade lerned þat he þe leude hade, - Loude la3ed he þerat, so lef hit hym þo3t, - [D] & alle þe men in þat mote maden much joye, - To apere in his presense prestly þat tyme, - 912 Þat alle prys, & prowes, & pured þewes - Apendes to hys persoun, & praysed is euer, - By-fore alle men vpon molde, his mensk is þe most. - [E] Vch segge ful softly sayde to his fere, - 916 [F] "Now schal we semlych se sle3te3 of þewe3, - & þe teccheles termes of talkyng noble, - Wich spede is in speche, vnspurd may we lerne, - [G] Syn we haf fonged þat fyne fader of nurture; - 920 God hat3 geuen vus his grace godly for soþe, - Þat such a gest as Gawan graunte3 vus to haue, - When burne3 blyþe of his burþe schal sitte - & synge. - 924 In menyng of manere3 mere, - Þis burne now schal vus bryng, [Fol. 103b.] - [H] I hope þat 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 þat þe diner wat3 done, & þe dere vp, - Hit wat3 ne3 at þe niy3t ne3ed þe tyme; - Chaplayne3[1] to þe chapeles chosen þe gate, - Rungen ful rychely, ry3t as þay schulden, - 932 [B] To þe hersum euensong of þe hy3e tyde. - Þe lorde loutes þerto, & þe lady als, - In-to a comly closet coyntly ho entre3; - Gawan glyde3 ful gay, & gos þeder sone; - 936 Þe lorde laches hym by þe lappe, & lede3 hym to sytte, - & couþly hym knowe3, & calle3 hym his nome, - & sayde he wat3 þe welcomest wy3e of þe worlde; - [C] & he hym þonkked þroly, & ayþer halched oþer. - 940 & seten soberly samen þe seruise-quyle; - Þenne lyst þe lady to loke on þe kny3t. - [D] Þenne com ho of hir closet, with mony cler burde3, - Ho wat3 þe fayrest in felle, of flesche & of lyre, - 944 & of compas, & colour, & costes of alle oþer, - [E] & wener þen Wenore, as þe wy3e þo3t. - He ches þur3 þe chaunsel, to cheryche þat hende; - [F] An oþer lady hir lad bi þe lyft honde, - 948 Þat wat3 alder þen ho, an auncian hit semed, - & he3ly honowred with haþele3 aboute. - [G] Bot yn-lyke on to loke þo ladyes were, - [H] For if þe 3onge wat3 3ep, 3ol3e wat3 þat oþer; - 952 Riche red on þat on rayled ay quere, - [I] Rugh ronkled cheke3 þat oþer on rolled; - Kerchofes of þat on wyth mony cler perle3 - [J] Hir brest & hir bry3t þrote bare displayed, - 956 Schon schyrer þen snawe, þat scheder[2] on hille3; - Þat oþer wyth a gorger wat3 gered ouer þe 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] Þat no3t wat3 bare of þat burde bot þe blake bro3es. [Fol. 104.] - Þe tweyne y3en, & þe nase, þe naked lyppe3, - & þose were soure to se, & sellyly blered; - 964 A mensk lady on molde mon may hir calle, - for gode; - [M] Hir body wat3 schort & þik. - [N] Hir buttoke3 bay & brode, - 968 More lykker-wys on to lyk, - Wat3 þat 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 þat gay, þat graciously loked, - Wyth leue la3t of þe lorde he went hem a3aynes; - 972 [B] Þe alder he haylses, heldande ful lowe, - Þe loueloker he lappe3 a lyttel in arme3, - [C] He kysses hir comlyly, & kny3tly he mele3; - Þay kallen hym of a quoyntaunce, & he hit quyk aske3 - 976 [D] To be her seruaunt sothly, if hem-self lyked. - Þay tan hym bytwene hem, wyth talkyng hym leden - [E] To chambre, to chemne, & chefly þay asken - [F] Spyce3, þat vn-sparely men speded hom to bryng, - 980 & þe wynne-lych wyne þer-with vche tyme. - Þe lorde luflych aloft lepe3 ful ofte, - Mynned merthe to be made vpon mony syþe3. - [G] Hent he3ly of his hode, & on a spere henged, - 984 & wayned hom to wynne þe worchip þer-of, - [H] Þat most myrþe my3t mene[1] þat crystenmas whyle; - "& i schal fonde, bi my fayth, to fylter wyth þe best, - Er me wont þe wede3, with help of my frende3." - 988 Þus wyth la3ande lote3 þe lorde hit tayt[2] make3, - [I] For to glade sir Gawayn with gomne3 in halle - þat ny3t; - Til þat hit wat3 tyme, - 992 Þe 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 þe morne, as vch mon myne3 þat tyme, - 996 [B] [Þ]at dry3tyn for oure destyne to de3e wat3 borne, - Wele waxe3 in vche a won in worlde, for his sake; - [C] So did hit þere on þat day, þur3 dayntes mony; - Boþe at mes & at mele, messes ful quaynt [Fol. 104b.] -1000 Derf men vpon dece drest of þe best. - [D] Þe olde auncian wyf he3est ho sytte3; - Þe lorde lufly her by lent, as I trowe; - [E] Gawan & þe gay burde to-geder þay seten, -1004 Euen in-mydde3, as þe messe metely come; - & syþen þur3 al þe sale, as hem best semed, - [F] Bi vche grome at his degre grayþely wat3 serued. - Þer wat3 mete, þer wat3 myrþe, þer wat3 much ioye, -1008 Þat for to telle þerof hit me tene were, - & to poynte hit 3et I pyned me parauenture; - [G] Bot 3et I wot þat Wawen & þe wale burde - Such comfort of her compaynye ca3ten to-geder, -1012 Þur3 her dere dalyaunce of her derne worde3, - Wyth clene cortays carp, closed fro fylþe; - & hor play wat3 passande vche prynce gomen, - in vayres; -1016 [H] Trumpe3 & nakerys, - Much pypyng þer repayres, - Vche mon tented hys, - & þay two tented þayres. - -[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 þer dryuen þat day & þat oþer, - & þe þryd as þro þronge in þerafter; - [B] Þe ioye of sayn Ione3 day wat3 gentyle to here, - & wat3 þe last of þe layk, leude3 þer þo3ten. -1024 Þer wer gestes to go vpon þe gray morne, - For-þy wonderly þay woke, & þe wyn dronken, - Daunsed ful dre3ly wyth dere carole3; - [C] At þe last, when hit wat3 late, þay lachen her leue, -1028 Vchon to wende on his way, þat wat3 wy3e stronge. - Gawan gef hym god-day, þe god mon hym lachche3, - Ledes hym to his awen chambre, þ[e] chymne bysyde, - [D] & þere he dra3e3 hym on-dry3e, & derely hym þonkke3, -1032 Of þe wynne worschip &[1] he hym wayned hade, - As to honour his hous on þat hy3e tyde, - & enbelyse his bur3 with his bele chere. - "I-wysse sir, quyl I leue, me worþe3 þe better, -1036 Þat Gawayn hat3 ben my gest, at Godde3 awen fest." [Fol. 105.] - "Grant merci[2] sir," quod Gawayn, "in god fayth hit is yowre3, - Al þe honour is your awen, þe he3e kyng yow 3elde; - & I am wy3e at your wylle, to worch youre hest, -1040 As I am halden þer-to, in hy3e & in lo3e, - bi ri3t." - [E] Þe lorde fast can hym payne, - To holde lenger þe kny3t, -1044 To hym answre3 Gawayn, - Bi non way þat 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: þat (?).] -[Footnote 2: nerci, in MS.] - - XXII. - - [A] Then frayned þe freke ful fayre at him-seluen, - Quat derne[1] dede had hym dryuen, at þat dere tyme, -1048 So kenly fro þe kynge3 kourt to kayre al his one, - Er þe halidaye3 holly were halet out of toun? - [B] "For soþe sir," quod þe segge, "3e sayn bot þe trawþe - A he3e ernde & a hasty me hade fro þo 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 þe londe in-wyth Logres, so me oure lorde help! -1056 For-þy, sir, þis enquest I require yow here, - [C] Þat 3e me telle with trawþe, if euer 3e tale herde - Of þe grene chapel, quere hit on grounde stonde3, - & of þe kny3t þat hit kepes, of colour of grene? -1060 Þer wat3 stabled bi statut a steuen vus by-twene, - [D] To mete þat mon at þat mere, 3if I my3t last; - & of þat ilk nw3ere hot neked now wonte3, - & I wolde loke on þat lede, if God me let wolde, -1064 Gladloker, bi Godde3 sun, þen any god welde! - For-þi, I-wysse, bi 3owre wylle, wende me bi-houes, - [E] Naf I now to busy bot bare þre daye3, - & me als fayn to falle feye as fayly of myyn ernde." -1068 [F] Þenne la3ande quod þe lorde, "now leng þe by-houes, - For I schal teche yow to þa[t] terme bi þe tyme3 ende, - Þe grene chapayle vpon grounde, greue yow no more; - Bot 3e schal be in yowre bed, burne, at þyn ese, -1072 Quyle forth dayej, & ferk on pe fyrst of pe 3ere, - & cum to þat merk at mydmorn, to make quat yow like3 [Fol. 105b] - in spenne; - Dowelle3 whyle new 3eres daye, -1076 & rys, & rayke3 þenne, - [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] Þenne wat3 Gawan ful glad, & gomenly he la3ed,-- -1080 "Now I þonk yow þryuandely þur3 alle oþer þynge, - [B] Now acheued is my chaunce, I schal at your wylle - Dowelle, & elle3 do quat 3e demen." - Þenne sesed hym þe syre, & set hym bysyde, -1084 [C] Let þe ladie3 be fette, to lyke hem þe better; - Þer wat3 seme solace by hem-self stille; - Þe lorde let for luf lote3 so myry, - As wy3 þat wolde of his wyte, ne wyst quat he my3t. -1088 Þenne he carped to þe kny3t, criande loude, - [D] "3e han demed to do þe dede þat I bidde; - Wyl 3e halde þis hes here at þys one3?" - "3e sir, for-soþe," sayd þe segge trwe, -1092 "Whyl I byde in yowre bor3e, be bayn to 3ow[r]e hest." - "For 3e haf trauayled," quod þe tulk, "towen fro ferre, - & syþen waked me wyth, 3e arn not wel waryst, - [E] Nauþer of sostnaunce ne of slepe, soþly I knowe; -1096 3e schal lenge in your lofte, & ly3e in your ese, - [F] To morn quyle þe messe-quyle, & to mete wende, - When 3e wyl, wyth my wyf, þat 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 þyse, -1104 Hym heldande, as þe 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 þe freke, "a forwarde we make; - Quat-so-euer I wynne in þe wod, hit worþe3 to youre3, - [B] & quat chek so 3e acheue, chaunge me þer-forne; -1108 Swete, swap we so, sware with trawþe, - Queþer, leude, so lymp lere oþer better." - "Bi God," quod Gawayn þe gode, "I grant þer-tylle, - & þat yow lyst forto layke, lef hit me þynkes. [Fol. 106.] -1112 [C] "Who bringe3 vus þis beuerage, þis bargayn is maked:" - So sayde þe lorde of þat lede; þay la3ed vchone, - Þay dronken, & daylyeden, & dalten vnty3tel,[1] - Þise lorde3 & ladye3, quyle þat hem lyked; -1116 & syþen with frenkysch fare & fele fayre lote3 - Þay 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 þe laste, - ful softe; - To bed 3et er þay 3ede, - Recorded couenaunte3 ofte; -1124 Þe olde lorde of þat leude,[2] - Cowþe 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 þe day þe folk vp-rysen, - Gestes þat go wolde, hor grome3 þay calden, -1128 [B] & þay busken vp bilyue, blonkke3 to sadel, - Tyffen he[r] takles, trussen her males, - Richen hem þe rychest, to ryde alle arayde, - Lepen vp ly3tly, lachen her brydeles, -1132 [C] Vche wy3e on his way, þer hym wel lyked. - [D] Þe leue lorde of þe londe wat3 not þe last, - A-rayed for þe 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 þat þat any day-ly3t lemed vpon erþe, - He with his haþeles on hy3e horsses weren. - [G] Þenne þise cacheres þat couþe, cowpled hor hounde3, -1140 Vnclosed þe kenel dore, & calde hem þer-oute, - [H] Blwe bygly in bugle3 þre bare mote; - Braches bayed þerfore, & breme noyse maked, - [I] & þay chastysed, & charred, on chasyng þat went; -1144 A hundreth of hunteres, as I haf herde telle, - of þe best; - [J] To trystors vewters 3od, - Couples huntes of kest, -1148 Þer ros for blaste3 gode, [Fol. 106b.] - [K] Gret rurd in þat 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 þe fyrst quethe of þe quest quaked þe wylde; - Der drof in þe dale, doted for drede, -1152 Hi3ed to þe hy3e, bot heterly þay were - [B] Restayed with þe stablye, þat stoutly ascryed; - [C] Þay let þe hertte3 haf þe gate, with þe hy3e hedes, - Þe breme bukke3 also, with hor brode paume3; -1156 For þe fre lorde hade de-fende in fermysoun tyme, - Þat þer schulde no mon mene[1] to þe male dere. - [D] Þe hinde3 were halden in, with hay & war, - Þe does dryuen with gret dyn to þe depe slade3; -1160 Þer my3t mon se, as þay slypte, slentyng of arwes, - [E] At vche [þat] wende vnder wande wapped a flone, - Þat bigly bote on þe broun, with ful brode hede3, - [F] What! þay brayen, & bleden, bi bonkke3 þay 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 þat schotten, -1168 Wat3 al to-raced & rent, at þe resayt. - Bi þay were tened at þe hy3e, & taysed to þe wattre3, - Þe lede3 were so lerned at þe lo3e trysteres, - & þe gre-hounde3 so grete, þat geten hem bylyue, -1172 & hem to fylched, as fast as freke3 my3t loke, - þer ry3t. - [H] Þe lorde for blys abloy - Ful oft con launce & ly3t, -1176 [I] & drof þat day wyth Ioy - Thus to þe 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] Þus layke3 þis lorde by lynde wode3 eue3, - & G. þe god mon, in gay bed lyge3, -1180 [B] Lurkke3 quyl þe day-ly3t lemed on þe 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 þe cloþes, - A corner of þe cortyn he ca3t vp a lyttel, [Fol. 107.] - & wayte3 warly þider-warde, quat hit be my3t. - [D] Hit wat3 þe ladi, loflyest to be-holde, -1188 Þat dro3 þe dor after hir ful dernly[1] & stylle, - [E] & bo3ed to-warde þe bed; & þe burne schamed. - & layde hym doun lystyly, & let as he slepte. - [F] & ho stepped stilly. & stel to his bedde, -1192 [G] Kest vp þe cortyn, & creped with-inne, - & set hir ful softly on þe bed-syde, - & lenged þere selly longe, to loke quen he wakened. - Þe lede lay lurked a ful longe quyle, -1196 [H] Compast in his concience to quat þat cace my3t - Mene oþer amount, to meruayle hym þo3t; - Bot 3et he sayde in hym-self, "more semly hit were - To aspye wyth my spelle [in] space quat ho wolde." -1200 [I] þen he wakenede, & wroth, & to hir warde torned, - [J] & vn-louked his y3e-lydde3, & let as hym wondered, - & sayned hym, as bi his sa3e þe sauer to worthe, - with hande; -1204 Wyth chynne & cheke ful swete, - Boþe 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 þat fayr lady, - "3e ar a sleper vn-sly3e, þat mon may slyde hider; - Now ar 3e tan astyt, bot true vus may schape, - [B] I schal bynde yow in your bedde, þat be 3e trayst:" -1212 Al la3ande þe lady lanced þo bourde3. - [C] "Goud moroun g[aye],"[1] quod Gawayn þe blyþe, - "Me schal worþe at your wille, & þat me wel lyke3, - For I 3elde me 3ederly, & 3e3e after grace, -1216 & þat is þe best, be my dome, for me by-houe3 nede;" - & þus he bourded a-3ayn with mony a blyþe la3ter. - [D] "Bot wolde 3e, lady louely, þen leue me grante, - & de-prece your prysoun, & pray hym to ryse, -1220 I wolde bo3e of þis bed, & busk me better, - I schulde keuer þe more comfort to karp yow wyth." - [E] "Nay, for soþe, beau sir," sayd þat swete, [Fol. 107b] - "3e schal not rise of your bedde, I rych yow better, -1224 [F] I schal happe yow here þat oþer half als, - & syþen karp wyth my kny3t þat I ka3t haue; - [G] For I wene wel, Iwysse, sir Wawen 3e are, - Þat alle þe worlde worchipe3, quere-so 3e ride; -1228 Your honour, your hendelayk is hendely praysed - [H] With lorde3, wyth ladyes, with alle þat lyf bere. - & now 3e ar here, iwysse, & we bot oure one; - [I] "My lorde & his lede3 ar on lenþe faren, -1232 [J] Oþer burne3 in her bedde, & my burde3 als, - [K] Þe dor drawen, & dit with a derf haspe; - [L] & syþen I haue in þis hous hym þat 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 þynkke3, - [A] Þa3 I be not now he þat 3e of speken; - To reche to such reuerence as 3e reherce here -1244 I am wy3e vn-worþy, I wot wel my-seluen; - Bi God, I were glad, & yow god þo3t, - [B] At sa3e oþer at seruyce þat I sette my3t - To þe plesaunce of your prys, hit were a pure ioye." -1248 "In god fayth, sir Gawayn," quod þe gay lady, - "Þe prys & þe prowes þat plese3 al oþer, - If I hit lakked, oþer set at ly3t, hit were littel daynte; - [C] Bot hit ar ladyes in-no3e, þat leuer wer nowþe -1252 Haf þe hende in hor holde, as I þe habbe here, - To daly witt derely your daynte worde3, - Keuer hem comfort, & colen her care3, - [D] Þen much of þe garysourn oþer golde þat[1] þay hauen; -1256 Bot I louue[2] þat ilk lorde þat þe lyfte halde3, - I haf hit holly in my honde þat al desyres, - þur3e grace." - Scho made hym so gret chere, -1260 Þat wat3 so fayr of face, [Fol. 108.] - [E] Þe 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. þat þat.] -[Footnote 2: louie or loune (?).] - - VI. - - [A] "Madame," quod þe myry mon, "Mary yow 3elde, -1264 For I haf founden, in god fayth, yowre fraunchis nobele, - & oþer ful much of oþer folk fongen hor dede3; - Bot þe daynte þat þay delen for my disert nysen, - Hit is þe worchyp of your-self, þat no3t hot wel conne3." -1268 [B] "Bi Mary," quod þe menskful, "me þynk hit anoþer; - For were I worth al þe wone of wymmen alyue, - & al þe wele of þe worlde were in my honde, - [C] & I schulde chepen & chose, to cheue me a lorde, -1272 For þe costes þat I haf knowen vpun þe kny3t here, - Of bewte, & debonerte, & blyþe semblaunt, - [D] & þat I haf er herkkened, & halde hit here trwee, - Þer schulde no freke vpon folde bifore yow be chosen." -1276 "I-wysse, worþy," quod þe wy3e, "3e haf waled wel better, - [E] Bot I am proude of þe prys þat 3e put on me, - & soberly your seruaunt my souerayn I holde yow, - & yowre kny3t I be-com, & Kryst yow for-3elde." -1280 Þus þay meled of much-quat, til myd-morn paste, - & ay þe lady let lyk, a[1] hym loued mych; - [F] Þe freke ferde with defence, & feted ful fayre. - Þa3 I were burde bry3test, þe burde in mynde hade, -1284 Þe lasse luf in his lode, for lur þat he so3t, - boute hone; - Þe dunte þat schulde[2] hym deue, - & nede3 hit most be done; -1288 [G] Þe lady þenn 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] Þenne ho gef hym god-day, & wyth a glent la3ed. - & as ho stod, ho stonyed hym wyth ful stor worde3: -1292 [B] "Now he þat spede3 vche spech, þis disport 3elde yow! - Bot þat 3e be Gawan, hit got3 in mynde." - "Quer-fore?" quod þe freke, & freschly he aske3, - Ferde lest he hade fayled in fourme of his castes; -1296 Bot þe burde hym blessed, & bi þis 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] Þen quod Wowen, "I-wysse, worþe 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 þat, & cache3 hym in arme3, - Loute3 luflych adoun, & þe leude kysse3; - Þay comly bykennen to Kryst ayþer oþer; -1308 Ho dos hir forth at þe 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, blyþely to masse, -1312 & þenne he meued to his mete, þat menskly hym keped, - [G] & made myry al day til þe mone rysed, - with game; - With[3] neuer freke fayrer fonge, -1316 [H] Bitwene two so dyngne dame, - Þe alder & þe 3onge, - Much solace set þay 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 þe lorde of þe londe is lent on his gamne3, -1320 To hunt in holte3 & heþe, at hynde3 barayne, - Such a sowme he þer slowe bi þat þe sunne heldet, - Of dos & of oþer dere, to deme were wonder. - Þenne fersly þay flokked in folk at þe laste, -1324 [B] & quykly of þe quelled dere a querre þay maked; - Þe best bo3ed þerto, with burne3 in-noghe, - [C] Gedered þe grattest of gres þat þer were, - & didden hem derely vndo, as þe dede aske3; -1328 [D] Serched hem at þe asay, summe þat þer were, - Two fyngeres þay fonde of þe fowlest of alle; - [E] Syþen þay slyt þe slot, sesed þe erber, - [F] Schaued wyth a scharp knyf, & þe schyre knitten; -1332 Syþen rytte þay þe foure lymmes, & rent of þe hyde, - [G] Þen brek þay þe bale, þe bale3 out token, - [H] Lystily forlancyng, & bere of þe knot; [Fol. 109.] - Þay gryped to þe gargulun, & grayþely departed -1336 [I] Þe wesaunt fro þe wynt-hole, & walt out þe gutte3; - Þen scher þay out þe schuldere3 with her scharp knyue3, - [J] Haled hem by a lyttel hole, to haue hole sydes; - Siþen britned þay þe brest, & brayden hit in twynne, -1340 & eft at þe gargulun bigyne3 on þenne, - [K] Ryue3 hit vp radly, ry3t to þe by3t, - Voyde3 out þe a-vanters, & verayly þerafter - Alle þe ryme3 by þe rybbe3 radly þay lance; -1344 So ryde þay of by resoun bi þe rygge bone3, - Euenden to þe haunche, þat henged alle samen, - & heuen hit vp al hole, & hwen hit of þere, - & þat þayneme for þe noumbles, bi nome as I trowe, -1348 bi kynde; - [L] Bi þe by3t al of þe þy3es, - Þe lappe3 þay lance bi-hynde, - [M] To hewe hit in two þay hy3es, -1352 Bi þe 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] Boþe þe hede & þe hals þay hwen of þenne, - & syþen sunder þay þe syde3 swyft fro þe chyne, - & þe corbeles fee þay kest in a greue;[1] -1356 Þenn þurled þay ayþer þik side þur3, bi þe rybbe, - & henged þenne a[y]þer bi ho3es of þe fourche3, - Vche freke for his fee, as falle3 forto haue. - Vpon a felle of þe fayre best, fede þay þayr houndes, -1360 [B] Wyth þe lyuer & þe ly3te3, þe leþer of þe paunche3, - & bred baþed in blod, blende þer amonge3; - Baldely þay blw prys, bayed þayr rachche3, - [C] Syþen fonge þay her flesche folden to home, -1364 Strakande ful stoutly mony stif mote3. - Bi þat þe dayly3t wat3 done, þe douthe wat3 al wonen - In-to þe comly castel, þer þe kny3t bide3 - ful stille; -1368 Wyth blys & bry3t fyr bette, - Þe lord is comen þer-tylle, - [D] When Gawayn wyth hym mette, - Þer 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 þe lorde in þat sale to samen alle þe meny,[Fol.] - Boþe þe ladyes on loghe to ly3t with her burdes, [109b.] - [B] Bi-fore alle þe folk on þe flette, freke3 he bedde3 - Verayly his venysoun to fech hym byforne; -1376 [C] & al godly in gomen Gaway[n] he called, - Teche3 hym to þe tayles of ful tayt bestes, - Schewe3 hym þe schyree grece schorne vpon rybbes. - [D] "How paye3 yow þis play? haf I prys wonnen? -1380 Haue I þryuandely þonk þur3 my craft serued?" - "3e I-wysse," quod þat oþer wy3e, "here is wayth fayrest - [E] Þat I se3 þis seuen 3ere in sesoun of wynter." - "& al I gif yow, Gawayn," quod þe gome þenne, -1384 "For by a-corde of couenaunt 3e craue hit as your awen." - "Þis is soth," quod þe segge, "I say yow þatilke, - &[1] I haf worthyly þis wone3 wyth-inne, - [F] I-wysse with as god wylle hit worþe3 to 3oure3." -1388 He hasppe3 his fayre hals his arme3 wyth-inne, - & kysses hym as comlyly as he[2] couþe awyse: - "Tas yow þere my cheuicaunce, I cheued no more, - I wowche hit saf fynly, þa3 feler hit were." -1392 "Hit is god," quod þe god mon, "grant mercy þerfore, - [G] Hit may be such, hit is þe better, &[1] 3e me breue wolde - Where 3e wan þis ilk wele, biwytte of hor[3] seluen?" - [H] "Þat wat3 not forward," quod he, "frayst me no more, -1396 For 3e haftan þat yow tyde3, trawe3e non oþer - 3e mowe." - Þay la3ed, & made hem blyþe, - [I] Wyth lote3 þat were to lowe, -1400 To soper þay 3ede asswyþe, - 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 syþen by þe chymne in chamber þay seten. - [B] Wy3e3 þe walle wyn we3ed to hem oft, -1404 & efte in her bourdyng þay bayþen in þe morn, - To fylle þe same forwarde3 þat þay by-fore maden, - [C] Þat chaunce so bytyde3 hor cheuysaunce to chaunge, - What nwe3 so þay nome, at na3t quen þay metten -1408 Þay acorded of þe couenaunte3 byfore þe court alle; - Þe beuerage wat3 bro3t forth in bourde at þat tyme; [Fol. 110.] - [D] Þenne þay louelych le3ten leue at þe last, - Vche burne to his bedde busked bylyue. -1412 [E] Bi þat þe coke hade crowe3[1] & cakled bot þryse, - Þe lorde wat3 lopen of his bedde, [&] þe leude3 vch one, - So þat þe mete & þe masse wat3 metely delyuered; - Þe douthe dressed to þe wod, er any day sprenged, -1416 to chace; - [F] He3 with hunte & horne3, - Þur3 playne3 þay passe in space, - Vn-coupled among þo þorne3, -1420 Rache3 þat 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 þay calle of a quest in aker syde, - Þe hunt re-hayted þe hounde3, þat hit fyrst mynged, - [B] Wylde worde3 hym warp wyth a wrast noyce; -1424 Þe hownde3 þat hit herde, hastid þider swyþe, - & fellen as fast to þe fuyt, fourty at ones; - Þenne such a glauerande glam of gedered rachche3 - Ros, þat þe rochere3 rungen aboute; -1428 Huntere3 hem hardened with horne & wyth muthe. - [C] Þen al in a semble sweyed to-geder, - Bitwene a flosche in þat fryth, & a foo cragge; - In a knot, bi a clyffe, at þe kerre syde, -1432 Þer as þe rogh rocher vn-rydely wat3 fallen, - [Þay] ferden to þe fyndyng, & freke3 hem after; - [D] Þay vmbe-kesten þe knarre & þe knot boþe. - Wy3e3, whyl þay wysten wel wyt inne hem hit were, -1436 Þe best þat þer breued wat3 wyth þe blod hounde3. - [E] Þenne þay beten on þe buske3, & bede hym vp ryse, - & he vnsoundyly out so3t segge3 ouer-þwert, - [F] On þe sellokest swyn swenged out þere, -1440 Long sythen for[1] þe sounder þat wi3t for-olde, - For he wat3 b[este &] bor alþer grattest, - [And eue]re quen he gronyed, þenne greued mony, - [G] For [þre a]t þe fyrst þrast he þry3t to þe erþe, -1444 & [sped hym] forth good sped, boute spyt more, - [Ande þay] halowed hyghe ful hy3e & hay! hay! cryed - Haden horne3 to mouþe heterly rechated; [Fol. 110b.] - [H] Mony wat3 þe myry mouthe of men & of hounde3, -1448 Þat buskke3 after þis bor, with bost & wyth noyse, - To quelle; - Ful oft he byde3 þe baye, - & mayme3 þe mute Inn-melle, -1452 [I] He hurte3 of þe hounde3, & þay - 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 þenne, - Haled to hym of her arewe3, hitten hym oft; -1456 Bot þe poynte3 payred at þe pyth þat py3t in his schelde3, - & þe barbe3 of his browe bite non wolde, - [B] Þa3 þe schauen schaft schyndered in pece3, - Þe hede hypped a3ayn, were-so-euer hit hitte; -1460 [C] Bot quon þe dynte3 hym dered of her dry3e stroke3, - Þen, brayn-wod for bate, on burne3 he rase3, - [D] Hurte3 hem ful heterly þer he forth hy3e3, - & mony ar3ed þerat, & on-lyte dro3en. -1464 Bot þe lorde on a ly3t horce launces hym after, - [E] As burne bolde vpon bent his bugle he blowe3, - He rechated, & r[ode][1] þur3 rone3 ful þyk, - Suande þis wy[ld]e swyn til þe sunne schafted. -1468 [F] Þis day wyth þis ilk dede þay dryuen on þis wyse, - Whyle oure luflych lede lys in his bedde, - [G] Gawayn grayþely at home, in gere3 ful ryche - of hewe; -1472 Þe 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 þe cortyn, & at þe kny3t totes, - Sir Wawen her welcumed worþy on fyrst, - & ho hym 3elde3 a3ayn, ful 3erne of hir worde3, - [B] Sette3 hir sof[t]ly by his syde, & swyþely ho la3e3, -1480 & wyth a luflych loke ho layde[1] hym þyse worde3: - "Sir, 3if 3e be Wawen, wonder me þynkke3, - Wy3e þat is so wel wrast alway to god, - & conne3 not of compaynye þe coste3 vnder-take, -1484 & if mon kennes yow hom to knowe, 3e kest hom of your mynde;[Fol.] - [C] Þou hat3 for-3eten 3ederly þat 3isterday I ta3tte [111] - alder-truest token of talk þat I cowþe." - "What is þat?" quod þe wyghe, "I-wysse I wot neuer, -1488 If hit be sothe þat 3e breue, þe blame is myn awen." - [D] "3et I kende yow of kyssyng," quod þe clere þenne, - "Quere-so countenaunce is couþe, quikly to clayme, - Þat bicumes vche a kny3t, þat cortaysy vses." -1492 "Do way," quod þat derf mon, "my dere, þat speche, - [E] For þat durst I not do, lest I denayed were, - If I were werned, I were wrang I-wysse, 3if I profered." - "Ma fay," quod þe mere wyf, "3e may not be werned, -1496 [F] 3e ar stif in-noghe to constrayne wyth strenkþe, 3if yow lyke3, - 3if any were so vilanous þat yow denaye[2] wolde." - "3e, be God," quod Gawayn, "good is your speche, - Bot þrete is vn-þryuande in þede þer I lende, -1500 [G] & vche gift þat 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 þynkke3, - in space." -1504 [H] Þe lady loute3 a-doun, - & comlyly kysses his face, - Much speche þay þer 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," þat worþy þer sayde, - "& yow wrathed not þer-wyth, what were þe skylle, - Þat so 3ong & so 3epe, as 3e [ar] at þis tyme, - So cortayse, so kny3tyly, as 3e ar knowen oute, -1512 [B] & of alle cheualry to chose, þe chef þyng a-losed, - Is[2] þe lel layk of luf, þe lettrure of armes; - F[or] to telle of þis tenelyng of þis trwe kny3te3, - Hit is þe 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 Þat euer longed to luf, lasse ne more; - [E] & 3e, þat ar so cortays & coynt of your hetes, - Oghe to a 3onke þynk 3ern to schewe, - & teche sum tokene3 of trweluf craftes. -1528 Why ar 3e lewed, þat alle þe los welde3, - Oþer 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 fayþe," quod Gawayn, "God yow for3elde, -1536 Gret is þe gode gle, & gomen to me huge, - Þat so worþy 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 þe toruayle[1] to my-self, to trwluf expoun, - & towche þe teme3 of tyxt, & tale3 of arme3, - To yow þat, I wot wel, welde3 more sly3t - Of þat art, bi þe half, or a hundreth of seche -1544 As I am, oþer euer schal, in erde þer I leue, - Hit were a fole fele-folde, my fre, by my trawþe. - [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!" - Þus hym frayned þat fre, & fondet hym ofte, - Forto haf wonnen hym to wo3e, what-so scho þo3t elle3, - [E] Bot he de fended hym so fayr, þat no faut semed, -1552 Ne non euel on nawþer halue, nawþer þay wysten, - bot blysse; - Þay la3ed & layked longe, - At þe 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 ruþes hym þe renk, & ryses to þe masse, - & siþen hor diner wat3 dy3t & derely serued. [Fol. 112.] -1560 [B] Þe lede with þe ladye3 layked alle day, - Bot þe lorde ouer þe londe3 launced ful ofte, - Swe3 his vncely swyn, þat swynge3 bi þe bonkke3, - [C] & bote þe best of his brache3 þe bakke3 in sunder; -1564 Þer 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 þe folk gedered; - Bot 3et þe styffest to start bi stounde3 he made, -1568 Til at þe last he wat3 so mat, he my3t no more renne, - [E] Bot in þe hast þat he my3t, he to a hole wynne3, - Of a rasse, bi a rokk, þer renne3 þe boerne, - He gete þe bonk at his bak, bigyne3 to scrape, -1572 [F] Þe froþe femed[3] at his mouth vnfayre bi þe wyke3, - Whette3 his whyte tusche3; with hym þen irked - Alle þe burne3 so bolde, þat hym by stoden, - [G] To nye hym on-ferum, bot ne3e hym non durst -1576 for woþe; - He hade hurt so mony byforne, - Þat al þu3t[4] þenne ful loþe, - [H] Be more wyth his tusche3 torne, -1580 Þat 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: þo3t (?).] - - XVIII. - - [A] Til þe kny3t com hym-self, kachande his blonk, - Sy3 hym byde at þe bay, his burne3 bysyde, - [B] He ly3tes luflych[1] adoun, leue3 his corsour, -1584 Brayde3 out a bry3t bront, & bigly forth stryde3, - Founde3 fast þur3 þe forth, þer þe felle byde3, - [C] Þe wylde wat3 war of þe wy3e with weppen in honde, - Hef hy3ly þe here, so hetterly he fnast, -1588 Þat fele ferde for þe freke3,[2] lest felle hym þe worre; - [D] Þe swyn sette3 hym out on þe segge euen, - Þat þe burne & þe bor were boþe vpon hepe3, - In þe wy3t-est of þe water, þe worre hade þat oþer; -1592 [E] For þe mon merkke3 hym wel, as þay mette fyrst, - Set sadly þe scharp in þe slot euen, - [F] Hit hym vp to þe hult, þat þe hert schyndered, - & he 3arrande hym 3elde, & 3edoun[3] þe water, -1596 ful tyt; - A hundreth hounde3 hym hent, [Fol. 112b.] - [G] Þat 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 haþele3 þat my3t; - [B] Brachetes bayed þat best, as bidden þe maystere3, -1604 Of þat chargeaunt chace þat were chef huntes. - [C] Þenne a wy3e þat wat3 wys vpon wod crafte3, - To vnlace þis bor lufly bigynne3; - [D] Fyrst he hewes of his hed, & on hi3e sette3, -1608 & syþen rende3 him al roghe bi þe rygge after, - [E] Brayde3 out þe boweles, brenne3 hom on glede, - With bred blent þer-with his braches rewarde3; - Syþen he britne3 out þe brawen in bry3t brode [s]chelde3, -1612 [F] & hat3 out þe hastlette3, as hi3tly biseme3; - [G] & 3et hem halche3 al hole þe halue3 to-geder, - & syþen on a stif stange stoutly hem henges. - Now with þis ilk swyn þay swengen to home; -1616 [H] Þe bores hed wat3 borne bifore þe burnes seluen, - Þat him for-ferde in þe forþe, þur3 forse of his honde, - so stronge; - Til he se3 sir Gawayne, -1620 In halle hym þo3t ful longe, - [I] He calde, & he com gayn, - His fee3 þer 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] Þe lorde ful lowde with lote, & la3ed myry, -1624 When he se3e sir G: with solace he speke3; - Þe goude ladye3 were geten, & gedered þe meyny, - [B] He schewe3 hem þe schelde3, & schapes hem þe tale, - Of þe largesse, & þe lenþe, þe liþerne3 alse, -1628 Of þe were of þe wylde swyn, in wod þer he fled. - Þat oþer kny3t ful comly comended his dede3, - & praysed hit as gret prys, þat he proued hade; - [C] For suche a brawne of a best, þe bolde burne sayde, -1632 Ne such sydes of a swyn, segh he neuer are. - Þenne hondeled þay þe hoge hed, þe hende mon hit praysed, - & let lodly þerat þe lorde forte here: [Fol. 113.] - [D] "Now Gawayn," quod þe god mon, "þis gomen is your awen, -1636 Bi fyn for-warde & faste, faythely 3e knowe." - "Hit is sothe," quod þe segge, "& as siker trwe; - Alle my get I schal yow gif agayn, bi my trawþe." - [E] He [hent] þe haþel aboute þe halse, & hendely hym kysses, -1640 & efter-sones of þe same he serued hym þere. - "Now ar we euen," quod þe haþel, "in þis euen-tide, - Of alle þe couenauntes þat we knyt, syþen I com hider, - bi lawe;" -1644 [F] Þe lorde sayde, "bi saynt Gile, - 3e ar þe best þat 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] Þenne þay teldet table3 [on] trestes alofte, - [B] Kesten cloþe3 vpon, clere ly3t þenne - [C] Wakned bi wo3e3, waxen torches - Segge3 sette, & serued in sale al aboute; -1652 [D] Much glam & gle glent vp þer-inne, - Aboute þe fyre vpon flet, & on fele wyse, - [E] At þe soper & after, mony aþel songe3, - As coundutes of kryst-masse, & carole3 newe, -1656 With alle þe manerly merþe þat mon may of telle. - [F] & euer oure luflych kny3t þe lady bi-syde; - Such semblaunt to þat segge semly ho made, - [G] Wyth stille stollen countenaunce, þat stalworth to plese, -1660 Þat al for-wondered wat3 þe 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 þe dede turned - to wrast; -1664 [H] Quen þay hade played in halle, - As longe as hor wylle hom last, - [I] To chambre he[1] con hym calle, - & to þe chem-ne þay 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 þer þay dronken, & dalten, & demed eft nwe, - To norne on þe same note, on nwe3ere3 euen; - [B] Bot þe kny3t craued leue, to kayre on þe morn, - For hit wat3 ne3 at þe terme, þat he to[1] schulde. -1672 Þe lorde hym letted of þat, to lenge hym resteyed, [Fol. 113b.] - [C] & sayde, "as I am trwe segge, I siker my trawþe, - [D] Þou schal cheue to þe grene chapel, þy charres to make, - Leude, on nw3ere3 ly3t, longe bifore pryme: -1676 For-þy þow lye in þy loft, & lach þyn ese, - & I schal hunt in þis holt, & halde þe towche3, - Chaunge wyth þe cheuisaunce, bi þat I charre hider; - For I haf fraysted þe twys, & faythful I fynde þe, -1680 Now þrid tyme þrowe best þenk on þe morne, - Make we mery quyl we may, & mynne vpon Ioye, - For þe lur may mon lach, when so mon lyke3." - Þis wat3 grayþely graunted, & Gawayn is lenged, -1684 [E] Bliþe bro3t wat3 hym drynk, & þay to bedde 3eden, - with li3t; - [F] Sir G: lis & slepes, - Ful stille & softe al ni3t; -1688 [G] Þe lorde þat 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 þe mornyng, his mounture he askes; -1692 [B] Alle þe haþeles þat on horse schulde helden hym after, - Were boun busked on hor blonkke3, bi-fore[2] þe halle 3ate3; - [C] Ferly fayre wat3 þe folde, for þe forst clenged, - In rede rudede vpon rak rises þe sunne, -1696 [D] & ful clere coste3[3] þe clowdes of þe welkyn. - Hunteres vnhardeled bi a holt syde, - Rocheres roungen bi rys, for rurde of her hornes; - [E] Summe fel in þe fute, þer þe fox bade, -1700 Trayle3 ofte a trayteres[4], bi traunt of her wyles; - A kenet kryes þerof, þe hunt on hym calles, - His fela3es fallen hym to, þat fnasted ful þike, - [F] Runnen forth in a rabel, in his ry3t fare; -1704 & he fyske3 hem by-fore, þay founden hym sone, - [G] & quen þay seghe hym with sy3t, þay sued hym fast, - Wre3ande h[ym] ful [w]eterly with a wroth noyse; - [H] & he trantes & tornayee3 þur3 mony tene greue; -1708 Hamloune3, & herkene3, bi hegge3 ful ofte; - [I] At þe 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 þe wode, with wyle3 fro þe houndes, -1712 Þenne wat3 he went, er he wyst, to[5] a wale tryster, - [K] Þer þre þro at a þrich þrat hym at ones, - al graye; - [L] He blenched a3ayn bilyue, -1716 & stifly start onstray, - With alle þe wo on lyue, - [M] To þe 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 lyþen þe hounde3, -1720 When alle þe mute hade hym met, menged to-geder, - Suche a sor3e at þat sy3t þay sette on his hede, - As alle þe clamberande clyffes hade clatered on hepes; - [B] Here he wat3 halawed, when haþele3 hym metten, -1724 Loude he wat3 3ayned, with 3arande speche; - [C] Þer he wat3 þreted, & ofte þef called, - & ay þe titleres at his tayl, þat 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, þe lorde & his meyny; - On þis maner bi þe mountes, quyle myd, ouer, vnder, - [F] Whyle þe hende kny3t at home holsumly slepe3, -1732 With-inne þe comly cortynes, on þe colde morne. - Bot þe lady for luf let not to slepe, - Ne þe purpose to payre, þat py3t in hir hert, - Bot ros hir vp radly, rayked hir þeder, -1736 [G] In a mery mantyle, mete to þe erþe, - Þat wat3 furred ful fyne with felle3, wel pured, - No hwe3 goud on hir hede, bot þe ha3er stones - Trased aboute hir tressour, be twenty in clusteres; -1740 [H] Hir þryuen face & hir þrote þrowen al naked, - Hir brest bare bifore, & bihinde eke. - [I] Ho come3 with-inne þe chambre dore, & closes hit hir after, - [J] Wayne3[1] vp a wyndow, & on þe wy3e calle3, -1744 & radly þus re-hayted hym, with hir riche worde3, - with[2] chere; - [K] "A! mon, how may þou slepe, - [L] Þis morning is so clere?" [Fol. 114b.] -1748 He wat3 in drowping depe, - Bot þenne 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 þat noble, - As mon þat wat3 in mornyng of mony þro þo3tes, -1752 How þat destine schulde þat day [dy3t] his wyrde, - At þe grene chapel, when he þe gome metes, - & bi-houes his buffet abide, with-oute debate more; - [B] Bot quen þat comly he keuered his wyttes, -1756 Swenges out of þe sweuenes, & sware3 with hast. - Þe lady luflych com la3ande swete, - [C] Felle ouer his fayre face, & fetly him kyssed; - He welcume3 hir worþily, 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 smoþe smylyng & smolt þay smeten in-to merþe, -1764 Þat al wat3 blis & bonchef, þat breke hem bi-twene, - & wynne, - Þay lanced wordes gode, - Much wele þen wat3 þer-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 þat prynce of pris de-presed hym so þikke. - Nurned hym so ne3e þe þred, þat nede hym bi-houed, -1772 Oþer lach þer hir luf, oþer lodly re-fuse; - He cared for his cortaysye, lest craþayn he were, - [B] & more for his meschef, 3if he schulde make synne, - & be traytor to þat tolke, þat þat telde a3t. -1776 "God schylde," quod þe schalk, "þat schal not be-falle!" - With luf-la3yng a lyt, he layd hym by-syde - Alle þe speche3 of specialte þat sprange of her mouthe. - Quod þat burde to þe burne, "blame 3e disserue, -1780 3if 3e luf not þat lyf þat 3e lye nexte, - Bifore alle þe wy3e3 in þe worlde, wounded in hert, - [C] Bot if 3e haf a lemman, a leuer, þat yow lyke3 better, - & folden fayth to þat fre, festned so harde, -1784 Þat yow lausen ne lyst, & þat I leue nouþe; [Fol. 115.] - And þat 3e telle me þat, now trwly I pray yow, - For alle þe lufe3 vpon lyue, layne not þe soþe, - for gile." -1788 [D] Þe kny3t sayde, "be sayn Ion," - & smeþely con he smyle, - "In fayth I welde ri3t non, - Ne non wil welde þe 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 "Þat is a worde," quod þat wy3t, "þat worst is of alle, - Bot I am swared for soþe, þat sore me þinkke3; - [A] Kysse me now coraly, & I schal cach heþen, - I may bot mourne vpon molde, as may þat much louyes." -1796 Sykande ho swe3e doun, & semly hym kyssed, - & siþen ho seueres hym fro, & says as ho stondes, - "Now, dere, at þis de-partyng, do me þis ese, - [B] Gif me sumquat of þy gifte, þi gloue if[1] hit were, -1800 [C] Þat I may mynne on þe mon, my mournyng to lassen." - "Now Iwysse," quod þat wy3e, "I wolde I hade here - Þe leuest þing for þy luf, þat I in londe welde, - [D] For 3e haf deserued, forsoþe, sellyly ofte -1804 More rewarde bi resoun, þen I reche my3t, - Bot to dele yow for drurye, þat dawed bot neked; - Hit is not your honour to haf at þis tyme - A gloue for a garysoun, of Gawayne3 gifte3, -1808 & I am here [on] an erande in erde3 vncouþe, - [E] & haue no men wyth no male3, with menskful þinge3; - Þat mislyke3 me, lade, for luf at þis tyme,[2] - Iche tolke mon do as he is tan, tas to non ille, -1812 ne pine." - [F] "Nay, hende of hy3e honours," - Quod þat lufsum vnder lyne, - [G] "Þa3 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, - Þat bere blusschande beme3 as þe bry3t sunne; -1820 Wyt 3e wel, hit wat3 worth wele ful hoge. - [B] Bot þe renk hit renayed, & redyly he sayde, - "I wil no gifte3 for gode, my gay, at þis 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, þat he hit sese nolde; - [D] & ho sore þat he forsoke, & sayde þer-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, þat gaynes yow lasse." - Ho la3t a lace ly3tly, þat[2] leke vmbe hir syde3, - [E] Knit vpon hir kyrtel, vnder þe clere mantyle, -1832 Gered hit wat3 with grene sylke, & with golde schaped, - No3t bot arounde brayden, beten with fyngre3; - & þat ho bede to þe burne, & blyþely bi-so3t - [F] Þa3 hit vn-worþi were, þat he hit take wolde. -1836 & he nay þat he nolde neghe in no wyse, - [G] Nauþer golde ne garysoun, er God hym grace sende, - To acheue to þe chaunce þat he hade chosen þere. - "& þerfore, I pray yow, displese yow no3t, -1840 & lette3 be your bisinesse, for I bayþe 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: þat þat, in MS.] - - XXIX. - - [A] "Now forsake 3e þis silke." sayde þe burde þenne, - "For hit is symple in hit-self. & so hit wel seme3? -1848 Lo! so hit is littel, & lasse hit is worþy; - [B] Bot who-so knew þe costes þat knit ar þer-inne, - He wolde hit prayse at more prys, parauenture; - [C] For quat gome so is gorde with þis grene lace, -1852 While he hit hade hemely halched aboute, - Þer is no haþel vnder heuen to-hewe hym þat my3t; - [D] For he my3t not he slayn, for sly3t vpon erþe." - Þen kest þe kny3t, & hit come to his hert, -1856 [E] Hit were a Iuel for þe Ioparde, þat hym iugged were, - When he acheued to þe chapel, his chek forto fech; - [F] My3[1] he haf slypped to þe vn-slayn, þe sle3t were noble. - Þenne ho þulged with hir þrepe, & þoled hir to speke, [Fol. 116.] -1860 & ho bere on hym þe belt, & bede hit hym swyþe, - [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; þe leude hym acorde3. -1864 Þat neuer wy3e schulde hit wyt, Iwysse, bot þay twayne, - for no3te; - He þonkked hir oft ful swyþe, - Ful þro with hert & þo3t. -1868 [H] Bi þat on þrynne syþe, - He hat3 kyst þe 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 þere, - For more myrþe of þat 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 þe luf-lace, þe lady hym ra3t, - Hid hit ful holdely, þer he hit eft fonde; -1876 Syþen cheuely to þe chapel choses he þe waye, - [D] Preuely aproched to a prest, & prayed hym þere - Þat he wolde lyfte[2] his lyf, & lern hym better, - How his sawle schulde be saued, when he schuld seye heþen. -1880 [E] Þere he schrof hym schyrly, & schewed his mysdede3, - Of þe more & þe mynne, & merci beseche3, - [F] & of absolucioun he on þe segge calles; - & he asoyled hym surely, & sette hym so clene, -1884 [G] As dome3-day schulde haf ben di3t on þe morn. - & syþen he mace hym as mery among þe fre ladyes, - [H] With comlych caroles, & alle kynnes ioye, - As neuer he did bot þat daye, to þe derk ny3t, -1888 with blys; - Vche mon hade daynte þare, - [I] Of hym, & sayde Iwysse, - [J] Þus myry he wat3 neuer are, -1892 Syn he com hider, er þis. - -[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 þat lee, þer luf hym bi-tyde; - 3et is þe lorde on þe launde, ledande his gomnes, - [B] He hat3 forfaren þis fox, þat he fol3ed longe; -1896 As he sprent ouer a spenne, to spye þe schrewe, - Þer as he herd þe howndes, þat hasted hym swyþe, [Fol. 116b.] - [C] Renaud com richchande þur3 a ro3e greue, - & alle þe rabel in a res, ry3t at his hele3. -1900 [D] Þe wy3e wat3 war of þe wylde, & warly abides, - & brayde3 out þe bry3t bronde, & at þe best caste3; - & he schunt for þe scharp, & schulde haf arered, - [E] A rach rapes hym to, ry3t er he my3t, -1904 & ry3t bifore þe hors fete þay fel on hym alle, - & woried me þis wyly wyth a wroth noyse. - [F] Þe lorde ly3te3 bilyue, & cache3 by[1] sone, - Rased hym ful radly out of þe rach mouþes, -1908 Halde3 he3e ouer his hede, halowe3 faste, - & þer bayen hym mony bray[2] hounde3; - [G] Huntes hy3ed hem þeder, with horne3 ful mony, - Ay re-chatande ary3t til þay þe renk se3en; -1912 Bi þat wat3 comen his compeyny noble, - Alle þat euer ber bugle blowed at ones, - [H] & alle þise oþer halowed, þat hade no hornes, - Hit wat3 þe myriest mute þat euer men herde, -1916 Þe rich rurd þat þer wat3 raysed for renaude saule, - with lote; - [I] Hor hounde3 þay þer rewarde, - Her[3] hede3 þay fawne & frote, -1920 [J] & syþen þay 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: braþ (?).] -[Footnote 3: Her her, in MS.] - - XXXII. - - [A] & þenne þay helden to home, for hit wat3 nie3 ny3t, - Strakande ful stoutly in hor store horne3; -1924 [B] Þe lorde is ly3t at þe laste at hys lef home, - Fynde3 fire vpon flet, þe freke þer by-side, - Sir Gawayn þe gode, þat glad wat3 with alle, - [C] Among þe ladies for luf he ladde much ioye, -1928 He were a bleaunt of blwe, þat bradde to þe erþe, - His surkot semed hym wel, þat softe wat3 forred, - & his hode of þat ilke henged on his schulder, - [D] Blande al of blaunner were boþe al aboute. -1932 He mete3 me þis god mon in mydde3 þe flore, - & al with gomen he hym gret, & goudly he sayde, - "I schal fylle vpon fyrst oure forwarde3 nouþe, - Þat we spedly han spoken, þer spared wat3 no drynk;" [Fol. 117.] -1936 [E] Þen acoles he [þe] kny3t, & kysses hym þryes, - [F] As sauerly & sadly as he hem sette couþe. - [G] "Bi Kryst," quod þat oþer kny3t, "3e cach much sele, - In cheuisaunce of þis chaffer, 3if 3e hade goud chepe3." -1940 "3e of þe chepe no charg," quod chefly þat oþer, - "As is pertly payed þe chepe3 þat I a3te." - "Mary," quod þat oþer mon, "myn is bi-hynde, - [H] For I haf hunted al þis day, & no3t haf I geten, -1944 [I] Bot þis foule fox felle, þe fende haf þe gode3, - [J] & þat is ful pore, for to pay for suche prys þinges, - As 3e haf þry3t me here, þro suche þre cosses, - so gode." -1948 "I-no3," quod sir Gawayn, - "I þonk yow, bi þe rode;" - [K] & how þe fox wat3 slayn, - He tolde hym, as þay 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 merþe & mynstralsye, wyth mete3 at hor wylle, - Þay maden as mery as any men mo3ten, - With la3yng of ladies, with lote3 of bordes; - Gawayn & þe gode mon so glad were þay boþe, -1956 Bot if þe douthe had doted, oþer dronken ben oþer, - Boþe þe mon & þe meyny maden mony iape3, - [B] Til þe sesoun wat3 se3en, þat þay seuer moste; - Burne3 to hor bedde be-houed at þe laste. -1960 [C] Þenne lo3ly his leue at þe lorde fyrst - Fochche3 þis fre mon, & fayre he hym þonkke3; - [D] "Of such a sellyly[1] soiorne, as I haf hade here, - Your honour, at þis hy3e fest, þe 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, - Þe gate to þe grene chapel, as god wyl me suffer -1968 To dele, on nw3ere3 day, þe dome of my wyrdes." - "In god fayþe," quod þe god mon. "wyth a goud wylle; - Al þat euer I yow hy3t, halde schal I rede." - [F] Þer asyngnes he a seruaunt, to sett hym in þe waye, -1972 & coundue hym by þe downe3, þat he no drechch had, [Fol. 117b.] - For to f[e]rk þur3 þe fryth, & fare at þe gaynest, - bi greue. - Þe lorde Gawayn con þonk, -1976 Such worchip he wolde hym weue; - [G] Þen at þo ladye3 wlonk. - Þe 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 þryuande þonkke3 he þrat hom to haue, - & þay 3elden hym a3ay[n] 3eply þat ilk; - [B] Þay bikende hym to Kryst, with ful colde sykynge3. - [C] Syþen fro þe meyny he menskly de-partes; -1984 Vche mon þat he mette, he made hem a þonke, - For his seruyse, & his solace, & his sere pyne, - Þat þay wyth busynes had ben, aboute hym to serue; - & vche segge as sore, to seuer with hym þere, -1988 As þay hade wonde worþyly with þat wlonk euer. - [D] Þen 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 þe morn to mynne, 3if he wolde, - in þo3t; - [F] Let hym ly3e þere stille, - He hat3[1] nere þat he so3t, -1996 [G] & 3e wyl a whyle be stylle, - I schal telle yow how þay 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 þe nw3ere, & þe ny3t passe3, - Þe day dryue3 to þe derk, as dry3tyn bidde3; -2000 [B] Bot wylde wedere3 of þe worlde wakned þeroute, - Clowdes kesten kenly þe colde to þe erþe, - Wyth ny3e[1] in-noghe of þe norþe, þe naked to tene; - [C] Þe snawe snitered ful snart, þat snayped þe wylde; -2004 Þe werbelande wynde wapped fro þe hy3e, - [D] & drof vche dale ful of dryftes ful grete. - Þe leude lystened ful wel, þat le3 in his bedde, - [E] Þa3 he lowke3 his lidde3, ful lyttel he slepes; -2008 Bi vch kok þat crue, he knwe wel þe steuen. - De-liuerly he dressed vp, er þe day sprenged, [Fol. 118.] - For þere wat3 ly3t of a lau[m]pe, þat lemed in his chambre; - [F] He called to his chamberlayn, þat cofly hym swared, -2012 & bede hym bryng hym his bruny, & his blonk sadel; - Þat oþer ferke3 hym vp, & feche3 hym his wede3, - & grayþe3 me sir Gawayn vpon a grett wyse. - Fyrst he clad hym in his cloþe3, þe colde for to were; -2016 & syþen his oþer harnays, þat holdely wat3 keped, - Boþe his paunce, & his plate3, piked ful clene, - [G] Þe rynge3[2] rokked of þe roust, of his riche bruny; - & al wat3 fresch as vpon fyrst, & he wat3 fayn þenne -2020 to þonk; - He hade vpon vche pece, - Wypped ful wel & wlonk; - [H] Þe gayest in to Grece, -2024 Þe 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 þe wlonkest wedes he warp on hym-seluen; - His cote, wyth be conysaunce of þe 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 þe lace, þe ladie3 gifte, - Þat for-gat not Gawayn, for gode of hym-seluen; -2032 Bi he hade belted þe bronde vpon his bal3e haunche3, - [C] Þenn dressed he his drurye double hym aboute; - Swyþe sweþled vmbe his swange swetely, þat kny3t, - Þe gordel of þe grene silke, þat gay wel bisemed, -2036 Vpon þat ryol red cloþe, þat ryche wat3 to schewe. - [D] Bot wered not þis ilk wy3e for wele þis gordel, - For pryde of þe pendaunte3, þa3 polyst þay were, - & þa3 þe 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, - oþer knyffe; - Bi þat þe bolde mon boun, -2044 Wynne3 þeroute bilyue, - [F] Alle þe meyny of renoun, - He þonkke3 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 grayþe, þat gret wat3 & huge, [Fol. 118b.] -2048 & hade ben soiourned sauerly, & in a siker wyse, - [B] Hym lyst prik for poynt, þat proude hors þenne; - Þe wy3e wynne3 hym to, & wyte3 on his lyre, - & sayde soberly hym-self, & by his soth swere3, -2052 "Here is a meyny in þis mote, þat on menske þenkke3, - [C] Þe mon hem maynteines, ioy mot þay haue; - Þe leue lady, on lyue luf hir bityde; - 3if þay for charyte cherysen a gest, -2056 & halden honour in her honde, þe haþel hem 3elde, - Þat halde3 þe 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] Þenn 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 þe ston, stod he no lenger, -2064 to praunce; - His haþel on hors wat3 þenne, - Þat bere his spere & launce. - [F] "Þis 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, & þe brode 3ate3 - Vnbarred, & born open, vpon boþe halue; - [B] Þe burne blessed hym bilyue, & þe brede3 passed; -2072 Prayses þe porter, bifore þe prynce kneled, - Gef hym God & goud day, þat Gawayn he saue; - [C] & went on his way, with his wy3e one, - Þat schulde teche hym to tourne to þat tene place, -2076 Þer þe ruful race he schulde re-sayue. - Þay bo3en bi bonkke3, þer bo3e3 ar bare, - [D] Þay clomben bi clyffe3, þer clenge3 þe colde; - Þe heuen wat3 vp halt, bot vgly þer vnder, -2080 Mist muged on þe mor, malt on þe mounte3, - [E] Vch hille hade a hatte, a myst-hakel huge; - Broke3 byled, & breke, bi bonkke3 aboute, - Schyre schaterande on schore3, þer þay doun schowued. -2084 Welawylle wat3 þe way, þer þay bi wod schulden, [Fol. 119.] - [F] Til hit wat3 sone sesoun, þat þe sunne ryses, - þat tyde; - [G] Þay were on a hille ful hy3e, -2088 Þe quyte snaw lay bisyde; - [H] Þe burne þat 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 þis tyme, -2092 & now nar 3e not fer fro þat note place, - [B] Þat 3e han spied & spuryed so specially after; - Bot I schal say yow for soþe, syþen I yow knowe, - & 3e ar a lede vpon lyue, þat I wel louy, -2096 Wolde 3e worch bi my wytte, 3e worþed þe better. - [C] Þe place þat 3e prece to, ful perelous is halden; - [D] Þer wone3 a wy3e in þat waste, þe worst vpon erþe; - For he is stiffe, & sturne, & to strike louies, -2100 & more he is þen any mon vpon myddelerde, - [E] & his body bigger þen þe best fowre. - Þat ar in Arþure3 hous, Hestor[1] oþer oþer. - He cheue3 þat chaunce at þe chapel grene; -2104 [F] Þer passes non bi þat place, so proude in his armes, - Þat he ne dynne3 hym to deþe, with dynt of his honde; - For he is a mon methles, & mercy non vses, - [G] For be hit chorle, oþer chaplayn, þat bi þe chapel rydes, -2108 Monk, oþer masse-prest, oþer any mon elles, - Hym þynk as queme hym to quelle, as quyk go hym seluen. - For-þy I say þe as soþe as 3e in sadel sitte, - Com 3e þere, 3e be kylled, [I] may þe kny3t rede, -2112 Trawe 3e me þat trwely, þa3 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-þy, goude sir Gawayn, let þe gome one, - & got3 a-way sum oþer gate; vpon Godde3 halue; -2120 [B] Cayre3 bi sum oþer kyth, þer Kryst mot yow spede; - & I schal hy3 me hom a3ayn, & hete yow fyrre, - [C] Þat I schal swere bi God, & alle his gode hal3e3, [Fol. 119b.] - As help me God & þe halydam, & oþe3 in-noghe, -2124 Þat I schal lelly yow layne, & lance neuer tale, - Þat euer 3e fondet to fle, for freke þat I wyst." - "Grant merci;" quod Gawayn, & gruchyng he sayde, - "Wel worth þe wy3e, þat wolde3 my gode, -2128 & þat lelly me layne, I leue wel þou wolde3! - [D] Bot helde þou hit neuer so holde, & I here passed, - Founded for ferde for to fle, in fourme þat þou telle3, - I were a kny3t kowarde, I my3t not[1] be excused. -2132 [E] Bot I wy1 to þe chape1, for chaunce þat may falle, - & talk wyth þat ilk tulk þe tale þat me lyste, - Worþe hit wele, oþer wo, as þe wyrde lyke3 - hit hafe; -2136 [F] Þa3e 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 þat oþer mon, "now þou so much spelle3, - Þat þou wylt þyn awen nye nyme to þy-seluen, - & þe lyst lese þy lyf, þe lette I ne kepe; - [B] Haf here þi helme on þy hede, þi spere in þi honde, -2144 & ryde me doun þis ilk rake, bi 3on rokke syde, - [C] Til þou be bro3t to þe boþem of þe brem valay; - [D] Þenne loke a littel on þe launde, on þi lyfte honde, - [E] & þou schal se in þat slade þe self chapel, -2148 & þe borelych burne on bent, þat hit kepe3. - Now fare3 wel on Gode3 half, Gawayn þe noble, - For alle þe golde vpon grounde I nolde go with þe, - Ne bere þe fela3schip þur3 þis fryth on fote fyrre." -2152 [F] Bi þat þe wy3e in þe wod wende3 his brydel, - Hit þe hors with þe hele3, as harde as he my3t, - Lepe3 hym ouer þe launde, & leue3 þe kny3t þere, - al one. -2156 [G] "Bi Godde3 self," quod Gawayn, - "I wyl nauþer 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 þe rake, [Fol. 120.] - Schowue3 in bi a schore, at a scha3e syde, - [B] Ride3 þur3 þe ro3e bonk, ry3t to þe dale; - & þenne he wayted hym aboute, & wylde hit hym þo3t, -2164 [C] & se3e no syngne of resette, bisyde3 nowhere, - Bot hy3e bonkke3 & brent, vpon boþe halue, - & ru3e knokled knarre3, with knorned stone3; - Þe skwe3 of þe scowtes skayued[1] hym þo3t. -2168 Þenne he houed, & wyth-hylde his hors at þat tyde, - & ofte chaunged his cher, þe chapel to seche; - [D] He se3 non suche in no syde, & selly hym þo3t, - Sone a lyttel on a launde, a lawe as hit we[re]; -2172 [E] A bal3 ber3, bi a bonke, þe brymme by-syde, - Bi a for3 of a flode, þat ferked þare; - Þe borne blubred þer-inne, as hit boyled hade. - [F] Þe kny3t kache3 his caple, & com to þe lawe, -2176 [G] Li3te3 doun luflyly, & at a lynde tache3 - Þe rayne, & his riche, with a ro3e braunche; - [H] Þen[n]e he bo3e3 to þe ber3e, aboute hit he walke, - D[e]batande with hym-self, quat hit be my3t. -2180 Hit hade a hole on þe ende, & on ayþer 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 couþe hit no3t deme -2184 with spelle, - "We,[2] lorde," quod þe gentyle kny3t, - "Wheþer þis be þe grene chapelle; - [J] He my3t aboute myd-ny3t, -2188 [Þ]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; - Þis oritore is vgly, with erbe3 ouer-growen; - [B] Wel biseme3 þe wy3e wruxled in grene -2192 Dele here his deuocioun, on þe deuele3 wyse; - Now I fele hit is þe fende, in my fyue wytte3, - Þat hat3 stoken me þis steuen, to strye me here; - [C] Þis is a chapel of meschaunce, þat chekke hit by-tyde, -2196 Hit is þe corsedest kyrk, þat euer i com inne!" - With he3e helme on his hede, his launce in his honde, [Fol. 120b.] - [D] He rome3 vp to þe rokke of þo ro3 wone3; - Þene herde he of þat hy3e hil, in a harde roche, -2200 [E] Bi3onde þe broke, in a bonk, a wonder breme noyse, - [F] Quat! hit clatered in þe clyff, as hit cleue schulde, - As one vpon a gryndelston hade grounden a syþe; - [G] What! hit wharred, & whette, as water at a mulne, -2204 What! hit rusched, & ronge, rawþe to here. - Þenne "bi Godde," quod Gawayn, "þat gere as[1] I trowe, - Is ryched at þe reuerence, me renk to mete, - bi rote; -2208 Let God worche we loo, - [H] Hit helppe3 me not a mote, - My lif þa3 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 þe kny3t con calle ful hy3e, - [B] "Who sti3tle3 in þis sted, me steuen to holde? - [C] For now is gode Gawayn goande ry3t here, - If any wy3e o3t wyl wynne hider fast, -2216 Oþer now, oþer neuer, his nede3 to spede." - [D] "Abyde," quod on on þe bonke, abouen ouer his hede, - "& þou schal haf al in hast, þat I þe hy3t ones." - 3et he rusched on þat rurde, rapely a þrowe, -2220 & wyth quettyng a-wharf, er he wolde ly3t; - [E] & syþen he keuere3 bi a cragge, & come3 of a hole, - Whyrlande out of a wro, wyth a felle weppen, - [F] A dene3 ax nwe dy3t, þe dynt with [t]o 3elde -2224 With a borelych bytte, bende by þe halme, - Fyled in a fylor, fowre fote large, - Hit wat3 no lasse, bi þat lace þat lemed ful bry3t. - [G] & þe gome in þe erene gered as fyrst, -2228 Boþe þe lyre & þe legge3, lokke3, & berde, - Saue þat fayre on his fote he founde3 on þe erþe, - Sette þe stele to þe stone, & stalked bysyde. - [H] When he wan to þe watter, þer he wade nolde, -2232 He hypped ouer on hys ax, & orpedly stryde3, - Bremly broþe on a bent, þat brode wat3 a-boute, - on snawe. - [I] Sir Gawayn þe kny3t con mete. [Fol. 121.] -2236 He ne lutte hym no þyng lowe, - [J] Þat oþer sayde, "now, sir swete, - Of steuen mon may þe 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 þat grene gome, "God þe mot loke! -2240 I-wysse þou art welcom,[1] wy3e, to my place, - [B] & þou hat3 tymed þi trauayl as true[2] mon schulde; - [C] & þou knowe3 þe couenaunte3 kest vus by-twene, - At þis tyme twelmonyth þou toke þat þe falled, -2244 [D] & I schulde at þis nwe 3ere 3eply þe quyte. - [E] & we ar in þis valay, verayly oure one, - Here ar no renkes vs to rydde, rele as vus like3; - [F] Haf þy[3] helme of þy hede, & haf here þy pay; -2248 Busk no more debate þen I þe bede þenne, - "When þou wypped of my hede at a wap one." - [G] "Nay, bi God," quod Gawayn, "þat me gost lante, - I schal gruch þe no grwe, for grem þat falle3; -2252 Botsty3tel þe vpon on strok, & I schal stonde stylle, - & warp þe no wernyng, to worch as þe lyke3, - no whare." - [H] He lened with þe nek, & lutte, -2256 & schewed þat 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. þy þy.] - - XII. - - [A] Then þe gome in þe grene grayþed hym swyþe, -2260 Gedere3 yp hys grymme tole, Gawayn to smyte; - [B] With alle þe 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 Þer hade ben ded of his dynt, þat do3ty wat3 euer. - Bot Gawayn on þat giserne glyfte hym bysyde, - [C] As hit com glydande adoun, on glode hym to schende, - [D] & schranke a lytel with þe schulderes, for þe scharp yrne. -2268 Þat oþer schalk wyth a schunt þe schene wythhalde3, - [E] & þenne repreued he þe prynce with mony prowde worde3: - [F] "Þou art not Gawayn," quod þe gome, "þat is so goud halden, - Þat neuer ar3ed for no here, by hylle ne be vale, -2272 [G] & now þou fles for ferde, er þou fele harme3; [Fol. 121b.] - Such cowardise of þat kny3t cowþe I neuer here. - [H] Nawþer fyked I, ne fla3e, freke, quen þou myntest, - Ne kest no kauelacion, in kynge3 hous Arthor, -2276 [I] My hede fla3 to my fote, & 3et fla3 I neuer; - & þou, er any harme hent, ar3e3 in hert, - [J] Wherfore þe better burne me burde be called - þer-fore." -2280 [K] Quod G:, "I schunt one3, - & so wyl I no more, - Bot pa3 my hede falle on þe 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 þi fayth, & bryng me to þe poynt, - Dele to me my destine, & do hit out of honde, - For I schal stonde þe a strok, & start no more, - Til þyn ax haue me hitte, haf here my trawþe." -2288 [B] "Haf at þe þenne," quod þat oþer, & heue3 hit alofte, - & wayte3 as wroþely, as he wode were; - [C] He mynte3 at hym ma3tyly, bot not þe mon ryue3,[1] - With-helde heterly h[i]s honde, er hit hurt my3t. -2292 [D] Gawayn grayþely hit byde3, & glent with no membre, - Bot stode stylle as þe ston, oþer a stubbe auþer, - Þat raþeled is in roche grounde, with rote3 a hundreth. - Þen muryly efte con he mele, þe mon in þe grene, -2296 [E] "So now þou hat3 þi hert holle, hitte me bihou[e]s; - Halde þe now þe hy3e hode, þat Arþur þe ra3t, - & kepe þy kanel at þis kest, 3if hit keuer may." - G: ful gryndelly with greme þenne sayde, -2300 [F] "Wy þresch on, þou þro mon, þou þrete3 to longe, - I hope þat þi hert ar3e wyth þyn awen seluen." - "For soþe," quod þat oþer freke, "so felly þou speke3, - I wyl no lenger on lyte lette þin ernde, -2304 ri3t nowe." - [G] Þenne tas he[2] hym stryþe to stryke, - & frounses boþe lyppe & browe, - No meruayle þa3 hym myslyke, -2308 Þat 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 þe barbe of þe bitte bi þe bare nek [Fol. 122.] - Þa3 he homered heterly, hurt hym no more, -2312 Bot snyrt hym on þat on syde, þat seuered þe hyde; - [C] Þe scharp schrank to þe flesche þur3 þe schyre grece, - Þat þe schene blod over his schulderes schot to þe erþe. - [D] & quen þe burne se3 þe blode blenk on þe snawe, -2316 He sprit forth spenne fote more þen a spere lenþe, - 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 þat he wat3 burne borne of his moder, - Wat3 he neuer in þis worlde, wy3e half so blyþe:-- - [F] "Blynne, burne, of þy bur, bede me no mo; - I haf a stroke in þis sted with-oute stryf hent, -2324 [G] & if þow reche3 me any mo, I redyly schal quyte, - & 3elde 3ederly a3ayn, & þer to 3e tryst, - & foo; - [H] Bot on stroke here me falle3, -2328 Þe couenaunt schop ry3t so, - [Sikered][1] in Arþure3 halle3, - & þer-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 haþel heldet hym fro, & on his ax rested, -2332 Sette þe schaft vpon schore, & to be scharp lened, - [B] & loked to þe leude, þat on þe launde 3ede, - How þat do3ty dredles deruely þer stonde3, - Armed ful a3le3; in hert hit hym lyke3. -2336 þenn he mele3 muryly, wyth a much steuen, - [C] & wyth a r[a]ykande rurde he to þe renk sayde, - "Bolde burne, on þis bent be not so gryndel; - No mon here vn-manerly þe mys-boden habbe, -2340 Ne kyd, bot as couenaunde, at kynge3 kort schaped; - [D] I hy3t þe a strok, & þou hit hat3, halde þe wel payed, - I relece þe of þe remnaunt, of ry3tes alle oþer; - 3if[1] I deliuer had bene, a boffet, paraunter, -2344 [E] I couþe wroþeloker haf waret, [&] to þe haf wro3t anger.[2] - Fyrst I mansed þe muryly, with a mynt one, - [F] & roue þe wyth no rof, sore with ry3t I þe profered, - For þe forwarde that we fest in þe fyrst ny3t, [Fol. 122b.] -2348 & þou trystyly þe trawþe & trwly me halde3, - Al þe gayne þow me gef, as god mon shulde; - [G] Þat oþer munt for þe morne, mon, I þe profered, - Þou kyssedes my clere wyf, þe cosse3 me ra3te3, -2352 For boþe two here I þe bede bot two bare myntes, - boute scaþe; - [H] Trwe mon trwe restore, - Þenne þar mon drede no waþe; -2356 [I] At þe þrid þou fayled þore, - & þer-for þat tappe ta þe. - -[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 þat þou were3, þat ilke wouen girdel, - Myn owen wyf hit þe weued, I wot wel forsoþe; -2360 [B] Now know I wel þy cosses, & þy costes als, - & þe wowyng of my wyf, I wro3t hit myseluen; - [C] I sende hir to asay þe, & sothly me þynkke3, - On þe fautlest freke, þat euer on fote 3ede; -2364 As perle bi þe quite pese is of prys more, - So is Gawayn, in god fayth, bi oþer gay kny3te3. - [D] Bot here you lakked a lyttel, sir, & lewte yow wonted, - Bot þat wat3 for no wylyde werke, ne wowyng nauþer, -2368 [E] Bot for 3e lufed your lyf, þe lasse I yow blame." - Þat oþer stif mon in study stod a gret whyle; - So agreued for greme he gryed with-inne, - [F] Alle þe blode of his brest blende in his face, -2372 Þat al he schrank for schome, þat þe schalk talked. - Þe forme worde vpon folde, þat þe freke meled,-- - [G] "Corsed worth cowarddyse & couetyse boþe! - In yow is vylany & vyse, þat vertue disstrye3." -2376 [H] Þenne he ka3t to þe knot, & þe kest lawse3, - Brayde broþely þe belt to þe burne seluen: - "Lo! þer þe falssyng, foule mot hit falle! - [I] For care of þy knokke cowardyse me ta3t -2380 To a-corde me with couetyse, my kynde to for-sake, - Þat is larges & lewte, þat longe3 to kny3te3. - [J] Now am I fawty, & falce, & ferde haf ben euer; - Of trecherye & vn-trawþe boþe 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: ] - - XVII. - - [A] Thenne lo3e þat oþer leude, & luflyly sayde, - "I halde hit hardily[1] hole, þe harme þat I hade; - [B] Þou art confessed so clene, be-knowen of þy mysses, -2392 & hat3 þe penaunce apert, of þe poynt of myn egge, - [C] I halde þe polysed of þat ply3t, & pured as clene, - As þou hade3 neuer forfeted, syþen þou wat3 fyrst borne. - [D] & I gif þe, sir, þe gurdel þat is golde hemmed; -2396 For hit is grene as my goune, sir G:, 3e maye - Þenk vpon þis ilke þrepe, þer þou forth þrynge3 - Among prynces of prys, & þis a pure token - [E] Of þe chaunce of þe grene chapel, at cheualrous kny3te3; -2400 [F] & 3e schal in þis nwe 3er a3ayn to my wone3, - & we schyn reuel þe remnaunt of þis ryche fest, - ful bene." - Þer laþed hym fast þe lorde, -2404 & sayde, "with my wyf, I wene, - We schal yow wel acorde, - Þat wat3 your enmy kene." - -[Sidenote A: Then the other, laughing, thus spoke:] -[Sidenote B: "Thou art confessed so clean,] -[Sidenote C: that I hold thee as pure as if thou hadst never been guilty.] -[Sidenote D: I give thee, sir, the gold-hemmed girdle,] -[Sidenote E: as a token of thy adventure at the Green Chapel.] -[Sidenote F: Come again to my abode, and abide there for the remainder of - the festival."] -[Footnote 1: hardilyly, in MS.] - - XVIII. - - [A] "Nay, for soþe," quod þe segge, & sesed hys helme, -2408 & hat3 hit of hendely, & þe haþel þonkke3, - [B] "I haf soiorned sadly, sele yow bytyde, - & he 3elde hit yow 3are, þat 3arkke3 al menskes! - [C] & comaunde3 me to þat cortays, your comlych fere, -2412 Boþe þat on & þat oþer, myn honoured ladye3. - Þat þus hor kny3t wyth hor kest han koyntly bigyled. - [D] Bot hit is no ferly, þa3 a fole madde, - & þur3 wyles of wymmen be wonen to sor3e; -2416 [E] For so wat3 Adam in erde with one bygyled, - & Salamon with fele sere, & Samson eft sone3, - Dalyda dalt hym hys wyrde, & Dauyth þer-after - Wat3 blended with Barsabe, þat much bale þoled. -2420 Now þese were wrathed wyth her wyles, hit were a wynne huge, - [F] To luf hom wel, & leue hem not, a leude þat couþe, - For þes wer forne[1] þe freest þat fol3ed alle þe sele, [Fol.] - Ex-ellently of alle þyse oþer, vnder heuen-ryche, [123b.] -2424 þat mused; - & alle þay were bi-wyled, - With[2] wymmen þat þay vsed, - [G] Þa3 I be now bigyled, -2428 Me þink me burde be excused." - -[Sidenote A: "Nay, forsooth," says Gawayne,] -[Sidenote B: "I have sojourned sadly, but bliss betide thee!] -[Sidenote C: Commend me to your comely wife and that other lady who have - beguiled me.] -[Sidenote D: But it is no marvel for a man to be brought to grief through a - woman's wiles.] -[Sidenote E: Adam, Solomon, Samson, and David were beguiled by women.] -[Sidenote F: How could a man love them and believe them not?] -[Sidenote G: Though I be now beguiled, methinks I should be excused.] -[Footnote 1: forme (?)] -[Footnote 2: with wyth, in MS.] - - XIX. - - [A] "Bot your gordel," quod G: "God yow for-3elde! - Þat wyl I welde wyth good wylle, not for þe wynne golde, - Ne þe saynt, ne þe sylk, ne þe syde pendaundes, -2432 For wele, ne for worchyp, ne for þe wlonk werkke3, - [B] Bot in syngne of my surfet I schal se hit ofte; - When I ride in renoun, remorde to myseluen - Þe faut & þe fayntyse of þe flesche crabbed, -2436 How tender hit is to entyse teches of fylþe; - [C] & þus, quen pryde schal me pryk, for prowes of armes, - [D] Þe loke to þis luf lace schal leþe my hert. - Bot on I wolde yow pray, displeses yow neuer; -2440 Syn 3e be lorde of þe 3onde[r] londe, þer I haf lent inne, - Wyth yow wyth worschyp,--þe wy3e hit yow 3elde - Þat vp-halde3 þe heuen, & on hy3 sitte3,-- - [E] How norne 3e yowre ry3t nome, & þenne no more?" -2444 "Þat schal I telle þe trwly," quod þat oþer þenne, - [F] "Bernlak de Hautdesert I hat in þis londe, - Þur3 my3t of Morgne la Faye, þat in my hous lenges, - &[1] koyntyse of clergye, bi craftes wel lerned, -2448 Þe maystres of Merlyn, mony ho[2] taken; - For ho hat3 dalt drwry ful dere sum tyme, - With þat conable klerk, þat knowes alle your kny3te3 - at hame; -2452 Morgne þe goddes, - Þer-fore hit is hir name; - [G] Welde3 non so hy3e hawtesse, - Þat ho ne con make ful tame. - -[Sidenote A: But God reward you for your girdle.] -[Sidenote B: I will wear it in remembrance of my fault.] -[Sidenote C: And when pride shall prick me,] -[Sidenote D: a look to this lace shall abate it.] -[Sidenote E: But tell me your right name and I shall have done."] -[Sidenote F: The Green Knight replies, "I am called Bernlak de Hautdesert, - through might of Morgain la Fey, the pupil of Merlin.] -[Sidenote G: She can tame even the haughtiest.] -[Footnote 1: in (?).] -[Footnote 2: ho hat3 (?).] - - XX. - -2456 [A] Ho wayned me vpon þis wyse to your wynne halle, - For to assay þe surquidre, 3if hit soth were, - Þat rennes of þe grete renoun of þe Rounde Table; - Ho wayned me þis wonder, your wytte3 to reue, -2460 [B] For to haf greued Gaynour, & gart hir to dy3e. [Fol. 124.] - With gopnyng[1] of þat ilke gomen, þat gostlych speked, - With his hede in his honde, bifore þe hy3e table. - Þat is ho þat is at home, þe auncian lady; -2464 [C] Ho is euen þyn aunt, Arþure3 half suster, - Þe duches do3ter of Tyntagelle, þat dere Vter after - [D] Hade Arþur vpon, þat aþel is nowþe. - Þerfore I eþe þe, haþel, to com to þy naunt, -2468 Make myry in my hous, my meny þe louies, - & I wol þe as wel, wy3e, bi my faythe, - As any gome vnder God, for þy grete trauþe." - [E] & he nikked hym naye, he nolde bi no wayes; -2472 Þay acolen & kyssen, [bikennen] ayþer oþer - To þe prynce of paradise, & parten ry3t þere, - on coolde; - [F] Gawayn on blonk ful bene, -2476 To þe kynge3 bur3 buske3 bolde, - & þe kny3t in þe enker grene, - Whider-warde so euer he wolde. - -[Sidenote A: It was she who caused me to test the renown of the Round - Table,] -[Sidenote B: hoping to grieve Guenever and cause her death through fear.] -[Sidenote C: She is even thine aunt.] -[Sidenote D: Therefore come to her and make merry in my house."] -[Sidenote E: Gawayne refuses to return with the Green Knight.] -[Sidenote F: On horse full fair he bends to Arthur's hall.] -[Footnote 1: glopnyng (?).] - - XXI. - - [A] Wylde waye3 in þe worlde Wowen now ryde3, -2480 On Gryngolet, þat þe grace hade geten of his lyue; - [B] Ofte he herbered in house, & ofte al þeroute, - & mony a-venture in vale, & venquyst ofte, - Þat I ne ty3t, at þis tyme, in tale to remene. -2484 [C] Þe hurt wat3 hole, þat he hade hent in his nek, - [D] & þe blykkande belt he bere þeraboute, - A belef as a bauderyk, bounden bi his syde, - Loken vnder his lyfte arme, þe lace, with a knot, -2488 [E] In tokenyng he wat3 tane in tech of a faute; - [F] & þus he commes to þe court, kny3t al in sounde. - [G] Þer wakned wele in þat wone, when wyst þe grete, - Þat gode G: wat3 commen, gayn hit hym þo3t; -2492 [H] Þe kyng kysse3 þe kny3t, & þe whene alce, - & syþen mony syker kny3t, þat so3t hym to haylce, - [I] Of his fare þat hym frayned, & ferlyly he telles; - Biknowo3 alle þe costes of care þat he hade,-- -2496 Þe chaunce of þe chapel, þe chere of þe kny3t, - [J] Þe luf of þe ladi, þe lace at þe last. [Fol. 124b.] - Þe nirt in þe nek he naked hem schewed, - [K] Þat he la3t for his vnleute at þe leudes hondes, -2500 for blame; - He tened quen he schulde telle, - [L] He groned for gref & grame; - Þe blod in his face con melle, -2504 When he hit schulde schewe, for schame. - -[Sidenote A: Wild ways now Gawayne rides.] -[Sidenote B: Oft he harboured in house and oft thereout.] -[Sidenote C: The wound in his neck became whole.] -[Sidenote D: He still carried about him the belt,] -[Sidenote E: in token of his fault.] -[Sidenote F: Thus he comes to the Court of King Arthur.] -[Sidenote G: Great then was the joy of all.] -[Sidenote H: The king and his knights ask him concerning his journey.] -[Sidenote I: Gawayne tells them of his adventures,] -[Sidenote J: the love of the lady, and lastly of the lace.] -[Sidenote K: He showed them the cut in his neck.] -[Sidenote L: He groaned for grief and shame, and the blood rushed into his - face.] - - XXII. - - [A] "Lo! lorde," quod þe leude, & þe lace hondeled, - "Þis is þe bende of þis blame I bere [in] my nek, - Þis is þe laþe & þe losse, þat I la3t haue, -2508 [B] Of couardise & couetyse, þat I haf ca3t þare, - Þis is þe token of vn-trawþe, þat I am tan inne, - [C] & I mot nede3 hit were, wyle I may last; - For non may hyden his harme, bot vnhap ne may hit, -2512 For þer hit one3 is tachched, twynne wil hit neuer." - [D] Þe kyng comforte3 þe kny3t, & alle þe court als, - La3en loude þer-at, & luflyly acorden, - Þat lordes & ladis, þat longed to þe Table, -2516 [E] Vche burne of þe broþer-hede a bauderyk schulde haue, - A bende, a belef hym aboute, of a bry3t grene, - [F] & þat, for sake of þat segge, in swete to were. - For þat wat3 acorded þe renoun of þe Rounde Table, -2520 [G] & he honoured þat hit hade, euer-more after, - As hit is breued in þe best boke of romaunce. - [H] Þus in Arthurus day þis aunter bitidde, - Þe Brutus bokees þer-of beres wyttenesse; -2524 Syþen Brutus, þe bolde burne, bo3ed hider fyrst, - After þe segge & þe asaute wat3 sesed at Troye, - I-wysse; - Mony auntere3 here bi-forne, -2528 Haf fallen suche er þis: - [I] Now þat bere þe croun of þorne, - He bryng vus to his blysse! AMEN. - -[Sidenote A: "Lo!" says he, handling the lace, "this is the band of blame,] -[Sidenote B: a token of my cowardice and covetousness,] -[Sidenote C: I must needs wear it as long as I live."] -[Sidenote D: The king comforts the knight, and all the court too.] -[Sidenote E: Each knight of the brotherhood agrees to wear a bright green - belt,] -[Sidenote F: for Gawayne's sake,] -[Sidenote G: who ever more honoured it.] -[Sidenote H: Thus in Arthur's day this adventure befell.] -[Sidenote I: He that bore the crown of thorns bring us to His bliss!] - - * * * * * - -NOTES. - -Line 8 Ricchis turns, goes, - The king ... - Ricchis his reynys and the Renke metys: - Girden to gedur with þere grete speires.--T.B. l. 1232. - -37 Þis kyng lay at Camylot vpon kryst-masse. - Camalot, in Malory's "Morte Arthure," is said to be the same as - Winchester. Ritson supposes it to be Caer-went, in Monmouthshire, - and afterwards confounded with Caer-wynt, or Winchester. But - popular tradition here seems the best guide, which assigned the site - of Camalot to the ruins of a castle on a hill, near the church of - South Cadbury, in Somersetshire (Sir F. Madden). - -65 Nowel nayted o-newe, neuened ful ofte. - Christmas celebrated anew, mentioned full often. - Sir F. Madden leaves the word nayted unexplained in his Glossary - to "Syr Gawayne." - -124 syluener = sylueren, i.e. silver dishes. - -139 lyndes = lendes, loins. - -142 in his muckel, in his greatness. - -184 Wat3 euesed al umbe-torne--? was trimmed, all cut evenly around; - umbe-torne may be an error for vmbe-corue = cut round. - -216 in gracios werkes. Sir F. Madden reads gracons for gracios, and - suggests Greek as the meaning of it. - -244-5 As al were slypped vpon slepe so slaked hor lote3 - in hy3e. - As all were fallen asleep so ceased their words - in haste (suddenly). - Sir F. Madden reads slaked horlote3, instead of slaked hor lote3, - which, according to his glossary, signifies drunken vagabonds. - He evidently takes horlote3 to be another (and a very uncommon) form - of harlote3 = harlots. But harlot, or vagabond, would be a very - inappropriate term to apply to the noble Knights of the Round Table. - Moreover, slaked never, I think, means drunken. The general sense of - the verb slake is to let loose, lessen, cease. Cf. lines 411-2, - where sloke, another form of slake, occurs with a similar meaning: - -- layt no fyrre; - bot slokes. - -- seek no further, - but stop (cease). - Sir F. Madden suggests blows as the explanation of slokes. It - is, however, a verb in the imperative mood. - -286 Brayn. Maetzner suggests brayn-wod. - -296 barlay = par loi. This word is exceedingly common in the T. Book - (see l. 3391). - I bid you now, barlay, with besines at all - Þat ye set you most soverainly my suster to gete.--T.B. l. 2780. - -394 siker. Sir F. Madden reads swer. - -440 bluk. Sir F. Madden suggests blunk (horse). I am inclined to keep to - the reading of the MS., and explain bluk as = bulk = trunk. Cf. the - use of the word Blok in "Early English Alliterative Poems," - p. 100, l. 272. - -558 derue doel, etc. = great grief. Sir F. Madden reads derne, i.e. secret, - instead of derue (= derf). Cf. line 564. - -577 knaged, fastened. - The braunches were borly, sum of bright gold, - With leuys full luffly, light of the same; - With burions aboue bright to beholde; - And fruit on yt fourmyt of fairest of shap, - Of mony kynd that was knyt, knagged aboue.--T.B. l. 4973. - -629 & ay quere hit is endele3, etc. - And everywhere it is endless, etc. - Sir F. Madden reads emdele3, i.e. with equal sides. - -652 for-be = for-bi = surpassing, beyond. - -681 for Hadet read Halet = haled = exiled (?). See line 1049. - -806 auinant = auenaunt, pleasantly. Sir F. Madden reads amnant. - -954 of. Should we not read on (?). - -957 Þat oþer wyth a gorger wat3 gered ouer þe swyre. - The gorger or wimple is stated first to have appeared in Edward the - First's reign, and an example is found on the monument of Aveline, - Countess of Lancaster, who died in 1269. From the poem, however, it - would seem that the gorger was confined to elderly ladies (Sir F. - Madden). - -968 More lykker-wys on to lyk, - Wat3 þat scho had on lode. - - A more pleasant one to like, - Was that (one) she had under her control. - -988 tayt = lively, and hence pleasant, agreeable. - -1015 in vayres, in purity. - -1020 dut = dunt (?) = dint (?), referring to sword-sports. - -1022 sayn[t] Ione3 day. This is the 27th of December, and the last of the - feast. Sometimes the Christmas festivities were prolonged to New - Year's Day (Sir F. Madden). - -1047 derne dede = secret deed. I would prefer to read derue dede = - great deed. Cf. lines 558, 564. - -1053 I wot in worlde, etc. = I not (I know not) in worlde, etc. - -1054 I nolde, bot if I hit negh my3t on nw3eres morne, - For alle þe londe in-wyth Logres, etc. - I would not [delay to set out], unless I might approach it on New - Year's morn, for all the lands within England, etc. - -1074 in spenne = in space = in the interval = meanwhile. See line 1503. - -1160 slentyng of arwes. Sir F. Madden reads sleutyng. - "Of drawyn swordis sclentyng to and fra, - The brycht mettale, and othir armouris seir, - Quharon the sonnys blenkis betis cleir, - Glitteris and schane, and vnder bemys brycht, - Castis ane new twynklyng or a lemand lycht." - (G. Douglas' AEneid, Vol. i, p. 421.) - -1281 let lyk = appeared pleased. - -1283 Þa3 I were burde bry3test, þe burde in mynde hade, etc. - The sense requires us to read: - Þa3 ho were burde bry3test, þe burne in mynde hade, etc. - i.e., Though she were lady fairest, the knight in mind had, etc. - -1440 Long sythen [seuered] for þe sounder þat wi3t for-olde - Long since separated from the sounder or herd that fierce (one) - for-aged (grew very old). - "Now to speke of the boore, the fyrste year he is - A pygge of the sounder callyd, as haue I blys; - The secounde yere an hogge, and soo shall he be, - And an hoggestere, whan he is of yeres thre; - And when he is foure yere, a boor shall he be, - From the sounder of the swyne thenne departyth he; - A synguler is he soo, for alone he woll go." - (Book of St. Alban's, ed. 1496, sig. d., i.) - -1476 totes = looks, toots. - Sho went up wightly by a walle syde. - To the toppe of a toure and tot ouer the water.--T.B. l. 862. - -1623 A verb [? lalede = cried] seems wanting after lorde. - -1702 fnasted, breathed. - These balfull bestes were, as the boke tellus, - Full flaumond of fyre with fnastyng of logh.--T.B. l. 168. - -1710 a strothe rande = a rugged path. Cf. the phrases tene greue, l. 1707; - ro3e greue, l. 1898. - -1719 Thenne wat3 hit lif vpon list, etc. - Should we not read: - Thenne wat3 hit list vpon lif, etc. - i.e., Then was there joy in life, etc. - -1729 bi lag = be-lagh(?) = below (?). - -1780 lyf = lef(?), beloved (one). - -1869 Ho hat3 kyst þe kny3t so to3t. - She has kissed the knight so courteous. - Sir F. Madden explains to3t, promptly. To3t seems to be the same as - the Northumbrian taght in the following extract from the "Morte - Arthure": - "There come in at the fyrste course, before the kyng seluene, - Bare hevedys that ware bryghte, burnyste with sylver, - Alle with taghte mene and towne in togers fulle ryche."--(p. 15.) - The word towne (well-behaved) still exists in wan-ton, the - original meaning of which was ill-mannered, ill-bred. - -1909 bray hounde3 = braþ hounde3, i.e. fierce hounds. - -1995 He hat3 nere þat he so3t = He wat3 nere þat he so3t = He was near to - that which he sought. - -2160 gedere3 þe rake = takes the path or way. - -2167 Þe skwe3 of þe scowtes skayued hym þo3t. - The shadows of the hills appeared wild (desolate) to him. Sir F. - Madden reads skayned, of which he gives no explanation. - Skayued = skayfed, seems to be the N. Prov. English scafe, wild. - Scotch schaivie, wild, mad. O.N. skeifr. Sw. skef, awry, distorted. - -2204 ronge = clattered. - -2211 Drede dot3 me no lote = - No noise shall cause me to dread (fear). - -2357 & þer-for þat tappe ta þe. - And therefore take thee that tap. - ta þe = take thee. Sir F. Madden reads taþe = taketh. See l. 413, - where to þe rhymes with sothe. We have no imperatives in th in - this poem. - -2401 We schyn reuel, etc. Sir F. Madden reads wasch yn reuel. - But schyn = shall. See Glossary to "Alliterative Poems." - -2474 on-coolde = on-colde = coldly = sorrowfully. - -2489 in-sounde = soundly, well. Cf. in-blande = together; - in-lyche, alike; inmydde3, amidst. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight, by Anonymous - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIR GAWAYNE AND THE GREEN KNIGHT *** - -***** This file should be named 14568.txt or 14568.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - https://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/6/14568/ - -Produced by Ted Garvin, Keith Edkins and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - https://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/old/14568.zip b/old/old/14568.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 65482fe..0000000 --- a/old/old/14568.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/old/yogh.htm b/old/old/yogh.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 4a78963..0000000 --- a/old/old/yogh.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6154 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> - -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> -<head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" /> - - <title>Sir Gawayne and The Green Knight</title> - - <style type="text/css"> - <!-- - body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; } - p {text-align: justify;} - blockquote {text-align: justify;} - h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {text-align: center;} - pre {font-size: 0.7em;} - - table {padding: 1em; } - td {vertical-align: top; } - hr {text-align: center; width: 50%;} - html>body hr {margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 25%; width: 50%;} - hr.full {width: 100%;} - html>body hr.full {margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 0%; width: 100%;} - hr.short {text-align: center; width: 20%;} - html>body hr.short {margin-right: 40%; margin-left: 40%; width: 20%;} - - .note, - {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} - - span.pagenum - {position: absolute; left: 1%; right: 91%; font-size: 8pt;} - - span.linenum - {position: absolute; left: 5%; right: 91%; } - - span.sidenote - {position: absolute; left: 65%; font-size: 8pt; } - - .poem - {margin-left:5%; margin-right:10%; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;} - .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} - .poem p {margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} - .poem p.i2 {margin-left: 1em;} - .poem p.i4 {margin-left: 2em;} - .poem p.i6 {margin-left: 3em;} - .poem p.i8 {margin-left: 4em;} - - --> - </style> -</head> -<body> -<h1>Sir Gawayne</h1> - -<h3>and</h3> - -<h1>The Green Knight:</h1> - - -<h2>AN ALLITERATIVE ROMANCE-POEM,</h2> -<h4>(AB. 1360 A.D.)</h4> - - -<h4>BY THE AUTHOR OF</h4> -<h2>"EARLY ENGLISH ALLITERATIVE POEMS."</h2> - - -<h3>RE-EDITED FROM COTTON. MS. NERO, A.x., IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM,</h3> -<h4>BY</h4> -<h2>RICHARD MORRIS,</h2> -<h5>EDITOR OF HAMPOLE'S "PRICKE OF CONSCIENCE," "EARLY ENGLISH ALLITERATIVE POEMS," ETC.;</h5> -<h5>MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF THE PHILOLOGICAL SOCIETY.</h5> - - -<h3>SECOND EDITION, REVISED, 1869.</h3> - -<h2>LONDON</h2> -<h3>PUBLISHED FOR THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY</h3> -<h3>BY N. TRÜBNER & CO., 60, PATERNOSTER ROW,</h3> -<h5>MDCCCLXIV.</h5> - -<hr /> - -<h5>JOHN CHILDS AND SON, PRINTERS. </h5> - -<hr /> - - - <h2>PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.</h2> - - <p>In re-editing the present romance-poem I have been saved all labour of - transcription by using the very accurate text contained in Sir F. - Madden's "Syr Gawayne."</p> - - <p>I have not only read his copy with the manuscript, but also the - proof-sheets as they came to hand, hoping by this means to give the - reader a text free from any errors of transcription.</p> - - <p>The present edition differs from that of the earlier one in having the - contractions of the manuscript expanded and side-notes added to the text - to enable the reader to follow with some degree of ease the author's - pleasant narrative of Sir Gawayne's adventures.</p> - - <p>The Glossary is taken from Sir F. Madden's "Syr Gawayne,"<sup>1</sup> to which, - for the better interpretation of the text, I have made several additions, - and have, moreover, glossed nearly all the words previously left - unexplained.</p> - - <p>For a description of the Manuscript, and particulars relating to the - authorship and dialect of the present work, the reader is referred to the - preface to <i>Early English Alliterative Poems</i>.</p> - - <p>R.M.</p> - - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p>LONDON,</p> - <p><i>December</i> 22, 1864.</p> - </div> - </div> - - <p>[<sup>1</sup> Sir F. Madden has most generously placed at the disposal - of the Early English Text Society any of his works which it may determine - to re-edit.]</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>INTRODUCTION.</h2> - - <p>No Knight of the Round Table has been so highly honoured by the old - Romance-writers as Sir Gawayne, the son of Loth, and nephew to the - renowned Arthur. They delighted to describe him as Gawayne the good, a - man matchless on mould, the most gracious that under God lived, the - hardiest of hand, the most fortunate in arms, and the most polite in - hall, whose knowledge, knighthood, kindly works, doings, doughtiness, and - deeds of arms were known in all lands.</p> - - <p>When Arthur beheld the dead body of his kinsman lying on the ground - bathed in blood, he is said to have exclaimed, "O righteous God, this - blood were worthy to be preserved and enshrined in gold!" Our author, - too, loves to speak of his hero in similar terms of praise, calling him - the knight faultless in his five wits, void of every offence, and adorned - with every earthly virtue. He represents him as one whose trust was in - the five wounds, and in whom the five virtues which distinguished the - true knight were more firmly established than in any other on earth.</p> - - <p>The author of the present story, who, as we know from his religious - poems, had an utter horror of moral impurity, could have chosen no better - subject for a romance in which amusement and moral instruction were to be - combined. In the following tale he shows how the true knight, though - tempted sorely not once alone, but twice, nay thrice, breaks not his vow - of chastity, but turns aside the tempter's shafts with the shield of - purity and arm of faith, and so passes scatheless through the perilous - defile of trial and opportunity seeming safe.</p> - - <p>But while our author has borrowed many of the details of his story - from the "Roman de Perceval" by Chrestien de Troyes, he has made the - narrative more attractive by the introduction of several original and - highly interesting passages which throw light on the manners and - amusements of our ancestors.</p> - - <p>The following elaborate descriptions are well deserving of especial - notice:—</p> - - <blockquote>I. The mode of completely arming a knight (ll. - 568-589).</blockquote> - - <blockquote>II. The hunting and breaking the deer (ll. - 1126-1359).</blockquote> - - <blockquote>III. The hunting and unlacing the wild boar (ll. - 1412-1614).</blockquote> - - <blockquote>IV. A fox hunt (ll. 1675-1921).</blockquote> - - <p>The following is an outline of the story of Gawayne's adventures, more - or less in the words of the writer himself:—</p> - - <blockquote>Arthur, the greatest of Britain's kings, holds the Christmas - festival at Camelot, surrounded by the celebrated knights of the Round - Table, noble lords, the most renowned under heaven, and ladies the - loveliest that ever had life (ll. 37-57). This noble company celebrate - the New Year by a religious service, by the bestowal of gifts, and the - most joyous mirth. Lords and ladies take their seats at the - table—Queen Guenever, the grey-eyed, gaily dressed, sits at the - daïs, the high table, or table of state, where too sat Gawayne and Ywain - together with other worthies of the Round Table (ll. 58-84, 107-115). - Arthur, in mood as joyful as a child, his blood young and his brain wild, - declares that he will not eat nor sit long at the table until some - adventurous thing, some uncouth tale, some great marvel, or some - encounter of arms has occurred to mark the return of the New Year (ll. - 85-106).</blockquote> - - <blockquote>The first course was announced with cracking of trumpets, - with the noise of nakers and noble pipes.</blockquote> - - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p class="i4">"Each two had dishes twelve,</p> - <p class="i4">Good beer and bright wine both."</p> - </div> - </div> - - <blockquote>Scarcely was the first course served when another noise than - that of music was heard. There rushes in at the hall-door a knight of - gigantic stature—the greatest on earth—in measure high. He - was clothed entirely in green, and rode upon a green foal (ll. 116-178). - Fair wavy hair fell about the shoulders of the Green Knight, and a great - beard like a bush hung upon his breast (ll. 179-202).</blockquote> - - <blockquote>The knight carried no helmet, shield, or spear, but in one - hand a holly bough, and in the other an axe "huge and unmeet," the edge - of which was as keen as a sharp razor (ll. 203-220). Thus arrayed, the - Green Knight enters the hall without saluting any one. The first word - that he uttered was, "Where is the govenour of this gang? gladly would I - see him and with himself speak reason." To the knights he cast his eye, - looking for the most renowned. Much did the noble assembly marvel to see - a man and a horse of such a hue, green as the grass. Even greener they - seemed than green enamel on bright gold. Many marvels had they seen, but - none such as this. They were afraid to answer, but sat stone-still in a - dead silence, as if overpowered by sleep;</blockquote> - - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p class="i4">"Not all from fear, but some for courtesy" (ll. 221-249).</p> - </div> - </div> - - <blockquote>Then Arthur before the high daïs salutes the Green Knight, - bids him welcome, and entreats him to stay awhile at his Court. The - knight says that his errand is not to abide in any dwelling, but to seek - the most valiant of the heroes of the Round Table that he may put his - courage to the proof, and thus satisfy himself as to the fame of Arthur's - court. "I come," he says, "in peace, as ye may see by this branch that I - bear here. Had I come with hostile intentions, I should not have left my - hauberk, helmet, shield, sharp spear, and other weapons behind me. But - because I desire no war, 'my weeds are softer.' If thou be so bold as all - men say, thou wilt grant me the request I am about to make." "Sir - courteous knight," replies Arthur, "if thou cravest battle only, here - failest thou not to fight." "Nay," says the Green Knight, "I seek no - fighting. Here about on this bench are only beardless children. Were I - arrayed in arms on a high steed no man here would be a match for me (ll. - 250-282). But it is now Christmas time, and this is the New Year, and I - see around me many brave ones;—if any be so bold in his blood that - dare strike a stroke for another, I shall give him this rich axe to do - with it whatever he pleases. I shall abide the first blow just as I sit, - and will stand him a stroke, stiff on this floor, provided that I deal - him another in return.</blockquote> - - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p class="i4">And yet give I him respite,</p> - <p class="i4">A twelvemonth and a day;</p> - <p class="i4">Now haste and let see tite (soon)</p> - <p class="i4">Dare any here-in ought say.'"</p> - </div> - </div> - - <blockquote>If he astounded them at first, much more so did he after this - speech, and fear held them all silent. The knight, righting himself in - his saddle, rolls fiercely his red eyes about, bends his bristly green - brows, and strokes his beard awaiting a reply. But finding none that - would carp with him, he exclaims, "What! is this Arthur's house, the fame - of which has spread through so many realms? Forsooth, the renown of the - Round Table is overturned by the word of one man's speech, for all - tremble for dread without a blow being struck!" (ll. 283-313). With this - he laughed so loud that Arthur blushed for very shame, and waxed as wroth - as the wind. "I know no man," he says, "that is aghast at thy great - words. Give me now thy axe and I will grant thee thy request!" Arthur - seizes the axe, grasps the handle, and sternly brandishes it about, while - the Green Knight, with a stern cheer and a dry countenance, stroking his - beard and drawing down his coat, awaits the blow (ll. 314-335). Sir - Gawayne, the nephew of the king, beseeches his uncle to let him undertake - the encounter; and, at the earnest entreaty of his nobles, Arthur - consents "to give Gawayne the game" (ll. 336-365).</blockquote> - - <blockquote>Sir Gawayne then takes possession of the axe, but, before the - blow is dealt, the Green Knight asks the name of his opponent. "In good - faith," answers the good knight, "Gawayne I am called, that bids thee to - this buffet, whatever may befall after, and at this time twelvemonth will - take from thee another, with whatever weapon thou wilt, and with no wight - else alive." "By Gog," quoth the Green Knight, "it pleases me well that I - shall receive at thy fist that which I have sought here—moreover - thou hast truly rehearsed the terms of the covenant,—but thou shalt - first pledge me thy word that thou wilt seek me thyself, wheresoever on - earth thou believest I may be found, and fetch thee such wages as thou - dealest me to-day before this company of doughty ones." "Where should I - seek thee?" replies Gawayne, "where is thy place? I know not thee, thy - court, or thy name. I wot not where thou dwellest, but teach me thereto, - tell me how thou art called, and I shall endeavour to find - thee,—and that I swear thee for truth and by my sure troth." "That - is enough in New Year," says the groom in green, "if I tell thee when I - have received the tap. When thou hast smitten me, then smartly I will - teach thee of my house, my home, and my own name, so that thou mayest - follow my track and fulfil the covenant between us. If I spend no speech, - then speedest thou the better, for then mayest thou remain in thy own - land and seek no further; but cease thy talking<sup>1</sup> (ll. 366-412). Take - now thy grim tool to thee and let us see how thou knockest." "Gladly, - sir, for sooth," quoth Gawayne, and his axe he brandishes.</blockquote> - - <blockquote>[<sup>1</sup> This, I think, is the true explanation of - <i>slokes</i>.]</blockquote> - - <blockquote>The Green Knight adjusts himself on the ground, bends - slightly his head, lays his long lovely locks over his crown, and lays - bare his neck for the blow. Gawayne then gripped the axe, and, raising it - on high, let it fall quickly upon the knight's neck and severed the head - from the body. The fair head fell from the neck to the earth, and many - turned it aside with their feet as it rolled forth. The blood burst from - the body, yet the knight never faltered nor fell; but boldly he started - forth on stiff shanks and fiercely rushed forward, seized his head, and - lifted it up quickly. Then he runs to his horse, the bridle he catches, - steps into his stirrups and strides aloft. His head by the hair he holds - in his hands, and sits as firmly in his saddle as if no mishap had ailed - him, though headless he was (ll. 413-439). He turned his ugly trunk - about—that ugly body that bled,—and holding the head in his - hand, he directed the face toward the "dearest on the dais." The head - lifted up its eyelids and looked abroad, and thus much spoke with its - mouth as ye may now hear:</blockquote> - - <blockquote>"Loke, Gawayne, thou be prompt to go as thou hast promised, - and seek till thou find me according to thy promise made in the hearing - of these knights. Get thee to the Green Chapel, I charge thee, to fetch - such a dint as thou hast dealt, to be returned on New Year's morn. As the - Knight of the Green Chapel I am known to many, wherefore if thou seekest - thou canst not fail to find me. Therefore come, or recreant be called." - With a fierce start the reins he turns, rushes out of the hall-door, his - head in his hand, so that the fire of the flint flew from the hoofs of - his foal. To what kingdom he belonged knew none there, nor knew they from - whence he had come. What then?</blockquote> - - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p class="i4">"The king and Gawayne there</p> - <p class="i4">At that green (one) they laugh and grin."</p> - </div> - </div> - - <blockquote>Though Arthur wondered much at the marvel, he let no one see - that he was at all troubled about it, but full loudly thus spake to his - comely queen with courteous speech:</blockquote> - - <blockquote>"Dear dame, to-day be never dismayed, well happens such craft - at Christmas time. I may now proceed to meat, for I cannot deny that I - have witnessed a wondrous adventure this day" (ll. 440-475).</blockquote> - - <blockquote>He looked upon Sir Gawayne and said, "Now, sir, hang up thine - axe, for enough has it hewn." So the weapon was hung up on high that all - might look upon it, and "by true title thereof tell the wonder." Then all - the knights hastened to their seats at the table, so did the king and our - good knight, and they were there served with all dainties, "with all - manner of meat and minstrelsy."</blockquote> - - <blockquote>Though words were wanting when they first to seat went, now - are their hands full of stern work, and the marvel affords them good - subject for conversation. But a year passes full quickly and never - returns,—the beginning is seldom like the end; wherefore this - Christmas passed away and the year after, and each season in turn - followed after another (ll. 476-520). Thus winter winds round again, and - then Gawayne thinks of his wearisome journey (ll. 521-535). On - All-hallows day Arthur entertains right nobly the lords and ladies of his - court in honour of his nephew, for whom all courteous knights and lovely - ladies were in great grief. Nevertheless they spoke only of mirth, and, - though joyless themselves, made many a joke to cheer the good Sir Gawayne - (ll. 536-565). Early on the morrow Sir Gawayne, with great ceremony, is - arrayed in his armour (ll. 566-589), and thus completely equipped for his - adventure he first hears mass, and afterwards takes leave of Arthur, the - knights of the Round Table, and the lords and ladies of the court, who - kiss him and commend him to Christ. He bids them all good day, as he - thought, for evermore (ll. 590-669);</blockquote> - - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p class="i4">"<i>Very much was the warm water that poured from eyes that day</i>."</p> - </div> - </div> - - <blockquote>Now rides our knight through the realms of England with no - companion but his foal, and no one to hold converse with save God alone. - From Camelot, in Somersetshire, he proceeds through Gloucestershire and - the adjoining counties into Montgomeryshire, and thence through North - Wales to Holyhead, adjoining the Isle of Anglesea (ll. 670-700), from - which he passes into the very narrow peninsula of Wirral, in Cheshire, - where dwelt but few that loved God or man. Gawayne enquires after the - Green Knight of the Green Chapel, but all the inhabitants declare that - they have never seen "any man of such hues of green."</blockquote> - - <blockquote>The knight thence pursues his journey by strange paths, over - hill and moor, encountering on his way not only serpents, wolves, bulls, - bears, and boars, but wood satyrs and giants. But worse than all those, - however, was the sharp winter, "when the cold clear water shed from the - clouds, and froze ere it might fall to the earth. Nearly slain with the - sleet he slept in his armour, more nights than enough, in naked rocks" - (ll. 701-729).</blockquote> - - <blockquote>Thus in peril and plight the knight travels on until - Christmas-eve, and to Mary he makes his moan that she may direct him to - some abode. On the morn he arrives at an immense forest, wondrously wild, - surrounded by high hills on every side, where he found hoary oaks full - huge, a hundred together. The hazel and the hawthorn intermingled were - all overgrown with moss, and upon their boughs sat many sad birds that - piteously piped for pain of the cold. Gawayne besought the Lord and Mary - to guide him to some habitation where he might hear mass (ll. 730-762). - Scarcely had he crossed himself thrice, when he perceived a dwelling in - the wood set upon a hill. It was the loveliest castle he had ever beheld. - It was pitched on a prairie, with a park all about it, enclosing many a - tree for more than two miles. It shone as the sun through the bright oaks - (ll. 763-772).</blockquote> - - <blockquote>Gawayne urges on his steed Gringolet, and finds himself at - the "chief gate." He called aloud, and soon there appeared a "porter" on - the wall, who demanded his errand.</blockquote> - - <blockquote>"Good sir," quoth Gawayne, "wouldst thou go to the high lord - of this house, and crave a lodging for me?"</blockquote> - - <blockquote>"Yea, by Peter!" replied the porter, "well I know that thou - art welcome to dwell here as long as thou likest."</blockquote> - - <blockquote>The drawbridge is soon let down, and the gates opened wide to - receive the knight. Many noble ones hasten to bid him welcome (ll. - 773-825). They take away his helmet, sword, and shield, and many a proud - one presses forward to do him honour. They bring him into the hall, where - a fire was brightly burning upon the hearth. Then the lord of the land<sup>1</sup> - comes from his chamber and welcomes Sir Gawayne, telling him that he is - to consider the place as his own. Our knight is next conducted to a - bright bower, where was noble bedding—curtains of pure silk, with - golden hems, and Tarsic tapestries upon the walls and the floors (ll. - 826-859). Here the knight doffed his armour and put on rich robes, which - so well became him, that all declared that a more comely knight Christ - had never made (ll. 860-883).</blockquote> - - <blockquote>[<sup>1</sup> Gawayne is now in the castle of the Green - Knight, who, divested of his elvish or supernatural character, appears to - our knight merely as a bold one with a beaver-hued beard.]</blockquote> - - <blockquote>A table is soon raised, and Gawayne, having washed, proceeds - to meat. Many dishes are set before him—"sews" of various kinds, - fish of all kinds, some baked in bread, others broiled on the embers, - some boiled, and others seasoned with spices. The knight expresses - himself well pleased, and calls it a most noble and princely - feast.</blockquote> - - <blockquote>After dinner, in reply to numerous questions, he tells his - host that he is Gawayne, one of the Knights of the Round Table. When this - was made known great was the joy in the hall. Each one said softly to his - companion, "Now we shall see courteous behaviour and learn the terms of - noble discourse, since we have amongst us 'that fine father of nurture.' - Truly God has highly favoured us in sending us such a noble guest as Sir - Gawayne" (ll. 884-927). At the end of the Christmas festival Gawayne - desires to take his departure from the castle, but his host persuades him - to stay, promising to direct him to the Green Chapel (about two miles - from the castle), that he may be there by the appointed time (ll. - 1029-1082).</blockquote> - - <blockquote>A covenant is made between them, the terms of which were that - the lord of the castle should go out early to the chase, that Gawayne - meanwhile should lie in his loft at his ease, then rise at his usual - hour, and afterwards sit at table with his hostess, and that at the end - of the day they should make an exchange of whatever they might obtain in - the interim. "Whatever I win in the wood," says the lord, "shall be - yours, and what thou gettest shall be mine" (ll. 1083-1125).</blockquote> - - <blockquote>Full early before daybreak the folk uprise, saddle their - horses, and truss their mails. The noble lord of the land, arrayed for - riding, eats hastily a sop, and having heard mass, proceeds with a - hundred hunters to hunt the wild deer (ll. 1126-1177).</blockquote> - - <blockquote>All this time Gawayne lies in his gay bed. His nap is - disturbed by a little noise at the door, which is softly opened. He - heaves up his head out of the clothes, and, peeping through the curtains, - beholds a most lovely lady (the wife of his host). She came towards the - bed, and the knight laid himself down quickly, pretending to be asleep. - The lady stole to the bed, cast up the curtains, crept within, sat her - softly on the bed-side, and waited some time till the knight should - awake. After lurking awhile under the clothes considering what it all - meant, Gawayne unlocked his eyelids, and put on a look of surprise, at - the same time making the sign of the cross, as if afraid of some hidden - danger (ll. 1178-1207). "Good morrow, sir," said that fair lady, "ye are - a careless sleeper to let one enter thus. I shall bind you in your bed, - of that be ye sure." "Good morrow," quoth Gawayne, "I shall act according - to your will with great pleasure, but permit me to rise that I may the - more comfortably converse with you." "Nay, beau sir," said that sweet - one, "ye shall not rise from your bed, for since I have caught my knight - I shall hold talk with him. I ween well that ye are Sir Gawayne that all - the world worships, whose honour and courtesy are so greatly praised. Now - ye are here, and we are alone (my lord and his men being afar off, other - men, too, are in bed, so are my maidens), and the door is safely closed, - I shall use my time well while it lasts. Ye are welcome to my person to - do with it as ye please, and I will be your servant" (ll. - 1208-1240).</blockquote> - - <blockquote>Gawayne behaves most discreetly, for the remembrance of his - forthcoming adventure at the Green Chapel prevents him from thinking of - love (ll. 1205-1289). At last the lady takes leave of the knight by - catching him in her arms and kissing him (ll. 1290-1307). The day passes - away merrily, and at dusk the Lord of the castle returns from the chase. - He presents the venison to Gawayne according to the previous covenant - between them. Our knight gives his host a kiss as the only piece of good - fortune that had fallen to him during the day. "It is good," says the - other, "and would be much better if ye would tell me where ye won such - bliss" (ll. 1308-1394). "That was not in our covenant," replies Gawayne, - "so try me no more." After much laughing on both sides they proceed to - supper, and afterwards, while the choice wine is being carried round, - Gawayne and his host renew their agreement. Late at night they take leave - of each other and hasten to their beds. "By the time that the cock had - crowed and cackled thrice" the lord was up, and after "meat and mass" - were over the hunters make for the woods, where they give chase to a wild - boar who had grown old and mischievous (ll. 1395-1467).</blockquote> - - <blockquote>While the sportsmen are hunting this "wild swine" our lovely - knight lies in his bed. He is not forgotten by the lady, who pays him an - early visit, seeking to make further trial of his virtues. She sits - softly by his side and tells him that he has forgotten what she taught - him the day before (ll. 1468-1486). "I taught you of kissing," says she; - "that becomes every courteous knight." Gawayne says that he must not take - that which is forbidden him. The lady replies that he is strong enough to - enforce his own wishes. Our knight answers that every gift not given with - a good will is worthless. His fair visitor then enquires how it is that - he who is so skilled in the true sport of love and so renowned a knight, - has never talked to her of love (ll. 1487-1524). "You ought," she says, - "to show and teach a young thing like me some tokens of true-love's - crafts; I come hither and sit here alone to learn of you some game; do - teach me of your wit while my lord is from home." Gawayne replies that he - cannot undertake the task of expounding true-love and tales of arms to - one who has far more wisdom than he possesses. Thus did our knight avoid - all appearance of evil, though sorely pressed to do what was wrong (ll. - 1525-1552). The lady, having bestowed two kisses upon Sir Gawayne, takes - her leave of him (ll. 1553-1557).</blockquote> - - <blockquote>At the end of the day the lord of the castle returns home - with the shields and head of the wild boar. He shows them to his guest, - who declares that "such a brawn of a beast, nor such sides of a swine," - he never before has seen. Gawayne takes possession of the spoil according - to covenant, and in return he bestows two kisses upon his host, who - declares that his guest has indeed been rich with "such chaffer" (ll. - 1558-1647).</blockquote> - - <blockquote>After much persuasion, Gawayne consents to stop at the castle - another day (ll. 1648-1685). Early on the morrow the lord and his men - hasten to the woods, and come upon the track of a fox, the hunting of - which affords them plenty of employment and sport (ll. 1686-1730). - Meanwhile our good knight sleeps soundly within his comely curtains. He - is again visited by the lady of the castle. So gaily was she attired, and - so "faultless of her features," that great joy warmed the heart of Sir - Gawayne. With soft and pleasant smiles "they smite into mirth," and are - soon engaged in conversation. Had not Mary thought of her knight, he - would have been in great peril (ll. 1731-1769). So sorely does the fair - one press him with her love, that he fears lest he should become a - traitor to his host. The lady enquires whether he has a mistress to whom - he has plighted his troth. The knight swears by St John that he neither - has nor desires one. This answer causes the dame to sigh for sorrow, and - telling him that she must depart, she asks for some gift, if it were only - a glove, by which she might "think on the knight and lessen her grief" - (ll. 1770-1800). Gawayne assures her that he has nothing worthy of her - acceptance; that he is on an "uncouth errand," and therefore has "no men - with no mails containing precious things," for which he is truly - sorry.</blockquote> - - <blockquote>Quoth that lovesome (one)—</blockquote> - - <div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p class="i4">"Though I had nought of yours,</p> - <p class="i4"> Yet should ye have of mine.</p> - </div> - </div> - - <blockquote>Thus saying, she offers him a rich ring of red gold "with a - shining stone standing aloft," that shone like the beams of the bright - sun. The knight refused the gift, as he had nothing to give in return. - "Since ye refuse my ring," says the lady, "because it seems too rich, and - ye would not be beholden to me, I shall give you my girdle that is less - valuable" (ll. 1801-1835). But Gawayne replies that he will not accept - gold or reward of any kind, though "ever in hot and in cold" he will be - her true servant.</blockquote> - - <blockquote>"Do ye refuse it," asks the lady, "because it seems simple - and of little value? Whoso knew the virtues that are knit therein would - estimate it more highly. For he who is girded with this green lace cannot - be wounded or slain by any man under heaven." The knight thinks awhile, - and it strikes him that this would be a "jewel for the jeopardy" that he - had to undergo at the Green Chapel. So he not only accepts the lace, but - promises to keep the possession of it a secret (ll. 1836-1865). By that - time the lady had kissed him thrice, and she then takes "her leave and - leaves him there."</blockquote> - - <blockquote>Gawayne rises, dresses himself in noble array, and conceals - the "love lace" where he might find it again. He then hies to mass, - shrives him of his misdeeds, and obtains absolution. On his return to the - hall he solaces the ladies with comely carols and all kinds of joy (ll. - 1866-1892). The dark night came, and then the lord of the castle, having - slain the fox, returns to his "dear home," where he finds a fire brightly - turning and his guest amusing the ladies (ll. 1893-1927). Gawayne, in - fulfilment of his agreement, kisses his host thrice.<sup>1</sup> "By Christ," - quoth the other knight, "ye have caught much bliss. I have hunted all - this day and nought have I got but the skin of this foul fox (the devil - have the goods!), and that is full poor for to pay for such precious - things" (ll. 1928-1951).</blockquote> - - <blockquote>After the usual evening's entertainment, Gawayne retires to - rest. The next morning, being New Year's day, is cold and stormy. Snow - falls, and the dales are full of drift. Our knight in his bed locks his - eyelids, but full little he sleeps. By each cock that crows he knows the - hour, and before day-break he calls for his chamberlain, who quickly - brings him his armour (ll. 1952-2014). While Gawayne clothed himself in - his rich weeds he forgot not the "lace, the lady's gift," but with it - doubly girded his loins. He wore it not for its rich ornaments, "but to - save himself when it behoved him to suffer," and as a safeguard against - sword or knife (ll. 2015-2046).</blockquote> - - <blockquote>Having thanked his host and all the renowned assembly for the - great kindness he had experienced at their hands, "he steps into stirrups - and strides aloft" (ll. 2047-2068).</blockquote> - - <blockquote>The drawbridge is let down, and the broad gates unbarred and - borne open upon both sides, and the knight, after commending the castle - to Christ, passes thereout and goes on his way accompanied by his guide, - that should teach him to turn to that place where he should receive the - much-dreaded blow. They climb over cliffs, where each hill had a hat and - a mist-cloak, until the next morn, when they find themselves on a full - high hill covered with snow. The servant bids his master remain awhile, - saying, "I have brought you hither at this time, and now ye are not far - from that noted place that ye have so often enquired after. The place - that ye press to is esteemed full perilous, and there dwells a man in - that waste the worst upon earth, for he is stiff and stern and loves to - strike, and greater is he than any man upon middle-earth, and his body is - bigger than the best four in Arthur's house. He keeps the Green Chapel; - there passes none by that place, however proud in arms, that he does not - 'ding him to death with dint of his hand.' He is a man immoderate and 'no - mercy uses,' for be it churl or chaplain that by the chapel rides, monk - or mass-priest, or any man else, it is as pleasant to him to kill them as - to go alive himself. Wherefore I tell thee truly, 'come ye there, ye be - killed, though ye had twenty lives to spend. He has dwelt there long of - yore, and on field much sorrow has wrought. Against his sore dints ye may - not defend you' (ll. 2069-2117). Therefore, good Sir Gawayne, let the man - alone, and for God's sake go by some other path, and then I shall hie me - home again. I swear to you by</blockquote> - - <blockquote>[<sup>1</sup> He only in part keeps to his covenant, as he - holds back the <i>love-lace</i>.]</blockquote> - - <blockquote>God and all His saints that I will never say that ever ye - attempted to flee from any man." </blockquote> - - <blockquote>Gawayne thanks his guide for his well-meant kindness, but - declares that to the Green Chapel he will go, though the owner thereof be - "a stern knave," for God can devise means to save his - servants.</blockquote> - - <blockquote>"Mary!" quoth the other, "since it pleases thee to lose thy - life I will not hinder thee. Have thy helmet on thy head, thy spear in - thy hand, and ride down this path by yon rock-side, till thou be brought - to the bottom of the valley. Then look a little on the plain, on thy left - hand, and thou shalt see in that slade the chapel itself, and the burly - knight that guards it (ll. 2118-2148). Now, farewell Gawayne the noble! - for all the gold upon ground I would not go with thee nor bear thee - fellowship through this wood 'on foot farther.'" Thus having spoken, he - gallops away and leaves the knight alone.</blockquote> - - <blockquote>Gawayne now pursues his journey, rides through the dale, and - looks about. He sees no signs of a resting-place, but only high and steep - banks, and the very shadows of the high woods seemed wild and distorted. - No chapel, however, could he discover. After a while he sees a round hill - by the side of a stream; thither he goes, alights, and fastens his horse - to the branch of a tree. He walks about the hill, debating with himself - what it might be. It had a hole in the one end and on each side, and - everywhere overgrown with grass, but whether it was only an old cave or a - crevice of an old crag he could not tell (ll. 2149-2188).</blockquote> - - <blockquote>"Now, indeed," quoth Gawayne, "a desert is here; this oratory - is ugly with herbs overgrown. It is a fitting place for the man in green - to 'deal here his devotions after the devil's manner.' Now I feel it is - the fiend (the devil) in my five wits that has covenanted with me that he - may destroy me. This is a chapel of misfortune—evil betide it! It - is the most cursed kirk that ever I came in." With his helmet on his - head, and spear in his hand, he roams up to the rock, and then he hears - from that high hill beyond the brook a wondrous wild noise. Lo! it - clattered in the cliff as if one upon a grindstone were grinding a - scythe. It whirred like the water at a mill, and rushed and re-echoed, - terrible to hear. "Though my life I forgo," says Gawayne, "no noise shall - cause me to fear."</blockquote> - - <blockquote>Then he cried aloud, "Who dwells in this place, discourse - with me to hold? For now is good Gawayne going right here if any brave - wight will hie him hither, either now or never" (ll. - 2189-2216).</blockquote> - - <blockquote>"Abide," quoth one on the bank above, over his head, "and - thou shalt have all in haste that I promised thee once."</blockquote> - - <blockquote>Soon there comes out of a hole in the crag, with a fell - weapon a Danish axe quite new, the "man in the green," clothed as at - first as his legs, locks and beard. But now he is on foot and walks on - the earth. When he reaches the stream, he hops over and boldly strides - about. He meets Sir Gawayne, who tells him that he is quite ready to - fulfil his part of the compact. "Gawayne," quoth that 'green gome' (man), - "may God preserve thee! Truly thou art welcome to my place, 'and thou - hast timed thy travel' as a true man should. Thou knowest the covenants - made between us, at this time twelve-month, that on New Year's day I - should return thee thy blow. We are now in this valley by ourselves, and - can do as we please (ll. 2217-2246). Have, therefore, thy helmet off thy - head, and 'have here thy pay.' Let us have no more talk than when thou - didst strike off my head with a single blow."</blockquote> - - <blockquote>"Nay, by God!" quoth Gawayne, "I shall not begrudge thee thy - will for any harm that may happen, but will stand still while thou - strikest."</blockquote> - - <blockquote>Then he stoops a little and shows his bare neck, unmoved by - any fear. The Green Knight takes up his "grim tool," and with all his - force raises it aloft, as if he meant utterly to destroy him. As the axe - came gliding down Gawayne "shrank a little with the shoulders from the - sharp iron." The other withheld his weapon, and then reproved the prince - with many proud words. "Thou art not Gawayne that is so good esteemed, - that never feared for no host by hill nor by vale, for now thou fleest - for fear before thou feelest harm (ll. 2247-2272). Such cowardice of that - knight did I never hear. I never flinched nor fled when thou didst aim at - me in King Arthur's house. My head flew to my feet and yet I never fled, - wherefore I deserve to be called the better man."</blockquote> - - <blockquote>Quoth Gawayne, "I shunted once, but will do so no more, - though my head fall on the stones. But hasten and bring me to the point; - deal me my destiny, and do it out of hand, for I shall stand thee a - stroke and start no more until thine axe has hit me—have here my - troth." "Have at thee, then," said the other, and heaves the axe aloft, - and looks as savagely as if he were mad. He aims at the other mightily, - but withholds his hand ere it might hurt. Gawayne readily abides the blow - without flinching with any member, and stood still as a stone or a tree - fixed in rocky ground with a hundred roots.</blockquote> - - <blockquote>Then merrily the other did speak, "Since now thou hast thy - heart whole it behoves me to strike, so take care of thy neck." Gawayne - answers with great wroth, "Thrash on, thou fierce man, thou threatenest - too long; I believe thy own heart fails thee."</blockquote> - - <blockquote>"Forsooth," quoth the other, "since thou speakest so boldly, - I will no longer delay" (ll. 2273-2304). Then, contracting "both lips and - brow," he made ready to strike, and let fall his axe on the bare neck of - Sir Gawayne. "Though he hammered" fiercely, he only "severed the hide," - causing the blood to flow. When Gawayne saw his blood on the snow, he - quickly seized his helmet and placed it on his head. Then he drew out his - bright sword, and thus angrily spoke: "Cease, man, of thy blow, bid me no - more. I have received a stroke in this place without opposition, but if - thou givest me any more readily shall I requite thee, of that be thou - sure. Our covenant stipulates one stroke, and therefore now - cease."</blockquote> - - <blockquote>The Green Knight, resting on his axe, looks on Sir Gawayne, - as bold and fearless he there stood, and then with a loud voice thus - addresses the knight: "Bold knight, be not so wroth, no man here has - wronged thee (ll. 2305-2339); I promised thee a stroke, and thou hast it, - so hold thee well pleased. I could have dealt much worse with thee, and - caused thee much sorrow. Two blows I aimed at thee, for twice thou - kissedst my fair wife; but I struck thee not, because thou restoredst - them to me according to agreement. At the third time thou failedst, and - therefore I have given thee that tap. That woven girdle, given thee by my - own wife, belongs to me. I know well thy kisses, thy conduct also, and - the wooing of my wife, for I wrought it myself. I sent her to try thee, - and truly methinks thou art the most faultless man that ever on foot - went. Still, sir, thou wert wanting in good faith; but as it proceeded - from no immorality, thou being only desirous of saving thy life, the less - I blame thee."</blockquote> - - <blockquote>Gawayne stood confounded, the blood rushed into his face, and - he shrank within himself for very shame. "Cursed," he cried, "be - cowardice and covetousness both; in you are villany and vice, that virtue - destroy." Then he takes off the girdle and throws it to the knight in - green, cursing his cowardice and covetousness. The Green Knight, - laughing, thus spoke: "Thou hast confessed so clean, and acknowledged thy - faults, that I hold thee as pure as thou hadst never forfeited since thou - wast first born. I give thee, sir, the gold-hemmed girdle as a token of - thy adventure at the Green Chapel. Come now to my castle, and we shall - enjoy together the festivities of the New Year" (ll. - 2340-2406).</blockquote> - - <blockquote>"Nay, forsooth," quoth the knight, "but for your kindness may - God requite you. Commend me to that courteous one your comely wife, who - with her crafts has beguiled me. But it is no uncommon thing for a man to - come to sorrow through women's wiles; for so was Adam beguiled with one, - and Solomon with many. Samson was destroyed by Delilah, and David - suffered much through Bathsheba. <i>'It were indeed great bliss for a man - to love them well and believe them not.'</i> Since the greatest upon - earth were so beguiled, methinks I should be excused. But God reward you - for your girdle, which I will ever wear in remembrance of my fault, and - when pride shall exalt me, a look to this love-lace shall lessen it (ll. - 2407-2438). But since ye are the lord of yonder land, from whom I have - received so much honour, tell me truly your right name, and I shall ask - no more questions."</blockquote> - - <blockquote>Quoth the other, "I am called Bernlak de Hautdesert, through - might of Morgain la Fay, who dwells in my house. Much has she learnt of - Merlin, who knows all your knights at home. She brought me to your hall - for to essay the prowess of the Round Table. She wrought this wonder to - bereave you of your wits, hoping to have grieved Guenever and affrighted - her to death by means of the man that spoke with his head in his hand - before the high table. She is even thine aunt, Arthur's half sister; - wherefore come to thine aunt, for all my household love - thee."</blockquote> - - <blockquote>Gawayne refuses to accompany the Green Knight, and so, with - many embraces and kind wishes, they separate—the one to his castle, - the other to Arthur's court.</blockquote> - - <blockquote>After passing through many wild ways, our knight recovers - from the wound in his neck, and at last comes safe and sound to the court - of King Arthur. Great then was the joy of all; the king and queen kiss - their brave knight, and make many enquiries about his journey. He tells - them of his adventures, hiding nothing—"the chance of the chapel, - the cheer of the knight, the love of the lady, and lastly of the lace." - Groaning for grief and shame he shows them the cut in his neck, which he - had received for his unfaithfulness (ll. 2439-2504). The king and his - courtiers comfort the knight—they laugh loudly at his adventures, - and unanimously agree that those lords and ladies that belonged to the - Round Table, and each knight of the brotherhood should ever after wear a - bright green belt for Gawayne's sake. And he upon whom it was conferred - honoured it evermore after.</blockquote> - - <blockquote>Thus in Arthur's time this adventure befell, whereof the - "Brutus Books" bear witness (ll. 2505-2530).</blockquote> - - <p>I need not say that the <i>Brutus Books</i> we possess do not contain - the legend here set forth, though it is not much more improbable than - some of the statements contained in them. If the reader desires to know - the relation in which this and the like stories stand to the original - Arthur legends, he will find it discussed in Sir F. Madden's Preface to - his edition of "Syr Gawayne," which also contains a sketch of the very - different views taken of Sir Gawayne by the different Romance - writers.</p> - - <p>Into this and other <i>literary</i> questions I do not enter here, as - I have nothing to add to Sir F. Madden's statements; but in the text of - the Poem I have differed from him in some few readings, which will be - found noticed in the Notes and Glossary.</p> - - <p>As the manuscript is fast fading, I am glad that the existence of the - Early English Text Society has enabled us to secure a wider diffusion of - its contents before the original shall be no longer legible.</p> - - <p>We want nothing but an increased supply of members to enable us to - give to a large circle of readers many an equally interesting record of - Early English minds.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>SYR GAWAYN AND THE GRENE KNYȜT.</h2> - -<h2>[FYTTE THE FIRST.]</h2> - -<h2>I.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 91<i>a</i>.]<br />After the siege of Troy</span> - <p>Siþen þe sege & þe assaut watȝ sesed at Troye,</p> - <p>Þe borȝ brittened & brent to brondeȝ & askeȝ,</p> - <p>Þe tulk þat þe tra<i>m</i>mes of tresou<i>n</i> þ<i>er</i> wroȝt,</p> -<span class="linenum">4</span> - <p>Watȝ tried for his tricherie, þe trewest on erthe;</p> - <p>Hit watȝ Ennias þe athel, & his high<i>e</i> kynde,</p> - <p>Þat siþen depreced p<i>ro</i>uinces, & patrou<i>n</i>es bicome</p> - <p>Welneȝe of al þe wele i<i>n</i> þe west iles,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Romulus built Rome,</span> -<span class="linenum">8</span> - <p>Fro riche Romulus to Rome ricchis hy<i>m</i> swyþe,</p> - <p>W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> gret bobbau<i>n</i>ce þat burȝe he biges vpon fyrst,</p> - <p>& neuenes hit his aune nome, as hit now hat;</p> - <p>Ticius to Tuskan [turnes,] & teldes bigy<i>n</i>nes;</p> -<span class="linenum">12</span> - <p>Langaberde i<i>n</i> Lu<i>m</i>bardie lyftes vp homes;</p> - <span class="sidenote">and Felix Brutus founded Britain,</span> - <p>& fer ou<i>er</i> þe French flod Felix Brut<i>us</i></p> - <p>On mony bonkkes ful brode Bretayn he setteȝ,</p> - <p class="i8">wyth wy<i>n</i>ne;</p> - <span class="sidenote">a land of war and wonder,</span> -<span class="linenum">16</span> - <p class="i4">Where werre, & wrake, & wonder,</p> - <p class="i4">Bi syþeȝ hatȝ wont þ<i>er</i>-i<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and oft of bliss and blunder.</span> - <p class="i4">& oft boþe blysse & blu<i>n</i>der</p> - <p class="i4">Ful skete hatȝ skyfted sy<i>n</i>ne.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>II.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> -<span class="linenum">20</span> - <p>Ande quen þis Bretayn watȝ bigged bi þis burn rych,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Bold men increased in the Land,</span> - <p>Bolde bredden þer-i<i>n</i>ne, baret þat lofden,</p> - <p>In mony turned tyme tene þat wroȝten;</p> - <p>Mo ferlyes on þis folde han fallen here oft</p> - <span class="sidenote">and many marvels happened.</span> -<span class="linenum">24</span> - <p>Þen in any oþ<i>er</i> þat I wot, syn þat ilk tyme.</p> - <span class="sidenote">Of all Britain's kings Arthur was the noblest.</span> - <p>Bot of alle þat here bult of Bretaygne ky<i>n</i>ges</p> - <p>Ay watȝ Arthur þe hendest; as I haf herde telle;</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 91<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p>For-þi an au<i>n</i>t<i>er</i> in erde I attle to schawe,</p> -<span class="linenum">28</span> - <p>Þat a selly in siȝt su<i>m</i>me men hit holden,</p> - <p>& an outtrage awenture of Arthureȝ wond<i>er</i>eȝ;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Listen a while and ye shall hear the story of an "outrageous adventure."</span> - <p>If ȝe wyl lysten þis laye bot on littel quile,</p> - <p>I schal telle hit, as-tit, as I i<i>n</i> tou<i>n</i> herde,</p> -<span class="linenum">32</span> - <p class="i8">w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> tonge;</p> - <p class="i4">As hit is stad & stoken,</p> - <p class="i4">In stori stif & stronge,</p> - <p class="i4">W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> lel lett<i>er</i>es loken,</p> -<span class="linenum">36</span> - <p class="i4">I<i>n</i> londe so hatȝ ben longe.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>III.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Arthur held at Camelot his Christmas feast,</span> - <p>Þis ky<i>n</i>g lay at Camylot vpon kryst-masse,</p> - <p>W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> mony luflych lorde, ledeȝ of þe best,</p> - <span class="sidenote">with all the knights of the Round Table,</span> - <p>Rekenly of þe rou<i>n</i>de table alle þo rich breþ<i>er</i>,</p> -<span class="linenum">40</span> - <p>W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> rych reuel oryȝt, & rechles m<i>er</i>þes;</p> - <p>Þ<i>er</i> to<i>ur</i>nayed tulkes bi-tymeȝ ful mony,</p> - <p>Iusted ful Iolilé þise gentyle kniȝtes,</p> - <p>Syþen kayred to þe court, caroles to make.</p> - <span class="sidenote">full fifteen days.</span> -<span class="linenum">44</span> - <p>For þer þe fest watȝ ilyche ful fiften dayes,</p> - <p>With alle þe mete & þe mirþe þat me<i>n</i> couþe a-vyse;</p> - <p>Such glaumande gle glorio<i>us</i> to here,</p> - <p>Dere dyn vp-on day, dau<i>n</i>sy<i>n</i>g on nyȝtes,</p> - <span class="sidenote">All was joy in hall and chamber,</span> -<span class="linenum">48</span> - <p>Al watȝ hap vpon heȝe i<i>n</i> halleȝ & chambreȝ,</p> - <p>With lordeȝ & ladies, as leuest hi<i>m</i> þoȝt;</p> - <p>With all þe wele of þe worlde þay woned þ<i>er</i> samen,</p> - <span class="sidenote">among brave knights and lovely ladies,</span> - <p>Þe most kyd knyȝteȝ vnder kryst<i>e</i> seluen,</p> -<span class="linenum">52</span> - <p>& þe louelokkest ladies þat eu<i>er</i> lif haden,</p> - <p>& he þe comlokest ky<i>n</i>g þat þe court haldes;</p> - <p>For al watȝ þis fayre folk i<i>n</i> her first age,</p> - <p class="i8">on sille;</p> - <span class="sidenote">the happiest under heaven.</span> -<span class="linenum">56</span> - <p class="i4">Þe hapnest vnder heuen,</p> - <p class="i4">Ky<i>n</i>g hyȝest mo<i>n</i> of wylle,</p> - <p class="i4">Hit were<sup>1</sup> now gret nye to neue<i>n</i></p> - <p class="i4">So hardy a here o<i>n</i> hille.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. werere. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>IV.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">They celebrate the New Year with great joy.</span> -<span class="linenum">60</span> - <p>Wyle nw ȝer watȝ so ȝep þat h<i>i</i>t watȝ nwe cu<i>m</i>men,</p> - <p>Þat day doubble on þe dece watȝ þe douth serued,</p> - <p>Fro þe ky<i>n</i>g watȝ cu<i>m</i>men w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> knyȝt<i>es</i> i<i>n</i> to þe halle,</p> - <p>Þe chau<i>n</i>tre of þe chapel cheued to an ende;</p> -<span class="linenum">64</span> - <p>Loude crye watȝ þer kest of clerkeȝ & oþer,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 92]</span> - <p>Nowel nayted o-newe, neuened ful ofte;</p> - <p>& syþen riche forth ru<i>n</i>nen to reche honde-selle,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gifts are demanded and bestowed.</span> - <p>Ȝeȝed ȝeres ȝiftes on hiȝ, ȝelde hem bi hond,</p> -<span class="linenum">68</span> - <p>Debated busyly aboute þo giftes;</p> - <p>Ladies laȝed ful loude, þoȝ þay lost haden,</p> - <p>& he þat wan watȝ not wrothe, þ<i>a</i>t may ȝe wel trawe.</p> - <span class="sidenote">Lords and ladies take their seats at the table.</span> - <p>Alle þis mirþe þay maden to þe mete tyme;</p> -<span class="linenum">72</span> - <p>When þay had waschen, worþyly þay wenten to sete,</p> - <p>Þe best burne ay abof, as hit best semed;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Queen Guenever appears gaily dressed.</span> - <p>Whene Guenore ful gay, grayþed i<i>n</i> þe myddes.</p> - <p>Dressed on þe dere des, dubbed al aboute,</p> -<span class="linenum">76</span> - <p>Smal sendal bisides, a selure hir ou<i>er</i></p> - <p>Of tryed Tolouse, of Tars tapites i<i>n</i>-nogh<i>e</i>,</p> - <p>Þat were enbrawded & beten wyth þe best ge<i>m</i>mes,</p> - <p>Þat myȝt be preued of prys wyth penyes to bye,</p> -<span class="linenum">80</span> - <p class="i8">in daye;</p> - <span class="sidenote">A lady fairer of form might no one say he had ever before seen.</span> - <p class="i4">Þe comlokest to discrye,</p> - <p class="i4">Þer glent w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> yȝen gray,</p> - <p class="i4">A semloker þat eu<i>er</i> he syȝe,</p> -<span class="linenum">84</span> - <p class="i4">Soth moȝt no mon say.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>V.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Arthur would not eat,</span> - <p>Bot Arthure wolde not ete til al were serued,</p> - <p>He watȝ so Ioly of his Ioyfnes, & su<i>m</i>-quat child gered,</p> - <p>His lif liked hy<i>m</i> lyȝt, he louied þe lasse</p> - <span class="sidenote">nor would he long sit</span> -<span class="linenum">88</span> - <p>Auþ<i>er</i> to lenge lye, or to longe sitte,</p> - <p>So bi-sied him his ȝonge blod & his brayn wylde;</p> - <p>& also anoþ<i>er</i> maner meued hi<i>m</i> eke,</p> - <p>Þat he þurȝ nobelay had nomen, ho wolde neu<i>er</i> ete</p> -<span class="linenum">92</span> - <p>Vpon such a dere day, er hy<i>m</i> deuised were</p> - <span class="sidenote">until he had witnessed a "wondrous adventure" of some kind.</span> - <p>Of su<i>m</i> auentur<i>us</i> þy<i>n</i>g an vncouþe tale,</p> - <p>Of su<i>m</i> mayn m<i>er</i>uayle, þat he myȝt trawe,</p> - <p>Of<sup>1</sup> alderes, of armes, of oþ<i>er</i> auentur<i>us</i>,</p> -<span class="linenum">96</span> - <p>Oþ<i>er</i> sum segg hy<i>m</i> bi-soȝt of su<i>m</i> siker knyȝt,</p> - <p>To Ioyne wyth hy<i>m</i> i<i>n</i> iusty<i>n</i>g in Iopardé to lay,</p> - <p>Lede lif for lyf, leue vchon oþ<i>er</i>,</p> - <p>As fortune wolde fulsu<i>n</i> ho<i>m</i> þe fayrer to haue.</p> -<span class="linenum">100</span> - <p>Þis watȝ [þe] ky<i>n</i>ges cou<i>n</i>tenau<i>n</i>ce where he i<i>n</i> co<i>ur</i>t were,</p> - <p>At vch farand fest amo<i>n</i>g his fre meny,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 92<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p class="i8">in halle;</p> - <span class="sidenote">He of face so bold makes much mirth with all.</span> - <p class="i4">Þer-fore of face so fere.</p> -<span class="linenum">104</span> - <p class="i4">He stiȝtleȝ stif in stalle,</p> - <p class="i4">Ful ȝep i<i>n</i> þat nw ȝere,</p> - <p class="i4">Much mirthe he mas w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> alle.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> Of of, in MS. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>VI.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The king talks with his knights.</span> - <p>Thus þ<i>er</i> stondes i<i>n</i> stale þe stif ky<i>n</i>g his-seluen,</p> -<span class="linenum">108</span> - <p>Talkkande bifore þe hyȝe table of trifles ful hende</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne,</span> - <p>There gode Gawan watȝ g<i>ra</i>yþed, Gwenore bisyde</p> - <span class="sidenote">Agravayn,</span> - <p>& Ag<i>ra</i>uayn a la dure mayn on þat oþ<i>er</i> syde sittes</p> - <p>Boþe þe ky<i>n</i>ges sist<i>er</i> su<i>n</i>es, & ful siker kniȝtes;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Bishop Bawdewyn,</span> -<span class="linenum">112</span> - <p>Bischop Bawdewyn abof bi-gineȝ þe table,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and Ywain sit on the dais.</span> - <p>& Ywan, Vryn son, ette wit hy<i>m</i>-seluen;</p> - <p>Þise were diȝt on þe des, & derworþly serued,</p> - <p>& siþen mony siker segge at þe sidbordeȝ.</p> - <span class="sidenote">The first course is served with cracking of trumpets.</span> -<span class="linenum">116</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i> þe first cors come with crakky<i>n</i>g of tru<i>m</i>pes,</p> - <p>Wyth mony baner ful bryȝt, þat þer-bi henged,</p> - <p>Nwe nakryn noyse w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe noble pipes,</p> - <p>Wylde werbles & wyȝt wakned lote,</p> -<span class="linenum">120</span> - <p>Þat mony hert ful hiȝe hef at her towches;</p> - <span class="sidenote">It consisted of all dainties in season.</span> - <p>Dayntes dryuen þer-wyth of ful dere metes,</p> - <p>Foysou<i>n</i> of þe fresche, & on so fele disches,</p> - <p>Þat pine to fynde þe place þe peple bi-forne</p> -<span class="linenum">124</span> - <p>For to sette þe syluen<i>er</i>,<sup>1</sup> þat sere sewes halden,</p> - <p class="i8">on clothe;</p> - <p class="i4">Iche lede as he loued hy<i>m</i>-selue</p> - <p class="i4">Þer laght w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-outen loþe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Each two had dishes twelve,</span> -<span class="linenum">128</span> - <p class="i4">Ay two had disches twelue,</p> - <span class="sidenote">good beer and bright wine both.</span> - <p class="i4">Good ber, & bryȝt wyn boþe.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> svlu<i>er</i>en (?) (dishes). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>VII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">There was no want of anything.</span> - <p>Now wyl I of hor seruise say yow no more,</p> - <p>For veh wyȝe may wel wit no wont þat þ<i>er</i> were;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Scarcely had the first course commenced,</span> -<span class="linenum">132</span> - <p>An oþ<i>er</i> noyse ful newe neȝed biliue,</p> - <p>Þat þe lude myȝt haf leue lif-lode to cach.</p> - <p>For vneþe watȝ þe noyce not a whyle sesed,</p> - <p>& þe fyrst co<i>ur</i>ce i<i>n</i> þe co<i>ur</i>t kyndely serued,</p> - <span class="sidenote">when there rushes in at the hall-door a knight;</span> -<span class="linenum">136</span> - <p>Þer hales i<i>n</i> at þe halle dor an aghlich mayst<i>er</i>,</p> - <p>On þe most on þe molde on mesure hygh<i>e</i>;</p> - <p>Fro þe swyre to þe swange so sware & so þik,</p> - <span class="sidenote">the tallest on earth</span> - <p>& his lyndes & his lymes so longe & so grete,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 93.]</span> -<span class="linenum">140</span> - <p>Half etayn i<i>n</i> erde I hope þat he were.</p> - <span class="sidenote">he must have been.</span> - <p>Bot mon most I algate my<i>n</i>n hy<i>m</i> to bene,</p> - <p>& þat þe myriest i<i>n</i> his muckel þat myȝt ride;</p> - <span class="sidenote">His back and breast were great,</span> - <p>For of bak & of brest al were his bodi sturne,</p> - <span class="sidenote">but his belly and waist were small.</span> -<span class="linenum">144</span> - <p>Bot his wombe & his wast were worthily smale,</p> - <p>& alle his fetures folȝande, i<i>n</i> forme þat he hade,</p> - <p class="i8">ful clene;</p> - <p class="i4">For wonder of his hwe me<i>n</i> hade,</p> -<span class="linenum">148</span> - <p class="i4">Set i<i>n</i> his semblau<i>n</i>t sene;</p> - <p class="i4">He ferde as freke were fade,</p> - <p class="i4">& ou<i>er</i>-al enker grene.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>VIII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">He was clothed entirely in green.</span> - <p>Ande al grayþed i<i>n</i> grene þis gome & his wedes,</p> -<span class="linenum">152</span> - <p>A strayt cote ful streȝt, þat stek on his sides,</p> - <p>A mere mantile abof, mensked w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-i<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <p>W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> pelure pured apert þe pane ful clene,</p> - <p>W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> blyþe blau<i>n</i>n<i>er</i> ful bryȝt, & his hod boþe,</p> -<span class="linenum">156</span> - <p>Þat watȝ laȝt fro his lokkeȝ, & layde on his schulderes</p> - <p>Heme wel haled, hose of þat same grene,</p> - <span class="sidenote">His spurs were of bright gold.</span> - <p>Þat spenet on his sparlyr, & clene spures vnder,</p> - <p>Of bryȝt golde, vpon silk bordes, barred ful ryche</p> -<span class="linenum">160</span> - <p>& scholes vnder schankes, þere þe schalk rides;</p> - <p>& alle his vesture uerayly watȝ clene v<i>er</i>dure,</p> - <p>Boþe þe barres of his belt & oþ<i>er</i> blyþe stones,</p> - <p>Þ<i>a</i>t were richely rayled i<i>n</i> his aray clene,</p> - <span class="sidenote">His saddle was embroidered with birds and flies.</span> -<span class="linenum">164</span> - <p>Aboutte hy<i>m</i>-self & his sadel, vpon silk werkeȝ,</p> - <p>Þat were to tor for to telle of tryfles þe halue,</p> - <p>Þat were enbrauded abof, wyth bryddes & flyȝes,</p> - <p>With gay gaudi of grene, þe golde ay i<i>n</i> myddes;</p> -<span class="linenum">168</span> - <p>Þe pendau<i>n</i>tes of his payttrure, þe proude cropure</p> - <p>His molaynes, & alle þe metail anamayld was þe<i>n</i>ne</p> - <p>Þe steropes þat he stod on, stayned of þe same,</p> - <p>& his arsou<i>n</i>ȝ al after, & his aþel sturtes,</p> -<span class="linenum">172</span> - <p>Þat euer glem<i>er</i>ed<sup>1</sup> & glent al of grene stones.</p> - <span class="sidenote">The foal that he rode upon was green;</span> - <p>Þe fole þat he ferkkes on, fyn of þat ilke,</p> - <p class="i8">sertayn;</p> - <p class="i4">A grene hors gret & þikke,</p> - <span class="sidenote">it was a steed full stiff to guide.</span> -<span class="linenum">176</span> - <p class="i4">A stede ful stif to strayne,</p> - <p class="i4">I<i>n</i> brawden brydel quik,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 93<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p class="i4">To þe gome he watȝ ful gayn.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> glemed (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>IX.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Gaily was the knight attired.</span> - <p>Wel gay watȝ þis gome gered i<i>n</i> grene,</p> -<span class="linenum">180</span> - <p>& þe here of his hed of his hors swete;</p> - <p>Fayre fannand fax vmbe-foldes his schulderes;</p> - <span class="sidenote">His great beard, like a bush, hung on his breast.</span> - <p>A much berd as<sup>1</sup> a busk ou<i>er</i> his brest henges,</p> - <p>Þat wyth his hiȝlich here, þat of his hed reches,</p> -<span class="linenum">184</span> - <p>Watȝ euesed al vmbe-torne, a-bof his elbowes,</p> - <p>Þat half his armes þer vnder were halched i<i>n</i> þe wyse</p> - <p>Of a ky<i>n</i>geȝ capados, þat closes his swyre.</p> - <span class="sidenote">The horse's mane was decked with golden threads.</span> - <p>Þe mane of þat mayn hors much to hit lyke,</p> -<span class="linenum">188</span> - <p>Wel cresped & ce<i>m</i>med wyth knottes ful mony,</p> - <p>Folden i<i>n</i> wyth fildore aboute þe fayre grene,</p> - <p>Ay a herle of þe here, an oþ<i>er</i> of golde;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Its tail was bound with a green band.</span> - <p>Þe tayl & his toppy<i>n</i>g twy<i>n</i>nen of a sute,</p> -<span class="linenum">192</span> - <p>& bou<i>n</i>den boþe wyth a bande of a bryȝt grene,</p> - <p>Dubbed wyth ful dere stoneȝ, as þe dok lasted,</p> - <p>Syþen þrawen wyth a þwong a þwarle knot alofte,</p> - <p>Þer mony belleȝ ful bryȝt of brende golde rungen.</p> - <span class="sidenote">Such a foal nor a knight were never before seen.</span> -<span class="linenum">196</span> - <p>Such a fole vpon folde, ne freke þat hy<i>m</i> rydes,</p> - <p>Watȝ neu<i>er</i> sene i<i>n</i> þat sale wyth syȝt er þat tyme,</p> - <p class="i8">w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> yȝe;</p> - <p class="i4">He loked as layt so lyȝt,</p> -<span class="linenum">200</span> - <p class="i4">So sayd al þat hy<i>m</i> syȝe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">It seemed that no man might endure his dints.</span> - <p class="i4">Hit semed as no mon myȝt,</p> - <p class="i4">Vnd<i>er</i> his dyntteȝ dryȝe.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> as as, in MS. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>X.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The knight carried neither spear nor shield,</span> - <p>Wheþ<i>er</i> hade he no helme ne hawb[e]rgh nauþ<i>er</i>,</p> -<span class="linenum">204</span> - <p>Ne no pysan, ne no plate þat pented to armes,</p> - <p>Ne no schafte, ne no schelde, to schwne ne to smyte,</p> - <span class="sidenote">In one hand was a holly bough,</span> - <p>Bot i<i>n</i> his on honde he hade a holyn bobbe,</p> - <p>Þat is grattest i<i>n</i> grene, when greueȝ ar bare,</p> - <span class="sidenote">in the other an axe,</span> -<span class="linenum">208</span> - <p>& an ax i<i>n</i> his oþ<i>er</i>, a hoge & vn-mete,</p> - <p>A spetos sparþe to expou<i>n</i> i<i>n</i> spelle quo-so myȝt;</p> - <p>Þe hede of an elnȝerde þe large lenkþe hade,</p> - <p>Þe grayn al of grene stele & of golde hewen,</p> - <span class="sidenote">the edge of which was as keen as a sharp razor,</span> -<span class="linenum">212</span> - <p>Þe bit burnyst bryȝt, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> a brod egge,</p> - <p>As wel schapen to schere as scharp rasores;</p> - <p>Þe stele of a stif staf þe sturne hit bi-grypte,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 94.]</span> - <p>Þat watȝ wou<i>n</i>den wyth yrn to þe wandeȝ ende,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and the handle was encased in iron, curiously "graven with green, in gracious works."</span> -<span class="linenum">216</span> - <p>& al bigrauen w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> grene, i<i>n</i> g<i>ra</i>cios<sup>1</sup> werkes;</p> - <p>A lace lapped aboute, þat louked at þe hede,</p> - <p>& so aft<i>er</i> þe halme halched ful ofte,</p> - <p>Wyth tryed tasseleȝ þerto tacched i<i>n</i>-noghe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Thus arrayed the Green Knight enters the hall,</span> -<span class="linenum">220</span> - <p>On botou<i>n</i>ȝ of þe bryȝt grene brayden ful ryche.</p> - <p>Þis haþel heldeȝ hy<i>m</i> i<i>n</i>, & þe halle entres,</p> - <p>Driuande to þe heȝe dece, dut he no woþe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">without saluting any one.</span> - <p>Haylsed he neu<i>er</i> one, bot heȝe he ou<i>er</i> loked.</p> -<span class="linenum">224</span> - <p>Þe fyrst word þat he warp, "wher is," he sayd,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He asks for the "governor" of the company,</span> - <p>"Þe gou<i>er</i>no<i>ur</i> of þis gy<i>n</i>g? gladly I wolde</p> - <p>Se þat segg i<i>n</i> syȝt, & w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hy<i>m</i> self speke</p> - <p class="i8">raysou<i>n</i>."</p> -<span class="linenum">228</span> - <p class="i4">To knyȝteȝ he kest his yȝe,</p> - <p class="i4">& reled hy<i>m</i> vp & dou<i>n</i>,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and looks for the most renowned.</span> - <p class="i4">He stemmed & con studie,</p> - <p class="i4">Quo walt þer most renou<i>n</i>.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> <i>looks like</i> graco<i>n</i>s <i>in MS</i>. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XI.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Much they marvel to see a man and a horse</span> -<span class="linenum">232</span> - <p>Ther watȝ loky<i>n</i>g on lenþe, þe lude to be-holde,</p> - <p>For vch mo<i>n</i> had meruayle quat hit mene myȝt,</p> - <p>Þat a haþel & a horse myȝt such a hwe lach,</p> - <span class="sidenote">as green as grass.</span> - <p>As growe grene as þe gres & grener hit semed,</p> -<span class="linenum">236</span> - <p>Þen grene aumayl on golde lowande bryȝte<i>r</i>;</p> - <p>Al studied þat þ<i>er</i> stod, & stalked hy<i>m</i> nerre,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Never before had they seen such a sight as this.</span> - <p>Wyth al þe wonder of þe worlde, what he worch schulde.</p> - <p>For fele sellyeȝ had þay sen, bot such neu<i>er</i> are,</p> -<span class="linenum">240</span> - <p>For-þi for fantou<i>m</i> & fayryȝe þe folk þere hit demed;</p> - <span class="sidenote">They were afraid to answer,</span> - <p>Þer-fore to answare watȝ arȝe mony aþel freke,</p> - <p>& al stouned at his steuen, & stonstil seten,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and were as silent as if sleep had taken possession of them;</span> - <p>In a swogh<i>e</i> sylence þurȝ þe sale riche</p> -<span class="linenum">244</span> - <p>As al were slypped vpon slepe so slaked hor loteȝ</p> - <p class="i8">i<i>n</i> hyȝe;</p> - <p class="i4">I deme hit not al for doute,</p> - <span class="sidenote">some from fear and others from courtesy.</span> - <p class="i4">Bot su<i>m</i> for cortaysye,</p> -<span class="linenum">248</span> - <p class="i4">Bot let hy<i>m</i> þat al schulde loute,</p> - <p class="i4">Cast vnto þat wyȝe.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>XII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Arthur salutes the Green Knight.</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>n Arþo<i>ur</i> bifore þe hiȝ dece þat auenture byholdeȝ,</p> - <p>& rekenly hy<i>m</i> reu<i>er</i>enced, for rad was he neu<i>er</i>,</p> -<span class="linenum">252</span> - <p>& sayde, "wyȝe, welcu<i>m</i> iwys to þis place,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 94<i>b</i>.]<br />bids him welcome, and invites him to stay awhile.</span> - <p>Þe hede of þis ostel Artho<i>ur</i> I hat,</p> - <p>Liȝt luflych adou<i>n</i>, & lenge, I þe praye, </p> - <p>& quat so þy wylle is, we schal wyt aft<i>er</i>."</p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight says that he will not tarry.</span> -<span class="linenum">256</span> - <p>"Nay, as help me," q<i>uod</i> þe haþel, "he þat on hyȝe syttes,</p> - <p>To wone any quyle i<i>n</i> þis won, hit watȝ not my<i>n</i> ernde;</p> - <p>Bot for þe los of þe lede is lyft vp so hyȝe,</p> - <p>& þy burȝ & þy burnes best ar holden,</p> -<span class="linenum">260</span> - <p>Stifest vnder stel-gere on stedes to ryde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He seeks the most valiant that he may prove him.</span> - <p>Þe wyȝtest & þe worþyest of þe worldes kynde,</p> - <p>Preue for to play wyth in oþ<i>er</i> pure laykeȝ;</p> - <p>& here is kydde cortaysye, as I haf herd carp,</p> -<span class="linenum">264</span> - <p>& þat hatȝ wayned me hider, I-wyis, at þis tyme.</p> - <p>Ȝe may be seker bi þis brau<i>n</i>ch þat I bere here,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He comes in peace.</span> - <p>Þat I passe as i<i>n</i> pes, & no plyȝt seche;</p> - <p>For had I fou<i>n</i>ded i<i>n</i> fere, i<i>n</i> feȝty<i>n</i>g wyse,</p> - <span class="sidenote">At home, however, he has both shield and spear.</span> -<span class="linenum">268</span> - <p>I haue a haubergh<i>e</i> at home & a helme boþe,</p> - <p>A schelde, & a scharp spere, schinande bryȝt,</p> - <p>Ande oþ<i>er</i> weppenes to welde, I wene wel als,</p> - <p>Bot for I wolde no were, my wedeȝ ar soft<i>er</i>.</p> -<span class="linenum">272</span> - <p>Bot if þ<i>o</i>u be so bold as alle burneȝ tellen,</p> - <p>Þ<i>o</i>u wyl g<i>ra</i>nt me godly þe gomen þat I ask,</p> - <p class="i8">bi ryȝt."</p> - <span class="sidenote">Arthur assures him that he shall not fail to find an opponent worthy of him.</span> - <p class="i4">Artho<i>ur</i> con onsware,</p> -<span class="linenum">276</span> - <p class="i4">& sayd, "s<i>ir</i> cortays knyȝt,</p> - <p class="i4">If þ<i>o</i>u craue batayl bare,</p> - <p class="i4">Here fayleȝ þ<i>o</i>u not to fyȝt."</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>XIII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"I seek no fight," says the knight.</span> - <p>"Nay, frayst I no fyȝt, i<i>n</i> fayth I þe telle,</p> - <span class="sidenote">"'Here are only beardless children.'</span> -<span class="linenum">280</span> - <p>Hit arn aboute on þis bench bot berdleȝ chylder;</p> - <p>If I were hasped i<i>n</i> armes on a heȝe stede,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Here is no man to match me.</span> - <p>Here is no mon me to mach, for myȝteȝ so<sup>1</sup> wayke.</p> - <p>For-þy I craue i<i>n</i> þis co<i>ur</i>t a crystmas gome<i>n</i>,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Here are brave ones many,</span> -<span class="linenum">284</span> - <p>For hit is ȝol & nwe ȝer, & here ar ȝep mony;</p> - <p>If any so hardy i<i>n</i> þis ho<i>us</i> holdeȝ hy<i>m</i>-seluen,</p> - <span class="sidenote">if any be bold enough to 'strike a stroke for another,'</span> - <p>Be so bolde i<i>n</i> his blod, brayn i<i>n</i> hys hede,</p> - <p>Þat dar stifly strike a strok for an oþ<i>er</i>,</p> -<span class="linenum">288</span> - <p>I schal gif hy<i>m</i> of my gyft þys giserne ryche,</p> - <span class="sidenote">this axe shall be his;</span> - <p>Þis ax, þat is heué i<i>n</i>-nogh, to hondel<i>e</i> as hy<i>m</i> lykes,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 95.]</span> - <p>& I schal bide þe fyrst bur, as bare as I sitte.</p> - <p>If any freke be so felle to fonde þat I telle,</p> -<span class="linenum">292</span> - <p>Lepe lyȝtly me to, & lach þis weppen,</p> - <p>I quit clayme hit for eu<i>er</i>, kepe hit as his auen,</p> - <span class="sidenote">but I shall give him a 'stroke' in return</span> - <p>& I schal stonde hy<i>m</i> a strok, stif on þis flet,</p> - <p>Elleȝ þ<i>o</i>u wyl diȝt me þe dom to dele hy<i>m</i> an oþ<i>er</i>,</p> -<span class="linenum">296</span> - <p class="i8">barlay;</p> - <p class="i4">& ȝet gif hy<i>m</i> respite,</p> - <span class="sidenote">within a twelvemonth and a day."</span> - <p class="i4">A twelmonyth & a day;—</p> - <p class="i4">Now hyȝe, & let se tite</p> -<span class="linenum">300</span> - <p class="i4">Dar any her-i<i>n</i>ne oȝt say."</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. fo. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XIV.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Fear kept all silent.</span> - <p>If he hem stowned vpon fyrst, stiller were þa<i>n</i>ne</p> - <p>Alle þe hered-men i<i>n</i> halle, þe hyȝ & þe loȝe;</p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight rolled his red eyes about,</span> - <p>Þe renk on his rou<i>n</i>ce hy<i>m</i> ruched i<i>n</i> his sadel,</p> -<span class="linenum">304</span> - <p>& runisch-ly his rede yȝen he reled aboute,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and bent his bristly green brows.</span> - <p>Bende his bresed broȝeȝ, bly-cande grene,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Waving his beard awhile, he exclaimed:</span> - <p>Wayued his berde for to wayte quo-so wolde ryse.</p> - <p>When non wolde kepe hy<i>m</i> w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> carp he coȝed ful hyȝe,</p> -<span class="linenum">308</span> - <p>Ande rimed hy<i>m</i> ful richl<i>e</i>y, & ryȝt hy<i>m</i> to speke:</p> - <span class="sidenote">"What! is this Arthur's court?</span> - <p>"What, is þis Arþures ho<i>us</i>," q<i>uod</i> þe haþel þe<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <p>"Þat al þe ro<i>us</i> re<i>n</i>nes of, þurȝ ryalmes so mony?</p> - <p>Where is now yo<i>ur</i> so<i>ur</i>quydrye & yo<i>ur</i> co<i>n</i>questes,</p> -<span class="linenum">312</span> - <p>Yo<i>ur</i> gry[n]del-layk, & yo<i>ur</i> greme, & yo<i>ur</i> grete wordes?</p> - <span class="sidenote">Forsooth the renown of the Round Table is overturned 'with a word of one man's speech.'"</span> - <p>Now is þe reuel & þe renou<i>n</i> of þe rou<i>n</i>de table</p> - <p>Ou<i>er</i>-walt wyth a worde of on wyȝes speche;</p> - <p>For al dares for drede, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-oute dynt schewed!"</p> -<span class="linenum">316</span> - <p>Wyth þis he laȝes so loude, þat þe lorde greued;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Arthur blushes for shame.</span> - <p>Þe blod schot for scham i<i>n</i>-to his schyre face</p> - <p class="i8">& lere;</p> - <span class="sidenote">He waxes as wroth as the wind.</span> - <p class="i4">He wex as wroth as wynde,</p> -<span class="linenum">320</span> - <p class="i4">So did alle þat þer were</p> - <p class="i4">Þe ky<i>n</i>g as kene bi kynde,</p> - <p class="i4">Þe<i>n</i> stod þat stif mon nere.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>XV.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">He assures the knight that no one is afraid of his great words.</span> - <p>Ande sayde, "haþel, by heuen þy<i>n</i> asky<i>n</i>g is nys, </p> -<span class="linenum">324</span> - <p>& as þ<i>o</i>u foly hatȝ frayst, fynde þe be-houes;</p> - <p>I know no gome þat is gast of þy grete wordes.</p> - <p>Gif me now þy geserne, vpon godeȝ halue,</p> - <p>& I schal bayþen þy bone, þat þ<i>o</i>u boden habbes."</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 95<i>b</i>.]</span> -<span class="linenum">328</span> - <p>Lyȝtly lepeȝ he hy<i>m</i> to, & laȝt at his honde;</p> - <p>Þen feersly þat oþ<i>er</i> freke vpon fote lyȝtis.</p> - <span class="sidenote">Arthur seizes his axe.</span> - <p>Now hatȝ Arthure his axe, & þe halme grypeȝ,</p> - <p>& sturnely stureȝ hit aboute, þat stryke wyth hit þoȝt.</p> -<span class="linenum">332</span> - <p>Þe stif mon hy<i>m</i> bifore stod vpon hyȝt,</p> - <p>Herre þen ani in þe ho<i>us</i> by þe hede & more;</p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight, stroking his beard, awaits the blow, and with a "dry countenance" draws down his coat.</span> - <p>Wyth sturne schere<sup>1</sup> þer he stod, he stroked his berde,</p> - <p>& wyth a cou<i>n</i>tenau<i>n</i>ce dryȝe he droȝ dou<i>n</i> his cote,</p> -<span class="linenum">336</span> - <p>No more mate ne dismayd for hys may<i>n</i> dinteȝ,</p> - <p>Þen any burne vpon bench hade broȝt hy<i>m</i> to drynk</p> - <p class="i8">of wyne,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne beseeches the king to let him undertake the blow.</span> - <p class="i4">Gawan, þat sate bi þe quene,</p> -<span class="linenum">340</span> - <p class="i4">To þe ky<i>n</i>g he can enclyne,</p> - <p class="i4">"I be-seche now w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> saȝeȝ sene,</p> - <p class="i4">Þis melly mot be myne."</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> chere (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XVI.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p>"Wolde ȝe, worþilych lorde," q<i>uod</i> Gawan to þe ky<i>n</i>g,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He asks permission to leave the table; he says,</span> -<span class="linenum">344</span> - <p>"Bid me boȝe fro þis benche, & stonde by yow þere,</p> - <p>Þat I wyth-oute vylanye myȝt voyde þis table, </p> - <p>& þat my legge lady lyked not ille,</p> - <p>I wolde com to yo<i>ur</i> cou<i>n</i>seyl, bifore yo<i>ur</i> cort ryche. </p> - <span class="sidenote">it is not meet that Arthur should be active in the matter,</span> -<span class="linenum">348</span> - <p>For me þink hit not semly, as hit is soþ knawen,</p> - <p>Þer such an asky<i>n</i>g is heuened so hyȝe i<i>n</i> yo<i>ur</i> sale,</p> - <p>Þaȝȝe ȝo<i>ur</i>-self be talenttyf to take hit to yo<i>ur</i>-seluen,</p> - <span class="sidenote">while so many bold ones sit upon bench.</span> - <p>Whil mony so bolde yow aboute vpon bench sytten, </p> -<span class="linenum">352</span> - <p>Þat vnder heuen, I hope, non haȝer er of wylle,</p> - <p>Ne bett<i>er</i> bodyes on bent, þer baret is rered;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Although the weakest, he is quite ready to meet the Green Knight.</span> - <p>I am þe wakkest, I wot, and of wyt feblest,</p> - <p>& lest lur of my lyf, quo laytes þe soþe, </p> -<span class="linenum">356</span> - <p>Bot for as much as ȝe ar myn em, I am only to prayse,</p> - <p>No bou<i>n</i>té bot yo<i>ur</i> blod I in my bodé knowe;</p> - <p>& syþen þis note is so nys, þ<i>a</i>t noȝt hit yow falles,</p> - <p>& I haue frayned hit at yow fyrst, foldeȝ hit to me, </p> -<span class="linenum">360</span> - <p>& if I carp not comlyly, let alle þis cort rych,</p> - <p class="i4"> bout blame."</p> - <span class="sidenote">The nobles entreat Arthur to "give Gawayne the game."</span> - <p> Ryche to-geder con rou<i>n</i>,</p> - <p> & syþen þay redden alle same, </p> -<span class="linenum">364</span> - <p> To ryd þe ky<i>n</i>g wyth crou<i>n</i>,</p> - <p> & gif Gawan þe game.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>XVII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 96.]</span> - <p>Þen comau<i>n</i>ded þe ky<i>n</i>g þe knyȝt for to ryse;</p> - <p>& he ful radly vp ros, & ruchched hy<i>m</i> fayre, </p> - <span class="sidenote">The king gives his nephew his weapon,</span> -<span class="linenum">368</span> - <p>Kneled dou<i>n</i> bifore þe ky<i>n</i>g, & cacheȝ þat weppen;</p> - <p>& he luflyly hit hy<i>m</i> laft, & lyfte vp his honde,</p> - <p>& gef hy<i>m</i> goddeȝ blessy<i>n</i>g, & gladly hy<i>m</i> biddes</p> - <span class="sidenote">and tells him to keep heart and hand steady.</span> - <p>Þat his hert & his honde schulde hardi be boþe.</p> -<span class="linenum">372</span> - <p>"Kepe þe cosyn," q<i>uod</i> þe ky<i>n</i>g, "þat þ<i>o</i>u on kyrf sette,</p> - <p>& if þou redeȝ hy<i>m</i> ryȝt, redly I trowe,</p> - <p>Þat þou schal byden þe bur þat he schal bede aft<i>er</i>.</p> - <p>Gawan gotȝ to þe gome, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> giserne i<i>n</i> honde,</p> -<span class="linenum">376</span> - <p>& he baldly hy<i>m</i> bydeȝ, he bayst neu<i>er</i> þe helder</p> - <span class="sidenote">The Green Knight enquires the name of his opponent.</span> - <p>Þen carppeȝ to s<i>ir</i> Gawan þe knyȝt i<i>n</i> þe grene,</p> - <p>"Refourme we oure for-wardes, er we fyrre passe.</p> - <p>Fyrst I eþe þe, haþel, how þat þou hattes,</p> -<span class="linenum">380</span> - <p>Þat þ<i>o</i>u me telle truly, as I tryst may?"</p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne tells him his name, and declares that he is willing to give and receive a blow.</span> - <p>"In god fayth," q<i>uod</i> þe goode knyȝt, "Gawan I hatte,</p> - <p>Þat bede þe þis buffet, quat-so bi-falleȝ aft<i>er</i>,</p> - <p>& at þis tyme twelmonyth take at þe anoþ<i>er</i>,</p> -<span class="linenum">384</span> - <p>Wyth what weppen so<sup>1</sup> þ<i>o</i>u wylt, & wyth no wyȝ elleȝ,</p> - <p class="i8">on lyue."</p> - <p class="i4">Þat oþ<i>er</i> on-swareȝ agayn,</p> - <p class="i4">"Sir Gawan, so mot I þryue,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The other thereof is glad.</span> -<span class="linenum">388</span> - <p class="i4">As I am ferly fayn.</p> - <p class="i4">Þis dint þat þ<i>o</i>u schal dryue."</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. fo. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XVIII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"It pleases me well, Sir Gawayne," says the Green Knight, "that I shall receive a blow from thy fist; but thou must swear that thou wilt seek me,</span> - <p>"Bigog," q<i>uod</i> þe grene knyȝt, "s<i>ir</i> Gawan, melykes,</p> - <p>Þat I schal fange at þy fust þat I haf frayst here;</p> -<span class="linenum">392</span> - <p>& þ<i>o</i>u hatȝ redily rehersed, bi resou<i>n</i> ful trwe,</p> - <p>Clanly al þe couenau<i>n</i>t þat I þe ky<i>n</i>ge asked,</p> - <p>Saf þat þ<i>o</i>u schal siker me, segge, bi þi trawþe,</p> - <p>Þat þ<i>o</i>u schal seche me þi-self, where-so þ<i>o</i>u hopes</p> -<span class="linenum">396</span> - <p>I may be funde vpon folde, & foch þe such wages</p> - <span class="sidenote">to receive the blow in return."</span> - <p>As þ<i>o</i>u deles me to day, bifore þis douþe ryche."</p> - <span class="sidenote">"Where shall I seek thee?" says Sir Gawayne;</span> - <p>"Where schulde I wale þe," q<i>uod</i> Gauan, "where is þy place?</p> - <p>I wot neu<i>er</i> where þ<i>o</i>u wonyes, bi hy<i>m</i> þat me wroȝt,</p> -<span class="linenum">400</span> - <p>Ne I know not þe, knyȝt, þy cort, ne þi name.</p> - <span class="sidenote">"tell me thy name and abode and I will find thee."</span> - <p>Bot teche me truly þer-to, & telle me howe þ<i>o</i>u hattes,</p> - <p>& I schal ware alle my wyt to wy<i>n</i>ne me þeder,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 96<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p>& þat I swere þe for soþe, & by my seker traweþ."</p> -<span class="linenum">404</span> - <p>"Þat is in-nogh in nwe ȝer, hit nedes no more,"</p> - <p>Q<i>uod</i> þe gome i<i>n</i> þe grene to Gawan þe hende,</p> - <span class="sidenote">"When thou hast smitten me," says the knight, "then tell I thee of my home and name;</span> - <p>"ȝif I þe telle trwly, quen I þe tape haue,</p> - <p>& þ<i>o</i>u me smoþely hatȝ smyten, smartly I þe teche</p> -<span class="linenum">408</span> - <p>Of my ho<i>us</i>, & my home, & myn owen nome,</p> - <p>Þen may þ<i>o</i>u frayst my fare, & forwardeȝ holde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">if I speak not at all, so much the better for thee.</span> - <p>& if I spende no speche, þe<i>n</i>ne spedeȝ þ<i>o</i>u þe bett<i>er</i>,</p> - <p>For þ<i>o</i>u may leng i<i>n</i> þy londe, & layt no fyrre,</p> -<span class="linenum">412</span> - <p class="i8">bot slokes;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Take now thy grim tool, and let us see how thou knockest."</span> - <p class="i4">Ta now þy gry<i>m</i>me tole to þe,</p> - <p class="i4">& let se how þ<i>o</i>u cnokeȝ."</p> - <p class="i4">"Gladly s<i>ir</i>, for soþe,"</p> -<span class="linenum">416</span> - <p class="i4">Q<i>uod</i> Gawan; his ax he strokes.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>XIX.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The Green Knight</span> - <p>The grene knyȝt vpon grou<i>n</i>de grayþely hy<i>m</i> dresses,</p> - <p>A littel lut w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe hede, þe lere he discou<i>er</i>eȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">puts his long lovely locks aside and lays bare his neck.</span> - <p>His longe louelych lokkeȝ he layd ou<i>er</i> his crou<i>n</i>.</p> -<span class="linenum">420</span> - <p>Let þe naked nec to þe note schewe.</p> - <p>Gauan gripped to his ax, & gederes hit on hyȝt,</p> - <p>Þe kay fot on þe folde he be-fore sette,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne lets fall his axe</span> - <p>Let hit dou<i>n</i> lyȝtly lyȝt on þe naked,</p> -<span class="linenum">424</span> - <p>Þat þe scharp of þe schalk schyndered þe bones,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and severs the head from the body.</span> - <p>& schra<i>n</i>k þurȝ þe schyire grece, & scade hit i<i>n</i> twy<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <p>Þat þe bit of þe brou<i>n</i> stel bot on þe grou<i>n</i>de.</p> - <span class="sidenote">The head falls to the earth.</span> - <p>Þe fayre hede fro þe halce hit [felle] to þe erþe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Many kick it aside with their feet.</span> -<span class="linenum">428</span> - <p>Þat fele hit foyned wyth her fete, þere hit forth roled;</p> - <p>Þe blod brayd fro þe body, þ<i>a</i>t blykked on þe grene;</p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight never falters;</span> - <p>& nawþer falt<i>er</i>ed ne fel þe freke neu<i>er</i> þe helder,</p> - <p>Bot styþly he start forth vpon styf schonkes,</p> - <span class="sidenote">he rushes forth, seizes his head,</span> -<span class="linenum">432</span> - <p>& ru[n]yschly he raȝt out, þere as renkkeȝ stoden,</p> - <p>Laȝt to his lufly hed, & lyft hit vp sone;</p> - <p>& syþen boȝeȝ to his blonk, þe brydel he cachcheȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">steps into the saddle,</span> - <p>Steppeȝ i<i>n</i> to stel bawe & strydeȝ alofte,</p> - <span class="sidenote">holding the while the head in his hand by the hair,</span> -<span class="linenum">436</span> - <p>& his hede by þe here i<i>n</i> his honde haldeȝ;</p> - <p>& as sadly þe segge hy<i>m</i> i<i>n</i> his sadel sette,</p> - <p>As non vnhap had hy<i>m</i> ayled, þaȝ hedleȝ he<sup>1</sup> we[re],</p> - <p class="i8">i<i>n</i> stedde;</p> - <span class="sidenote">and turns his horse about.</span> -<span class="linenum">440</span> - <p class="i4">He brayde his bluk<sup>2</sup> aboute,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 97.]</span> - <p class="i4">Þat vgly bodi þat bledde,</p> - <p class="i4">Moni on of hy<i>m</i> had doute,</p> - <p class="i4">Bi þat his resou<i>n</i>ȝ were redde.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. ho. - <sup>2</sup> blunk (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XX.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> -<span class="linenum">444</span> - <p>For þe hede in his honde he haldeȝ vp euen,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The head lifts up its eyelids,</span> - <p>To-ward þe derrest on þe dece he dresseȝ þe face,</p> - <p>& hit lyfte vp þe yȝe-lyddeȝ, & loked ful brode,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and addresses Sir Gawayne; "Look thou, be ready to go as thou hast promised,</span> - <p>& meled þ<i>us</i> much w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> his muthe, as ȝe may now here.</p> -<span class="linenum">448</span> - <p>"Loke, Gawan, þ<i>o</i>u be grayþe to go as þ<i>o</i>u hetteȝ,</p> - <p>& layte as lelly til þ<i>o</i>u me, lude, fynde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and seek till thou findest me.</span> - <p>As þ<i>o</i>u hatȝ hette i<i>n</i> þis halle, herande þise knyȝtes;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Get thee to the Green Chapel,</span> - <p>To þe grene chapel þ<i>o</i>u chose, I charge þe to fotte,</p> -<span class="linenum">452</span> - <p>Such a dunt as þ<i>o</i>u hatȝ dalt disserued þ<i>o</i>u habbeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">there to receive a blow on New Year's morn.</span> - <p>To be ȝederly ȝolden on nw ȝeres morn;</p> - <p>Þe knyȝt of þe grene chapel men knowen me mony;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Fail thou never;</span> - <p>For-þi me forto fynde if þ<i>o</i>u fraysteȝ, fayleȝ þ<i>o</i>u neu<i>er</i>,</p> - <span class="sidenote">come, or recreant be called."</span> -<span class="linenum">456</span> - <p>Þer-fore com, oþ<i>er</i> recreau<i>n</i>t be calde þe be-houe<i>us</i>."</p> - <p>With a runisch rout þe rayneȝ he torneȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The Green Knight then rushes out of the hall, his head in his hand.</span> - <p>Halled out at þe hal-dor, his hed i<i>n</i> his hande,</p> - <p>Þat þe fyr of þe flynt flaȝe fro fole houes.</p> -<span class="linenum">460</span> - <p>To quat kyth he be-com, knwe non þere,</p> - <p>Neu<i>er</i>more þen þay wyste fram queþen he watȝ wo<i>n</i>nen;</p> - <p class="i8">what þe<i>n</i>ne?</p> - <p class="i4">Þe ky<i>n</i>g & Gawen þare,</p> - <span class="sidenote">At that green one Arthur and Gawayne "laugh and grin."</span> -<span class="linenum">464</span> - <p class="i4">At þat grene þay laȝe & gre<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <p class="i4">ȝet breued watȝ hit ful bare,</p> - <p class="i4">A m<i>er</i>uayl amo<i>ng</i> þo me<i>n</i>ne.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>XXI.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Arthur addresses the queen:</span> - <p>Þaȝ Arþ<i>er</i> þe hende ky<i>n</i>g at hert hade wonder,</p> -<span class="linenum">468</span> - <p>He let no semblau<i>n</i>t be sene, bot sayde ful hyȝe</p> - <p>To þe comlych quene, wyth cortays speche,</p> - <span class="sidenote">"Dear dame, be not dismayed; such marvels well become the Christmas festival;</span> - <p>"Dere dame, to day demay yow neu<i>er</i>;</p> - <p>Wel by-co<i>m</i>mes such craft vpon c<i>r</i>istmasse,</p> -<span class="linenum">472</span> - <p>Layky<i>n</i>g of ent<i>er</i>ludeȝ, to laȝe & to syng.</p> - <p>Amo<i>n</i>g þise, kynde caroles of knyȝteȝ & ladyeȝ;</p> - <span class="sidenote">I may now go to meat.</span> - <p>Neu<i>er</i>-þe-lece to my mete I may me wel dres,</p> - <p>For I haf sen a selly, I may not for-sake."</p> -<span class="linenum">476</span> - <p>He glent vpon s<i>ir</i> Gawen, & gaynly he sayde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne, hang up thine axe.</span> - <p>"Now s<i>ir</i>, heng vp þyn ax, þat hatȝ i<i>n</i>-nogh hewen."</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 97<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p>& hit watȝ don abof þe dece, on doser to henge,</p> - <p>Þer alle men for m<i>er</i>uayl myȝt on hit loke,</p> -<span class="linenum">480</span> - <p>& bi trwe tytel þ<i>er</i>-of to telle þe wonder.</p> - <span class="sidenote">The king and his knights sit feasting at the board till day is ended.</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne þay boȝed to a borde þise burnes to-geder,</p> - <p>Þe ky<i>n</i>g & þe gode knyȝt, & kene me<i>n</i> he<i>m</i> serued</p> - <p>Of alle dayntyeȝ double, as derrest myȝt falle,</p> -<span class="linenum">484</span> - <p>Wyth alle maner of mete & mynstralcie boþe;</p> - <p>Wyth wele walt þay þat day, til worþed an ende,</p> - <p class="i8">in londe.</p> - <span class="sidenote">Now beware, Sir Gawayne, lest thou fail to seek the adventure that thou hast taken in hand.</span> - <p class="i4">Now þenk wel, s<i>ir</i> Gawan,</p> -<span class="linenum">488</span> - <p class="i4">For woþe þat þ<i>o</i>u ne wonde,</p> - <p class="i4">Þis auenture forto frayn,</p> - <p class="i4">Þat þ<i>o</i>u hatȝ tan on honde.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>[FYTTE THE SECOND.]</h2> - -<h2>I.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">This marvel serves to keep up a brisk conversation in Court.</span> - <p>This hansell<i>e</i> hatȝ Arthur of auenturus on fyrst,</p> -<span class="linenum">492</span> - <p>In ȝonge ȝer, for he ȝerned ȝelpy<i>n</i>g to here,</p> - <p>Thaȝ hym wordeȝ were wane, when þay to sete wenten;</p> - <p>Now ar þay stoken of sturne werk staf-ful her hond.</p> - <p>Gawan watȝ glad to be-gy<i>n</i>ne þose gomneȝ i<i>n</i> halle,</p> -<span class="linenum">496</span> - <p>Bot þaȝ þe ende be heuy, haf ȝe no wonder;</p> - <p>For þaȝ men be<i>n</i> mery in my<i>n</i>de, quen þay han mayn drynk,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The year passes full quickly and never returns.</span> - <p>A ȝere ȝernes ful ȝerne, & ȝeldeȝ neu<i>er</i> lyke,</p> - <p>Þe forme to þe fynisment foldeȝ ful selden.</p> -<span class="linenum">500</span> - <p>For-þi þis ȝol ou<i>er</i>-ȝede, & þe ȝere aft<i>er</i>,</p> - <p>& vche sesou<i>n</i> serlepes sued after oþ<i>er</i>;</p> - <span class="sidenote">After Christmas comes the "crabbed Lenten."</span> - <p>After crysten-masse com þe crabbed lentou<i>n</i>,</p> - <p>Þat fraysteȝ flesch wyth þe fysche & fode more symple</p> -<span class="linenum">504</span> - <p>Bot þe<i>n</i>ne þe weder of þe worlde wyth wynter hit þrepeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Spring sets in and warm showers descend;</span> - <p>Colde clengeȝ adou<i>n</i>, cloudeȝ vp-lyften,</p> - <p>Schyre schedeȝ þe rayn i<i>n</i> schowreȝ ful warme,</p> - <p>Falleȝ vpon fayre flat, flowreȝ þere schewen,</p> - <span class="sidenote">the groves become green,</span> -<span class="linenum">508</span> - <p>Boþe grou<i>n</i>deȝ & þe greueȝ grene ar her wedeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">birds build and sing,</span> - <p>Bryddeȝ busken to bylde, & bremlych sy<i>n</i>gen,</p> - <span class="sidenote">for joy of the summer that follows;</span> - <p>For solace of þe softe som<i>er</i> þat sues þer aft<i>er</i>,</p> - <p class="i8">bi bonk;</p> - <span class="sidenote">blossoms begin to bloom,</span> -<span class="linenum">512</span> - <p class="i4">& blossu<i>m</i>eȝ bolne to blowe,</p> - <p class="i4">Bi raweȝ rych & ronk,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and noble notes are heard in the woods</span> - <p class="i4">Þe<i>n</i> noteȝ noble i<i>n</i>-noȝe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 98]</span> - <p class="i4">Ar herde in wod so wlonk.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>II.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then the soft winds of summer,</span> -<span class="linenum">516</span> - <p>After þe sesou<i>n</i> of som<i>er</i> wyth þe soft wyndeȝ,</p> - <p>Quen ȝefer<i>us</i> syfleȝ hy<i>m</i>-self on sedeȝ & erbeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">beautiful are the flowers wet with dew-drops.</span> - <p>Wela-wy<i>n</i>ne is þe wort þat woxes þer-oute.</p> - <p>When þe donkande dewe dropeȝ of þe leueȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">520</span> - <p>To bide a blysful blusch of þe bryȝt su<i>n</i>ne.</p> - <span class="sidenote">But harvest approaches soon,</span> - <p>Bot þe<i>n</i> hyȝes heruest, & hardenes hy<i>m</i> sone.</p> - <p>Warneȝ hy<i>m</i> for þe wynter to wax ful rype;</p> - <span class="sidenote">and drives the dust about.</span> - <p>He dryues wyth droȝt þe dust for to ryse.</p> -<span class="linenum">524</span> - <p>Fro þe face of þe folde to flyȝe ful hyȝe;</p> - <p>Wroþe wynde of þe welkyn wrasteleȝ w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe su<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The leaves drop off the trees,</span> - <p>Þe leueȝ lancen fro þe lynde, & lyȝten on þe grou<i>n</i>de,</p> - <span class="sidenote">the grass becomes gray, and all ripens and rots.</span> - <p>& al grayes þe gres, þat grene watȝ ere;</p> -<span class="linenum">528</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne al rypeȝ & roteȝ þat ros vpon fyrst,</p> - <p>& þ<i>us</i> ȝirneȝ þe ȝere i<i>n</i> ȝisterdayeȝ mony,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Winter winds round again,</span> - <p>& wynter wyndeȝ aȝayn, as þe worlde askeȝ</p> - <p class="i8">no sage.</p> -<span class="linenum">532</span> - <p class="i4">Til meȝel-mas mone,</p> - <p class="i4">Watȝ cu<i>m</i>en wyth wynter wage;</p> - <span class="sidenote">and then Sir Gawayne thinks of his dread journey.</span> - <p class="i4">Þen þenkkeȝ Gawan ful sone,</p> - <p class="i4">Of his anio<i>us</i> uyage.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>III.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">On All-hallows day Arthur makes a feast for his nephew's sake.</span> -<span class="linenum">536</span> - <p>Ȝet quyl al-hal-day w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> Arþ<i>er</i> he lenges,</p> - <p>& he made a fare on þ<i>a</i>t fest, for þe frekeȝ sake,</p> - <p>W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> much reuel & ryche of þe rou<i>n</i>de table;</p> - <p>Knyȝteȝ ful cortays & comlych ladies,</p> -<span class="linenum">540</span> - <p>Al for luf of þat lede i<i>n</i> longy<i>n</i>ge þay were,</p> - <p>Bot neu<i>er</i>-þe-lece ne þe lat<i>er</i> þay neuened bot m<i>er</i>þe,</p> - <p>Mony ioyleȝ for þat ientyle iapeȝ þer maden.</p> - <span class="sidenote">After meat, Sir Gawayne thus speaks to his uncle:</span> - <p>For aftter mete, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> mo<i>ur</i>ny<i>n</i>g he meleȝ to his eme,</p> -<span class="linenum">544</span> - <p>& spekeȝ of his passage, & pertly he sayde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">"Now, liege lord, I ask leave of you,</span> - <p>"Now, lege lorde of my lyf, leue I yow ask;</p> - <p>ȝe knowe þe cost of þis cace, kepe I no more</p> - <p>To telle yow teneȝ þer-of neu<i>er</i> bot t<i>r</i>ifel;</p> - <span class="sidenote">for I am bound on the morn to seek the Green Knight."</span> -<span class="linenum">548</span> - <p>Bot I am bou<i>n</i> to þe bur barely to morne,</p> - <p>To sech þe gome of þe grene, as god wyl me wysse."</p> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne þe best of þe burȝ boȝed to-geder,</p> - <p>Aywan, & Errik, & oþ<i>er</i> ful mony,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 98<i>b</i>.]</span> -<span class="linenum">552</span> - <p>S<i>ir</i> Doddinaual de Sauage, þe duk of Clarence,</p> - <p>Launcelot, & Lyonel, & Lucan þe gode,</p> - <p>S<i>ir</i> Boos, & sir Byduer, big me<i>n</i> boþe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Many nobles, the best of the court, counsel and comfort him.</span> - <p>& mony oþ<i>er</i> menskful, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> Mador de la Port.</p> -<span class="linenum">556</span> - <p>Alle þis compayny of court com þe ky<i>n</i>g nerre,</p> - <p>For to cou<i>n</i>seyl þe knyȝt, with care at her hert;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Much sorrow prevails in the hall.</span> - <p>Þere watȝ much derue<sup>1</sup> doel driuen i<i>n</i> þe sale,</p> - <p>Þat so worthe as Wawan schulde wende on þat ernde,</p> -<span class="linenum">560</span> - <p>To dryȝe a delful dynt, & dele no more</p> - <p class="i8">wyth bronde.</p> - <p class="i4">Þe knyȝt mad ay god chere,</p> - <p class="i4">& sayde, "quat schuld I wonde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne declares that he has nothing to fear.</span> -<span class="linenum">564</span> - <p class="i4">Of destines derf & dere,</p> - <p class="i4">What may mon do bot fonde?"</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> derne (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>IV.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">On the morn he asks for his arms.</span> - <p>He dowelleȝ þer al þat day, and dresseȝ on þe morn,</p> - <p>Askeȝ erly hys armeȝ, & alle were þay broȝt</p> - <span class="sidenote">A carpet is spread on the floor,</span> -<span class="linenum">568</span> - <p>Fyrst a tule tapit, tyȝt ou<i>er</i> þe flet,</p> - <p>& miche watȝ þe gyld gere þat glent þer alofte;</p> - <span class="sidenote">and he steps thereon.</span> - <p>Þe stif mon steppeȝ þeron, & þe stel hondoleȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He is dubbed in a doublet of Tarsic silk, and a well-made hood.</span> - <p>Dubbed i<i>n</i> a dublet of a dere tars,</p> -<span class="linenum">572</span> - <p>& syþen a crafty capados, closed aloft,</p> - <p>Þat wyth a bryȝt blau<i>n</i>ner was bou<i>n</i>den w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-i<i>n</i>ne;</p> - <span class="sidenote">They set steel slices on his feet, and lap his legs in steel greaves.</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne set þay þe sabatou<i>n</i>ȝ vpon þe segge foteȝ,</p> - <p>His legeȝ lapped i<i>n</i> stel w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> luflych greueȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">576</span> - <p>W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> polayneȝ piched þer-to, policed ful clene,</p> - <p>Aboute his kneȝ knaged wyth knoteȝ of golde;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Fair cuisses enclose his thighs,</span> - <p>Queme quyssewes þe<i>n</i>, þat coyntlych closed</p> - <p>His thik þrawen þyȝeȝ w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þwonges to-tachched;</p> - <span class="sidenote">and afterwards they put on the steel habergeon,</span> -<span class="linenum">580</span> - <p>& syþen þe brawden bryne of bryȝt stel ry<i>n</i>geȝ,</p> - <p>Vmbe-weued þat wyȝ, vpon wlonk stuffe;</p> - <span class="sidenote">well-burnished braces, elbow pieces, and gloves of plate.</span> - <p>& wel bornyst brace vpon his boþe armes,</p> - <p>W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> gode cowters & gay, & gloueȝ of plate,</p> -<span class="linenum">584</span> - <p>& alle þe godlych gere þat hy<i>m</i> gayn schulde</p> - <p class="i8">Þat tyde;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Over all this is placed the coat armour.</span> - <p class="i4">Wyth ryche cote armure,</p> - <span class="sidenote">His spurs are then fixed,</span> - <p class="i4">His gold sporeȝ spend w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> pryde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and his sword is attached to his side by a silken girdle.</span> -<span class="linenum">588</span> - <p class="i4">Gurde wyth a bront ful sure,</p> - <p class="i4">W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> silk sayn vmbe his syde.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>V.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 99<i>a</i>.]<br />Thus arrayed the knight hears mass,</span> - <p>When he watȝ hasped i<i>n</i> armes, his harnays watȝ ryche,</p> - <p>Þe lest lachet ou[þ]<i>er</i> loupe lemed of golde;</p> -<span class="linenum">592</span> - <p>So harnayst as he watȝ he herkneȝ his masse,</p> - <p>Offred & hono<i>ur</i>ed at þe heȝe auter;</p> - <span class="sidenote">and afterwards takes leave of Arthur and his court.</span> - <p>Syþen he comeȝ to þe ky<i>n</i>g & to his cort fereȝ,</p> - <p>Lacheȝ lufly his leue at lordeȝ & ladyeȝ;</p> -<span class="linenum">596</span> - <p>& þay hy<i>m</i> kyst & conueyed, bikende hy<i>m</i> to kryst.</p> - <span class="sidenote">By that time his horse Gringolet was ready,</span> - <p>Bi þat watȝ Gryngolet grayth, & gurde w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> a sadel,</p> - <p>Þat glemed ful gayly w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> mony golde frenges,</p> - <p>Ay quere naylet ful nwe for þat note ryched;</p> -<span class="linenum">600</span> - <p>Þe brydel barred aboute, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> bryȝt golde bou<i>n</i>den;</p> - <span class="sidenote">the harness of which glittered like the "gleam of the sun."</span> - <p>Þe apparayl of þe payttrure, & of þe proude skyrteȝ,</p> - <p>Þe cropore, & þe couertor, acorded wyth þe arsou<i>n</i>eȝ;</p> - <p>& al watȝ rayled on red ryche golde nayleȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">604</span> - <p>Þat al glytered & glent as glem of þe su<i>n</i>ne.</p> - <span class="sidenote">Then Sir Gawayne sets his helmet upon his head,</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne hentes he þe holme, & hastily hit kysses,</p> - <p>Þat watȝ stapled stifly, & stoffed wyth-i<i>n</i>ne:</p> - <p>Hit watȝ hyȝe on his hede, hasped bihynde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">fastened behind with a "urisoun,"</span> -<span class="linenum">608</span> - <p>Wyth a lyȝtli vrysou<i>n</i> ou<i>er</i> þe auentayle,</p> - <span class="sidenote">richly embroidered with gems.</span> - <p>Enbrawden & bou<i>n</i>den wyth þe best ge<i>m</i>meȝ,</p> - <p>On brode sylkyn borde, & bryddeȝ on semeȝ,</p> - <p>As papiayeȝ paynted perny<i>n</i>g bitwene,</p> -<span class="linenum">612</span> - <p>Tortors & trulofeȝ entayled so þyk,</p> - <p>As mony burde þer aboute had be<i>n</i> seue<i>n</i> wynt<i>er</i></p> - <p class="i8">i<i>n</i> tou<i>n</i>e;</p> - <span class="sidenote">The circle around the helmet was decked with diamonds.</span> - <p class="i4">Þe cercle watȝ more o prys,</p> -<span class="linenum">616</span> - <p class="i4">Þat vmbe-clypped hys crou<i>n</i>,</p> - <p class="i4">Of diamau<i>n</i>teȝ a deuys,</p> - <p class="i4">Þat boþe were bryȝt & brou<i>n</i>.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>VI.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then they show him his shield with the "pentangle" of pure gold.</span> - <p>Then þay schewed hy<i>m</i> þe schelde, þat was of schyr gouleȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">620</span> - <p>Wyth þe pentangel de-paynt of pure golde hweȝ;</p> - <p>He braydeȝ hit by þe baude-ryk, aboute þe hals kest<i>es</i>,</p> - <p>Þat bisemed þe segge semlyly fayre.</p> - <span class="sidenote">The "pentangle" was devised by Solomon as a token of truth.</span> - <p>& quy þe pentangel apendeȝ to þat prynce noble,</p> -<span class="linenum">624</span> - <p>I am i<i>n</i> tent yow to telle, þof tary hyt me schulde;</p> - <p>Hit is a sy<i>n</i>gne þat Salamon set su<i>m</i>-quyle,</p> - <p>I<i>n</i> bytokny<i>n</i>g of trawþe, bi tytle þat hit habbeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 99<i>b</i>]</span> - <p>For hit is a figure þat haldeȝ fyue poynteȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">628</span> - <p>& vche lyne vmbe-lappeȝ & loukeȝ i<i>n</i> oþer,</p> - <span class="sidenote">It is called the endless knot</span> - <p>& ay quere hit is endeleȝ,<sup>1</sup> & Englych hit callen</p> - <p>Ou<i>er</i>-al, as I here, þe endeles knot.</p> - <p>For-þy hit acordeȝ to þis knyȝt, & to his cler armeȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">632</span> - <p>For ay faythful i<i>n</i> fyue & sere fyue syþeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">It well becomes the good Sir Gawayne,</span> - <p>Gawan watȝ for gode knawen, & as golde pured,</p> - <p>Voyded of vche vylany, wyth vertueȝ<sup>2</sup> e<i>n</i>no<i>ur</i>ned</p> - <p class="i8">i<i>n</i> mote;</p> -<span class="linenum">636</span> - <p class="i4">For-þy þe pen-tangel nwe</p> - <p class="i4">He ber i<i>n</i> schelde & cote,</p> - <span class="sidenote">a knight the truest of speech and the fairest of form.</span> - <p class="i4">As tulk of tale most trwe,</p> - <p class="i4">& gentylest knyȝt of lote.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS emdeleȝ. - <sup>2</sup> MS v<i>er</i>ertueȝ - </p> -</div> - -<h2>VII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">He was found faultless in his five wits.</span> -<span class="linenum">640</span> - <p>Fyrst he watȝ funden fautleȝ i<i>n</i> his fyue wytteȝ,</p> - <p>& efte fayled neu<i>er</i> þe freke i<i>n</i> his fyue fyngres,</p> - <span class="sidenote">His trust was in the five wounds.</span> - <p>& alle his afyau<i>n</i>ce vpon folde watȝ i<i>n</i> þe fyue wou<i>n</i>deȝ</p> - <p>Þat Cryst kaȝt on þe croys, as þe crede telleȝ;</p> -<span class="linenum">644</span> - <p>& quere-so-eu<i>er</i> þys mon i<i>n</i> melly watȝ stad,</p> - <p>His þro þoȝt watȝ i<i>n</i> þat, þurȝ alle oþ<i>er</i> þy<i>n</i>geȝ,</p> - <p>Þat alle his forsnes he fong at þe fyue ioyeȝ,</p> - <p>Þat þe hende heuen quene had of hir chylde;</p> -<span class="linenum">648</span> - <p>At þis cause þe knyȝt comlyche hade</p> - <span class="sidenote">The image of the Virgin was depicted upon his shield.</span> - <p>I<i>n</i> þe more half of his schelde hir ymage depaynted,</p> - <p>Þat quen he blusched þerto, his belde neu<i>er</i> payred.</p> - <p>Þe fyrst<sup>1</sup> fyue þat I finde þat þe frek vsed,</p> -<span class="linenum">652</span> - <p>Watȝ frau<i>n</i>chyse, & felaȝschyp for-be<sup>2</sup> al þy<i>n</i>g;</p> - <span class="sidenote">In cleanness and courtesy he was never found wanting,</span> - <p>His clannes & his cortaysye croked were neu<i>er</i>,</p> - <p>& pite, þat passeȝ alle poynteȝ, þyse pure fyue</p> - <p>Were harder happed on þat haþel þe<i>n</i> on any oþ<i>er</i>.</p> -<span class="linenum">656</span> - <p>Now alle þese fyue syþeȝ, forsoþe, were fetled on þis knyȝt,</p> - <p>& vchone halched in oþ<i>er</i>, þat non ende hade,</p> - <p>& fyched vpon fyue poynteȝ, þat fayld neu<i>er</i>,</p> - <p>Ne samned neu<i>er</i> i<i>n</i> no syde, ne sundred nouþ[er],</p> -<span class="linenum">660</span> - <p>W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-outen ende at any noke [a]i quere fynde,</p> - <p>Where-eu<i>er</i> þe gomen bygan, or glod to an ende.</p> - <span class="sidenote">therefore was the endless knot fastened on his shield.</span> - <p>Þer-fore on his schene schelde schapen watȝ þe knot,</p> - <p>Þus alle wyth red golde vpon rede gowleȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 100]</span> -<span class="linenum">664</span> - <p>Þat is þe pure pentaungel wyth þe peple called,</p> - <p class="i8">w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> lore.</p> - <p class="i4">Now grayþed is Gawan gay,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne seizes his lance and bids all "good day."</span> - <p class="i4">& laȝt his lau<i>n</i>ce ryȝt þore,</p> -<span class="linenum">668</span> - <p class="i4">& gef hem alle goud day,</p> - <p class="i4">He wende for eu<i>er</i> more.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS fyft. - <sup>2</sup> for-bi (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>VIII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">He spurs his horse and goes on his way.</span> - <p>He sperred þe sted w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe spureȝ, & sprong on his way,</p> - <p>So stif þat þe ston fyr stroke out þer-aft<i>er</i>;</p> - <span class="sidenote">All that saw that seemly one mourned in their hearts.</span> -<span class="linenum">672</span> - <p>Al þat seȝ þat semly syked i<i>n</i> hert,</p> - <p>& sayde soþly al same segges til oþ<i>er</i>,</p> - <p>Carande for þat comly, "bi Kryst, hit is scaþe,</p> - <p>Þat þ<i>o</i>u, leude, schal be lost, þat art of lyf noble!</p> - <span class="sidenote">They declared that his equal was not to be found upon earth.</span> -<span class="linenum">676</span> - <p>To fynde hys fere vpon folde, i<i>n</i> fayth is not eþe;</p> - <p>Warloker to haf wroȝt had more wyt bene,</p> - <p>& haf dyȝt ȝonder dere a duk to haue worþed;</p> - <span class="sidenote">It would have been better for him to have been a leader of men,</span> - <p>A lowande leder of ledeȝ i<i>n</i> londe hy<i>m</i> wel semeȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">680</span> - <p>& so had bett<i>er</i> haf ben þe<i>n</i> britned to noȝt,</p> - <span class="sidenote">than to die by the hands of "an elvish man."</span> - <p>Hadet wyth an aluisch mon, for angardeȝ pryde.</p> - <p>Who knew eu<i>er</i> any ky<i>n</i>g such cou<i>n</i>sel to take,</p> - <p>As knyȝteȝ i<i>n</i> cauelou<i>n</i>ȝ on cryst-masse gomneȝ!"</p> - <span class="sidenote">Much was the warm water that poured from eyes that day.</span> -<span class="linenum">684</span> - <p>Wel much watȝ þe warme water þ<i>a</i>t walt<i>er</i>ed of yȝen,</p> - <p>When þat semly syre soȝt fro þo woneȝ</p> - <p class="i8">þat<sup>1</sup> daye;</p> - <p class="i4">He made non abode,</p> -<span class="linenum">688</span> - <p class="i4">Bot wyȝtly went hys way,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Meanwhile many a weary way goes Sir Gawayne.</span> - <p class="i4">Mony wylsu<i>m</i> way he rode,</p> - <p class="i4">Þe bok as I herde say.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. þad. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>IX.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Now rides the knight through the realms of England.</span> - <p>Now rideȝ þis renk þurȝ þe ryalme of Logres,</p> -<span class="linenum">692</span> - <p>S<i>ir</i> Gauan on Godeȝ halue, þaȝ hy<i>m</i> no gomen þoȝt;</p> - <p>Oft, leudleȝ alone, he lengeȝ on nyȝteȝ,</p> - <p>Þer he fonde noȝt hy<i>m</i> byfore þe fare þat he lyked;</p> - <span class="sidenote">He has no companion but his horse.</span> - <p>Hade he no fere bot his fole, bi frytheȝ & dou<i>n</i>eȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">696</span> - <p>Ne no gome bot God, bi gate wyth to karp,</p> - <span class="sidenote">No men does he see till he approaches North Wales.</span> - <p>Til þat he neȝed ful nogh<i>e</i><sup>1</sup> i<i>n</i> to þe Norþe Waleȝ;</p> - <p>Alle þe iles of Anglesay on lyft half he haldeȝ,</p> - <p>& fareȝ ou<i>er</i> þe fordeȝ by þe for-londeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">From Holyhead he passes into Wirral.</span> -<span class="linenum">700</span> - <p>Ou<i>er</i> at þe Holy-Hede, til he hade eft bonk</p> - <p>I<i>n</i> þe wyldrenesse of Wyrale; wonde þer bot lyte</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 100<i>b</i>]<br />There he finds but few that loved God or man.</span> - <p>Þat auþ<i>er</i> God oþ<i>er</i> gome wyth goud hert louied.</p> - <p>& ay he frayned, as he ferde, at frekeȝ þat he met,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He enquires after the Green Knight of the Green Chapel,</span> -<span class="linenum">704</span> - <p>If þay hade herde any karp of a knyȝt grene,</p> - <p>I<i>n</i> any grou<i>n</i>de þer-aboute, of þe grene chapel;<sup>2</sup></p> - <p>& al nykked hy<i>m</i> wyth nay, þat neu<i>er</i> i<i>n</i> her lyue</p> - <span class="sidenote">but can gain no tidings of him.</span> - <p>Þay seȝe neu<i>er</i> no segge þat watȝ of suche hweȝ</p> -<span class="linenum">708</span> - <p class="i8">of grene.</p> - <p class="i4">Þe knyȝt tok gates straunge,</p> - <p class="i4">I<i>n</i> mony a bonk vnbene,</p> - <span class="sidenote">His cheer oft changed before he found the Chapel.</span> - <p class="i4">His cher ful oft con chau<i>n</i>ge,</p> -<span class="linenum">712</span> - <p class="i4">Þat chapel er he myȝt sene.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> nygh<i>e</i> (?). - <sup>2</sup> MS. clapel. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>X.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Many a cliff he climbed over;</span> - <p>Mony klyf he ou<i>er</i>-clambe i<i>n</i> contrayeȝ strau<i>n</i>ge,</p> - <p>Fer floten fro his frendeȝ fremedly he rydeȝ;</p> - <span class="sidenote">many a ford and stream he crossed, and everywhere he found a foe.</span> - <p>At vche warþe oþer wat<i>er</i> þer þe wyȝe passed,</p> -<span class="linenum">716</span> - <p>He fonde a foo hy<i>m</i> byfore, bot ferly hit were,</p> - <p>& þat so foule & so felle, þat feȝt hy<i>m</i> by-hode;</p> - <span class="sidenote">It were too tedious to tell the tenth part of his adventures</span> - <p>So mony m<i>er</i>uayl hi mou<i>n</i>t þ<i>er</i> þe mon fyndeȝ,</p> - <p>Hit were to tore for to telle of þe tenþe dole.</p> - <span class="sidenote">with serpents, wolves, and wild men;</span> -<span class="linenum">720</span> - <p>Sumwhyle wyth wormeȝ he werreȝ, & w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> wolues als,</p> - <p>Su<i>m</i>whyle wyth wodwos, þat woned i<i>n</i> þe knarreȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">with bulls, bears, and boars.</span> - <p>Boþe wyth bulleȝ & bereȝ, & boreȝ oþ<i>er</i>-quyle,</p> - <p>& etayneȝ, þat hy<i>m</i> a-nelede, of þe heȝe felle;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Had he not been both brave and good, doubtless he had been dead.</span> -<span class="linenum">724</span> - <p>Nade he ben duȝty & dryȝe, & dryȝtyn had serued,</p> - <p>Douteles he hade ben ded, & dreped ful ofte.</p> - <span class="sidenote">The sharp winter was far worse than any war that ever troubled him.</span> - <p>For werre wrathed hy<i>m</i> not so much, þat wy<i>n</i>t<i>er</i> was wors,</p> - <p>When þe colde cler wat<i>er</i> fro þe cloudeȝ schadden,</p> -<span class="linenum">728</span> - <p>& fres er hit falle myȝt to þe fale erþe;</p> - <p>Ner slayn wyth þe slete he sleped i<i>n</i> his yrnes,</p> - <p>Mo nyȝteȝ þe<i>n</i> i<i>n</i>-noghe i<i>n</i> naked rokkeȝ,</p> - <p>Þ<i>er</i> as clat<i>er</i>ande fro þe crest þe colde borne re<i>n</i>neȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">732</span> - <p>& henged heȝe ou<i>er</i> his hede i<i>n</i> hard ÿsse-ikkles.</p> - <span class="sidenote">Thus in peril he travels till Christmas-eve.</span> - <p>Þus i<i>n</i> peryl, & payne, & plytes ful harde,</p> - <p>Bi contray caryeȝ þis knyȝt, tyl kryst-masse euen,</p> - <p class="i8">al one;</p> -<span class="linenum">736</span> - <p class="i4">Þe knyȝt wel þat tyde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">To the Virgin Mary he prays to guide him to some abode.</span> - <p class="i4">To Mary made his mone.</p> - <p class="i4">Þat ho hy<i>m</i> red to ryde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 101.]</span> - <p class="i4">& wysse hy<i>m</i> to su<i>m</i> wone.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>XI.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">On the morn Sir Gawayne finds himself in a deep forest,</span> -<span class="linenum">740</span> - <p>Bi a mou<i>n</i>te on þe morne meryly he rydes,</p> - <p>Into a forest ful dep, þat ferly watȝ wylde,</p> - <p>Hiȝe hilleȝ on vche a halue, & holt wodeȝ vnder,</p> - <span class="sidenote">where were old oaks many a hundred.</span> - <p>Of hore okeȝ fill hoge a hundreth to-geder;</p> -<span class="linenum">744</span> - <p>Þe hasel & þe haȝ-þorne were harled al samen,</p> - <p>W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> roȝe raged mosse rayled ay-where,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Many sad birds upon bare twigs piped piteously for the cold.</span> - <p>With mony bryddeȝ vnblyþe vpon bare twyges,</p> - <p>Þat pitosly þer piped for pyne of þe colde.</p> -<span class="linenum">748</span> - <p>Þe gome vpon Gryngolet glydeȝ hem vnder,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Through many a mire he goes, that he may celebrate the birth of Christ.</span> - <p>Þurȝ mony misy & myre, mo<i>n</i> al hy<i>m</i> one,</p> - <p>Carande for his costes, lest he ne keu<i>er</i> schulde,</p> - <p>To se þe seruy<sup>1</sup> of þat syre, þat on þat self nyȝt</p> -<span class="linenum">752</span> - <p>Of a burde watȝ borne, oure baret to quelle;</p> - <span class="sidenote">He beseeches the Virgin Mary to direct him to some lodging where he may hear mass.</span> - <p>& þerfore syky<i>n</i>g he sayde, "I be-seche þe, lorde,</p> - <p>& Mary, þat is myldest moder so dere.</p> - <p>Of su<i>m</i> herber, þer heȝly I myȝt here masse.</p> -<span class="linenum">756</span> - <p>Ande þy matyneȝ to-morne, mekely I ask,</p> - <p>& þer-to prestly I pray my pat<i>er</i> & aue,</p> - <p class="i8">& crede."</p> - <p class="i4">He rode i<i>n</i> his prayere,</p> -<span class="linenum">760</span> - <p class="i4">& cryed for his mysdede,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Blessing himself, he says, "Cross of Christ, speed me!"</span> - <p class="i4">He sayned hy<i>m</i> i<i>n</i> syþes sere,</p> - <p class="i4">& sayde "cros Kryst me spede!"</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> seruyce (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Scarcely had he blessed himself thrice</span> - <p>Nade he sayned hy<i>m</i>-self, segge, bot þrye,</p> -<span class="linenum">764</span> - <p>Er he watȝ war i<i>n</i> þe wod of a won i<i>n</i> a mote.</p> - <span class="sidenote">when he saw a dwelling in the wood, set on a hill,</span> - <p>Abof a lau<i>n</i>de, on a lawe, loken vnder boȝeȝ,</p> - <p>Of mony borelych bole, aboute bi þe diches;</p> - <span class="sidenote">the comeliest castle that knight ever owned.</span> - <p>A castel þe comlokest þat eu<i>er</i> knyȝt aȝte,</p> -<span class="linenum">768</span> - <p>Pyched on a prayere, a park al aboute,</p> - <p>W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> a pyked palays, pyned ful þik,</p> - <p>Þat vmbe-teȝe mony tre mo þe<i>n</i> two myle.</p> - <p>Þat holde on þat on syde þe haþel auysed,</p> - <span class="sidenote">It shone as the sun through the bright oaks.</span> -<span class="linenum">772</span> - <p>As hit schemered & schon þurȝ þe schyre okeȝ;</p> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne hatȝ he hendly of his helme, & heȝly he þonkeȝ</p> - <p>Iesus & say[nt] Gilyan, þat gentyle ar boþe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 101<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p>Þat cortaysly hade hy<i>m</i> kydde, & his cry herkened.</p> -<span class="linenum">776</span> - <p>"Now bone hostel," coþe þe burne, "I be-seche yow ȝette!"</p> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne gedereȝ he to Gryngolet w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe gilt heleȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne goes to the chief gate,</span> - <p>& he ful chau<i>n</i>cely hatȝ chosen to þe chef gate,</p> - <p>Þat broȝt bremly þe burne to þe bryge ende,</p> -<span class="linenum">780</span> - <p class="i8">i<i>n</i> haste;</p> - <span class="sidenote">and finds the draw-bridge raised, and the gates shut fast.</span> - <p class="i4">Þe bryge watȝ breme vp-brayde,</p> - <p class="i4">Þe ȝateȝ wer stoken faste,</p> - <p class="i4">Þe walleȝ were wel arayed,</p> -<span class="linenum">784</span> - <p class="i4">Hit dut no wyndeȝ blaste.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>XIII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The knight abides on the bank,</span> - <p>Þe burne bode on bonk, þat on blonk houed,</p> - <p>Of þe depe double dich þat drof to þe place,</p> - <p>Þe walle wod i<i>n</i> þe wat<i>er</i> wonderly depe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and observes the "huge height,"</span> -<span class="linenum">788</span> - <p>Ande eft a ful huge heȝt hit haled vpon lofte,</p> - <p>Of harde hewen ston vp to þe tableȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">with its battlements and watch towers.</span> - <p>Enbaned vnder þe abataylme<i>n</i>t, i<i>n</i> þe best lawe;</p> - <p>& syþen garyteȝ ful gaye gered bi-twene,</p> -<span class="linenum">792</span> - <p>Wyth mony luflych loupe, þat louked ful clene;</p> - <p>A bett<i>er</i> barbican þat burne blusched vpon neu<i>er</i>;</p> - <p>& i<i>n</i>nermore he be-helde þat halle ful hyȝe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Bright and long were its round towers,</span> - <p>Towre telded bytwene trochet ful þik,</p> -<span class="linenum">796</span> - <p>Fayre fylyoleȝ þat fyȝed, & ferlyly long,</p> - <span class="sidenote">with their well-made capitals.</span> - <p>With coruon coprou<i>n</i>es, craftyly sleȝe;</p> - <p>Chalk whyt chymnees þer ches he i<i>n</i>-noȝe,</p> - <p>Vpon bastel roueȝ, þat blenked ful quyte;</p> -<span class="linenum">800</span> - <p>So mony pynakle payntet watȝ poudred ay quere,</p> - <p>Amo<i>n</i>g þe castel carneleȝ, clambred so þik,</p> - <p>Þat pared out of papure purely hit semed.</p> - <span class="sidenote">He thinks it fair enough if he might only come within the cloister.</span> - <p>Þe fre freke on þe fole hit fayr i<i>n</i>-n[o]ghe þoȝt,</p> -<span class="linenum">804</span> - <p>If he myȝt keu<i>er</i> to com þe cloyst<i>e</i>r wyth-i<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <p>To herber i<i>n</i> þat hostel, whyl halyday lested</p> - <p class="i8">auinant;</p> - <span class="sidenote">He calls, and soon there comes a porter to know the knight's errand.</span> - <p class="i4">He calde, & sone þer com</p> -<span class="linenum">808</span> - <p class="i4">A porter pure plesau<i>n</i>t,</p> - <p class="i4">On þe wal his ernd he nome,</p> - <p class="i4">& haylsed þe knyȝt errau<i>n</i>t.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>XIV.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"Good sir," says Gawayne, "ask the high lord of this house to grant me a lodging."</span> - <p>"Gode s<i>ir</i>," q<i>uod</i> Gawan, "woldeȝ þ<i>o</i>u go my<i>n</i> ernde,</p> -<span class="linenum">812</span> - <p>To þe heȝ lorde of þis ho<i>us</i>, herber to craue?"</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 102.]</span> - <p>"ȝe, Pet<i>er</i>," q<i>uod</i> þe port<i>er</i>, "& purely I trowe,<sup>1</sup></p> - <span class="sidenote">"You are welcome to dwell here as long as you like," replied the porter.</span> - <p>Þat ȝe be, wyȝe, welcu<i>m</i> to won quyle yow lykeȝ."</p> - <p>Þe<i>n</i> ȝede þ<i>a</i>t wyȝe aȝayn awyþe,</p> -<span class="linenum">816</span> - <p>& folke frely hy<i>m</i> wyth, to fonge þe knyȝt;</p> - <span class="sidenote">The draw-bridge is let down,</span> - <p>Þay let dou<i>n</i> þe grete draȝt, & derely out ȝeden,</p> - <p>& kneled dou<i>n</i> on her knes vpon þe colde erþe,</p> - <p>To welcu<i>m</i> þis ilk wyȝ, as worþy hom þoȝt;</p> - <span class="sidenote">and the gate is opened wide to receive him.</span> -<span class="linenum">820</span> - <p>Þay ȝolden hy<i>m</i> þe brode ȝate, ȝarked vp wyde,</p> - <p>& he hem raysed rekenly, & rod ou<i>er</i> þe brygge;</p> - <p>Sere seggeȝ hy<i>m</i> sesed by sadel, quel<sup>2</sup> he lyȝt,</p> - <span class="sidenote">His horse is well stabled.</span> - <p>& syþen stabeled his stede stif me<i>n</i> i<i>n</i>-noȝe.</p> - <span class="sidenote">Knights and squires bring Gawayne into the hall.</span> -<span class="linenum">824</span> - <p>Knyȝteȝ & swyereȝ comen dou<i>n</i> þe<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <p>For to bry<i>n</i>g þis burne<sup>3</sup> wyth blys i<i>n</i>-to halle;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Many a one hastens to take his helmet and sword.</span> - <p>Quen he hef vp his helme, þer hiȝed i<i>n</i>-nogh<i>e</i></p> - <p>For to hent hit at his honde, þe hende to seruen,</p> -<span class="linenum">828</span> - <p>His bronde & his blasou<i>n</i> boþe þay token.</p> - <p>Þe<i>n</i> haylsed he ful hendly þo haþeleȝ vch one,</p> - <p>& mony proud mon þer p<i>re</i>sed, þat pry<i>n</i>ce to hono<i>ur</i>;</p> - <p>Alle hasped i<i>n</i> his heȝ wede to halle þay hy<i>m</i> wo<i>n</i>nen,</p> -<span class="linenum">832</span> - <p>Þer fayre fyre vpon flet fersly bre<i>n</i>ned.</p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord of the country bids him welcome,</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne þe lorde of þe lede louteȝ fro his chambre,</p> - <p>For to mete wyth menske þe mon on þe flor;</p> - <p>He sayde, "ȝe ar welcu<i>m</i> to welde as yow lykeȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">836</span> - <p>Þat here is, al is yowre awen, to haue at yowre wylle</p> - <p class="i8">& welde."</p> - <p class="i4">"Grau<i>n</i>t mercy," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn,</p> - <p class="i4">"Þer Kryst hit yow for-ȝelde,"</p> - <span class="sidenote">and they embrace each other.</span> -<span class="linenum">840</span> - <p class="i4">As frekeȝ þat semed fayn,</p> - <p class="i4">Ayþ<i>er</i> oþ<i>er</i> i<i>n</i> armeȝ co<i>n</i> felde.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> trowoe, MS. - <sup>2</sup> quyle (?) or quen (?). - <sup>3</sup> buurne, MS. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XV.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne looks on his host;</span> - <p>Gawayn glyȝt on þe gome þat godly hy<i>m</i> gret,</p> - <span class="sidenote">a big bold one he seemed.</span> - <p>& þuȝt hit a bolde burne þat þe burȝ aȝte,</p> -<span class="linenum">844</span> - <p>A hoge haþel for þe noneȝ, & of hygh<i>e</i> elde;<sup>1</sup></p> - <span class="sidenote">Beaver-hued was his broad beard,</span> - <p>Brode bryȝt watȝ his berde, & al beu<i>er</i> hwed,</p> - <p>Sturne stif on þe stryþþe on stal-worth schonkeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and his face as "fell as the fire."</span> - <p>Felle face as þe fyre, & fre of hys speche;</p> -<span class="linenum">848</span> - <p>& wel hy<i>m</i> semed for soþe, as þe segge þuȝt,</p> - <p>To lede a lortschyp i<i>n</i> lee of leudeȝ ful gode.</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 102<i>b</i>.]<br />The lord leads Gawayne to a chamber, and assigns him a page to wait upon him.</span> - <p>Þe lorde hy<i>m</i> charred to a chambre, & chefly cu<i>m</i>au<i>n</i>deȝ<sup>2</sup></p> - <p>To delyu<i>er</i> hym a leude, hym loȝly to serue;</p> -<span class="linenum">852</span> - <p>& þere were bou<i>n</i> at his bode burneȝ i<i>n</i>-noȝe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">In this bright bower was noble bedding;</span> - <p>Þat broȝt hy<i>m</i> to a bryȝt boure, þ<i>er</i> beddy<i>n</i>g watȝ noble,</p> - <p>Of cortynes of clene sylk, wyth cler golde he<i>m</i>meȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">the curtains were of pure silk with golden hems;</span> - <p>& cou<i>er</i>toreȝ ful curious, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> comlych paneȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">856</span> - <p>Of bryȝt blaunni<i>er</i> a-boue enbrawded bisydeȝ,</p> - <p>Rudeleȝ re<i>n</i>nande on ropeȝ, red golde ry<i>n</i>geȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Tarsic tapestries covered the walls and the floor.</span> - <p>Tapyteȝ tyȝt to þe woȝe, of tuly & tars,</p> - <p>& vnder fete, on þe flet, of folȝande sute.</p> - <span class="sidenote">Here the knight doffed his armour,</span> -<span class="linenum">860</span> - <p>Þer he watȝ dispoyled, wyth specheȝ of my<i>er</i>þe,</p> - <p>Þe burn of his bruny, & of his bryȝt wedeȝ;</p> - <span class="sidenote">and put on rich robes,</span> - <p>Ryche robes ful rad renkkeȝ hem<sup>3</sup> broȝten,</p> - <p>For to charge, & to chaunge, & chose of þe best.</p> -<span class="linenum">864</span> - <p>Sone as he on hent, & happed þ<i>er</i>-i<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <p>Þat sete on hym<sup>4</sup> semly, wyth saylande skyrteȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">which well became him.</span> - <p>Þe ver by his uisage verayly hit semed</p> - <p>Wel neȝ to vche haþel alle on hwes,</p> -<span class="linenum">868</span> - <p>Lowande & lufly, alle his ly<i>m</i>meȝ vnder,</p> - <span class="sidenote">A more comely knight Christ never made.</span> - <p>Þat a comloker knyȝt neue<i>r</i> Kryst made,</p> - <p class="i8">hem þoȝt;</p> - <p class="i4">Wheþen i<i>n</i> worlde he were,</p> -<span class="linenum">872</span> - <p class="i4">Hit semed as he myȝt</p> - <p class="i4">Be prynce w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-outen pere,</p> - <p class="i4">I<i>n</i> felde þ<i>er</i> felle me<i>n</i> fyȝt.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> eldee, MS. - <sup>2</sup> clesly, MS. - <sup>3</sup> hym (?). - <sup>4</sup> MS. hyn. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XVI.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">A chair is placed for Sir Gawayne before the fireplace.</span> - <p>A cheyer by-fore þe chemné, þ<i>er</i> charcole bre<i>n</i>ned,</p> -<span class="linenum">876</span> - <p>Watȝ grayþed for s<i>ir</i> Gawan, grayþely w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> cloþeȝ,</p> - <p>Whyssynes vpon queldepoynt<i>es</i>, þa[t] koy<i>n</i>t wer boþe;</p> - <span class="sidenote">A mantle of fine linen, richly embroidered, is thrown over him.</span> - <p>& þe<i>n</i>ne a mere mantyle watȝ on þat mon cast,</p> - <p>Of a brou<i>n</i> bleeau<i>n</i>t, enbrauded ful ryche,</p> -<span class="linenum">880</span> - <p>& fayre furred wyth-i<i>n</i>ne w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> felleȝ of þe best,</p> - <p>Alle of ermyn i<i>n</i> erde, his hode of þe same;</p> - <p>& he sete i<i>n</i> þat settel semlych ryche,</p> - <p>& achaufed hy<i>m</i> chefly,<sup>1</sup> & þe<i>n</i>ne his cher mended.</p> - <span class="sidenote">A table is soon raised,</span> -<span class="linenum">884</span> - <p>Sone watȝ telded vp a tapit, on tresteȝ ful fayre,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and the knight, having washed, proceeded to meat.</span> - <p>Clad wyth a clene cloþe, þat cler quyt schewed,</p> - <p>Sanap, & salure, & syluer-i<i>n</i> sponeȝ;</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 103.]</span> - <p>Þe wyȝe wesche at his wylle, & went to his mete</p> -<span class="linenum">888</span> - <p>Seggeȝ hym serued semly i<i>n</i>-noȝe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He is served with numerous dishes;</span> - <p>Wyth sere sewes & sete,<sup>2</sup> sesou<i>n</i>de of þe best,</p> - <p>Double felde, as hit falleȝ, & fele kyn fischeȝ;</p> - <span class="sidenote">with fish baked and broiled,</span> - <p>Su<i>m</i>me baken i<i>n</i> bred, su<i>m</i>me brad on þe gledeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">or boiled and seasoned with spices.</span> -<span class="linenum">892</span> - <p>Su<i>m</i>me soþen, su<i>m</i>me i<i>n</i> sewe, sau<i>er</i>ed w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> spyces,</p> - <p>& ay sawes<sup>3</sup> so sleȝeȝ, þat þe segge lyked.</p> - <p>Þe freke calde hit a fest ful frely & ofte,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He calls it a full noble feast,</span> - <p>Ful hendely, quen alle þe haþeles re-hayted hy<i>m</i> at oneȝ</p> -<span class="linenum">896</span> - <p class="i8">as hende;</p> - <p class="i4">"Þis penau<i>n</i>ce now ȝe take,</p> - <p class="i4">& eft hit schal amende;"</p> - <span class="sidenote">and much mirth he makes, for the wine is in his head.</span> - <p class="i4">Þat mon much m<i>er</i>þe con make.</p> -<span class="linenum">900</span> - <p class="i4">For wy<i>n</i> i<i>n</i> his hed þat wende.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. cefly. - <sup>2</sup> swete (?). - <sup>3</sup> sewes (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XVII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne, in answer to questions put to him,</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne watȝ spyed & spured vpon spare wyse.</p> - <p>Bi preue poynteȝ of þat prynce, put to hy<i>m</i>-seluen,</p> - <p>Þat he be-knew cortaysly of þe court þat he were,</p> - <span class="sidenote">tells the prince that he is of Arthur's court.</span> -<span class="linenum">904</span> - <p>Þat aþel Arthure þe hende haldeȝ hy<i>m</i> one,</p> - <p>Þat is þe ryche ryal ky<i>n</i>g of þe rou<i>n</i>de table;</p> - <p>& hit watȝ Wawen hy<i>m</i>-self þat i<i>n</i> þat won sytteȝ,</p> - <p>Comen to þat krystmasse, as case hy<i>m</i> þen lymped.</p> - <span class="sidenote">When this was made known,</span> -<span class="linenum">908</span> - <p>When þe lorde hade lerned þat he þe leude hade,</p> - <p>Loude laȝed he þ<i>er</i>at, so lef hit hy<i>m</i> þoȝt,</p> - <span class="sidenote">great was the joy in the hall.</span> - <p>& alle þe men i<i>n</i> þat mote maden much joye,</p> - <p>To apere i<i>n</i> his presense prestly þat tyme,</p> -<span class="linenum">912</span> - <p>Þat alle prys, & prowes, & pured þewes</p> - <p>Apendes to hys persou<i>n</i>, & praysed is eu<i>er</i>,</p> - <p>By-fore alle men vpon molde, his mensk is þe most.</p> - <span class="sidenote">Each one said softly to his mate,</span> - <p>Vch segge ful softly sayde to his fere,</p> - <span class="sidenote">"Now we shall see courteous manners and hear noble speech,</span> -<span class="linenum">916</span> - <p>"Now schal we semlych se sleȝteȝ of þeweȝ,</p> - <p>& þe teccheles termes of talky<i>n</i>g noble,</p> - <p>Wich spede is i<i>n</i> speche, vnspurd may we lerne,</p> - <span class="sidenote">for we have amongst us the 'father of nurture.'</span> - <p>Sy<i>n</i> we haf fonged þat fyne fader of nurture;</p> -<span class="linenum">920</span> - <p>God hatȝ geuen v<i>us</i> his g<i>ra</i>ce godly for soþe,</p> - <p>Þat such a gest as Gawan grau<i>n</i>teȝ v<i>us</i> to haue,</p> - <p>When burneȝ blyþe of his burþe schal sitte</p> - <p class="i8">& sy<i>n</i>ge.</p> -<span class="linenum">924</span> - <p class="i4">I<i>n</i> meny<i>n</i>g of man<i>er</i>eȝ mere,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 103<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p class="i4">Þis burne now schal v<i>us</i> bry<i>n</i>g,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He that may him hear shall learn of love-talking."</span> - <p class="i4">I hope þat may hy<i>m</i> here,</p> - <p class="i4">Schal lerne of luf-talky<i>n</i>g."</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>XVIII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">After dinner the company go to the chapel,</span> -<span class="linenum">928</span> - <p>Bi þat þe diner watȝ done, & þe dere vp,</p> - <p>Hit watȝ neȝ at þe niyȝt neȝed þe tyme;</p> - <p>Chaplayneȝ<sup>1</sup> to þe chapeles chosen þe gate,</p> - <p>Ru<i>n</i>gen ful rychely, ryȝt as þay schulden,</p> - <span class="sidenote">to hear the evensong of the great season.</span> -<span class="linenum">932</span> - <p>To þe hersu<i>m</i> euensong of þe hyȝe tyde.</p> - <p>Þe lorde loutes þerto, & þe lady als,</p> - <p>I<i>n</i>-to a comly closet coyntly ho entreȝ;</p> - <p>Gawan glydeȝ ful gay, & gos þeder sone;</p> -<span class="linenum">936</span> - <p>Þe lorde laches hy<i>m</i> by þe lappe, & ledeȝ hy<i>m</i> to sytte,</p> - <p>& couþly hy<i>m</i> knoweȝ, & calleȝ hy<i>m</i> his nome,</p> - <p>& sayde he watȝ þe welcomest wyȝe of þe worlde;</p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord of the castle and Sir Gawayne sit together during service.</span> - <p>& he hy<i>m</i> þonkked þroly, & ayþ<i>er</i> halched oþer.</p> -<span class="linenum">940</span> - <p>& seten soberly samen þe seruise-quyle;</p> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne lyst þe lady to loke on þe knyȝt.</p> - <span class="sidenote">His wife, accompanied by her maids, leaves her seat.</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne com ho of hir closet, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> mony cler burdeȝ,</p> - <p>Ho watȝ þe fayrest i<i>n</i> felle, of flesche & of lyre,</p> -<span class="linenum">944</span> - <p>& of compas, & colo<i>ur</i>, & costes of alle oþ<i>er</i>,</p> - <span class="sidenote">She appeared even fairer than Guenever.</span> - <p>& wener þen Wenore, as þe wyȝe þoȝt.</p> - <p>He ches þurȝ þe chau<i>n</i>sel, to cheryche þat hende;</p> - <span class="sidenote">An older lady (an ancient one she seemed) led her by the hand.</span> - <p>An oþer lady hir lad bi þe lyft honde,</p> -<span class="linenum">948</span> - <p>Þat watȝ alder þen ho, an au<i>n</i>cian hit semed,</p> - <p>& heȝly honowred w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> haþeleȝ aboute.</p> - <span class="sidenote">Very unlike were these two.</span> - <p>Bot yn-lyke on to loke þo ladyes were,</p> - <span class="sidenote">if the young one was fair the other was yellow,</span> - <p>For if þe ȝonge watȝ ȝep, ȝolȝe watȝ þ<i>a</i>t oþ<i>er</i>;</p> -<span class="linenum">952</span> - <p>Riche red on þat on rayled ay quere,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and had rough and wrinkled cheeks.</span> - <p>Rugh ronkled chekeȝ þat oþ<i>er</i> on rolled;</p> - <p>Kerchofes of þat on wyth mony cler perleȝ</p> - <span class="sidenote">The younger had breast and throat "bare displayed."</span> - <p>Hir brest & hir bryȝt þrote bare displayed,</p> -<span class="linenum">956</span> - <p>Schon schyrer þe<i>n</i> snawe, þat scheder<sup>2</sup> on hilleȝ;</p> - <p>Þat oþ<i>er</i> wyth a gorger watȝ gered ou<i>er</i> þe swyre,</p> - <p>Chymbled ou<i>er</i> hir blake chyn w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> mylk-quyte vayles,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The ancient one exposed only her "black brows," her two eyes,</span> - <p>Hir frou<i>n</i>t folden i<i>n</i> sylk, enfoubled ay quere,</p> -<span class="linenum">960</span> - <p>Toret & treieted w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> tryfleȝ aboute,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 104.]<br />nose, and naked lips, all sour and bleared.</span> - <p>Þat noȝt watȝ bare of þat burde bot þe blake broȝes.</p> - <p>Þe tweyne yȝen, & þe nase, þe naked lyppeȝ,</p> - <p>& þose were soure to se, & sellyly blered;</p> -<span class="linenum">964</span> - <p>A mensk lady on molde mo<i>n</i> may hir calle,</p> - <p class="i8">for gode;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Her body was short and thick;</span> - <p class="i4">Hir body watȝ schort & þik.</p> - <span class="sidenote">her buttocks broad and round.</span> - <p class="i4">Hir buttokeȝ bay & brode,</p> -<span class="linenum">968</span> - <p class="i4">More lykker-wys on to lyk,</p> - <p class="i4">Watȝ þat scho hade on lode.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. [claplayneȝ.] - <sup>2</sup> schedes (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XIX.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">With permission of the lord,</span> - <p>When Gawayn glyȝt on þ<i>a</i>t gay, þ<i>a</i>t g<i>ra</i>cio<i>us</i>ly loked,</p> - <p>Wyth leue laȝt of þe lorde he went hem aȝaynes;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne salutes the elder,</span> -<span class="linenum">972</span> - <p>Þe alder he haylses, heldande ful lowe,</p> - <p>Þe loueloker he lappeȝ a lyttel i<i>n</i> armeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">but the younger he kisses,</span> - <p>He kysses hir comlyly, & knyȝtly he meleȝ;</p> - <p>Þay kallen hy<i>m</i> of a quoy<i>n</i>tau<i>n</i>ce, & he hit quyk askeȝ</p> - <span class="sidenote">and begs to be her servant.</span> -<span class="linenum">976</span> - <p>To be her seruau<i>n</i>t sothly, if hem-self lyked.</p> - <p>Þay tan hy<i>m</i> bytwene hem, wyth talky<i>n</i>g hy<i>m</i> leden</p> - <span class="sidenote">To chamber all go,</span> - <p>To chambre, to chemné, & chefly þay asken</p> - <span class="sidenote">where spices and wine are served.</span> - <p>Spyceȝ, þat vn-sparely me<i>n</i> speded hom to bry<i>n</i>g,</p> -<span class="linenum">980</span> - <p>& þe wy<i>n</i>ne-lych wyne þ<i>er</i>-w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> vche tyme.</p> - <p>Þe lorde luflych aloft lepeȝ ful ofte,</p> - <p>My<i>n</i>ned m<i>er</i>the to be made vpon mony syþeȝ.</p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord takes off his hood and places it on a spear.</span> - <p>Hent heȝly of his hode, & on a spere henged,</p> -<span class="linenum">984</span> - <p>& wayned hom to wy<i>n</i>ne þe worchip þer-of,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He who makes most mirth is to win it.</span> - <p>Þat most myrþe myȝt mene<sup>1</sup> þ<i>a</i>t crystenmas whyle;</p> - <p>"& i schal fonde, bi my fayth, to fylt<i>er</i> wyth þe best,</p> - <p>Er me wont þe wedeȝ, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> help of my frendeȝ."</p> -<span class="linenum">988</span> - <p>Þ<i>us</i> wyth laȝande loteȝ þe lorde hit tayt<sup>2</sup> makeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Night approaches, and then</span> - <p>For to glade s<i>ir</i> Gawayn w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> gomneȝ i<i>n</i> halle</p> - <p class="i8">þ<i>a</i>t nyȝt;</p> - <p class="i4">Til þat hit watȝ tyme,</p> -<span class="linenum">992</span> - <p class="i4">Þe ky<i>n</i>g comau<i>n</i>det lyȝt,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne takes his leave and retires to rest.</span> - <p class="i4">S<i>ir</i> Gawen his leue con nyme,</p> - <p class="i4">& to his bed hy<i>m</i> diȝt.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> meue (?). - <sup>2</sup> layt (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XX.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">On Christmas morn,</span> - <p>On þe morne, as vch mon myneȝ þat tyme,</p> - <span class="sidenote">joy reigns in every dwelling in the world.</span> -<span class="linenum">996</span> - <p>[Þ]at dryȝtyn for oure destyné to deȝe watȝ borne,</p> - <p>Wele waxeȝ i<i>n</i> vche a won i<i>n</i> worlde, for his sake;</p> - <span class="sidenote">So did it in the castle where our knight abode.</span> - <p>So did hit þere on þat day, þurȝ dayntes mony;</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 104<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p>Boþe at mes & at mele, messes ful quaynt</p> -<span class="linenum">1000</span> - <p>Derf men vpon dece drest of þe best.</p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord and "the old ancient wife" sit together.</span> - <p>Þe olde au<i>n</i>cian wyf heȝest ho sytteȝ;</p> - <p>Þe lorde lufly her by lent, as I trowe;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne sits by the wife of his host.</span> - <p>Gawan & þe gay burde to-geder þay seten,</p> -<span class="linenum">1004</span> - <p>Euen i<i>n</i>-myddeȝ, as þe messe metely come;</p> - <p>& syþen þurȝ al þe sale, as hem best semed,</p> - <span class="sidenote">It were too tedious to tell of the meat, the mirth, and the joy that abounded everywhere.</span> - <p>Bi vche grome at his degre g<i>ray</i>þely watȝ serued.</p> - <p>Þ<i>er</i> watȝ mete, þer watȝ myrþe, þ<i>er</i> watȝ much ioye,</p> -<span class="linenum">1008</span> - <p>Þat for to telle þerof hit me tene were,</p> - <p>& to poynte hit ȝet I pyned me p<i>ar</i>aue<i>n</i>ture;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne and his beautiful companion derive much comfort from each other's conversation.</span> - <p>Bot ȝet I wot þat Wawen & þe wale burde</p> - <p>Such comfort of her compaynye caȝten to-geder,</p> -<span class="linenum">1012</span> - <p>Þurȝ her dere dalyau<i>n</i>ce of her derne wordeȝ,</p> - <p>Wyth clene cortays carp, closed fro fylþe;</p> - <p>& hor play watȝ passande vche prynce gomen,</p> - <p class="i8">i<i>n</i> vayres;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Trumpets and nakers give forth their sounds.</span> -<span class="linenum">1016</span> - <p class="i4">Tru<i>m</i>peȝ & nakerys,</p> - <p class="i4">Much pypy<i>n</i>g þ<i>er</i> repayres,</p> - <p class="i4">Vche mo<i>n</i> tented hys,</p> - <p class="i4">& þay two te<i>n</i>ted þayres.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>XXI.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Great was the joy for three days.</span> -<span class="linenum">1020</span> - <p>Much dut watȝ þer dryuen þat day & þat oþ<i>er</i>,</p> - <p>& þe þryd as þro þronge i<i>n</i> þeraft<i>er</i>;</p> - <span class="sidenote">St. John's-day was the last of the Christmas festival.</span> - <p>Þe ioye of sayn Ioneȝ day watȝ gentyle to here,</p> - <p>& watȝ þe last of þe layk, leudeȝ þer þoȝten.</p> -<span class="linenum">1024</span> - <p>Þer wer gestes to go vpon þe gray morne,</p> - <p>For-þy wonderly þay woke, & þe wyn dronken,</p> - <p>Dau<i>n</i>sed ful dreȝly wyth dere caroleȝ;</p> - <span class="sidenote">On the morrow many of the guests took their departure from the castle.</span> - <p>At þe last, when hit watȝ late, þay lachen her leue,</p> -<span class="linenum">1028</span> - <p>Vchon to wende on his way, þat watȝ wyȝe stronge.</p> - <p>Gawan gef hy<i>m</i> god-day, þe god mo<i>n</i> hy<i>m</i> lachcheȝ,</p> - <p>Ledes hy<i>m</i> to his awen chambre, þ[e] chy<i>m</i>né bysyde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne is thanked by his host for the honour and pleasure of his visit.</span> - <p>& þere he draȝeȝ hy<i>m</i> on-dryȝe, & derely hy<i>m</i> þonkkeȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">1032</span> - <p>Of þe wy<i>n</i>ne worschip &<sup>1</sup> he hy<i>m</i> wayned hade,</p> - <p>As to hono<i>ur</i> his ho<i>us</i> on þat hyȝe tyde,</p> - <p>& enbelyse his burȝ w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> his bele chere.</p> - <p>"I-wysse s<i>ir</i>, quyl I leue, me worþeȝ þe better,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 105.]</span> -<span class="linenum">1036</span> - <p>Þat Gawayn hatȝ ben my gest, at Goddeȝ awen fest."</p> - <p>"G<i>ra</i>nt merci<sup>2</sup> s<i>ir</i>," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, "i<i>n</i> god fayth hit is yowreȝ,</p> - <p>Al þe hono<i>ur</i> is yo<i>ur</i> awen, þe heȝe ky<i>n</i>g yow ȝelde;</p> - <p>& I am wyȝe at yo<i>ur</i> wylle, to worch yo<i>ur</i>e hest,</p> -<span class="linenum">1040</span> - <p>As I am halden þ<i>er</i>-to, i<i>n</i> hyȝe & i<i>n</i> loȝe,</p> - <p class="i8">bi riȝt."</p> - <span class="sidenote">He endeavours to keep the knight at his court.</span> - <p class="i4">Þe lorde fast can hy<i>m</i> payne,</p> - <p class="i4">To holde lenger þe knyȝt,</p> -<span class="linenum">1044</span> - <p class="i4">To hy<i>m</i> answreȝ Gawayn,</p> - <p class="i4">Bi non way þat he myȝt.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> þat (?). - <sup>2</sup> nerci, in MS. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XXII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">He desires to know what had driven Sir Gawayne from Arthur's court before the end of the Christmas holidays.</span> - <p>Then frayned þe freke ful fayre at him-selue<i>n</i>,</p> - <p>Quat derne<sup>1</sup> dede had hy<i>m</i> dryuen, at þat dere tyme,</p> -<span class="linenum">1048</span> - <p>So kenly fro þe ky<i>n</i>geȝ kourt to kayre al his one,</p> - <p>Er þe halidayeȝ holly were halet out of tou<i>n</i>?</p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight replies that "a high errand and a hasty one" had forced him to leave the court.</span> - <p>"For soþe s<i>ir</i>," q<i>uod</i> þe segge, "ȝe sayn bot þe trawþe</p> - <p>A heȝe ernde & a hasty me hade fro þo woneȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">1052</span> - <p>For I am su<i>m</i>ned my selfe to sech to a place,</p> - <p>I wot<sup>2</sup> i<i>n</i> worlde wheder warde to wende, hit to fynde;</p> - <p>I nolde, bot if I hit negh myȝt on nwȝeres morne,</p> - <p>For alle þe londe i<i>n</i>-wyth Logres, so me oure lorde help!</p> -<span class="linenum">1056</span> - <p>For-þy, s<i>ir</i>, þis enquest I require yow here,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He asks his host whether he has ever heard of the Green Chapel,</span> - <p>Þat ȝe me telle w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> trawþe, if eu<i>er</i> ȝe tale herde</p> - <p>Of þe grene chapel, quere hit on grou<i>n</i>de stondeȝ,</p> - <p>& of þe knyȝt þat hit kepes, of colo<i>ur</i> of grene?</p> -<span class="linenum">1060</span> - <p>Þ<i>er</i> watȝ stabled bi statut a steuen v<i>us</i> by-twene,</p> - <span class="sidenote">for he has to be there on New Year's-day.</span> - <p>To mete þat mon at þ<i>a</i>t mere, ȝif I myȝt last;</p> - <p>& of þat ilk nwȝere hot neked now wonteȝ,</p> - <p>& I wolde loke on þat lede, if God me let wolde,</p> -<span class="linenum">1064</span> - <p>Gladloker, bi Goddeȝ su<i>n</i>, þe<i>n</i> any god welde!</p> - <p>For-þi, I-wysse, bi ȝowre wylle, wende me bi-houes,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He wonld as lief die as fail in his errand.</span> - <p>Naf I now to busy bot bare þre dayeȝ,</p> - <p>& me als fayn to falle feye as fayly of myy<i>n</i> ernde."</p> - <span class="sidenote">The prince tells Sir Gawayne that he will teach him the way.</span> -<span class="linenum">1068</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne laȝande q<i>uod</i> þe lorde, "now leng þe by-houes,</p> - <p>For I schal teche yow to þa[t] terme bi þe tymeȝ ende,</p> - <p>Þe grene chapayle vpon grou<i>n</i>de, greue yow no more;</p> - <p>Bot ȝe schal be i<i>n</i> yowre bed, burne, at þy<i>n</i> ese,</p> -<span class="linenum">1072</span> - <p>Quyle forth dayej, & ferk on pe fyrst of pe ȝere,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 105<i>b</i>]</span> - <p>& cum to þat merk at mydmorn, to make quat yow likeȝ</p> - <p class="i8">in spe<i>n</i>ne;</p> - <p class="i4">Dowelleȝ whyle new ȝeres daye,</p> -<span class="linenum">1076</span> - <p class="i4">& rys, & raykeȝ þe<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The Green chapel is not more than two miles from the castle.</span> - <p class="i4">Mo<i>n</i> schal yow sette i<i>n</i> waye,</p> - <p class="i4">Hit is not two myle he<i>n</i>ne."</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> derue (?). - <sup>2</sup> not (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XXIII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then was Gawayne glad,</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne watȝ Gawan ful glad, & gomenly he laȝed,—</p> -<span class="linenum">1080</span> - <p>"Now I þonk yow þryuandely þurȝ alle oþ<i>er</i> þy<i>n</i>ge,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and consents to tarry awhile at the castle.</span> - <p>Now acheued is my chau<i>n</i>ce, I schal at yo<i>ur</i> wylle</p> - <p>Dowelle, & elleȝ do quat ȝe demen."</p> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne sesed hy<i>m</i> þe syre, & set hy<i>m</i> bysyde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The ladies are brought in to solace him.</span> -<span class="linenum">1084</span> - <p>Let þe ladieȝ be fette, to lyke he<i>m</i> þe bett<i>er</i>;</p> - <p>Þer watȝ seme solace by hem-self stille;</p> - <p>Þe lorde let for luf loteȝ so myry,</p> - <p>As wyȝ þat wolde of his wyte, ne wyst quat he myȝt.</p> -<span class="linenum">1088</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne he carped to þe knyȝt, criande loude,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord of the castle asks the knight to grant him one request;</span> - <p>"Ȝe han demed to do þe dede þat I bidde;</p> - <p>Wyl ȝe halde þis hes here at þys oneȝ?"</p> - <p>"Ȝe s<i>ir</i>, for-soþe," sayd þe segge trwe,</p> -<span class="linenum">1092</span> - <p>"Whyl I byde i<i>n</i> yowre borȝe, be bayn to ȝow[r]e hest."</p> - <p>"For ȝe haf trauayled," q<i>uod</i> þe tulk, "towen fro ferre,</p> - <p>& syþen waked me wyth, ȝe arn not wel waryst,</p> - <span class="sidenote">That he will stay in his chamber during mass time,</span> - <p>Nauþ<i>er</i> of sostnau<i>n</i>ce ne of slepe, soþly I knowe;</p> -<span class="linenum">1096</span> - <p>Ȝe schal lenge i<i>n</i> yo<i>ur</i> lofte, & lyȝe i<i>n</i> yo<i>ur</i> ese,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and then go to meat with his hostess.</span> - <p>To morn quyle þe messe-quyle, & to mete wende,</p> - <p>When ȝe wyl, wyth my wyf, þat wyth yow schal sitte,</p> - <p>& comfort yow w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> compayny, til I to cort torne,</p> -<span class="linenum">1100</span> - <p class="i8">ȝe lende;</p> - <p class="i4">& I schal erly ryse,</p> - <p class="i4">On hu<i>n</i>ty<i>n</i>g wyl I wende."</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne accedes to his request.</span> - <p class="i4">Gauayn g<i>ra</i>nteȝ alle þyse,</p> -<span class="linenum">1104</span> - <p class="i4">Hy<i>m</i> heldande, as þe hende. </p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>XXIV.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"Whatsoever," says the host, "I win in the wood shall be yours,</span> - <p>"Ȝet firre," q<i>uod</i> þe freke, "a forwarde we make;</p> - <p>Quat-so-euer I wy<i>n</i>ne i<i>n</i> þe wod, hit worþeȝ to yo<i>ur</i>eȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and what check you achieve shall be mine."</span> - <p>& quat chek so ȝe acheue, chau<i>n</i>ge me þer-forne;</p> -<span class="linenum">1108</span> - <p>Swete, swap we so, sware w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> trawþe,</p> - <p>Queþer, leude, so lymp lere oþ<i>er</i> bett<i>er</i>."</p> - <p>"Bi God," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn þe gode, "I <i>gra</i>nt þ<i>er</i>-tylle,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 106.]</span> - <p>& þat yow lyst forto layke, lef hit me þynk<i>es</i>.</p> - <span class="sidenote">A bargain is made between them.</span> -<span class="linenum">1112</span> - <p>"Who bri<i>n</i>geȝ v<i>us</i> þis beu<i>er</i>age, þis bargayn is maked:"</p> - <p>So sayde þe lorde of þat lede; þay laȝed vchone,</p> - <p>Þay dronken, & daylyeden, & dalten vntyȝtel,<sup>1</sup></p> - <p>Þise lordeȝ & ladyeȝ, quyle þat hem lyked;</p> -<span class="linenum">1116</span> - <p>& syþen w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> frenkysch fare & fele fayre loteȝ</p> - <p>Þay stoden, & stemed, & stylly speken,</p> - <p>Kysten ful comlyly, & kaȝten her leue.</p> - <span class="sidenote">Night approaches and each "to his bed was brought at the last."</span> - <p>W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> mony leude ful lyȝt, & lemande torches,</p> -<span class="linenum">1120</span> - <p>Vche burne to his bed watȝ broȝt at þe laste,</p> - <p class="i8">ful softe;</p> - <p class="i4">To bed ȝet er þay ȝede,</p> - <p class="i4">Recorded couenau<i>n</i>teȝ ofte;</p> -<span class="linenum">1124</span> - <p class="i4">Þe olde lorde of þat leude,<sup>2</sup></p> - <p class="i4">Cowþe wel halde layk a-lofte.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> vntyl nyȝte (?). - <sup>2</sup> lede (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>[FYTTE THE THIRD.]</h2> - -<h2>I.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Before day-break folks uprise,</span> - <p>Ful erly bifore þe day þe folk vp-rysen,</p> - <p>Gestes þat go wolde, hor gromeȝ þay calden,</p> - <span class="sidenote">saddle their horses, and truss their mails.</span> -<span class="linenum">1128</span> - <p>& þay busken vp bilyue, blonkkeȝ to sadel,</p> - <p>Tyffen he[r] takles, trussen her males,</p> - <p>Richen hem þe rychest, to ryde alle arayde,</p> - <p>Lepen vp lyȝtly, lachen her brydeles,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Each goes where it pleases him best.</span> -<span class="linenum">1132</span> - <p>Vche wyȝe on his way, þer hy<i>m</i> wel lyked.</p> - <span class="sidenote">The noble lord of the land arrays himself for riding.</span> - <p>Þe leue lorde of þe londe watȝ not þe last,</p> - <p>A-rayed for þe rydy<i>n</i>g, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> renkkeȝ ful mony;</p> - <span class="sidenote">He eats a sop hastily and goes to mass.</span> - <p>Ete a sop hastyly, when he hade herde masse,</p> -<span class="linenum">1136</span> - <p>W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> bugle to bent felde he buskeȝ by-lyue;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Before day-light he and his men are on their horses.</span> - <p>By þat þat any day-lyȝt lemed vpon erþe,</p> - <p>He w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> his haþeles on hyȝe horsses weren.</p> - <span class="sidenote">Then the hounds are called out and coupled.</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne þise cacheres þat couþe, cowpled hor hou<i>n</i>deȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">1140</span> - <p>Vnclosed þe kenel dore, & calde hem þ<i>er</i>-oute,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Three short notes are blown by the bugles.</span> - <p>Blwe bygly i<i>n</i> bugleȝ þre bare mote;</p> - <p>Braches bayed þ<i>er</i>fore, & breme noyse maked,</p> - <span class="sidenote">A hundred hunters join in the chase.</span> - <p>& þay chastysed, & charred, on chasy<i>n</i>g þat went;</p> -<span class="linenum">1144</span> - <p>A hundreth of hunt<i>er</i>es, as I haf herde telle,</p> - <p class="i8">of þe best;</p> - <span class="sidenote">To the stations the "fewters" go,</span> - <p class="i4">To trystors vewters ȝod,</p> - <p class="i4">Couples huntes of kest,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 106<i>b</i>.]</span> -<span class="linenum">1148</span> - <p class="i4">Þ<i>er</i> ros for blasteȝ gode,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and the dogs are cast off.</span> - <p class="i4">Gret rurd i<i>n</i> þat forest.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>II.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Roused by the clamour the deer rush to the heights,</span> - <p>At þe fyrst quethe of þe quest quaked þe wylde;</p> - <p>Der drof i<i>n</i> þe dale, doted for drede,</p> -<span class="linenum">1152</span> - <p>Hiȝed to þe hyȝe, bot het<i>er</i>ly þay were</p> - <span class="sidenote">but are soon driven back.</span> - <p>Restayed w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe stablye, þat stoutly ascryed;</p> - <span class="sidenote">The harts and bucks are allowed to pass,</span> - <p>Þay let þe hertteȝ haf þe gate, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe hyȝe hedes,</p> - <p>Þe breme bukkeȝ also, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hor brode paumeȝ;</p> -<span class="linenum">1156</span> - <p>For þe fre lorde hade de-fende i<i>n</i> fermysou<i>n</i> tyme,</p> - <p>Þ<i>a</i>t þ<i>er</i> schulde no mon mene<sup>1</sup> to þe male dere.</p> - <span class="sidenote">but the hinds and does are driven back to the shades.</span> - <p>Þe hindeȝ were halden i<i>n</i>, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hay & war,</p> - <p>Þe does dryuen w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> gret dyn to þe depe sladeȝ;</p> -<span class="linenum">1160</span> - <p>Þer myȝt mon se, as þay slypte, slenty<i>n</i>g of arwes,</p> - <span class="sidenote">As they fly they are shot by the bowmen.</span> - <p>At vche [þat] wende vnder wande wapped a flone,</p> - <p>Þat bigly bote on þe brou<i>n</i>, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> ful brode hedeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The hounds and the hunters, with a loud cry, follow in pursuit.</span> - <p>What! þay brayen, & bleden, bi bonkkeȝ þay deȝen.</p> -<span class="linenum">1164</span> - <p>& ay rachches i<i>n</i> a res radly hem folȝes,</p> - <p>Hu<i>n</i>tereȝ wyth hyȝe horne hasted hem aft<i>er</i>,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Those that escaped the arrows are killed by the hounds.</span> - <p>Wyth such a crakkande kry, as klyffes haden brusten;</p> - <p>What wylde so at-waped wyȝes þat schotten,</p> -<span class="linenum">1168</span> - <p>Watȝ al to-raced & rent, at þe resayt.</p> - <p>Bi þay were tened at þe hyȝe, & taysed to þe wattreȝ,</p> - <p>Þe ledeȝ were so lerned at þe loȝe trysteres,</p> - <p>& þe gre-hou<i>n</i>deȝ so grete, þat geten hem bylyue,</p> -<span class="linenum">1172</span> - <p>& hem to fylched, as fast as frekeȝ myȝt loke,</p> - <p class="i8">þ<i>er</i> ryȝt.</p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord waxes joyful in the chase,</span> - <p class="i4">Þe lorde for blys abloy</p> - <p class="i4">Ful oft con lau<i>n</i>ce & lyȝt,</p> - <span class="sidenote">which lasted till the approach of night.</span> -<span class="linenum">1176</span> - <p class="i4">& drof þat day wyth Ioy</p> - <p class="i4">Thus to þe derk nyȝt.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> meue (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>III.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">All this time Gawayne lies a-bed.</span> - <p>Þ<i>us</i> laykeȝ þis lorde by lynde wodeȝ eueȝ,</p> - <p>& G. þe god mon, i<i>n</i> gay bed lygeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">under "coverture full clear".</span> -<span class="linenum">1180</span> - <p>Lurkkeȝ quyl þe day-lyȝt lemed on þe wowes,</p> - <p>Vnder couerto<i>ur</i> ful clere, cortyned aboute;</p> - <p>& as i<i>n</i> slom<i>er</i>y<i>n</i>g he slode, sleȝly he herde</p> - <span class="sidenote">He hears a noise at his door.</span> - <p>A littel dyn at his dor, & derfly vpon;</p> -<span class="linenum">1184</span> - <p>& he heueȝ vp his hed out of þe cloþes,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 107.]</span> - <p>A corner of þe cortyn he caȝt vp a lyttel,</p> - <p>& wayteȝ warly þider-warde, quat hit be myȝt.</p> - <span class="sidenote">A lady, the loveliest to behold, enters softly.</span> - <p>Hit watȝ þe ladi, loflyest to be-holde,</p> -<span class="linenum">1188</span> - <p>Þat droȝ þe dor aft<i>er</i> hir ful dernly<sup>1</sup> & stylle,</p> - <span class="sidenote">She approaches the bed.</span> - <p>& boȝed to-warde þe bed; & þe burne schamed.</p> - <p>& layde hy<i>m</i> dou<i>n</i> lystyly, & let as he slepte.</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne pretends to be asleep.</span> - <p>& ho stepped stilly. & stel to his bedde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The lady casts up the curtain and sits on the bedside.</span> -<span class="linenum">1192</span> - <p>Kest vp þe cortyn, & creped w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-i<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <p>& set hir ful softly on þe bed-syde,</p> - <p>& lenged þere selly longe, to loke que<i>n</i> he wakened.</p> - <p>Þe lede lay lurked a ful longe quyle,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne has much wonder thereat.</span> -<span class="linenum">1196</span> - <p>Compast i<i>n</i> his concience to quat þat cace myȝt</p> - <p>Mene oþ<i>er</i> amou<i>n</i>t, to m<i>er</i>uayle hy<i>m</i> þoȝt;</p> - <p>Bot ȝet he sayde i<i>n</i> hy<i>m</i>-self, "more semly hit were</p> - <p>To aspye wyth my spelle [in] space quat ho wolde."</p> - <span class="sidenote">He rouses himself up,</span> -<span class="linenum">1200</span> - <p>þen he wakenede, & wroth, & to hir warde torned,</p> - <span class="sidenote">unlocks his eyes, and looks as if he were astonished.</span> - <p>& vn-louked his yȝe-lyddeȝ, & let as hy<i>m</i> wondered,</p> - <p>& sayned hy<i>m</i>, as bi his saȝe þe sau<i>er</i> to worthe,</p> - <p class="i8">w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hande;</p> -<span class="linenum">1204</span> - <p class="i4">Wyth chy<i>n</i>ne & cheke ful swete,</p> - <p class="i4">Boþe quit & red i<i>n</i>-blande,</p> - <p class="i4">Ful lufly con ho lete,</p> - <p class="i4">Wyth lyppeȝ smal laȝande.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> deruly (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>IV.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"Good morrow", says the lady, "ye are a careless sleeper to let one enter thus.</span> -<span class="linenum">1208</span> - <p>"God morou<i>n</i>, s<i>ir</i> Gawayn," sayde þat fayr lady,</p> - <p>"Ȝe ar a slep<i>er</i> vn-slyȝe, þat mo<i>n</i> may slyde hider; </p> - <p>Now ar ȝe tan astyt, bot t<i>r</i>ue v<i>us</i> may schape,</p> - <span class="sidenote">I shall bind you in your bed, of that be ye sure."</span> - <p>I schal bynde yow i<i>n</i> yo<i>ur</i> bedde, þat be ȝe trayst:"</p> -<span class="linenum">1212</span> - <p>Al laȝande þe lady lanced þo bourdeȝ.</p> - <span class="sidenote">"Good morrow," says the knight, "I am well pleased to be at your service;</span> - <p>"Goud morou<i>n</i> g[aye],"<sup>1</sup> q<i>uod</i> Gawayn þe blyþe,</p> - <p>"Me schal worþe at yo<i>ur</i> wille, & þat me wel lykeȝ,</p> - <p>For I ȝelde me ȝederly, & ȝeȝe aft<i>er</i> g<i>ra</i>ce,</p> -<span class="linenum">1216</span> - <p>& þat is þe best, be my dome, for me by-houeȝ nede;"</p> - <p>& þus he bourded a-ȝayn w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> mony a blyþe laȝt<i>er</i>.</p> - <span class="sidenote">but permit me to rise and dress myself."</span> - <p>"Bot wolde ȝe, lady louely, þe<i>n</i> leue me g<i>ra</i>nte,</p> - <p>& de-prece yo<i>ur</i> prysou<i>n</i>, & pray hy<i>m</i> to ryse,</p> -<span class="linenum">1220</span> - <p>I wolde boȝe of þis bed, & busk me bett<i>er</i>,</p> - <p>I schulde keu<i>er</i> þe more comfort to karp yow wyth."</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 107b]<br />"Nay, beau sir," said that sweet one,</span> - <p>"Nay, for soþe, beau s<i>ir</i>," sayd þat swete,</p> - <p>"Ȝe schal not rise of yo<i>ur</i> bedde, I rych yow bett<i>er</i>,</p> - <span class="sidenote">"I shall hold talk with you here.</span> -<span class="linenum">1224</span> - <p>I schal happe yow here þat oþ<i>er</i> half als,</p> - <p>& syþen karp wyth my knyȝt þat I kaȝt haue;</p> - <span class="sidenote">I know well that you are Gawayne that all the woild worships.</span> - <p>For I wene wel, Iwysse, s<i>ir</i> Wawen ȝe are,</p> - <p>Þat alle þe worlde worchipeȝ, quere-so ȝe ride;</p> -<span class="linenum">1228</span> - <p>Yo<i>ur</i> hono<i>ur</i>, yo<i>ur</i> hendelayk is hendely praysed</p> - <span class="sidenote">We are by ourselves;</span> - <p>W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> lordeȝ, wyth ladyes, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> alle þat lyf bere.</p> - <p>& now ȝe ar here, iwysse, & we bot oure one;</p> - <span class="sidenote">My lord and his men are far off.</span> - <p>"My lorde & his ledeȝ ar on lenþe faren,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Other men are in their beds, so are my maidens.</span> -<span class="linenum">1232</span> - <p>Oþ<i>er</i> burneȝ i<i>n</i> her bedde, & my burdeȝ als,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The door is safely closed.</span> - <p>Þe dor drawen, & dit w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> a derf haspe;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Since I have him in house that every one likes, I shall use my time well while it lasts.</span> - <p>& syþen I haue i<i>n</i> þis ho<i>us</i> hy<i>m</i> þat al lykeȝ,</p> - <p>I schal ware my whyle wel, quyl hit lasteȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">1236</span> - <p class="i8">w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> tale;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Ye are welcome to my body.</span> - <p class="i4">Ȝe ar welcu<i>m</i> to my cors,</p> - <p class="i4">Yowre awen won to wale,</p> - <p class="i4">Me be-houeȝ of fyne force,</p> - <span class="sidenote">I shall be your servant."</span> -<span class="linenum">1240</span> - <p class="i4">Yo<i>ur</i> seruau<i>n</i>t be & schale."</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> This word is illegible in the MS. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>V.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <p>"In god fayth," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, "gay<i>n</i> hit me þynkkeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">"I am unworthy," says Sir Gawayne, "to reach to such reverence as ye rehearse.</span> - <p>Þaȝ I be not now he þat ȝe of speken;</p> - <p>To reche to such reuerence as ȝe reherce here</p> -<span class="linenum">1244</span> - <p>I am wyȝe vn-worþy, I wot wel my-seluen;</p> - <p>Bi God, I were glad, & yow god þoȝt,</p> - <span class="sidenote">I shall be glad, however, to please you by word, or service."</span> - <p>At saȝe oþ<i>er</i> at seruyce þat I sette myȝt</p> - <p>To þe plesau<i>n</i>ce of yo<i>ur</i> prys, hit were a pure ioye."</p> -<span class="linenum">1248</span> - <p>"In god fayth, s<i>ir</i> Gawayn," q<i>uod</i> þe gay lady,</p> - <p>"Þe prys & þe prowes þat pleseȝ al oþ<i>er</i>,</p> - <p>If I hit lakked, oþ<i>er</i> set at lyȝt, hit were littel daynté;</p> - <span class="sidenote">"There are ladies," says his visitor, "who would prefer thy company</span> - <p>Bot hit ar ladyes i<i>n</i>-noȝe, þat leu<i>er</i> wer nowþe</p> -<span class="linenum">1252</span> - <p>Haf þe hende i<i>n</i> hor holde, as I þe habbe here,</p> - <p>To daly w<i>i</i>t<i>t</i> derely yo<i>ur</i> daynté wordeȝ,</p> - <p>Keu<i>er</i> hem comfort, & colen her careȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">to much of the gold that they possess."</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i> much of þe garysour<i>n</i> oþ<i>er</i> golde þat<sup>1</sup> þay hauen;</p> -<span class="linenum">1256</span> - <p>Bot I louue<sup>2</sup> þat ilk lorde þ<i>a</i>t þe lyfte haldeȝ,</p> - <p>I haf hit holly i<i>n</i> my honde þ<i>a</i>t al desyres,</p> - <p class="i8">þurȝe grace."</p> - <p class="i4">Scho made hy<i>m</i> so gret chere,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 108.]</span> -<span class="linenum">1260</span> - <p class="i4">Þat watȝ so fayr of face,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight answers the lady's questions.</span> - <p class="i4">Þe knyȝt w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> speches skere,</p> - <p class="i4">A[n]swared to vche a cace.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. þat þ<i>a</i>t. - <sup>2</sup> louie or loune (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>VI.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne tells her that he prefers her conversation before that of all others.</span> - <p>"Madame," q<i>uod</i> þe myry mon, "Mary yow ȝelde,</p> -<span class="linenum">1264</span> - <p>For I haf fou<i>n</i>den, i<i>n</i> god fayth, yowre frau<i>n</i>chis nobele,</p> - <p>& oþ<i>er</i> ful much of oþ<i>er</i> folk fongen hor dedeȝ;</p> - <p>Bot þe daynté þ<i>a</i>t þay delen for my disert nysen,</p> - <p>Hit is þe worchyp of yo<i>ur</i>-self, þ<i>a</i>t noȝt hot wel co<i>n</i>neȝ."</p> - <span class="sidenote">The lady declares by Mary,</span> -<span class="linenum">1268</span> - <p>"Bi Mary," q<i>uod</i> þe menskful, "me þynk hit anoþ<i>er</i>;</p> - <p>For were I worth al þe wone of wy<i>m</i>men alyue,</p> - <p>& al þe wele of þe worlde were i<i>n</i> my honde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">that were she about to choose her a lord,</span> - <p>& I schulde chepen & chose, to cheue me a lorde,</p> -<span class="linenum">1272</span> - <p>For þe costes þat I haf knowen vpun þe knyȝt here,</p> - <p>Of bewté, & debonerté, & blyþe semblau<i>n</i>t,</p> - <span class="sidenote">she would select Gawayne before any man on earth.</span> - <p>& þat I haf er herkkened, & halde hit here trwee,</p> - <p>Þ<i>er</i> schulde no freke vpon folde bifore yow be chosen."</p> -<span class="linenum">1276</span> - <p>"I-wysse, worþy," q<i>uod</i> þe wyȝe, "ȝe haf waled wel bett<i>er</i>,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne tells her that he will become her own knight and faithful servant.</span> - <p>Bot I am proude of þe prys þat ȝe put on me,</p> - <p>& soberly yo<i>ur</i> seruau<i>n</i>t my sou<i>er</i>ayn I holde yow,</p> - <p>& yowre knyȝt I be-com, & Kryst yow for-ȝelde."</p> -<span class="linenum">1280</span> - <p>Þ<i>us</i> þay meled of much-quat, til myd-morn paste,</p> - <p>& ay þe lady let lyk, a<sup>1</sup> hy<i>m</i> loued mych;</p> - <span class="sidenote">The remembrance of his adventure prevents him from thinking of love.</span> - <p>Þe freke ferde w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> defence, & feted ful fayre.</p> - <p>Þaȝ I were burde bryȝtest, þe burde i<i>n</i> mynde hade,</p> -<span class="linenum">1284</span> - <p>Þe lasse luf i<i>n</i> his lode, for lur þat he soȝt,</p> - <p class="i8">boute hone;</p> - <p class="i4">Þe dunte þat schulde<sup>2</sup> hy<i>m</i> deue,</p> - <p class="i4">& nedeȝ hit most be done;</p> - <span class="sidenote">The lady takes leave of Sir Gawayne.</span> -<span class="linenum">1288</span> - <p class="i4">Þe lady þe<i>n</i>n spek of leue.</p> - <p class="i4">He g<i>ra</i>nted hir ful sone.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> and (?) - <sup>2</sup> sclulde, in MS. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>VII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">With a laughing glance, she says,</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne ho gef hy<i>m</i> god-day, & wyth a glent laȝed.</p> - <p>& as ho stod, ho stonyed hy<i>m</i> wyth ful stor wordeȝ:</p> - <span class="sidenote">"I am doubtful whether ye be Gawayne.</span> -<span class="linenum">1292</span> - <p>"Now he þat spedeȝ vche spech, þis disport ȝelde yow!</p> - <p>Bot þat ȝe be Gawan, hit gotȝ i<i>n</i> my<i>n</i>de."</p> - <p>"Quer-fore?" q<i>uod</i> þe freke, & freschly he askeȝ,</p> - <p>Ferde lest he hade fayled i<i>n</i> fo<i>ur</i>me of his castes;</p> -<span class="linenum">1296</span> - <p>Bot þe burde hy<i>m</i> blessed, & bi þis skyl sayde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 108<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p>"So god as Gawayn gaynly is halden,</p> - <p>& cortaysye is closed so clene i<i>n</i> hy<i>m</i>-seluen,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Were it he, surely, ere this, he would have craved a kiss."</span> - <p>Couth not lyȝtly haf lenged so long wyth a lady,</p> -<span class="linenum">1300</span> - <p>Bot he had craued a cosse, bi his co<i>ur</i>taysye,</p> - <p>Bi su<i>m</i> towch of su<i>m</i>me tryfle, at su<i>m</i> taleȝ ende."</p> - <span class="sidenote">"I shall kiss," says the knight, "at your commandment."</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i> q<i>uod</i> Wowen, "I-wysse, worþe as yow lykeȝ,</p> - <p>I schal kysse at yo<i>ur</i> comau<i>n</i>dement, as a knyȝt falleȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">1304</span> - <p>& fire<sup>1</sup> lest he displese yow, so<sup>2</sup> plede hit no more."</p> - <span class="sidenote">With that the lady catches him in her arms and kisses him.</span> - <p>Ho comes nerre w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þat, & cacheȝ hy<i>m</i> i<i>n</i> armeȝ,</p> - <p>Louteȝ luflych adou<i>n</i>, & þe leude kysseȝ;</p> - <p>Þay comly byke<i>n</i>nen to Kryst ayþ<i>er</i> oþ<i>er</i>;</p> -<span class="linenum">1308</span> - <p>Ho dos hir forth at þe dore, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-outen dyn more.</p> - <p>& he ryches hy<i>m</i> to ryse, & rapes hy<i>m</i> sone,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne then rises and goes to mass.</span> - <p>Clepes to his chamberlayn, choses his wede,</p> - <p>Boȝeȝ forth, quen he watȝ bou<i>n</i>, blyþely to masse,</p> -<span class="linenum">1312</span> - <p>& þe<i>n</i>ne he meued to his mete, þ<i>a</i>t me<i>n</i>skly hy<i>m</i> keped,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He makes mirth all day till the moon rises,</span> - <p>& made myry al day til þe mone rysed,</p> - <p class="i8">w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> game;</p> - <p class="i4">W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i><sup>3</sup> neu<i>er</i> freke fayrer fonge,</p> - <span class="sidenote">between the "two dames," the older and the younger.</span> -<span class="linenum">1316</span> - <p class="i4">Bitwene two so dy<i>n</i>gne dame,</p> - <p class="i4">Þe alder & þe ȝonge,</p> - <p class="i4">Much solace set þay same.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> fere (?). - <sup>2</sup> fo, in MS. - <sup>3</sup> Was (?) Nas (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>VIII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Meanwhile the lord of the land and his men hunt in woods and heaths.</span> - <p>And ay þe lorde of þe londe is lent on his gamneȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">1320</span> - <p>To hu<i>n</i>t i<i>n</i> holteȝ & heþe, at hyndeȝ barayne,</p> - <p>Such a sowme he þ<i>er</i> slowe bi þat þe su<i>n</i>ne heldet,</p> - <p>Of dos & of oþ<i>er</i> dere, to deme were wonder.</p> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne fersly þay flokked i<i>n</i> folk at þe laste,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Quickly of the killed a "<i>quarry</i>" they make.</span> -<span class="linenum">1324</span> - <p>& quykly of þe quelled dere a querré þay maked;</p> - <p>Þe best boȝed þerto, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> burneȝ i<i>n</i>-nogh<i>e</i>,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Then they set about <i>breaking</i> the deer.</span> - <p>Gedered þe grattest of gres þat þer were,</p> - <p>& didden hem derely vndo, as þe dede askeȝ;</p> - <span class="sidenote">They take away the <i>assay</i> or fat,</span> -<span class="linenum">1328</span> - <p>Serched hem at þe asay, su<i>m</i>me þat þ<i>er</i> were,</p> - <p>Two fy<i>n</i>geres þay fonde of þe fowlest of alle;</p> - <span class="sidenote">then they slit the <i>slot</i> and remove the <i>erber</i>.</span> - <p>Syþe<i>n</i> þay slyt þe slot, sesed þe erber,</p> - <span class="sidenote">They afterwards rip the four limbs and rend off the hide.</span> - <p>Schaued wyth a scharp knyf, & þe schyre knitten;</p> -<span class="linenum">1332</span> - <p>Syþen rytte þay þe foure ly<i>m</i>mes, & rent of þe hyde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">They next open the belly</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i> brek þay þe bale, þe baleȝ out token,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 109.]<br />and take out the bowels.</span> - <p>Lystily forlancy<i>n</i>g, & bere of þe knot;</p> - <p> Þay gryped to þe gargulu<i>n</i>, & g<i>ra</i>yþely departed</p> - <span class="sidenote">They then separate the <i>weasand</i> from the windhole and throw out the guts.</span> -<span class="linenum">1336</span> - <p>Þe wesau<i>n</i>t fro þe wynt-hole, & walt out þe gutteȝ;</p> - <p>Þe<i>n</i> scher þay out þe schuldereȝ w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> her scharp knyueȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The shoulders are cut out, and the breast divided into halves.</span> - <p>Haled hem by a lyttel hole, to haue hole sydes;</p> - <p>Siþen britned þay þe brest, & brayden hit i<i>n</i> twy<i>n</i>ne,</p> -<span class="linenum">1340</span> - <p>& eft at þe gargulu<i>n</i> bigyneȝ on þe<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The <i>numbles</i> are next removed.</span> - <p>Ryueȝ hit vp radly, ryȝt to þe byȝt,</p> - <p>Voydeȝ out þe a-vanters, & v<i>er</i>ayly þ<i>er</i>aft<i>er</i></p> - <p>Alle þe rymeȝ by þe rybbeȝ radly þay lance;</p> -<span class="linenum">1344</span> - <p>So ryde þay of by resou<i>n</i> bi þe rygge boneȝ,</p> - <p>Euenden to þe haunche, þat henged alle samen,</p> - <p>& heuen hit vp al hole, & hwen hit of þere,</p> - <p>& þat þayneme for þe nou<i>m</i>bles, bi nome as I trowe,</p> -<span class="linenum">1348</span> - <p class="i8">bi kynde;</p> - <span class="sidenote">By the fork of the thighs,</span> - <p class="i4">Bi þe byȝt al of þe þyȝes,</p> - <p class="i4">Þe lappeȝ þay lance bi-hynde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">the flaps are hewn in two by the backbone.</span> - <p class="i4">To hewe hit i<i>n</i> two þay hyȝes,</p> -<span class="linenum">1352</span> - <p class="i4">Bi þe bak-bon to vnbynde.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>IX.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">After this the head and neck are cut off, and the sides severed from the chine.</span> - <p>Boþe þe hede & þe hals þay hwen of þe<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <p>& syþen sunder þay þe sydeȝ swyft fro þe chyne,</p> - <p>& þe corbeles fee þay kest i<i>n</i> a greue;<sup>1</sup></p> -<span class="linenum">1356</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>n þurled þay ayþer þik side þurȝ, bi þe rybbe,</p> - <p>& henged þe<i>n</i>ne a[y]þ<i>er</i> bi hoȝes of þe fourcheȝ,</p> - <p>Vche freke for his fee, as falleȝ forto haue.</p> - <p>Vpon a felle of þe fayre best, fede þay þayr hou<i>n</i>des,</p> - <span class="sidenote">With the liver, lights and paunches, they feed the hounds.</span> -<span class="linenum">1360</span> - <p>Wyth þe lyu<i>er</i> & þe lyȝteȝ, þe leþer of þe pauncheȝ,</p> - <p>& bred baþed i<i>n</i> blod, blende þer amo<i>n</i>geȝ;</p> - <p>Baldely þay blw prys, bayed þayr rachcheȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Then they make for home.</span> - <p>Syþen fonge þay her flesche folden to home,</p> -<span class="linenum">1364</span> - <p>Strakande ful stoutly mony stif moteȝ.</p> - <p>Bi þat þe daylyȝt watȝ done, þe douthe watȝ al wonen</p> - <p>I<i>n</i>-to þe comly castel, þer þe knyȝt bideȝ</p> - <p class="i8">ful stille;</p> -<span class="linenum">1368</span> - <p class="i4">Wyth blys & bryȝt fyr bette,</p> - <p class="i4">Þe lord is comen þ<i>er</i>-tylle,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne goes out to meet his host.</span> - <p class="i4">When Gawayn wyth hy<i>m</i> mette,</p> - <p class="i4">Þer watȝ bot wele at wylle.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> grene (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>X.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 109<i>b</i>.]<br />The lord commands all his household to assemble,</span> -<span class="linenum">1372</span> - <p>The<i>n</i>ne comau<i>n</i>ded þe lorde i<i>n</i> þ<i>a</i>t sale to samen alle þe meny,</p> - <p>Boþe þe ladyes on logh<i>e</i> to lyȝt w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> her burdes,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and the venison to be brought before him.</span> - <p>Bi-fore alle þe folk on þe flette, frekeȝ he beddeȝ</p> - <p>V<i>er</i>ayly his venysou<i>n</i> to fech hy<i>m</i> byforne;</p> - <span class="sidenote">He calls Gawayne,</span> -<span class="linenum">1376</span> - <p>& al godly i<i>n</i> gomen Gaway[n] he called,</p> - <p>Techeȝ hy<i>m</i> to þe tayles of ful tayt bestes,</p> - <p>Scheweȝ hy<i>m</i> þe schyree grece schorne vpon rybbes.</p> - <span class="sidenote">and asks him whether he does not deserve much praise for his success in the chase.</span> - <p>"How payeȝ yow þis play? haf I prys wo<i>n</i>nen?</p> -<span class="linenum">1380</span> - <p>Haue I þryuandely þonk þurȝ my craft serued?"</p> - <p>"Ȝe I-wysse," q<i>uod</i> þat oþ<i>er</i> wyȝe, "here is wayth fayrest</p> - <span class="sidenote">On the knight expressing himself satisfied, he is told to take the whole according to a former agreement between them.</span> - <p>Þat I seȝ þis seuen ȝere i<i>n</i> sesou<i>n</i> of wynt<i>er</i>."</p> - <p>"& al I gif yow, Gawayn," q<i>uod</i> þe gome þe<i>n</i>ne,</p> -<span class="linenum">1384</span> - <p>"For by a-corde of couenau<i>n</i>t ȝe craue hit as yo<i>ur</i> awen."</p> - <p>"Þis is soth," q<i>uod</i> þe segge, "I say yow þatilke,</p> - <p>&<sup>1</sup> I haf worthyly þis woneȝ wyth-i<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne gives the knight a comely kiss in return.</span> - <p>I-wysse w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> as god wylle hit worþeȝ to ȝo<i>ur</i>eȝ."</p> -<span class="linenum">1388</span> - <p>He hasppeȝ his fayre hals his armeȝ wyth-i<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <p>& kysses hy<i>m</i> as comlyly as he<sup>2</sup> couþe awyse:</p> - <p>"Tas yow þere my cheuicau<i>n</i>ce, I cheued no more,</p> - <p>I wowche hit saf fynly, þaȝ feler hit were."</p> -<span class="linenum">1392</span> - <p>"Hit is god," q<i>uod</i> þe god mon, "g<i>ra</i>nt m<i>er</i>cy þ<i>er</i>fore,</p> - <span class="sidenote">His host desires to know where he has gotten such weal.</span> - <p>Hit may be such, hit is þe bett<i>er</i>, &<sup>1</sup> ȝe me breue wolde</p> - <p>Where ȝe wan þis ilk wele, biwytte of hor<sup>3</sup> seluen?"</p> - <span class="sidenote">As this does not enter into the covenant, he gets no answer to his question.</span> - <p>"Þat watȝ not forward," q<i>uod</i> he, "frayst me no more,</p> -<span class="linenum">1396</span> - <p>For ȝe haftan þat yow tydeȝ, traweȝe non oþ<i>er</i></p> - <p class="i8">ȝe mowe."</p> - <p class="i4">Þay laȝed, & made hem blyþe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">They then proceed to supper, where were dainties new and enough.</span> - <p class="i4">Wyth loteȝ þat were to lowe,</p> -<span class="linenum">1400</span> - <p class="i4">To soper þay ȝede asswyþe,</p> - <p class="i4">Wyth dayntes nwe i<i>n</i>-nowe.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> And = an. - <sup>2</sup> ho, in MS. - <sup>3</sup> your (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XI.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">By the hearth they sit.</span> - <p>And syþen by þe chymné i<i>n</i> chamber þay seten.</p> - <span class="sidenote">Wine is carried round.</span> - <p>Wyȝeȝ þe walle wyn weȝed to hem oft,</p> -<span class="linenum">1404</span> - <p>& efte i<i>n</i> her bourdy<i>n</i>g þay bayþen i<i>n</i> þe morn,</p> - <p>To fylle þe same forwardeȝ þat þay by-fore maden,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Again Sir Gawayne and his host renew their agreement.</span> - <p>Þat chau<i>n</i>ce so bytydeȝ hor cheuysau<i>n</i>ce to chau<i>n</i>ge,</p> - <p>What nweȝ so þay nome, at naȝt quen þay mette<i>n</i></p> -<span class="linenum">1408</span> - <p>Þay acorded of þe couenau<i>n</i>teȝ byfore þe co<i>ur</i>t alle;</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 110.]</span> - <p>Þe beuerage watȝ broȝt forth i<i>n</i> bourde at þat tyme;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Then they take leave of each other and hasten to bed.</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne þay louelych leȝten leue at þe last,</p> - <p>Vche burne to his bedde busked bylyue.</p> - <span class="sidenote">Scarce had the cock cackled thrice when the lord was up.</span> -<span class="linenum">1412</span> - <p>Bi þat þe coke hade croweȝ<sup>1</sup> & cakled bot þryse,</p> - <p>Þe lorde watȝ lopen of his bedde, [&] þe leudeȝ vch one,</p> - <p>So þat þe mete & þe masse watȝ metely delyu<i>er</i>ed;</p> - <p>Þe douthe dressed to þe wod, er any day sprenged,</p> -<span class="linenum">1416</span> - <p class="i8">to chace;</p> - <span class="sidenote">With his hunters and horns they pursue the chase.</span> - <p class="i4">Heȝ w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hu<i>n</i>te & horneȝ,</p> - <p class="i4">Þurȝ playneȝ þay passe i<i>n</i> space,</p> - <p class="i4">Vn-coupled amo<i>n</i>g þo þorneȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">1420</span> - <p class="i4">Racheȝ þat ran on race.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> crowed (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The hunters cheer on the hounds,</span> - <p>Sone þay calle of a quest i<i>n</i> aker syde,</p> - <p>Þe hu<i>n</i>t re-hayted þe hou<i>n</i>deȝ, þat hit fyrst my<i>n</i>ged,</p> - <span class="sidenote">which fall to the scent forty at once.</span> - <p>Wylde wordeȝ hy<i>m</i> warp wyth a wrast noyce;</p> -<span class="linenum">1424</span> - <p>Þe howndeȝ þat hit herde, hastid þider swyþe,</p> - <p>& fellen as fast to þe fuyt, fourty at ones;</p> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne such a glau<i>er</i>ande glam of gedered rachcheȝ</p> - <p>Ros, þat þe rochereȝ ru<i>n</i>gen aboute;</p> -<span class="linenum">1428</span> - <p>Hu<i>n</i>tereȝ hem hardened w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> horne & wyth muthe.</p> - <span class="sidenote">All come together by the side of a cliff.</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i> al i<i>n</i> a semblé sweyed to-geder,</p> - <p>Bitwene a flosche i<i>n</i> þat fryth, & a foo cragge;</p> - <p>In a knot, bi a clyffe, at þe kerre syde,</p> -<span class="linenum">1432</span> - <p>Þ<i>er</i> as þe rogh rocher vn-rydely watȝ fallen,</p> - <p>[Þay] ferden to þe fyndy<i>n</i>g, & frekeȝ hem aft<i>er</i>;</p> - <span class="sidenote">They look about on all sides,</span> - <p>Þay vmbe-kesten þe knarre & þe knot boþe.</p> - <p>Wyȝeȝ, whyl þay wysten wel wyt i<i>n</i>ne he<i>m</i> hit were,</p> -<span class="linenum">1436</span> - <p>Þe best þat þer breued watȝ wyth þe blod hou<i>n</i>deȝ.</p> - <span class="sidenote">and beat on the bushes.</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne þay beten on þe buskeȝ, & bede hy<i>m</i> vp ryse,</p> - <p>& he vnsou<i>n</i>dyly out soȝt seggeȝ ou<i>er</i>-þwert,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Out there rushes a fierce wild boar,</span> - <p>On þe sellokest swyn swenged out þere,</p> -<span class="linenum">1440</span> - <p>Long sythen for<sup>1</sup> þe sou<i>n</i>der þat wiȝt for-olde,</p> - <p>For he watȝ b[este &] bor alþer grattest,</p> - <p>[And eue]re quen he gronyed, þe<i>n</i>ne greued mony,</p> - <span class="sidenote">At the first thrust he fells three to the ground.</span> - <p>For [þre a]t þe fyrst þrast he þryȝt to þe erþe,</p> -<span class="linenum">1444</span> - <p>& [sped hym] forth good sped, boute spyt more,</p> - <p>[Ande þay] halowed hygh<i>e</i> ful hyȝe & hay! hay! cryed</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 110<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p>Haden horneȝ to mouþe heterly rechated;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Full quickly the hunters pursue him.</span> - <p>Mony watȝ þe myry mouthe of men & of hou<i>n</i>deȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">1448</span> - <p>Þat buskkeȝ aft<i>er</i> þis bor, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> bost & wyth noyse,</p> - <p class="i8">To quelle;</p> - <p class="i4">Ful oft he bydeȝ þe baye,</p> - <p class="i4">& maymeȝ þe mute I<i>n</i>n-melle,</p> - <span class="sidenote">However, he attacks the hounds, causing them to yowl and yell.</span> -<span class="linenum">1452</span> - <p class="i4">He hurteȝ of þe hou<i>n</i>deȝ, & þay</p> - <p class="i4">Ful ȝomerly ȝaule & ȝelle.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> fro (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XIII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The bowmen send their arrows after this wild swine,</span> - <p>Schalkeȝ to schote at hy<i>m</i> schowen to þe<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <p>Haled to hym of her areweȝ, hitten hym oft;</p> -<span class="linenum">1456</span> - <p>Bot þe poy<i>n</i>teȝ payred at þe pyth þ<i>a</i>t pyȝt i<i>n</i> his scheldeȝ,</p> - <p>& þe barbeȝ of his browe bite non wolde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">but they glide off shivered in pieces.</span> - <p>Þaȝ þe schauen schaft schyndered i<i>n</i> peceȝ,</p> - <p>Þe hede hypped aȝayn, were-so-eu<i>er</i> hit hitte;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Enraged with the blows,</span> -<span class="linenum">1460</span> - <p>Bot quon þe dynteȝ hy<i>m</i> dered of her dryȝe strokeȝ,</p> - <p>Þen, brayn-wod for bate, on burneȝ he raseȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">he attacks the hunters.</span> - <p>Hurteȝ hem ful heterly þer he forth hyȝeȝ,</p> - <p>& mony arȝed þerat, & on-lyte droȝen.</p> -<span class="linenum">1464</span> - <p>Bot þe lorde on a lyȝt horce lau<i>n</i>ces hym aft<i>er</i>,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord of the land blows his bugle,</span> - <p>As burne bolde vpon bent his bugle he bloweȝ,</p> - <p>He rechated, & r[ode]<sup>1</sup> þurȝ roneȝ ful þyk,</p> - <p>Suande þis wy[ld]e swyn til þe su<i>n</i>ne schafted.</p> - <span class="sidenote">and pursues the boar.</span> -<span class="linenum">1468</span> - <p>Þis day wyth þis ilk dede þay dryuen on þis wyse,</p> - <p>Whyle oure luflych lede lys i<i>n</i> his bedde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">All this time Gawayne lies a-bed.</span> - <p>Gawayn g<i>ra</i>yþely at home, i<i>n</i> gereȝ ful ryche</p> - <p class="i8">of hewe;</p> -<span class="linenum">1472</span> - <p class="i4">Þe lady noȝt forȝate,</p> - <p class="i4">Com to hy<i>m</i> to salue,</p> - <p class="i4">Ful erly ho watȝ hy<i>m</i> ate,</p> - <p class="i4">His mode forto remwe.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> The MS. is here almost illegible. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XIV.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The lady of the castle again visits Sir Gawayne.</span> -<span class="linenum">1476</span> - <p>Ho co<i>m</i>mes to þe cortyn, & at þe knyȝt totes,</p> - <p>S<i>ir</i> Wawen her welcu<i>m</i>ed worþy on fyrst,</p> - <p>& ho hy<i>m</i> ȝeldeȝ aȝayn, ful ȝerne of hir wordeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Softly she sits by his side,</span> - <p>Setteȝ hir sof[t]ly by his syde, & swyþely ho laȝeȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">1480</span> - <p>& wyth a luflych loke ho layde<sup>1</sup> hy<i>m</i> þyse wordeȝ:</p> - <p>"S<i>ir</i>, ȝif ȝe be Wawen, wonder me þynkkeȝ,</p> - <p>Wyȝe þat is so wel wrast alway to god,</p> - <p>& conneȝ not of compaynye þe costeȝ vnder-take,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 111]</span> -<span class="linenum">1484</span> - <p>& if mon ke<i>n</i>nes yow hom to knowe, ȝe kest hom of yo<i>ur</i> my<i>n</i>de;</p> - <span class="sidenote">and tells the knight that he has forgotten what she taught him the day before.</span> - <p>Þou hatȝ for-ȝeten ȝederly þat ȝist<i>er</i>day I taȝtte</p> - <p> alder-truest token of talk þat I cowþe."</p> - <p>"What is þat?" q<i>uod</i> þe wygh<i>e</i>, "I-wysse I wot neu<i>er</i>,</p> -<span class="linenum">1488</span> - <p>If hit be sothe þat ȝe breue, þe blame is my<i>n</i> awen."</p> - <span class="sidenote">"I taught you of kissing," she says, "that becomes every knight."</span> - <p>"Ȝet I kende yow of kyssy<i>n</i>g," q<i>uod</i> þe clere þe<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <p>"Quere-so cou<i>n</i>tenau<i>n</i>ce is couþe, quikly to clayme,</p> - <p>Þat bicu<i>m</i>es vche a knyȝt, þat cortaysy vses."</p> -<span class="linenum">1492</span> - <p>"Do way," q<i>uod</i> þat derf mon, "my dere, þat speche,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne says that he must not take that which is forbidden.</span> - <p>For þat durst I not do, lest I denayed were,</p> - <p>If I were werned, I were wrang I-wysse, ȝif I p<i>ro</i>fered."</p> - <p>"Ma fay," q<i>uod</i> þe mere wyf, "ȝe may not be werned,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He is told that he is strong enough to enforce it.</span> -<span class="linenum">1496</span> - <p>Ȝe ar stif i<i>n</i>-nogh<i>e</i> to constrayne wyth strenkþe, ȝif yow lykeȝ,</p> - <p>Ȝif any were so vilano<i>us</i> þat yow denaye<sup>2</sup> wolde."</p> - <p>"Ȝe, be God," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, "good is yo<i>ur</i> speche,</p> - <p>Bot þrete is vn-þryuande i<i>n</i> þede þ<i>er</i> I lende,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight replies that every gift is worthless that is not given willingly.</span> -<span class="linenum">1500</span> - <p>& vche gift þat is geuen not w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> goud wylle;</p> - <p>I am at yo<i>ur</i> comaundeme<i>n</i>t, to kysse quen yow lykeȝ,</p> - <p>Ȝe may lach quen yow lyst, & leue quen yow þynkkeȝ,</p> - <p class="i8">in space."</p> - <span class="sidenote">The lady stoops down and kisses him.</span> -<span class="linenum">1504</span> - <p class="i4">Þe lady louteȝ a-dou<i>n</i>,</p> - <p class="i4">& comlyly kysses his face,</p> - <p class="i4">Much speche þay þ<i>er</i> expou<i>n</i>,</p> - <p class="i4">Of druryes greme & g<i>ra</i>ce.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> sayde (?). - <sup>2</sup> de vaye, in MS. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XV.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"I would learn," she says, "why you, who are so young and active,</span> -<span class="linenum">1508</span> - <p>"I woled<sup>1</sup> wyt at yow, wyȝe," þat worþy þer sayde,</p> - <p>"& yow wrathed not þer-wyth, what were þe skylle,</p> - <p>Þat so ȝong & so ȝepe, as ȝe [ar] at þis tyme,</p> - <p>So cortayse, so knyȝtyly, as ȝe ar knowen oute,</p> - <span class="sidenote">so skilled in the true sport of love,</span> -<span class="linenum">1512</span> - <p>& of alle cheualry to chose, þe chef þy<i>n</i>g a-losed,</p> - <p>Is<sup>2</sup> þe lel layk of luf, þe lettrure of armes;</p> - <p>F[or] to telle of þis tenely<i>n</i>g of þis trwe knyȝteȝ,</p> - <p>Hit is þe tytelet, token, & tyxt of her werkkeȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">1516</span> - <p>How le[des] for her lele luf hor lyueȝ han au<i>n</i>tered,</p> - <p>Endured for her drury dulful stou<i>n</i>deȝ,</p> - <p>& aft<i>er</i> wenged w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> her walo<i>ur</i> & voyded her care,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and so renowned a knight,</span> - <p>& broȝt blysse i<i>n</i>-to boure, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> bou<i>n</i>tees hor awen.</p> -<span class="linenum">1520</span> - <p>& ȝe ar knyȝt com-lokest kyd of yo<i>ur</i> elde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 111<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p>Yo<i>ur</i> worde & yo<i>ur</i> worchip walkeȝ ay quere,</p> - <p>& I haf seten by yo<i>ur</i>-self here sere twyes,</p> - <span class="sidenote">have never talked to me of love.</span> - <p>Ȝet herde I neu<i>er</i> of yo<i>ur</i> hed helde no wordeȝ</p> -<span class="linenum">1524</span> - <p>Þat eu<i>er</i> longed to luf, lasse ne more;</p> - <span class="sidenote">You ought to show a young thing like me some token of 'true-love's crafts.'</span> - <p>& ȝe, þat ar so cortays & coy<i>n</i>t of yo<i>ur</i> hetes,</p> - <p>Ogh<i>e</i> to a ȝonke þy<i>n</i>k ȝern to schewe,</p> - <p>& teche su<i>m</i> tokeneȝ of trweluf craftes.</p> -<span class="linenum">1528</span> - <p>Why ar ȝe lewed, þat alle þe los weldeȝ,</p> - <p>Oþ<i>er</i> elles ȝe demen me to dille, yo<i>ur</i> dalyau<i>n</i>ce to herken?</p> - <p class="i8">for schame!</p> - <p class="i4">I com hider sengel, & sitte,</p> -<span class="linenum">1532</span> - <p class="i4">To lerne at yow su<i>m</i> game,</p> - <span class="sidenote">So teach me of your 'wit' while my lord is from home."</span> - <p class="i4">Dos, techeȝ me of yo<i>ur</i> wytte,</p> - <p class="i4">Whil my lorde is fro hame."</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> wolde (?). - <sup>2</sup> In (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XVI.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"It is a great pleasure to me," says Sir Gawayne, "to hear you talk,</span> - <p>"In goud fayþe," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, "God yow forȝelde,</p> -<span class="linenum">1536</span> - <p>Gret is þe gode gle, & gomen to me huge,</p> - <p>Þat so worþy as ȝe wolde wy<i>n</i>ne hidere,</p> - <p>& pyne yow w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> so pou<i>er</i> a mon, as play wyth yo<i>ur</i> knyȝt,</p> - <p>With any sky<i>n</i>neȝ cou<i>n</i>tenau<i>n</i>ce, hit keu<i>er</i>eȝ me ese;</p> - <span class="sidenote">but I cannot undertake the task to expound true-love and tales of arms.</span> -<span class="linenum">1540</span> - <p>Bot to take þe toruayle<sup>1</sup> to my-self, to trwluf expou<i>n</i>,</p> - <p>& towche þe temeȝ of tyxt, & taleȝ of armeȝ,</p> - <p>To yow þat, I wot wel, weldeȝ more slyȝt</p> - <p>Of þat art, bi þe half, or a hu<i>n</i>dreth of seche</p> -<span class="linenum">1544</span> - <p>As I am, oþ<i>er</i> eu<i>er</i> schal, i<i>n</i> erde þer I leue,</p> - <p>Hit were a fole fele-folde, my fre, by my trawþe.</p> - <span class="sidenote">I will, however, act according to your will,</span> - <p>I wolde yowre wylny<i>n</i>g worche at my myȝt,</p> - <p>As I am hyȝly bihalden, & eu<i>er</i>-more wylle</p> - <span class="sidenote">and ever be your servant."</span> -<span class="linenum">1548</span> - <p>Be seruau<i>n</i>t to yo<i>ur</i>-seluen, so saue me dryȝtyn!"</p> - <p>Þ<i>us</i> hy<i>m</i> frayned þat fre, & fondet hy<i>m</i> ofte, </p> - <p>Forto haf wo<i>n</i>nen hy<i>m</i> to woȝe, what-so scho þoȝt elleȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Thus Gawayne defends himself.</span> - <p>Bot he de fended hy<i>m</i> so fayr, þat no faut semed,</p> -<span class="linenum">1552</span> - <p>Ne non euel on nawþ<i>er</i> halue, nawþ<i>er</i> þay wysten,</p> - <p class="i8">bot blysse;</p> - <p class="i4">Þay laȝed & layked longe,</p> - <p class="i4">At þe last scho con hy<i>m</i> kysse,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The lady having kissed the knight, takes leave of him.</span> -<span class="linenum">1556</span> - <p class="i4">Hir leue fayre con scho fonge,</p> - <p class="i4">& went hir waye Iwysse.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> tornayle (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XVII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne rises, hears mass, and then dines.</span> - <p>Then ruþes hy<i>m</i> þe renk, & ryses to þe masse,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 112.]</span> - <p>& siþen hor din<i>er</i> watȝ dyȝt & derely serued.</p> - <span class="sidenote">Meanwhile the lord pursues the wild boar,</span> -<span class="linenum">1560</span> - <p>Þe lede w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe ladyeȝ layked alle day,</p> - <p>Bot þe lorde ou<i>er</i> þe londeȝ lau<i>n</i>ced ful ofte,</p> - <p>Sweȝ his vncely swyn, þat swy<i>n</i>geȝ bi þe bonkkeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">that bit the backs of his hounds asunder,</span> - <p>& bote þe best of his bracheȝ þe bakkeȝ i<i>n</i> su<i>n</i>der;</p> -<span class="linenum">1564</span> - <p>Þer he bode i<i>n</i> his bay, tel<sup>1</sup> bawe-men hit breken,</p> - <p>& made<sup>2</sup> hym, maw-gref his bed, forto mwe vtt<i>er</i>;</p> - <span class="sidenote">and caused the stiffest of the hunters to start.</span> - <p>So felle floneȝ per flete, when þe folk gedered;</p> - <p>Bot ȝet þe styffest to start bi stou<i>n</i>deȝ he made,</p> -<span class="linenum">1568</span> - <p>Til at þe last he watȝ so mat, he myȝt no more re<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The boar runs into a hole in a rock by the side of a brook.</span> - <p>Bot i<i>n</i> þe hast þat he myȝt, he to a hole wy<i>n</i>neȝ,</p> - <p>Of a rasse, bi a rokk, þ<i>er</i> re<i>n</i>neȝ þe boerne,</p> - <p>He gete þe bonk at his bak, bigy<i>n</i>eȝ to scrape,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The froth foams at his mouth.</span> -<span class="linenum">1572</span> - <p>Þe froþe femed<sup>3</sup> at his mouth vnfayre bi þe wykeȝ,</p> - <p>Whetteȝ his whyte tuscheȝ; w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hy<i>m</i> þe<i>n</i> irked</p> - <p>Alle þe burneȝ so bolde, þat hy<i>m</i> by stoden,</p> - <span class="sidenote">None durst approach him,</span> - <p>To nye hy<i>m</i> on-ferum, bot neȝe hy<i>m</i> non durst</p> -<span class="linenum">1576</span> - <p class="i8">for woþe;</p> - <p class="i4">He hade hurt so mony byforne,</p> - <p class="i4">Þat al þuȝt<sup>4</sup> þe<i>n</i>ne ful loþe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">so many had he torn with his tusks.</span> - <p class="i4">Be more wyth his tuscheȝ torne,</p> -<span class="linenum">1580</span> - <p class="i4">Þat breme watȝ [&] bray<i>n</i>-wod both<i>e</i>.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> til (?). - <sup>2</sup> madee, in MS. - <sup>3</sup> fomed (?). - <sup>4</sup> þoȝt (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XVIII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The knight, seeing the boar at bay,</span> - <p>Til þe knyȝt com hy<i>m</i>-self, kachande his blonk,</p> - <p>Syȝ hy<i>m</i> byde at þe bay, his burneȝ bysyde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">alights from his horse,</span> - <p>He lyȝt<i>es</i> luflych<sup>1</sup> adou<i>n</i>, leueȝ his corso<i>ur</i>,</p> -<span class="linenum">1584</span> - <p>Braydeȝ out a bryȝt bront, & bigly forth strydeȝ,</p> - <p>Fou<i>n</i>deȝ fast þurȝ þe forth, þer þe felle bydeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and seeks to attack him with his sword.</span> - <p>Þe wylde watȝ war of þe wyȝe w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> weppen i<i>n</i> honde,</p> - <p>Hef hyȝly þe here, so hett<i>er</i>ly he fnast,</p> -<span class="linenum">1588</span> - <p>Þat fele ferde for þe frekeȝ,<sup>2</sup> lest felle hy<i>m</i> þe worre;</p> - <span class="sidenote">The "swine sets out" upon the man,</span> - <p>Þe swyn setteȝ hy<i>m</i> out on þe segge euen,</p> - <p>Þat þe burne & þe bor were boþe vpon hepeȝ,</p> - <p>In þe wyȝt-est of þe wat<i>er</i>, þe worre hade þat oþ<i>er</i>;</p> - <span class="sidenote">who, aiming well,</span> -<span class="linenum">1592</span> - <p>For þe mon merkkeȝ hy<i>m</i> wel, as þay mette fyrst,</p> - <p>Set sadly þe scharp i<i>n</i> þe slot euen,</p> - <span class="sidenote">wounds him in the pit of the stomach.</span> - <p>Hit hy<i>m</i> vp to þe hult, þat þe hert schyndered,</p> - <p>& he ȝarrande hy<i>m</i> ȝelde, & ȝedou<i>n</i><sup>3</sup> þe wat<i>er</i>,</p> -<span class="linenum">1596</span> - <p class="i8">ful tyt;</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 112<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p class="i4">A hu<i>n</i>dreth hou<i>n</i>deȝ hy<i>m</i> hent,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The boar is soon bitten to death by a hundred hounds.</span> - <p class="i4">Þat bremely con hy<i>m</i> bite,</p> - <p class="i4">Burneȝ hi<i>m</i> broȝt to bent,</p> -<span class="linenum">1600</span> - <p class="i4">& doggeȝ to dethe endite.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. luslych. - <sup>2</sup> freke (?). - <sup>3</sup> ȝede doun (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XIX.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then was there blowing of horns</span> - <p>There watȝ blawy<i>n</i>g of prys i<i>n</i> mony breme home,</p> - <p>Heȝe halowi<i>n</i>g on hiȝe, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> haþeleȝ þat myȝt;</p> - <span class="sidenote">and baying of hounds.</span> - <p>Brachetes bayed þat best, as bidden þe mayst<i>er</i>eȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">1604</span> - <p>Of þat chargeau<i>n</i>t chace þat were chef hu<i>n</i>tes.</p> - <span class="sidenote">One wise in woodcraft begins to unlace the boar.</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne a wyȝe þat watȝ wys vpon wod crafteȝ,</p> - <p>To vnlace þis bor lufly bigy<i>n</i>neȝ;</p> - <span class="sidenote">First he hews off the head, then rends him by the back.</span> - <p>Fyrst he hewes of his hed, & on hiȝe setteȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">1608</span> - <p>& syþen rendeȝ him al rogh<i>e</i> bi þe rygge after,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He next removes the bowels, broils them on the ashes, and therewith rewards his hounds.</span> - <p>Braydeȝ out þe boweles, bre<i>n</i>neȝ ho<i>m</i> on glede,</p> - <p>With bred blent þer-w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> his braches rewardeȝ;</p> - <p>Syþen he britneȝ out þe brawen i<i>n</i> bryȝt brode [s]cheldeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Then the hastlets are removed.</span> -<span class="linenum">1612</span> - <p>& hatȝ out þe hastletteȝ, as hiȝtly bisemeȝ;</p> - <span class="sidenote">The two halves are next bound together and hung upon a pole.</span> - <p>& ȝet hem halcheȝ al hole þe halueȝ to-geder,</p> - <p>& syþen on a stif stange stoutly hem henges.</p> - <p>Now with þis ilk swyn þay swengen to home;</p> - <span class="sidenote">The boar's head is borne before the knight, who hastens home.</span> -<span class="linenum">1616</span> - <p>Þe bores hed watȝ borne bifore þe burnes seluen,</p> - <p>Þat hi<i>m</i> for-ferde i<i>n</i> þe forþe, þurȝ forse of his honde,</p> - <p class="i8">so stronge;</p> - <p class="i4">Til he seȝ s<i>ir</i> Gawayne,</p> -<span class="linenum">1620</span> - <p class="i4">I<i>n</i> halle hy<i>m</i> þoȝt ful longe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne is called to receive the spoil.</span> - <p class="i4">He calde, & he com gayn,</p> - <p class="i4">His feeȝ þ<i>er</i> for to fonge.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>XX.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The lord of the land is well pleased when he sees Sir Gawayne,</span> - <p>Þe lorde ful lowde w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> lote, & laȝed myry,</p> -<span class="linenum">1624</span> - <p>Whe<i>n</i> he seȝe s<i>ir</i> G: w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> solace he spekeȝ;</p> - <p>Þe goude ladyeȝ were geten, & gedered þe meyny,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He shows him the shields of the wild boar, and tells him of its length and breadth.</span> - <p>He scheweȝ hem þe scheldeȝ, & schapes hem þe tale,</p> - <p>Of þe largesse, & þe lenþe, þe liþ<i>er</i>neȝ alse,</p> -<span class="linenum">1628</span> - <p>Of þe were of þe wylde swyn, i<i>n</i> wod þer he fled.</p> - <p>Þat oþ<i>er</i> knyȝt ful comly comended his dedeȝ,</p> - <p>& praysed hit as gret prys, þat he proued hade;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Such a "brawn of a beast," Sir Gawayne says, he never has seen.</span> - <p>For suche a brawne of a best, þe bolde burne sayde,</p> -<span class="linenum">1632</span> - <p>Ne such sydes of a swyn, segh he neu<i>er</i> are.</p> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne hondeled þay þe hoge hed, þe hende mo<i>n</i> hit praysed,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 113.]</span> - <p>& let lodly þerat þe lorde forte here:</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne takes possession of it according to covenant,</span> - <p>"Now Gawayn," q<i>uod</i> þe god mon, "þis gomen is yo<i>ur</i> awen,</p> -<span class="linenum">1636</span> - <p>Bi fyn for-warde & faste, faythely ȝe knowe."</p> - <p>"Hit is sothe," q<i>uod</i> þe segge, "& as siker trwe;</p> - <p>Alle my get I schal yow gif agayn, bi my trawþe."</p> - <span class="sidenote">and in return kisses his host,</span> - <p>He [hent] þe haþel aboute þe halse, & hendely hy<i>m</i> kysses,</p> -<span class="linenum">1640</span> - <p>& eft<i>er</i>-sones of þe same he serued hy<i>m</i> þere.</p> - <p>"Now ar we euen," q<i>uod</i> þe haþel, "in þis euen-tide,</p> - <p>Of alle þe couenau<i>n</i>tes þat we knyt, syþen I com hider,</p> - <p class="i8">bi lawe;"</p> - <span class="sidenote">who declares his guest to be the best he knows.</span> -<span class="linenum">1644</span> - <p class="i4">Þe lorde sayde, "bi saynt Gile,</p> - <p class="i4">ȝe ar þe best þat I knowe,</p> - <p class="i4">Ȝe ben ryche i<i>n</i> a whyle,</p> - <p class="i4">Such chaffer & ȝe drowe."</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>XXI.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Tables are raised aloft,</span> -<span class="linenum">1648</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne þay teldet tableȝ [on] trestes alofte,</p> - <span class="sidenote">cloths cast upon them,</span> - <p>Kesten cloþeȝ vpon, clere lyȝt þe<i>n</i>ne</p> - <span class="sidenote">and torches are lighted.</span> - <p>Wakned bi woȝeȝ, waxen torches</p> - <p>Seggeȝ sette, & serued i<i>n</i> sale al aboute;</p> - <span class="sidenote">With much mirth and glee,</span> -<span class="linenum">1652</span> - <p>Much glam & gle glent vp þ<i>er</i>-i<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <p>Aboute þe fyre vpon flet, & on fele wyse,</p> - <span class="sidenote">supper is served in the hall,</span> - <p>At þe soper & aft<i>er</i>, mony aþel songeȝ,</p> - <p>As cou<i>n</i>dutes of kryst-masse, & caroleȝ newe,</p> -<span class="linenum">1656</span> - <p>With alle þe man<i>er</i>ly m<i>er</i>þe þ<i>a</i>t mon may of telle.</p> - <span class="sidenote">and ever our lovely knight by the lady sits,</span> - <p>& eu<i>er</i> oure luflych knyȝt þe lady bi-syde;</p> - <p>Such semblau<i>n</i>t to þat segge semly ho made,</p> - <span class="sidenote">who does all she can to please her companion.</span> - <p>Wyth stille stollen cou<i>n</i>tenau<i>n</i>ce, þat stalworth to plese,</p> -<span class="linenum">1660</span> - <p>Þat al for-wondered watȝ þe wyȝe, & wroth w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hy<i>m</i>-seluen,</p> - <p>Bot he nolde not for his nurture nurne hir a-ȝayneȝ,</p> - <p>Bot dalt w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hir al i<i>n</i> daynte, how-se-eu<i>er</i> þe dede turned</p> - <p class="i8">to wrast;</p> - <span class="sidenote">When they had long played in the hall,</span> -<span class="linenum">1664</span> - <p class="i4">Quen þay hade played i<i>n</i> halle,</p> - <p class="i4">As longe as hor wylle hom last,</p> - <span class="sidenote">they proceeded "to chamber."</span> - <p class="i4">To chambre he<sup>1</sup> con hy<i>m</i> calle,</p> - <p class="i4">& to þe chem-ne þay past.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> ho (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XXII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">There they drank and discoursed.</span> -<span class="linenum">1668</span> - <p>Ande þer þay dronken, & dalten, & demed eft nwe, </p> - <p>To norne on þe same note, on nweȝereȝ euen;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne begs leave to depart on the morrow.</span> - <p>Bot þe knyȝt craued leue, to kayre on þe morn, </p> - <p>For hit watȝ neȝ at þe terme, þat he to<sup>1</sup> schulde. </p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 113<i>b</i>.]</span> -<span class="linenum">1672</span> - <p>Þe lorde hy<i>m</i> letted of þat, to lenge hy<i>m</i> resteyed, </p> - <span class="sidenote">His host swears to him,</span> - <p>& sayde, "as I am trwe segge, I siker my trawþe, </p> - <span class="sidenote">that he shall come to the Green Chapel on New Year's morn long before prime.</span> - <p>Þ<i>o</i>u schal cheue to þe grene chapel, þy charres to make,</p> - <p>Leude, on nwȝereȝ lyȝt, longe bifore pryme:</p> -<span class="linenum">1676</span> - <p>For-þy þow lye i<i>n</i> þy loft, & lach þyn ese,</p> - <p>& I schal hu<i>n</i>t in þis holt, & halde þe towcheȝ,</p> - <p>Chau<i>n</i>ge wyth þe cheuisau<i>n</i>ce, bi þat I charre hider;</p> - <p>For I haf fraysted þe twys, & faythful I fynde þe,</p> -<span class="linenum">1680</span> - <p>Now þrid tyme þrowe best þenk on þe morne,</p> - <p>Make we mery quyl we may, & my<i>n</i>ne vpon Ioye,</p> - <p>For þe lur may mon lach, when so mon lykeȝ."</p> - <p>Þis watȝ grayþely grau<i>n</i>ted, & Gawayn is lenged,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Our knight consents to remain for another night.</span> -<span class="linenum">1684</span> - <p>Bliþe broȝt watȝ hym drynk, & þay to bedde ȝeden,</p> - <p class="i8">w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> liȝt;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Full still and softly he sleeps all night.</span> - <p class="i4">S<i>ir</i> G: lis & slepes,</p> - <p class="i4">Ful stille & softe al niȝt;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Early in the morning the lord is up.</span> -<span class="linenum">1688</span> - <p class="i4">Þe lorde þat his crafteȝ kepes,</p> - <p class="i4">Ful erly he watȝ diȝt.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> te (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XXIII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">After mass, a morsel he take with his men.</span> - <p>Aft<i>er</i> messe a morsel<sup>1</sup> he & his men token,</p> - <p>Miry watȝ þe morny<i>n</i>g, his mou<i>n</i>ture he askes;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Then were all on their horses before the hall-gates.</span> -<span class="linenum">1692</span> - <p>Alle þe haþeles þat on horse schulde helden hy<i>m</i> aft<i>er</i>,</p> - <p>Were bou<i>n</i> busked on hor blonkkeȝ, bi-fore<sup>2</sup> þe halle ȝateȝ;</p> - <span class="sidenote">It was a clear frosty morning.</span> - <p>Ferly fayre watȝ þe folde, for þe forst clenged,</p> - <p>I<i>n</i> rede rudede vpon rak rises þe su<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The hunters, dispersed by a wood's side,</span> -<span class="linenum">1696</span> - <p>& ful clere costeȝ<sup>3</sup> þe clowdes of þe welkyn.</p> - <p>Hu<i>n</i>teres vnhardeled bi a holt syde,</p> - <p>Rocheres rou<i>n</i>gen bi rys, for rurde of her hornes;</p> - <span class="sidenote">come upon the track of a fox,</span> - <p>Su<i>m</i>me fel i<i>n</i> þe fute, þer þe fox bade,</p> -<span class="linenum">1700</span> - <p>Trayleȝ ofte a trayt<i>er</i>es<sup>4</sup>, bi trau<i>n</i>t of her wyles;</p> - <p>A kenet kryes þerof, þe hu<i>n</i>t on hy<i>m</i> calles,</p> - <p>His felaȝes fallen hy<i>m</i> to, þ<i>a</i>t fnasted ful þike,</p> - <span class="sidenote">which is followed up by the hounds.</span> - <p>Ru<i>n</i>nen forth i<i>n</i> a rabel, i<i>n</i> his ryȝt fare;</p> -<span class="linenum">1704</span> - <p>& he fyskeȝ hem by-fore, þay fou<i>n</i>den hy<i>m</i> sone,</p> - <span class="sidenote">They soon get sight of the game,</span> - <p>& quen þay segh<i>e</i> hy<i>m</i> wit<i>h</i> syȝt, þay sued hy<i>m</i> fast,</p> - <p>Wreȝande h[y<i>m</i>] ful [w]eterly with a wroth noyse;</p> - <span class="sidenote">and pursue him through many a rough grove.</span> - <p>& he trantes & tornayeeȝ þurȝ mony tene greue;</p> -<span class="linenum">1708</span> - <p>Hamlou<i>n</i>eȝ, & herkeneȝ, bi heggeȝ ful ofte;</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 114.]<br />The fox at last leaps over a spinny,</span> - <p>At þe last bi a littel dich he lepeȝ ou<i>er</i> a spe<i>n</i>né,</p> - <p>Steleȝ out ful stilly bi a strothe rande,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and by a rugged path seeks to get clear from the hounds.</span> - <p>Went haf wylt of þe wode, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> wyleȝ fro þe hou<i>n</i>des,</p> -<span class="linenum">1712</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne watȝ he went, er he wyst, to<sup>5</sup> a wale tryst<i>er</i>,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He comes upon one of the hunting stations, where he is attacked by the dogs.</span> - <p>Þer þre þro at a þrich þrat hy<i>m</i> at ones,</p> - <p class="i8">al graye;</p> - <span class="sidenote">However, he slips them,</span> - <p class="i4">He blenched aȝayn bilyue,</p> -<span class="linenum">1716</span> - <p class="i4">& stifly start onstray,</p> - <p class="i4">With alle þe wo on lyue,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and makes again for the wood.</span> - <p class="i4">To þe wod he went away.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> MS. nnorsel. - <sup>2</sup> bi-forere, in MS. - <sup>3</sup> casteȝ (?). - <sup>4</sup> trayveres (?). - <sup>5</sup> to to, in MS. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XXIV.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then was it fine sport to listen to the hounds,</span> - <p>The<i>n</i>ne watȝ hit lif vpon list to lyþen þe hou<i>n</i>deȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">1720</span> - <p>When alle þe mute hade hy<i>m</i> met, menged to-geder,</p> - <p>Suche a sorȝe at þat syȝt þay sette on his hede,</p> - <p>As alle þe clamberande clyffes hade clat<i>er</i>ed on hepes;</p> - <span class="sidenote">and the hallooing of the hunters.</span> - <p>Here he watȝ halawed, when haþeleȝ hy<i>m</i> metten,</p> -<span class="linenum">1724</span> - <p>Loude he watȝ ȝayned, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> ȝarande speche;</p> - <span class="sidenote">There the fox was threatened and called a thief.</span> - <p>Þer he watȝ þreted, & ofte þef called,</p> - <p>& ay þe titleres at his tayl, þat tary he ne myȝt;</p> - <p>Ofte he watȝ ru<i>n</i>nen at, when he out rayked,</p> - <span class="sidenote">But Reynard was wily,</span> -<span class="linenum">1728</span> - <p>& ofte reled i<i>n</i> aȝayn, so reniarde watȝ wylé.</p> - <span class="sidenote">and led them astray over mounts.</span> - <p>& ȝe he lad hem bi lag, mon, þe lorde & his meyny;</p> - <p>On þis man<i>er</i> bi þe mou<i>n</i>tes, quyle myd, ou<i>er</i>, vnder,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Meanwhile the knight at home soundly sleeps within his comely curtains.</span> - <p>Whyle þe hende knyȝt at home holsu<i>m</i>ly slepeȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">1732</span> - <p>With-i<i>n</i>ne þe comly corty<i>n</i>es, on þe colde morne.</p> - <p>Bot þe lady for luf let not to slepe,</p> - <p>Ne þe purpose to payre, þat pyȝt i<i>n</i> hir hert,</p> - <p>Bot ros hir vp radly, rayked hir þeder,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The lady of the castle, clothed in a rich mantle,</span> -<span class="linenum">1736</span> - <p>In a mery mantyle, mete to þe erþe,</p> - <p>Þat watȝ furred ful fyne w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> felleȝ, wel pured,</p> - <p>No hweȝ goud on hir hede, bot þe haȝer stones</p> - <p>Trased aboute hir tresso<i>ur</i>, be twenty i<i>n</i> clust<i>er</i>es;</p> - <span class="sidenote">her throat and bosom all bare,</span> -<span class="linenum">1740</span> - <p>Hir þryuen face & hir þrote þrowen al naked,</p> - <p>Hir brest bare bifore, & bihinde eke.</p> - <span class="sidenote">comes to Gawayne's chamber,</span> - <p>Ho comeȝ w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-i<i>n</i>ne þe chambre dore, & closes hit hir aft<i>er</i>,</p> - <span class="sidenote">opens a window, and says,</span> - <p>Wayneȝ<sup>1</sup> vp a wyndow, & on þe wyȝe calleȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">1744</span> - <p>& radly þ<i>us</i> re-hayted hy<i>m</i>, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hir riche wordeȝ,</p> - <p class="i8">w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i><sup>2</sup> chere;</p> - <span class="sidenote">"Ah! man, how canst thou sleep,</span> - <p class="i4">"A! mon, how may þ<i>o</i>u slepe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 114<i>b</i>.]<br />this morning is so clear?"</span> - <p class="i4">Þis morni<i>n</i>g is so clere?"</p> -<span class="linenum">1748</span> - <p class="i4">He watȝ i<i>n</i> drowpi<i>n</i>g depe,</p> - <p class="i4">Bot þe<i>n</i>ne he con hir here.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> wayueȝ(?). - <sup>2</sup> bi, à sec. manu. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XXV.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The knight was then dreaming of his forthcoming adventure at the Green Chapel.</span> - <p>In dreȝ droupy<i>n</i>g of dreme draueled þat noble,</p> - <p>As mon þat watȝ in morny<i>n</i>g of mony þro þoȝtes,</p> -<span class="linenum">1752</span> - <p>How þat destiné schulde þat day [dyȝt] his wyrde,</p> - <p>At þe grene chapel, when he þe gome metes,</p> - <p>& bi-houes his buffet abide, with-oute debate more;</p> - <span class="sidenote">He awakes and speaks to his fair visitor,</span> - <p>Bot quen þat comly he keu<i>er</i>ed his wyttes,</p> -<span class="linenum">1756</span> - <p>Swenges out of þe sweuenes, & swareȝ w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hast.</p> - <p>Þe lady luflych com laȝande swete,</p> - <span class="sidenote">who sweetly kisses him.</span> - <p>Felle ou<i>er</i> his fayre face, & fetly hi<i>m</i> kyssed;</p> - <p>He welcu<i>m</i>eȝ hir worþily, with a wale chere;</p> -<span class="linenum">1760</span> - <p>He seȝ hir so glorio<i>us</i>, & gayly atyred,</p> - <p>So fautles of hir fetures, & of so fyne hewes,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Great joy warms the heart of Sir Gawayne,</span> - <p>Wiȝt wallande Ioye warmed his hert;</p> - <p>W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> smoþe smyly<i>n</i>g & smolt þay smeten i<i>n</i>-to m<i>er</i>þe,</p> -<span class="linenum">1764</span> - <p>Þat al watȝ blis & bonchef, þat breke hem bi-twene,</p> - <p class="i8">& wy<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <p class="i4">Þay lanced wordes gode,</p> - <p class="i4">Much wele þe<i>n</i> watȝ þ<i>er</i>-i<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and "great peril between them stood."</span> -<span class="linenum">1768</span> - <p class="i4">Gret p<i>er</i>ile bi-twene hem stod,</p> - <p class="i4">Nif mare of hir knyȝt my<i>n</i>ne.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>XXVI.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The knight is sorely pressed.</span> - <p>For þat prynce of pris de-presed hy<i>m</i> so þikke. </p> - <p>Nurned hy<i>m</i> so neȝe þe þred, þat nede hy<i>m</i> bi-houed,</p> -<span class="linenum">1772</span> - <p>Oþ<i>er</i> lach þer hir luf, oþ<i>er</i> lodly re-fuse;</p> - <p>He cared for his cortaysye, lest craþayn he were,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He fears lest he should become a traitor to his host.</span> - <p>& more for his meschef, ȝif he schulde make sy<i>n</i>ne, </p> - <p>& be traytor to þat tolke, þat þ<i>a</i>t telde aȝt.</p> -<span class="linenum">1776</span> - <p>"God schylde," q<i>uod</i> þe schalk, "þat schal not be-falle!"</p> - <p>W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> luf-laȝy<i>ng</i> a lyt, he layd hy<i>m</i> by-syde</p> - <p>Alle þe specheȝ of specialté þat sprange of her mouthe.</p> - <p>Q<i>uod</i> þat burde to þe burne, "blame ȝe disserue,</p> -<span class="linenum">1780</span> - <p>Ȝif ȝe luf not þat lyf þat ȝe lye nexte,</p> - <p>Bifore alle þe wyȝeȝ i<i>n</i> þe worlde, wou<i>n</i>ded i<i>n</i> hert, </p> - <span class="sidenote">The lady inquire whether he has a mistress that he loves better than her.</span> - <p>Bot if ȝe haf a le<i>m</i>man, a leu<i>er</i>, þat yow lykeȝ bett<i>er</i>,</p> - <p>& folden fayth to þat fre, festned so harde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 115.]</span> -<span class="linenum">1784</span> - <p>Þat yow lausen ne lyst, & þat I leue nouþe;</p> - <p>And þat ȝe telle me þat, now trwly I pray yow,</p> - <p>For alle þe lufeȝ vpon lyue, layne not þe soþe,</p> - <p class="i8">for gile."</p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne swears by St. John that he neither has nor desires one.</span> -<span class="linenum">1788</span> - <p class="i4">Þe knyȝt sayde, "be sayn Ion,"</p> - <p class="i4">& smeþely con he smyle,</p> - <p class="i4">"In fayth I welde riȝt non,</p> - <p class="i4">Ne non wil welde þe quile."</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>XXVII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> -<span class="linenum">1792</span> - <p>"Þat is a worde," q<i>uod</i> þat wyȝt, "þat worst is of alle,</p> - <p>Bot I am swared for soþe, þat sore me þinkkeȝ;</p> - <span class="sidenote">She then kisses him, sighing for sorrow.</span> - <p>Kysse me now coraly, & I schal cach heþen,</p> - <p>I may bot mo<i>ur</i>ne vpon molde, as may þat much louyes."</p> -<span class="linenum">1796</span> - <p>Sykande ho sweȝe dou<i>n</i>, & semly hy<i>m</i> kyssed,</p> - <p>& siþen ho seu<i>e</i>res hy<i>m</i> fro, & says as ho stondes,</p> - <p>"Now, dere, at þis de-party<i>n</i>g, do me þis ese,</p> - <span class="sidenote">She desires some gift,</span> - <p>Gif me sumquat of þy gifte, þi gloue if<sup>1</sup> hit were, </p> - <span class="sidenote">by which to remember him.</span> -<span class="linenum">1800</span> - <p>Þat I may my<i>n</i>ne on þe mon, my mo<i>ur</i>ny<i>n</i>g to lassen." </p> - <p>"Now Iwysse," q<i>uod</i> þat wyȝe, "I wolde I hade here</p> - <p>Þe leuest þi<i>n</i>g for þy luf, þat I in londe welde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne tells her that she is worthy of a better gift than he can bestow.</span> - <p>For ȝe haf deserued, forsoþe, sellyly ofte</p> -<span class="linenum">1804</span> - <p>More rewarde bi resou<i>n</i>, þe<i>n</i> I reche myȝt,</p> - <p>Bot to dele yow for drurye, þ<i>a</i>t dawed bot neked;</p> - <p>Hit is not yo<i>ur</i> hono<i>ur</i> to haf at þis tyme</p> - <p>A gloue for a garysou<i>n</i>, of Gawayneȝ gifteȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">1808</span> - <p>& I am here [on] an erande i<i>n</i> erdeȝ vncouþe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He has no men with mails containing precious things.</span> - <p>& haue no me<i>n</i> wyth no maleȝ, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> menskful þi<i>n</i>geȝ;</p> - <p>Þat mislykeȝ me, ladé, for luf at þis tyme,<sup>2</sup></p> - <p>Iche tolke mon do as he is tan, tas to non ille,</p> -<span class="linenum">1812</span> - <p class="i8">ne pine."</p> - <span class="sidenote">Then says that lovesome,</span> - <p class="i4">"Nay, hende of hyȝe hono<i>ur</i>s,"</p> - <p class="i4">Q<i>uod</i> þat lufsu<i>m</i> vnder lyne,</p> - <span class="sidenote">"Though I had nought of yours, yet should ye have of mine."</span> - <p class="i4">"Þaȝ I hade oȝt<sup>3</sup> of yo<i>ur</i>eȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">1816</span> - <p class="i4">Ȝet schulde ȝe haue of myne."</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> of, in MS. - <sup>2</sup> tyne, in MS. - <sup>3</sup> noȝt (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XXVIII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">She offers him a gold ring,</span> - <p>Ho raȝt hy<i>m</i> a riche rynk<sup>1</sup> of red golde werkeȝ,</p> - <p>Wyth a starande ston, stondande alofte,</p> - <p>Þat bere blusschande bemeȝ as þe bryȝt su<i>n</i>ne;</p> -<span class="linenum">1820</span> - <p>Wyt ȝe wel, hit watȝ worth wele ful hoge.</p> - <span class="sidenote">but he refuses to accept it,</span> - <p>Bot þe renk hit renayed, & redyly he sayde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 115<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p>"I wil no gifteȝ for gode, my gay, at þis tyme;</p> - <span class="sidenote">as he has none to give in return.</span> - <p>I haf none yow to norne, ne noȝt wyl I take."</p> -<span class="linenum">1824</span> - <p>Ho bede hit hy<i>m</i> ful bysily, & he hir bode wernes,</p> - <p>& swere swyftel[y] his sothe, þat he hit sese nolde;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Very sorrowful was that fair one on account of his refusal.</span> - <p>& ho sore þat he forsoke, & sayde þ<i>er</i>-after,</p> - <p>"If ȝe renay my rynk, to ryche for hit semeȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">1828</span> - <p>Ȝe wolde not so hyȝly halden be to me,</p> - <p>I schal gif yow my girdel, þat gaynes yow lasse."</p> - <p>Ho laȝt a lace lyȝtly, þat<sup>2</sup> leke vmbe hir sydeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">She takes off her "girdle,"</span> - <p>Knit vpon hir kyrtel, vnder þe clere mantyle,</p> -<span class="linenum">1832</span> - <p>Gered hit watȝ w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> grene sylke, & w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> golde schaped,</p> - <p>Noȝt bot arou<i>n</i>de brayden, beten w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> fyngreȝ;</p> - <p>& þat ho bede to þe burne, & blyþely bi-soȝt</p> - <span class="sidenote">and beseeches him to take it.</span> - <p>Þaȝ hit vn-worþi were, þat he hit take wolde. </p> -<span class="linenum">1836</span> - <p>& he nay þat he nolde negh<i>e</i> i<i>n</i> no wyse,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne again refuses to accept anything,</span> - <p>Nauþer golde ne garysou<i>n</i>, er God hy<i>m</i> g<i>ra</i>ce sende, </p> - <p>To acheue to þe chau<i>n</i>ce þat he hade chosen þere. </p> - <p>"& þerfore, I pray yow, displese yow noȝt,</p> -<span class="linenum">1840</span> - <p>& letteȝ be yo<i>ur</i> bisinesse, for I bayþe hit yow neu<i>er</i></p> - <p class="i8">to grau<i>n</i>te;</p> - <p class="i4">I am derely to yow biholde,</p> - <p class="i4">Bi-cause of yo<i>ur</i> sembelau<i>n</i>t,</p> - <span class="sidenote">but promises, "ever in hot and in cold, to be her true servant."</span> -<span class="linenum">1844</span> - <p class="i4">& eu<i>er</i> i<i>n</i> hot & colde </p> - <p class="i4">To be yo<i>ur</i> trwe seruau<i>n</i>t.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> ryng (?). - <sup>2</sup> þat þat, in MS. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XXIX.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"Do you refuse it," says the lady, because it is simple?</span> - <p>"Now forsake ȝe þis silke." sayde þe burde þe<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <p>"For hit is symple i<i>n</i> hit-self. & so hit wel semeȝ?</p> -<span class="linenum">1848</span> - <p>Lo! so hit is littel, & lasse hit is worþy;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Whoso knew the virtues that it possesses, would highly prize it.</span> - <p>Bot who-so knew þe costes þat knit ar þer-i<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <p>He wolde hit prayse at more prys, parauenture; </p> - <span class="sidenote">For he who is girded with this green lace,</span> - <p>For quat gome so is gorde w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þis grene lace, </p> -<span class="linenum">1852</span> - <p>While he hit hade hemely halched aboute,</p> - <p>Þer is no haþel vnder heuen to-hewe hym þat myȝt;</p> - <span class="sidenote">cannot be wounded or slain."</span> - <p>For he myȝt not he slayn, for slyȝt vpon erþe." </p> - <p>Þe<i>n</i> kest þe knyȝt, & hit come to his hert,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight thinks of his adventure at the Green Chapel.</span> -<span class="linenum">1856</span> - <p>Hit were a Iuel for þe Iopardé, þat hy<i>m</i> iugged were,</p> - <p>When he acheued to þe chapel, his chek forto fech;</p> - <span class="sidenote">The lady presses him to accept the lace.</span> - <p>Myȝ<sup>1</sup> he haf slypped to þe vn-slayn, þe sleȝt were noble.</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 116.]</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne ho þulged with hir þrepe, & þoled hir to speke, </p> -<span class="linenum">1860</span> - <p>& ho bere on hy<i>m</i> þe belt, & bede hit hy<i>m</i> swyþe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He consents not only to take the girdle, but to keep the possession of it a secret.</span> - <p>& he g<i>ra</i>nted, & [ho] hy<i>m</i> gafe with a goud wylle, </p> - <p>& bisoȝt hy<i>m</i>, for hir sake, disceu<i>er</i> hit neu<i>er</i>,</p> - <p>Bot to lelly layne for<sup>2</sup> hir lorde; þe leude hy<i>m</i> acordeȝ.</p> -<span class="linenum">1864</span> - <p>Þat neu<i>er</i> wyȝe schulde hit wyt, Iwysse, bot þay twayne,</p> - <p class="i8">for noȝte;</p> - <p class="i4">He þonkked hir oft ful swyþe,</p> - <p class="i4">Ful þro w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hert & þoȝt.</p> - <span class="sidenote">By that time the lady has kissed him thrice.</span> -<span class="linenum">1868</span> - <p class="i4">Bi þat on þry<i>n</i>ne syþe,</p> - <p class="i4">He hatȝ kyst þe knyȝt so toȝt.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> myȝt (?). - <sup>2</sup> fro (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XXX.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then she takes her leave.</span> - <p>The<i>n</i>ne lachcheȝ ho hir leue, & leueȝ hy<i>m</i> þere,</p> - <p>For more myrþe of þat mon moȝt ho not gete;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne then dresses himself,</span> -<span class="linenum">1872</span> - <p>When ho<sup>1</sup> watȝ gon, s<i>ir</i> G. gereȝ hy<i>m</i> sone,</p> - <p>Rises, & riches hy<i>m</i> i<i>n</i> araye noble,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and conceals the love-lace about his person.</span> - <p>Lays vp þe luf-lace, þe lady hy<i>m</i> raȝt,</p> - <p>Hid hit ful holdely, þ<i>er</i> he hit eft fonde;</p> -<span class="linenum">1876</span> - <p>Syþe<i>n</i> cheuely to þe chapel choses he þe waye,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He then hies to mass,</span> - <p>Preuely aproched to a prest, & prayed hy<i>m</i> þere</p> - <p>Þat he wolde lyfte<sup>2</sup> his lyf, & lern hy<i>m</i> bett<i>er</i>,</p> - <p>How his sawle schulde be saued, when he schuld seye heþe<i>n</i>.</p> - <span class="sidenote">and shrives him of his misdeeds.</span> -<span class="linenum">1880</span> - <p>Þere he schrof hy<i>m</i> schyrly, & schewed his mysdedeȝ,</p> - <p>Of þe more & þe my<i>n</i>ne, & m<i>er</i>ci besecheȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and prays for absolution.</span> - <p>& of absoluciou<i>n</i> he on þe segge calles;</p> - <p>& he asoyled hy<i>m</i> surely, & sette hy<i>m</i> so clene,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He returns to the hall, and makes himself so merry among the ladies,</span> -<span class="linenum">1884</span> - <p>As domeȝ-day schulde haf ben diȝt on þe morn.</p> - <p>& syþen he mace hy<i>m</i> as mery amo<i>n</i>g þe fre ladyes,</p> - <span class="sidenote">with comely carols,</span> - <p>W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> comlych caroles, & alle ky<i>n</i>nes ioye,</p> - <p>As neu<i>er</i> he did bot þat daye, to þe derk nyȝt,</p> -<span class="linenum">1888</span> - <p class="i8">w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> blys;</p> - <p class="i4">Vche mon hade daynte þare,</p> - <span class="sidenote">that they said,</span> - <p class="i4">Of hy<i>m</i>, & sayde Iwysse,</p> - <span class="sidenote">"Thus merry was he never before since hither he came."</span> - <p class="i4">Þ<i>us</i> myry he watȝ neu<i>er</i> are,</p> -<span class="linenum">1892</span> - <p class="i4">Syn he com hider, er þis.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> he, in MS. - <sup>2</sup> lyste (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XXXI.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne's host is still in the field.</span> - <p>Now hy<i>m</i> lenge i<i>n</i> þat lee, þ<i>er</i> luf hy<i>m</i> bi-tyde;</p> - <p>Ȝet is þe lorde on þe lau<i>n</i>de, ledande his gomnes,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He has destroyed the fox.</span> - <p>He hatȝ forfaren þis fox, þ<i>a</i>t he folȝed longe;</p> -<span class="linenum">1896</span> - <p>As he sprent ou<i>er</i> a spe<i>n</i>né, to spye þe schrewe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 116<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p>Þer as he herd þe howndes, þat hasted hy<i>m</i> swyþe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He spied Reynard coming through a "rough grove,"</span> - <p>Renaud com richchande þurȝ a roȝe greue,</p> - <p>& alle þe rabel i<i>n</i> a res, ryȝt at his heleȝ.</p> - <span class="sidenote">and tried to hit him with his sword.</span> -<span class="linenum">1900</span> - <p>Þe wyȝe watȝ war of þe wylde, & warly abides,</p> - <p>& braydeȝ out þe bryȝt bronde, & at þe best casteȝ;</p> - <p>& he schu<i>n</i>t for þe scharp, & schulde haf arered,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The fox "shunts," and is seized by one of the dogs.</span> - <p>A rach rapes hy<i>m</i> to, ryȝt er he myȝt,</p> -<span class="linenum">1904</span> - <p>& ryȝt bifore þe hors fete þay fel on hy<i>m</i> alle,</p> - <p>& woried me þis wyly wyth a wroth noyse.</p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord takes him out of the hound's mouth.</span> - <p>Þe lorde lyȝteȝ bilyue, & cacheȝ by<sup>1</sup> sone,</p> - <p>Rased hy<i>m</i> ful radly out of þe rach mouþes,</p> -<span class="linenum">1908</span> - <p>Haldeȝ heȝe ou<i>er</i> his hede, haloweȝ faste,</p> - <p>& þ<i>er</i> bayen hy<i>m</i> mony bray<sup>2</sup> hou<i>n</i>deȝ;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Hunters hasten thither with horns full many.</span> - <p>Hu<i>n</i>tes hyȝed hem þeder, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> horneȝ ful mony,</p> - <p>Ay re-chatande aryȝt til þay þe renk seȝen;</p> -<span class="linenum">1912</span> - <p>Bi þat watȝ comen his compeyny noble,</p> - <p>Alle þat eu<i>er</i> ber bugle blowed at ones,</p> - <span class="sidenote">It was the merriest meet that ever was heard.</span> - <p>& alle þise oþ<i>er</i> halowed, þat hade no hornes,</p> - <p>Hit watȝ þe myriest mute þat eu<i>er</i> me<i>n</i> herde,</p> -<span class="linenum">1916</span> - <p>Þe rich rurd þat þ<i>er</i> watȝ raysed for renaude saule,</p> - <p class="i8">w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> lote;</p> - <span class="sidenote">The hounds are rewarded,</span> - <p class="i4">Hor hou<i>n</i>deȝ þay þ<i>er</i> rewarde,</p> - <p class="i4">Her<sup>3</sup> hedeȝ þay fawne & frote,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and then they take Reynard and "turn off his coat."</span> -<span class="linenum">1920</span> - <p class="i4">& syþen þay tan reynarde,</p> - <p class="i4">& tyrnen of his cote.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> hy<i>m</i> (?). - <sup>2</sup> braþ (?). - <sup>3</sup> Her her, in MS. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XXXII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The hunters then hasten home.</span> - <p>& þe<i>n</i>ne þay helden to home, for hit watȝ nieȝ nyȝt,</p> - <p>Strakande ful stoutly i<i>n</i> hor store horneȝ;</p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord at last alights at his dear home,</span> -<span class="linenum">1924</span> - <p>Þe lorde is lyȝt at þe laste at hys lef home,</p> - <p>Fyndeȝ fire vpon flet, þe freke þ<i>er</i> by-side,</p> - <p>Sir Gawayn þe gode, þat glad watȝ w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> alle,</p> - <span class="sidenote">where he finds Gawayne amusing the ladies.</span> - <p>Amo<i>n</i>g þe ladies for luf he ladde much ioye,</p> -<span class="linenum">1928</span> - <p>He were a bleau<i>n</i>t of blwe, þat bradde to þe erþe,</p> - <p>His surkot semed hy<i>m</i> wel, þat softe watȝ forred,</p> - <p>& his hode of þat ilke henged on his schulder,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight comes forward and welcomes his host,</span> - <p>Blande al of blau<i>n</i>ner were boþe al aboute.</p> -<span class="linenum">1932</span> - <p>He meteȝ me þis god mon i<i>n</i> myddeȝ þe flore,</p> - <p>& al with gomen he hy<i>m</i> gret, & goudly he sayde,</p> - <p>"I schal fylle vpon fyrst oure forwardeȝ nouþe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 117.]</span> - <p>Þat we spedly han spoken, þer spared watȝ no drynk;"</p> - <span class="sidenote">and according to covenant kisses him thrice.</span> -<span class="linenum">1936</span> - <p>Þen acoles he [þe] knyȝt, & kysses hy<i>m</i> þryes,</p> - <span class="sidenote">(See l. 1868.)</span> - <p>As sauerly & sadly as he hem sette couþe.</p> - <span class="sidenote">"By Christ," says the other, "ye have had much bliss!"</span> - <p>"Bi Kryst," q<i>uod</i> þat oþ<i>er</i> knyȝt, "ȝe cach much sele,</p> - <p>I<i>n</i> cheuisau<i>n</i>ce of þis chaffer, ȝif ȝe hade goud chepeȝ."</p> -<span class="linenum">1940</span> - <p>"Ȝe of þe chepe no charg," q<i>uod</i> chefly þat oþ<i>er</i>,</p> - <p>"As is pertly payed þe chepeȝ þat I aȝte."</p> - <p>"Mary," q<i>uod</i> þat oþ<i>er</i> mon, "myn is bi-hynde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">I have hunted all day and have gotten nothing,</span> - <p>For I haf hu<i>n</i>ted al þis day, & noȝt haf I geten,</p> - <span class="sidenote">but the skin of this foul fox,</span> -<span class="linenum">1944</span> - <p>Bot þis foule fox felle, þe fende haf þe godeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">a poor reward for three such kisses."</span> - <p>& þat is ful pore, for to pay for suche prys þi<i>n</i>ges,</p> - <p>As ȝe haf þryȝt me here, þro suche þre cosses,</p> - <p class="i8">so gode."</p> -<span class="linenum">1948</span> - <p class="i4">"I-noȝ," q<i>uod</i> s<i>ir</i> Gawayn,</p> - <p class="i4">"I þonk yow, bi þe rode;"</p> - <span class="sidenote">He then tells him how the fox was slain.</span> - <p class="i4">& how þe fox watȝ slayn,</p> - <p class="i4">He tolde hy<i>m</i>, as þay stode.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>XXXIII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">With much mirth and minstrelsy they made merry,</span> -<span class="linenum">1952</span> - <p>With m<i>er</i>þe & mynstralsye, wyth meteȝ at hor wylle,</p> - <p>Þay maden as mery as any me<i>n</i> moȝten,</p> - <p>W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> laȝy<i>n</i>g of ladies, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> loteȝ of bordes;</p> - <p>Gawayn & þe gode mo<i>n</i> so glad were þay boþe,</p> -<span class="linenum">1956</span> - <p>Bot if þe douthe had doted, oþ<i>er</i> dronken ben oþ<i>er</i>,</p> - <p>Boþe þe mon & þe meyny maden mony iapeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">until the time came for them to part.</span> - <p>Til þe sesou<i>n</i> watȝ seȝen, þat þay seu<i>er</i> moste;</p> - <p>Burneȝ to hor bedde be-houed at þe laste.</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne takes leave of his host.</span> -<span class="linenum">1960</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne loȝly his leue at þe lorde fyrst</p> - <p>Fochcheȝ þis fre mon, & fayre he hy<i>m</i> þonkkeȝ;</p> - <span class="sidenote">and thanks him for his happy "sojourn."</span> - <p>"Of such a sellyly<sup>1</sup> soiorne, as I haf hade here,</p> - <p>Yo<i>ur</i> hono<i>ur</i>, at þis hyȝe fest, þe hyȝe ky<i>n</i>g yow ȝelde!</p> -<span class="linenum">1964</span> - <p>I ȝef yow me for on of yo<i>ur</i>eȝ, if yowre-self lykeȝ,</p> - <p>For I mot nedes, as ȝe wot, meue to morne;</p> - <span class="sidenote">He asks for a man to teach him the way to the Green Chapel.</span> - <p>& ȝe me take su<i>m</i> tolke, to teche, as ȝe hyȝt,</p> - <p>Þe gate to þe grene chapel, as god wyl me suffer</p> -<span class="linenum">1968</span> - <p>To dele, on nwȝereȝ day, þe dome of my wyrdes."</p> - <p>"In god fayþe," q<i>uod</i> þe god mon. "wyth a goud wylle;</p> - <p>Al þat eu<i>er</i> I yow hyȝt, halde schal I rede."</p> - <span class="sidenote">A servant is assigned to him,</span> - <p>Þer asy<i>n</i>gnes he a seruau<i>n</i>t, to sett hy<i>m</i> i<i>n</i> þe waye,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 117<i>b</i>.]</span> -<span class="linenum">1972</span> - <p>& cou<i>n</i>due hy<i>m</i> by þe downeȝ, þat he no drechch had,</p> - <p>For to f[e]rk þurȝ þe fryth, & fare at þe gaynest,</p> - <p class="i8">bi greue.</p> - <p class="i4">Þe lorde Gawayn con þonk,</p> -<span class="linenum">1976</span> - <p class="i4">Such worchip he wolde hy<i>m</i> weue;</p> - <span class="sidenote">and then he takes leave of the ladies,</span> - <p class="i4">Þe<i>n</i> at þo ladyeȝ wlonk.</p> - <p class="i4">Þe knyȝt hatȝ tan his leue.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> selly (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XXXIV.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">kissing them sorrowfully.</span> - <p>With care & wyth kyssy<i>n</i>g he carppeȝ hem tille,</p> -<span class="linenum">1980</span> - <p>& fele þryuande þonkkeȝ he þrat hom to haue,</p> - <p>& þay ȝelden hy<i>m</i> aȝay[n] ȝeply þat ilk;</p> - <span class="sidenote">They commend him to Christ.</span> - <p>Þay bikende hy<i>m</i> to Kryst, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> ful colde syky<i>n</i>geȝ.</p> - <span class="sidenote">He then departs, thanking each one he meets "for his service and solace."</span> - <p>Syþen fro þe meyny he menskly de-partes;</p> -<span class="linenum">1984</span> - <p>Vche mon þat he mette, he made hem a þonke,</p> - <p>For his seruyse, & his solace, & his sere pyne,</p> - <p>Þat þay wyth busynes had ben, aboute hy<i>m</i> to serue;</p> - <p>& vche segge as sore, to seu<i>er</i> w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> hy<i>m</i> þere,</p> -<span class="linenum">1988</span> - <p>As þay hade wonde worþyly w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þat wlonk eu<i>er</i>.</p> - <span class="sidenote">He retires to rest but sleeps but little,</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i> w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> ledes & lyȝt he watȝ ladde to his chambre,</p> - <p>& blybely broȝt to his bedde, to be at his rest;</p> - <p>ȝif he ne slepe sou<i>n</i>dyly, say ne dar I,</p> - <span class="sidenote">for much has he to think of on the morrow.</span> -<span class="linenum">1992</span> - <p>For he hade muche on þe morn to my<i>n</i>ne, ȝif he wolde,</p> - <p class="i8">in þoȝt;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Let him there lie still.</span> - <p class="i4">Let hy<i>m</i> lyȝe þere stille,</p> - <p class="i4">He hatȝ<sup>1</sup> nere þat he soȝt,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Be still awhile, and I shall tell how they wrought.</span> -<span class="linenum">1996</span> - <p class="i4">& ȝe wyl a whyle be stylle,</p> - <p class="i4">I schal telle yow how þay wroȝt.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> watȝ (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>[FYTTE THE FOURTH.]</h2> - -<h2>I.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">New Year's Day approaches.</span> - <p>Now neȝeȝ þe nwȝere, & þe nyȝt passeȝ,</p> - <p>Þe day dryueȝ to þe derk, as dryȝtyn biddeȝ;</p> - <span class="sidenote">The weather is stormy.</span> -<span class="linenum">2000</span> - <p>Bot wylde wedereȝ of þe worlde wakned þeroute,</p> - <p>Clowdes kesten kenly þe colde to þe erþe,</p> - <p>Wyth nyȝe<sup>1</sup> in-nogh<i>e</i> of þe norþe, þe naked to tene;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Snow falls.</span> - <p>Þe snawe snitered ful snart, þat snayped þe wylde;</p> -<span class="linenum">2004</span> - <p>Þe werbelande wynde wapped fro þe hyȝe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The dales are full of drift.</span> - <p>& drof vche dale ful of dryftes ful grete.</p> - <p>Þe leude lystened ful wel, þat leȝ i<i>n</i> his bedde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne in his bed hears each cock that crows.</span> - <p>Þaȝ he lowkeȝ his liddeȝ, ful lyttel he slepes;</p> -<span class="linenum">2008</span> - <p>Bi vch kok þat crue, he knwe wel þe steuen.</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 118.]</span> - <p>De-liu<i>er</i>ly he dressed vp, er þe day sprenged,</p> - <p>For þere watȝ lyȝt of a lau[m]pe, þat lemed i<i>n</i> his chambre;</p> - <span class="sidenote">He calls for his chamberlain, and bids him bring him his armour.</span> - <p>He called to his chamberlayn, þat cofly hy<i>m</i> swared,</p> -<span class="linenum">2012</span> - <p>& bede hy<i>m</i> bry<i>n</i>g hy<i>m</i> his bruny, & his blonk sadel;</p> - <p>Þat oþ<i>er</i> ferkeȝ hy<i>m</i> vp, & fecheȝ hy<i>m</i> his wedeȝ,</p> - <p>& grayþeȝ me s<i>ir</i> Gawayn vpon a grett wyse.</p> - <p>Fyrst he clad hy<i>m</i> i<i>n</i> his cloþeȝ, þe colde for to were;</p> -<span class="linenum">2016</span> - <p>& syþen his oþ<i>er</i> harnays, þat holdely watȝ keped,</p> - <p>Boþe his pau<i>n</i>ce, & his plateȝ, piked ful clene,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Men knock off the rust from his rich habergeon.</span> - <p>Þe ry<i>n</i>geȝ<sup>2</sup> rokked of þe roust, of his riche bruny;</p> - <p>& al watȝ fresch as vpon fyrst, & he watȝ fayn þe<i>n</i>ne</p> -<span class="linenum">2020</span> - <p class="i8">to þonk;</p> - <p class="i4">He hade vpon vche pece,</p> - <p class="i4">Wypped ful wel & wlonk;</p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight then calls for his steed.</span> - <p class="i4">Þe gayest i<i>n</i> to Grece,</p> -<span class="linenum">2024</span> - <p class="i4">Þe burne bede bry<i>n</i>g his blonk.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> nywe (?). - <sup>2</sup> rynkeȝ (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>II.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">While he clothed himself in his rich weeds,</span> - <p>Whyle þe wlonkest wedes he warp on hy<i>m</i>-seluen; </p> - <p>His cote, wyth be conysau<i>n</i>ce of þe clere werkeȝ,</p> - <p>Ennurned vpon veluet v<i>er</i>tuu<i>us</i><sup>1</sup> stoneȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">2028</span> - <p>Aboute beten, & bou<i>n</i>den, enbrauded semeȝ,</p> - <p>& fayre furred w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-i<i>n</i>ne wyth fayre pelures.</p> - <span class="sidenote">he forgot not the "lace," the lady's gift,</span> - <p>Ȝet laft he not þe lace, þe ladieȝ gifte,</p> - <p>Þat for-gat not Gawayn, for gode of hy<i>m</i>-seluen;</p> -<span class="linenum">2032</span> - <p>Bi he hade belted þe bronde vpon his balȝe hau<i>n</i>cheȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">but with it doubly girded his loins.</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>n dressed he his drurye double hy<i>m</i> aboute;</p> - <p>Swyþe sweþled vmbe his swange swetely, þat knyȝt,</p> - <p>Þe gordel of þe grene silke, þat gay wel bisemed,</p> -<span class="linenum">2036</span> - <p>Vpon þat ryol red cloþe, þat ryche watȝ to schewe.</p> - <span class="sidenote">He wore it not for its rich ornaments,</span> - <p>Bot wered not þis ilk wyȝe for wele þis gordel,</p> - <p>For pryde of þe pendau<i>n</i>teȝ, þaȝ polyst þay were,</p> - <p>& þaȝ þe glyt<i>er</i>ande golde glent vpon endeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">"but to save himself when it behoved him to suffer."</span> -<span class="linenum">2040</span> - <p>Bot forto sau<i>en</i> hy<i>m</i>-self, when suffer hy<i>m</i> by-houed,</p> - <p>To byde bale w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-oute dabate, of bronde hy<i>m</i> to were,</p> - <p class="i8">oþ<i>er</i> knyffe;</p> - <p class="i4">Bi þat þe bolde mon bou<i>n</i>,</p> -<span class="linenum">2044</span> - <p class="i4">Wy<i>n</i>neȝ þeroute bilyue,</p> - <span class="sidenote">All the renowned assembly he thanks full oft.</span> - <p class="i4">Alle þe meyny of renou<i>n</i>,</p> - <p class="i4">He þonkkeȝ ofte ful ryue.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> v<i>er</i>tuo<i>us</i> (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>III.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 118<i>b</i>.]<br />Then was Gringolet arrayed,</span> - <p>The<i>n</i>ne watȝ Gryngolet grayþe, þat gret watȝ & huge,</p> -<span class="linenum">2048</span> - <p>& hade ben soio<i>ur</i>ned sau<i>er</i>ly, & i<i>n</i> a siker wyse,</p> - <span class="sidenote">full ready to prick on.</span> - <p>Hy<i>m</i> lyst prik for poy<i>n</i>t, þat proude hors þe<i>n</i>ne;</p> - <p>Þe wyȝe wy<i>n</i>neȝ hy<i>m</i> to, & wyteȝ on his lyre,</p> - <p>& sayde soberly hy<i>m</i>-self, & by his soth swereȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">2052</span> - <p>"Here is a meyny i<i>n</i> þis mote, þat on menske þenkkeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne returns thanks for the honour and kindness shown to him by all.</span> - <p>Þe mon hem maynteines, ioy mot þay haue;</p> - <p>Þe leue lady, on lyue luf hir bityde;</p> - <p>Ȝif þay for charyté cherysen a gest,</p> -<span class="linenum">2056</span> - <p>& halden hono<i>ur</i> i<i>n</i> her honde, þe haþel he<i>m</i> ȝelde,</p> - <p>Þat haldeȝ þe heuen vpon hyȝe, & also yow alle!</p> - <p>& ȝif I myȝt lyf vpon londe lede any quyle,</p> - <p>I schuld rech yow su<i>m</i> rewarde redyly, if I myȝt."</p> - <span class="sidenote">He then steps into his saddle,</span> -<span class="linenum">2060</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>n steppeȝ he i<i>n</i>-to stirop, & strydeȝ alofte;</p> - <p>His schalk schewed hy<i>m</i> his schelde, on schulder he hit laȝt,</p> - <p>Gordeȝ to Gryngolet, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> his gilt heleȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and "starts on the stone" without more delay.</span> - <p>& he starteȝ on þe ston, stod he no lenger,</p> -<span class="linenum">2064</span> - <p class="i8">to prau<i>n</i>ce;</p> - <p class="i4">His haþel on hors watȝ þe<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <p class="i4">Þat bere his spere & lau<i>n</i>ce.</p> - <span class="sidenote">"This castle to Christ I commend; may he give it ever good chance!"</span> - <p class="i4">"Þis kastel to Kryst I ke<i>n</i>ne,</p> -<span class="linenum">2068</span> - <p class="i4">He gef hit ay god chau<i>n</i>ce!"</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>IV.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The gates are soon opened.</span> - <p>The brygge watȝ brayde dou<i>n</i>, & þe brode ȝateȝ</p> - <p>Vnbarred, & born open, vpon boþe halue;</p> - <span class="sidenote">The knight passes thereout,</span> - <p>Þe burne blessed hy<i>m</i> bilyue, & þe bredeȝ passed;</p> -<span class="linenum">2072</span> - <p>Prayses þe porter, bifore þe prynce kneled,</p> - <p>Gef hym God & goud day, þat Gawayn he saue;</p> - <span class="sidenote">and goes on his way accompanied by his guide.</span> - <p>& went on his way, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> his wyȝe one,</p> - <p>Þat schulde teche hy<i>m</i> to to<i>ur</i>ne to þat tene place,</p> -<span class="linenum">2076</span> - <p>Þer þe ruful race he schulde re-sayue.</p> - <p>Þay boȝen bi bonkkeȝ, þ<i>er</i> boȝeȝ ar bare,</p> - <span class="sidenote">They climb by cliffs,</span> - <p>Þay clomben bi clyffeȝ, þer clengeȝ þe colde;</p> - <p>Þe heuen watȝ vp halt, bot vgly þer vnder,</p> -<span class="linenum">2080</span> - <p>Mist muged on þe mor, malt on þe mou<i>n</i>teȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">where each "hill had a hat and a mist-cloak,"</span> - <p>Vch hille hade a hatte, a myst-hakel huge;</p> - <p>Brokeȝ byled, & breke, bi bonkkeȝ aboute,</p> - <p>Schyre schat<i>er</i>ande on schoreȝ, þ<i>er</i> þay dou<i>n</i> schowued.</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 119.]</span> -<span class="linenum">2084</span> - <p>Welawylle watȝ þe way, þer þay bi wod schulden,</p> - <span class="sidenote">until daylight.</span> - <p>Til hit watȝ sone sesou<i>n</i>, þat þe su<i>n</i>ne ryses,</p> - <p class="i8">þat tyde;</p> - <span class="sidenote">They were then on a "hill full high."</span> - <p class="i4">Þay were on a hille ful hyȝe,</p> -<span class="linenum">2088</span> - <p class="i4">Þe quyte snaw lay bisyde;</p> - <span class="sidenote">The servant bade his master abide, saying,</span> - <p class="i4">Þe burne þat rod hy<i>m</i> by</p> - <p class="i4">Bede his mayster abide.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>V.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"I have brought you hither,</span> - <p>"For I haf wo<i>n</i>nen yow hider, wyȝe, at þis tyme,</p> -<span class="linenum">2092</span> - <p>& now nar ȝe not fer fro þat note place,</p> - <span class="sidenote">ye are not now far from the noted place.</span> - <p>Þat ȝe han spied & spuryed so specially aft<i>er</i>;</p> - <p>Bot I schal say yow for soþe, syþen I yow knowe,</p> - <p>& ȝe ar a lede vpon lyue, þat I wel louy,</p> -<span class="linenum">2096</span> - <p>Wolde ȝe worch bi my wytte, ȝe worþed þe bett<i>er</i>.</p> - <span class="sidenote">Full perilous is it esteemed.</span> - <p>Þe place þat ȝe prece to, ful perelo<i>us</i> is halden;</p> - <span class="sidenote">The lord of that 'waste' is stiff and stern.</span> - <p>Þer woneȝ a wyȝe i<i>n</i> þat waste, þe worst vpon erþe;</p> - <p>For he is stiffe, & sturne, & to strike louies,</p> -<span class="linenum">2100</span> - <p>& more he is þe<i>n</i> any mon vpon myddelerde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">His body is bigger 'than the best four in Arthur's house.'</span> - <p>& his body bigger þe<i>n</i> þe best fowre.</p> - <p>Þat ar i<i>n</i> Arþureȝ ho<i>us</i>, Hestor<sup>1</sup> oþ<i>er</i> oþ<i>er</i>.</p> - <p>He cheueȝ þat chau<i>n</i>ce at þe chapel grene;</p> - <span class="sidenote">None passes by the Green Chapel, 'that he does not ding to death with dint of his hand.'</span> -<span class="linenum">2104</span> - <p>Þer passes non bi þat place, so proude i<i>n</i> his armes,</p> - <p>Þat he ne dy<i>n</i>neȝ hy<i>m</i> to deþe, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> dynt of his honde;</p> - <p>For he is a mon methles, & mercy non vses,</p> - <span class="sidenote">For be it churl or chaplain, monk, mass-priest, 'or any man else,' he kills them all.</span> - <p>For he hit chorle, oþ<i>er</i> chaplayn, þat bi þe chapel rydes,</p> -<span class="linenum">2108</span> - <p>Monk, oþ<i>er</i> masse-prest, oþ<i>er</i> any mon elles,</p> - <p>H<i>ym</i> þynk as queme hy<i>m</i> to quelle, as quyk go hy<i>m</i> seluen.</p> - <p>For-þy I say þe as soþe as ȝe i<i>n</i> sadel sitte,</p> - <p>Com ȝe þere, ȝe be kylled, [I] may þe knyȝt rede,</p> -<span class="linenum">2112</span> - <p>Trawe ȝe me þat trwely, þaȝ ȝe had twenty lyues</p> - <p class="i8">to spende;</p> - <span class="sidenote">He has lived there full long.</span> - <p class="i4">He hatȝ wonyd here ful ȝore,</p> - <p class="i4">On bent much baret bende,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Against his dints sore ye may not defend you.</span> -<span class="linenum">2116</span> - <p class="i4">Aȝayn his dynteȝ sore,</p> - <p class="i4">Ȝe may not yow defende."</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> Hector (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>VI.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Wherefore, good Sir Gawayne, let this man alone.</span> - <p>"For-þy, goude s<i>ir</i> Gawayn, let þe gome one,</p> - <p>& gotȝ a-way su<i>m</i> oþ<i>er</i> gate; vpon Goddeȝ halue;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Go by some other region,</span> -<span class="linenum">2120</span> - <p>Cayreȝ bi su<i>m</i> oþ<i>er</i> kyth, þer Kryst mot yow spede;</p> - <p>& I schal hyȝ me hom aȝayn, & hete yow fyrre,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 119<i>b</i>.]<br />I swear by God and all His saints, that I will never say that ever ye attempted to flee from any man."</span> - <p>Þat I schal swere bi God, & alle his gode halȝeȝ,</p> - <p>As help me God & þe halydam, & oþeȝ i<i>n</i>-nogh<i>e</i>,</p> -<span class="linenum">2124</span> - <p>Þat I schal lelly yow layne, & lance neu<i>er</i> tale,</p> - <p>Þat eu<i>er</i> ȝe fondet to fle, for freke þat I wyst."</p> - <p>"G<i>ra</i>nt m<i>er</i>ci;" q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, & gruchy<i>ng</i> he sayde,</p> - <p>"Wel worth þe wyȝe, þat woldeȝ my gode,</p> -<span class="linenum">2128</span> - <p>& þat lelly me layne, I leue wel þ<i>o</i>u woldeȝ!</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne replies that to shun this danger would mark him as a "coward knight."</span> - <p>Bot helde þ<i>o</i>u hit neu<i>er</i> so holde, & I here passed,</p> - <p>Fou<i>n</i>ded for ferde for to fle, i<i>n</i> fo<i>ur</i>me þat þ<i>o</i>u telleȝ,</p> - <p>I were a knyȝt kowarde, I myȝt not<sup>1</sup> be excused.</p> - <span class="sidenote">To the Chapel, therefore, he will go,</span> -<span class="linenum">2132</span> - <p>Bot I wy1 to þe chape1, for chau<i>n</i>ce þat may falle,</p> - <p>& talk wyth þat ilk tulk þe tale þat me lyste,</p> - <p>Worþe hit wele, oþ<i>er</i> wo, as þe wyrde lykeȝ</p> - <p class="i8">hit hafe;</p> - <span class="sidenote">though the owner thereof were a stern knave.</span> -<span class="linenum">2136</span> - <p class="i4">Þaȝe he be a sturn knape,</p> - <p class="i4">To stiȝtel, &<sup>2</sup> stad w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> staue,</p> - <span class="sidenote">"Full well can God devise his servants for to save."</span> - <p class="i4">Ful wel con dryȝtyn schape,</p> - <p class="i4">His seruau<i>n</i>teȝ forto saue."</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> mot, in MS. - <sup>2</sup> & &, in MS. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>VII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"Mary!" quoth the other, "since it pleases thee to lose thy life,</span> -<span class="linenum">2140</span> - <p>"Mary!" q<i>uod</i> þat oþ<i>er</i> mon, "now þ<i>o</i>u so much spelleȝ,</p> - <p>Þat þ<i>o</i>u wylt þyn awen nye nyme to þy-seluen,</p> - <p>& þe lyst lese þy lyf, þe lette I ne kepe;</p> - <span class="sidenote">take thy helmet on thy head, and thy spear in thy hand, and ride down this path by yon rock-side,</span> - <p>Haf here þi helme on þy hede, þi spere i<i>n</i> þi honde,</p> -<span class="linenum">2144</span> - <p>& ryde me dou<i>n</i> þis ilk rake, bi ȝon rokke syde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">till thou come to the bottom of the valley;</span> - <p>Til þ<i>o</i>u be broȝt to þe boþem of þe brem valay;</p> - <span class="sidenote">look a little to the left,</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne loke a littel on þe lau<i>n</i>de, on þi lyfte honde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and thou shalt see the Chapel itself and the man that guards it."</span> - <p>& þ<i>o</i>u schal se i<i>n</i> þat slade þe self chapel,</p> -<span class="linenum">2148</span> - <p>& þe borelych burne on bent, þat hit kepeȝ.</p> - <p>Now fareȝ wel on Godeȝ half, Gawayn þe noble,</p> - <p>For alle þe golde vpon grou<i>n</i>de I nolde go with þe,</p> - <p>Ne bere þe felaȝschip þurȝ þis fryth on fote fyrre."</p> - <span class="sidenote">Having thus spoken the guide takes leave of the knight.</span> -<span class="linenum">2152</span> - <p>Bi þat þe wyȝe i<i>n</i> þe wod wendeȝ his brydel,</p> - <p>Hit þe hors w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe heleȝ, as harde as he myȝt,</p> - <p>Lepeȝ hy<i>m</i> ou<i>er</i> þe lau<i>n</i>de, & leueȝ þe knyȝt þere,</p> - <p class="i8">al one.</p> - <span class="sidenote">"By God's self," says Sir Gawayne, "I will neither weep nor groan.</span> -<span class="linenum">2156</span> - <p class="i4">"Bi Goddeȝ self," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, </p> - <p class="i4">"I wyl nauþ<i>er</i> grete ne grone,</p> - <span class="sidenote">To God's will I am full ready."</span> - <p class="i4">To Goddeȝ wylle I am ful bayn,</p> - <p class="i4">& to hy<i>m</i> I haf me tone."</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>VIII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 120.]<br />Then he pursues his journey,</span> -<span class="linenum">2160</span> - <p>The<i>n</i>ne gyrdeȝ he to Gryngolet, & gedereȝ þe rake,</p> - <p>Schowueȝ i<i>n</i> bi a schore, at a schaȝe syde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">rides through the dale, and looks about.</span> - <p>Rideȝ þurȝ þe roȝe bonk, ryȝt to þe dale;</p> - <p>& þe<i>n</i>ne he wayted hy<i>m</i> aboute, & wylde hit hy<i>m</i> þoȝt,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He sees no sign of a resting-place, but only high and steep banks.</span> -<span class="linenum">2164</span> - <p>& seȝe no sy<i>n</i>gne of resette, bisydeȝ nowhere,</p> - <p>Bot hyȝe bonkkeȝ & brent, vpon boþe halue,</p> - <p>& ruȝe knokled knarreȝ, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> knorned stoneȝ;</p> - <p>Þe skweȝ of þe scowtes skayued<sup>1</sup> hy<i>m</i> þoȝt.</p> -<span class="linenum">2168</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne he houed, & wyth-hylde his hors at þat tyde,</p> - <p>& ofte chau<i>n</i>ged his cher, þe chapel to seche;</p> - <span class="sidenote">No chapel could he discern.</span> - <p>He seȝ non suche i<i>n</i> no syde, & selly hy<i>m</i> þoȝt,</p> - <p>Sone a lyttel on a lau<i>n</i>de, a lawe as hit we[re];</p> - <span class="sidenote">At last he sees a hill by the side of a stream;</span> -<span class="linenum">2172</span> - <p>A balȝ berȝ, bi a bonke, þe bry<i>m</i>me by-syde,</p> - <p>Bi a forȝ of a flode, þ<i>a</i>t ferked þare;</p> - <p>Þe borne blubred þer-i<i>n</i>ne, as hit boyled hade.</p> - <span class="sidenote">thither he goes,</span> - <p>Þe knyȝt kacheȝ his caple, & com to þe lawe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">alights and fastens his horse to a branch of a tree.</span> -<span class="linenum">2176</span> - <p>Liȝteȝ dou<i>n</i> luflyly, & at a lynde tacheȝ</p> - <p>Þe rayne, & his riche, with a roȝe brau<i>n</i>che;</p> - <span class="sidenote">He walks around the hill, debating with himself what it might be,</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>[n]e he boȝeȝ to þe berȝe, aboute hit he walke,</p> - <p>D[e]batande w<i>i</i>th hy<i>m</i>-self, quat hit be myȝt.</p> -<span class="linenum">2180</span> - <p>Hit hade a hole on þe ende, & on ayþer syde,</p> - <p>& ou<i>er</i>-growen w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> gresse i<i>n</i> glodes ay where,</p> - <p>& al watȝ holȝ i<i>n</i>-w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>, nobot an olde caue,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and at last finds an old cave in the crag.</span> - <p>Or a creuisse of an olde cragge, he couþe hit noȝt deme</p> -<span class="linenum">2184</span> - <p class="i8">w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> spelle,</p> - <p class="i4">"We,<sup>2</sup> lorde," q<i>uod</i> þe gentyle knyȝt,</p> - <p class="i4">"Wheþer þis be þe grene chapelle;</p> - <span class="sidenote">He prays that about midnight he may tell his matins.</span> - <p class="i4">He myȝt aboute myd-nyȝt,</p> -<span class="linenum">2188</span> - <p class="i4">[Þ]e dele his maty<i>n</i>nes telle!"</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> skayned (?). - <sup>2</sup> wel (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>IX.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"Truly," says Sir Gawayne, "a desert is here,</span> - <p>"Now i-wysse," q<i>uod</i> Wowayn, "wysty is here;</p> - <p>Þis oritore is vgly, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> erbeȝ ou<i>er</i>-growen;</p> - <span class="sidenote">a fitting place for the man in green to 'deal here his devotions in devil fashion.'</span> - <p>Wel bisemeȝ þe wyȝe wruxled i<i>n</i> grene</p> -<span class="linenum">2192</span> - <p>Dele here his deuociou<i>n</i>, on þe deueleȝ wyse;</p> - <p>Now I fele hit is þe fende, i<i>n</i> my fyue wytteȝ,</p> - <p>Þat hatȝ stoken me þis steuen, to strye me here;</p> - <span class="sidenote">It is most cursed kirk that ever I entered."</span> - <p>Þis is a chapel of meschau<i>n</i>ce, þat chekke hit by-tyde,</p> -<span class="linenum">2196</span> - <p>Hit is þe corsedest kyrk, þat eu<i>er</i> i com i<i>n</i>ne!"</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 120<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p>With heȝe helme on his hede, his lau<i>n</i>ce i<i>n</i> his honde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Roaming about he hears a loud noise,</span> - <p>He romeȝ vp to þe rokke of þo roȝ woneȝ;</p> - <p>Þene herde he of þat hyȝe hil, i<i>n</i> a harde roche,</p> - <span class="sidenote">from beyond the brook.</span> -<span class="linenum">2200</span> - <p>Biȝonde þe broke, i<i>n</i> a bonk, a wonder breme noyse,</p> - <span class="sidenote">It clattered like the grinding of a scythe on a grindstone.</span> - <p>Quat! hit clat<i>er</i>ed i<i>n</i> þe clyff, as hit cleue schulde,</p> - <p>As one vpon a gryndelston hade grou<i>n</i>den a syþe;</p> - <span class="sidenote">It whirred like a mill-stream.</span> - <p>What! hit wharred, & whette, as wat<i>er</i> at a mulne,</p> -<span class="linenum">2204</span> - <p>What! hit rusched, & ronge, rawþe to here.</p> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne "bi Godde," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, "þat gere as<sup>1</sup> I trowe,</p> - <p>Is ryched at þe reu<i>er</i>ence, me renk to mete,</p> - <p class="i8">bi rote;</p> -<span class="linenum">2208</span> - <p class="i4">Let God worche we loo,</p> - <span class="sidenote">"Though my life I forgo," says the knight, "no noise shall terrify me."</span> - <p class="i4">Hit helppeȝ me not a mote,</p> - <p class="i4">My lif þaȝ I for-goo,</p> - <p class="i4">Drede dotȝ me no lote."</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> at, in MS. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>X.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then cried he aloud,</span> -<span class="linenum">2212</span> - <p>The<i>n</i>ne þe knyȝt con calle ful hyȝe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">"Who dwells here discourse with me to hold?"</span> - <p>"Who stiȝtleȝ i<i>n</i> þis sted, me steuen to holde?</p> - <span class="sidenote">Now is the good Gawayne going aright</span> - <p>For now is gode Gawayn goande ryȝt here,</p> - <p>If any wyȝe oȝt wyl wy<i>n</i>ne hider fast,</p> -<span class="linenum">2216</span> - <p>Oþ<i>er</i> now, oþ<i>er</i> neu<i>er</i>, his nedeȝ to spede."</p> - <span class="sidenote">He hears a voice commanding him to abide where he is.</span> - <p>"Abyde," q<i>uod</i> on on þe bonke, abouen ou<i>er</i> his hede,</p> - <p>"& þ<i>o</i>u schal haf al i<i>n</i> hast, þat I þe hyȝt ones."</p> - <p>Ȝet he rusched on þat rurde, rapely a þrowe,</p> -<span class="linenum">2220</span> - <p>& wyth quetty<i>n</i>g a-wharf, er he wolde lyȝt;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Soon there comes out of a hole, with a fell weapon,</span> - <p>& syþen he keu<i>er</i>eȝ bi a cragge, & comeȝ of a hole,</p> - <p>Whyrlande out of a wro, wyth a felle weppen, </p> - <span class="sidenote">a Danish axe, quite new,</span> - <p>A deneȝ ax nwe dyȝt, þe dynt w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> [t]o ȝelde </p> -<span class="linenum">2224</span> - <p>W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> a borelych bytte, bende by þe halme,</p> - <p>Fyled i<i>n</i> a fylor, fowre fote large,</p> - <p>Hit watȝ no lasse, bi þat lace þat lemed ful bryȝt.</p> - <span class="sidenote">the "knight in green," clothed as before.</span> - <p>& þe gome i<i>n</i> þe erene gered as fyrst,</p> -<span class="linenum">2228</span> - <p>Boþe þe lyre & þe leggeȝ, lokkeȝ, & berde,</p> - <p>Saue þat fayre on his fote he fou<i>n</i>deȝ on þe erþe,</p> - <p>Sette þe stele to þe stone, & stalked bysyde.</p> - <span class="sidenote">When he reaches the stream, he hops over and strides about.</span> - <p>When he wan to þe watter, þer he wade nolde,</p> -<span class="linenum">2232</span> - <p>He hypped ou<i>er</i> on hys ax, & orpedly strydeȝ,</p> - <p>Bremly broþe on a bent, þat brode watȝ a-boute,</p> - <p class="i8">on snawe.</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 121.]<br />He meets Sir Gawayne without obeisance.</span> - <p class="i4">S<i>ir</i> Gawayn þe knyȝt con mete.</p> -<span class="linenum">2236</span> - <p class="i4">He ne lutte hy<i>m</i> no þy<i>n</i>g lowe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The other tells him that he is now ready for conversation</span> - <p class="i4">Þat oþ<i>er</i> sayde, "now, s<i>ir</i> swete,</p> - <p class="i4">Of steuen mon may þe trowe."</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>XI.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"God preserve thee!" says the Green Knight,</span> - <p>"Gawayn," q<i>uod</i> þat grene gome, "God þe mot loke!</p> -<span class="linenum">2240</span> - <p>I-wysse þ<i>o</i>u art welcom,<sup>1</sup> wyȝe, to my place,</p> - <span class="sidenote">"as a true knight 'thou hast timed thy travel'</span> - <p>& þ<i>o</i>u hatȝ tymed þi trauayl as t<i>ru</i>e<sup>2</sup> mo<i>n</i> schulde;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Thou knowest the covenant between us,</span> - <p>& þ<i>o</i>u knoweȝ þe couenau<i>n</i>teȝ kest v<i>us</i> by-twene,</p> - <p>At þis tyme twelmonyth þ<i>o</i>u toke þ<i>a</i>t þe falled,</p> - <span class="sidenote">that on New Year's day I should return thy blow</span> -<span class="linenum">2244</span> - <p>& I schulde at þis nwe ȝere ȝeply þe quyte.</p> - <span class="sidenote">Here we are alone,</span> - <p>& we ar i<i>n</i> þis valay, v<i>er</i>ayly oure one,</p> - <p>Here ar no renkes vs to rydde, rele as v<i>us</i> likeȝ;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Have off thy helmet and take thy pay at once."</span> - <p>Haf þy<sup>3</sup> helme of þy hede, & haf here þy pay;</p> -<span class="linenum">2248</span> - <p>Busk no more debate þ<i>en</i> I þe bede þe<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <p>"When þ<i>o</i>u wypped of my hede at a wap one."</p> - <span class="sidenote">"By God," quoth Sir Gawayne, "I shall not begrudge thee thy will."</span> - <p>"Nay, bi God," q<i>uod</i> Gawayn, "þ<i>a</i>t me gost lante,</p> - <p>I schal gruch þe no grwe, for grem þat falleȝ;</p> -<span class="linenum">2252</span> - <p>Botstyȝtel þe vpon on strok, & I schal stonde stylle,</p> - <p>& warp þe no werny<i>n</i>g, to worch as þe lykeȝ,</p> - <p class="i8">no whare."</p> - <span class="sidenote">Then he shows his bare neck,</span> - <p class="i4">He lened w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe nek, & lutte,</p> -<span class="linenum">2256</span> - <p class="i4">& schewed þat schyre al bare,</p> - <p class="i4">& lette as he noȝt dutte,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and appears undaunted.</span> - <p class="i4">For drede he wolde not dare.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> welcon, in MS. - <sup>2</sup> t<i>ru</i>ee in MS. - <sup>3</sup> MS. þy þy. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then the man in green seizes his grim tool.</span> - <p>The<i>n</i> þe gome i<i>n</i> þe grene grayþed hy<i>m</i> swyþe,</p> -<span class="linenum">2260</span> - <p>Gedereȝ yp hys gry<i>m</i>me tole, Gawayn to smyte;</p> - <span class="sidenote">With all his force he raises it aloft.</span> - <p>W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> alle þe bur i<i>n</i> his body he ber hit on lofte,</p> - <p>Mu<i>n</i>t as maȝtyly, as marre hy<i>m</i> he wolde;</p> - <p>Hade hit dryuen adou<i>n</i>, as dreȝ as he atled,</p> -<span class="linenum">2264</span> - <p>Þer hade ben ded of his dynt, þat doȝty watȝ eu<i>er</i>.</p> - <p>Bot Gawayn on þat giserne glyfte hy<i>m</i> bysyde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">As it came gliding down,</span> - <p>As hit com glydande adou<i>n</i>, on glode hy<i>m</i> to schende,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Sir Gawayne shrank a little with his shoulders.</span> - <p>& schranke a lytel w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe schulderes, for þe scharp yrne.</p> -<span class="linenum">2268</span> - <p>Þat oþ<i>er</i> schalk wyth a schu<i>n</i>t þe schene wythhaldeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The other reproved him, saying,</span> - <p>& þe<i>n</i>ne repreued he þe prynce w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> mony prowde wordeȝ:</p> - <span class="sidenote">"Thou art not Gawayne that is so good esteemed,</span> - <p>"Þ<i>o</i>u art not Gawayn," q<i>uod</i> þe gome, "þ<i>a</i>t is so goud halden,</p> - <p>Þat neu<i>er</i> arȝed for no here, by hylle ne be vale,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 121<i>b</i>.]<br />for thou fleest for fear before thou feelest harm.</span> -<span class="linenum">2272</span> - <p>& now þ<i>o</i>u fles for ferde, er þ<i>o</i>u fele harmeȝ;</p> - <p>Such cowardise of þat knyȝt cowþe I neu<i>er</i> here.</p> - <span class="sidenote">I never flinched when thou struckest.</span> - <p>Nawþ<i>er</i> fyked I, ne flaȝe, freke, quen þ<i>o</i>u myntest,</p> - <p>Ne kest no kauelac<i>i</i>on, in ky<i>n</i>geȝ ho<i>us</i> Arthor,</p> - <span class="sidenote">My head flew to my foot, yet I never fled,</span> -<span class="linenum">2276</span> - <p>My hede flaȝ to my fote, & ȝet flaȝ I neu<i>er</i>;</p> - <p>& þ<i>o</i>u, er any harme hent, arȝeȝ i<i>n</i> hert,</p> - <span class="sidenote">wherefore I ought to be called the better man."</span> - <p>Wherfore þe better burne me burde be called</p> - <p class="i8">þ<i>e</i>r-fore."</p> - <span class="sidenote">"I shunted once," says Gawayne, "but will no more.</span> -<span class="linenum">2280</span> - <p class="i4">Q<i>uod</i> G:, "I schu<i>n</i>t oneȝ,</p> - <p class="i4">& so wyl I no more,</p> - <p class="i4">Bot paȝ my hede falle on þe stoneȝ,</p> - <p class="i4">I con not hit restore.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>XIII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Bring me to the point; deal me my destiny at once."</span> -<span class="linenum">2284</span> - <p>Bot busk, burne, bi þi fayth, & bry<i>n</i>g me to þe poy<i>n</i>t,</p> - <p>Dele to me my destiné, & do hit out of honde,</p> - <p>For I schal stonde þe a strok, & start no more,</p> - <p>Til þy<i>n</i> ax haue me hitte, haf here my trawþe."</p> - <span class="sidenote">"Have at thee, then," says the other.</span> -<span class="linenum">2288</span> - <p>"Haf at þe þe<i>n</i>ne," q<i>uod</i> þ<i>a</i>t oþ<i>er</i>, & heueȝ hit alofte,</p> - <p>& wayteȝ as wroþely, as he wode were;</p> - <span class="sidenote">With that he aims at him a blow.</span> - <p>He mynteȝ at hy<i>m</i> maȝtyly, bot not þe mon ryueȝ,<sup>1</sup></p> - <p>With-helde het<i>er</i>ly h[i]s honde, er hit hurt myȝt.</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne never flinches, but stands as still as a stone.</span> -<span class="linenum">2292</span> - <p>Gawayn grayþely hit bydeȝ, & glent w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> no membre,</p> - <p>Bot stode stylle as þe ston, oþ<i>er</i> a stubbe auþer,</p> - <p>Þat raþeled is i<i>n</i> roche grou<i>n</i>de, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> roteȝ a hundreth.</p> - <p>Þe<i>n</i> muryly efte con he mele, þe mon i<i>n</i> þe grene,</p> - <span class="sidenote">"Now," says the Green Knight, "I must hit thee, since thy heart is whole."</span> -<span class="linenum">2296</span> - <p>"So now þ<i>o</i>u hatȝ þi hert holle, hitte me bihou[e]s;</p> - <p>Halde þe now þe hyȝe hode, þat Arþur þe raȝt,</p> - <p>& kepe þy kanel at þis kest, ȝif hit keu<i>er</i> may."</p> - <p>G: ful gryndelly w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> greme þe<i>n</i>ne sayde,</p> - <span class="sidenote">"Thrash on," says the other.</span> -<span class="linenum">2300</span> - <p>"Wy þresch on, þ<i>o</i>u þro mon, þ<i>o</i>u þreteȝ to longe,</p> - <p>I hope þat þi hert arȝe wyth þyn awen seluen."</p> - <p>"For soþe," q<i>uod</i> þat oþ<i>er</i> freke, "so felly þ<i>o</i>u spekeȝ,</p> - <p>I wyl no leng<i>er</i> on lyte lette þin ernde,</p> -<span class="linenum">2304</span> - <p class="i8">riȝt nowe."</p> - <span class="sidenote">Then the Green Knight makes ready to strike.</span> - <p class="i4">Þe<i>n</i>ne tas he<sup>2</sup> hy<i>m</i> stryþe to stryke,</p> - <p class="i4">& frou<i>n</i>ses boþe lyppe & browe,</p> - <p class="i4">No meruayle þaȝ hy<i>m</i> myslyke,</p> -<span class="linenum">2308</span> - <p class="i4">Þat hoped of no rescowe.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> ? <i>ryneȝ</i> = touches. - <sup>2</sup> he he, in MS. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XIV.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">He let fall his loom on the bare</span> - <p>He lyftes lyȝtly his lome, & let hit dou<i>n</i> fayre,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 122.]<br />neck of Sir Gawayne.</span> - <p>W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> þe barbe of þe bitte bi þe bare nek</p> - <p>Þaȝ he homered het<i>er</i>ly, hurt hy<i>m</i> no more,</p> -<span class="linenum">2312</span> - <p>Bot snyrt hy<i>m</i> on þat on syde, þat seu<i>er</i>ed þe hyde;</p> - <span class="sidenote">The sharp weapon pierced the flesh so that the blood flowed.</span> - <p>Þe scharp schrank to þe flesche þurȝ þe schyre grece,</p> - <p>Þat þe schene blod ov<i>er</i> his schulderes schot to þe erþe.</p> - <span class="sidenote">When the knight saw the blood on the snow,</span> - <p>& quen þe burne seȝ þe blode blenk on þe snawe,</p> -<span class="linenum">2316</span> - <p>He sprit forth spe<i>n</i>ne fote more þe<i>n</i> a spere lenþe,</p> - <p>Hent het<i>er</i>ly his helme, & on his hed cast,</p> - <p>Schot wit<i>h</i> his schuldereȝ his fayre schelde vnder,</p> - <span class="sidenote">he unsheathed his sword, and thus spake:</span> - <p>Braydeȝ out a bryȝt sworde, & bremely he spekeȝ;</p> -<span class="linenum">2320</span> - <p>Neu<i>er</i> syn þat he watȝ burne borne of his moder,</p> - <p>Watȝ he neu<i>er</i> i<i>n</i> þis worlde, wyȝe half so blyþe:—</p> - <span class="sidenote">"Cease, man, of thy blow.</span> - <p>"Bly<i>n</i>ne, burne, of þy bur, bede me no mo;</p> - <p>I haf a stroke i<i>n</i> þis sted w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-oute stryf hent,</p> - <span class="sidenote">If thou givest me any more, readily shall I requite thee.</span> -<span class="linenum">2324</span> - <p>& if þow recheȝ me any mo, I redyly schal quyte,</p> - <p>& ȝelde ȝederly aȝayn, & þ<i>er</i> to ȝe tryst,</p> - <p class="i8">& foo;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Our agreement stipulates only one stroke."</span> - <p class="i4">Bot on stroke here me falleȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">2328</span> - <p class="i4">Þe couenau<i>n</i>t schop ryȝt so,</p> - <p class="i4">[Sikered]<sup>1</sup> in Arþureȝ halleȝ,</p> - <p class="i4">& þer-fore, hende, now hoo!"</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> Illegible. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XV.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">The Green Knight rested on his axe,</span> - <p>The haþel heldet hy<i>m</i> fro, & on his ax rested,</p> -<span class="linenum">2332</span> - <p>Sette þe schaft vpon schore, & to be scharp lened,</p> - <span class="sidenote">looked on Sir Gawayne, who appeared bold and fearless,</span> - <p>& loked to þe leude, þat on þe launde ȝede,</p> - <p>How þat doȝty dredles deruely þer stondeȝ,</p> - <p>Armed ful aȝleȝ; i<i>n</i> hert hit hy<i>m</i> lykeȝ.</p> -<span class="linenum">2336</span> - <p>þe<i>n</i>n he meleȝ muryly, wyth a much steuen,</p> - <span class="sidenote">and addressed him as follows: "Bold knight, be not so wroth,</span> - <p>& wyth a r[a]ykande rurde he to þe renk sayde,</p> - <p>"Bolde burne, on þis bent be not so gryndel;</p> - <p>No mon here vn-man<i>er</i>ly þe mys-boden habbe,</p> -<span class="linenum">2340</span> - <p>Ne kyd, bot as couenau<i>n</i>de, at ky<i>n</i>geȝ kort schaped;</p> - <span class="sidenote">I promised thee a stroke and thou hast it, be satisfied.</span> - <p>I hyȝt þe a strok, & þ<i>o</i>u hit hatȝ, halde þe wel payed,</p> - <p>I relece þe of þe remnau<i>n</i>t, of ryȝtes alle oþ<i>er</i>;</p> - <p>Ȝif<sup>1</sup> I deliuer had bene, a boffet, parau<i>n</i>t<i>e</i>r,</p> - <span class="sidenote">I could have dealt worse with thee.</span> -<span class="linenum">2344</span> - <p>I couþe wroþeloker haf waret, [&] to þe haf wroȝt ang<i>er</i>.<sup>2</sup></p> - <p>Fyrst I mansed þe muryly, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> a mynt one,</p> - <span class="sidenote">I menaced thee with one blow for the covenant</span> - <p>& roue þe wyth no rof, sore w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> ryȝt I þe p<i>ro</i>fered,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 122<i>b</i>.]<br /> between us on the first night.</span> - <p>For þe forwarde that we fest i<i>n</i> þe fyrst nyȝt,</p> -<span class="linenum">2348</span> - <p>& þ<i>o</i>u trystyly þe trawþe & trwly me haldeȝ,</p> - <p>Al þe gayne þow me gef, as god mon shulde;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Another I aimed at thee because thou kissedst my wife.</span> - <p>Þat oþ<i>er</i> mu<i>n</i>t for þe morne, mon, I þe profered,</p> - <p>Þ<i>o</i>u kyssedes my clere wyf, þe cosseȝ me raȝteȝ,</p> -<span class="linenum">2352</span> - <p>For boþe two here I þe bede bot two bare myntes,</p> - <p class="i8">boute scaþe;</p> - <span class="sidenote">A true man should restore truly, and then he need fear no harm.</span> - <p class="i4">Trwe mon trwe restore,</p> - <p class="i4">Þe<i>n</i>ne þar mo<i>n</i> drede no waþe;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Thou failedst at the third time, and therefore take thee that tap. (See l. 1861.)</span> -<span class="linenum">2356</span> - <p class="i4">At þe þrid þ<i>o</i>u fayled þore,</p> - <p class="i4">& þ<i>er</i>-for þat tappe ta þe.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> uf, in MS. - <sup>2</sup> This word is doubtful. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XVI.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">For my weed (woven by my wife) thou wearest.</span> - <p> For hit is my wede þat þ<i>o</i>u wereȝ, þ<i>a</i>t ilke wouen girdel,</p> - <p> Myn owen wyf hit þe weued, I wot wel forsoþe;</p> - <span class="sidenote">I know thy kisses and my wife's wooing.</span> -<span class="linenum">2360</span> - <p>Now know I wel þy cosses, & þy costes als,</p> - <p>& þe wowy<i>n</i>g of my wyf, I wroȝt hit myseluen;</p> - <span class="sidenote">I sent her to try thee, and faultless I found thee.</span> - <p>I sende hir to asay þe, & sothly me þynkkeȝ,</p> - <p>On þe fautlest freke, þat eu<i>er</i> on fote ȝede;</p> -<span class="linenum">2364</span> - <p>As perle bi þe quite pese is of prys more,</p> - <p>So is Gawayn, i<i>n</i> god fayth, bi oþ<i>er</i> gay knyȝteȝ.</p> - <span class="sidenote">But yet thou sinnedst a little,</span> - <p>Bot here you lakked a lyttel, s<i>ir</i>, & lewte yow wonted,</p> - <p>Bot þat watȝ for no wylyde werke, ne wowy<i>n</i>g nauþ<i>er</i>,</p> - <span class="sidenote">for love of thy life."</span> -<span class="linenum">2368</span> - <p>Bot for ȝe lufed yo<i>ur</i> lyf, þe lasse I yow blame."</p> - <p>Þat oþ<i>er</i> stif mon i<i>n</i> study stod a gret whyle;</p> - <p>So agreued for greme he gryed w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i>-i<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne stands confounded.</span> - <p>Alle þe blode of his brest blende i<i>n</i> his face,</p> -<span class="linenum">2372</span> - <p>Þat al he schrank for schome, þat þe schalk talked.</p> - <p>Þe forme worde vpon folde, þat þe freke meled,—</p> - <span class="sidenote">"Cursed," he says, "be cowardice and covetousness both!"</span> - <p>"Corsed worth cowarddyse & couetyse boþe!</p> - <p>I<i>n</i> yow is vylany & vyse, þat v<i>er</i>tue disstryeȝ."</p> - <span class="sidenote">Then he takes off the girdle and throws it to the knight.</span> -<span class="linenum">2376</span> - <p>Þe<i>n</i>ne he kaȝt to þe knot, & þe kest lawseȝ,</p> - <p>Brayde broþely þe belt to þe burne seluen:</p> - <p>"Lo! þer þe falssy<i>n</i>g, foule mot hit falle!</p> - <span class="sidenote">He curses his cowardice,</span> - <p>For care of þy knokke cowardyse me taȝt</p> -<span class="linenum">2380</span> - <p>To a-corde me w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> couetyse, my kynde to for-sake,</p> - <p>Þat is larges & lewte, þat longeȝ to knyȝteȝ.</p> - <span class="sidenote">and confesses himself to have been guilty of untruth.</span> - <p>Now am I fawty, & falce, & ferde haf ben eu<i>er</i>;</p> - <p>Of trecherye & vn-trawþe boþe bityde sorȝe</p> -<span class="linenum">2384</span> - <p class="i8">& care!</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 123.]<br /></span> - <p class="i4">I bi-knowe yow, knyȝt, here stylle,</p> - <p class="i4">Al fawty is my fare,</p> - <p class="i4">Leteȝ me ou<i>er</i>-take yo<i>ur</i> wylle,</p> -<span class="linenum">2388</span> - <p class="i4">& efle I schal be ware."</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>XVII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Then the other, laughing, thus spoke:</span> - <p>The<i>n</i>ne loȝe þat oþ<i>er</i> leude, & luflyly sayde,</p> - <p>"I halde hit hardily<sup>1</sup> hole, þe harme þat I hade;</p> - <span class="sidenote">"Thou art confessed so clean,</span> - <p>Þ<i>o</i>u art confessed so clene, be-knowen of þy mysses,</p> -<span class="linenum">2392</span> - <p>& hatȝ þe penau<i>n</i>ce apert, of þe poy<i>n</i>t of myn egge,</p> - <span class="sidenote">that I hold thee as pure as if thou hadst never been guilty.</span> - <p>I halde þe polysed of þat plyȝt, & pured as clene,</p> - <p>As þ<i>o</i>u hadeȝ neu<i>er</i> forfeted, syþe<i>n</i> þ<i>o</i>u watȝ fyrst borne.</p> - <span class="sidenote">I give thee, sir, the gold-hemmed girdle,</span> - <p>& I gif þe, s<i>ir</i>, þe gurdel þat is golde he<i>m</i>med;</p> -<span class="linenum">2396</span> - <p>For hit is grene as my goune, s<i>ir</i> G:, ȝe maye</p> - <p>Þenk vpon þis ilke þrepe, þ<i>er</i> þ<i>o</i>u forth þry<i>n</i>geȝ</p> - <p>Amo<i>n</i>g prynces of prys, & þis a pure token</p> - <span class="sidenote">as a token of thy adventure at the Green Chapel.</span> - <p>Of þe chau<i>n</i>ce of þe grene chapel, at cheualro<i>us</i> knyȝteȝ;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Come again to my abode, and abide there for the remainder of the festival."</span> -<span class="linenum">2400</span> - <p>& ȝe schal i<i>n</i> þis nwe ȝer aȝayn to my woneȝ,</p> - <p>& we schy<i>n</i> reuel þe remnau<i>n</i>t of þis ryche fest,</p> - <p class="i8">ful bene."</p> - <p class="i4">Þer laþed hy<i>m</i> fast þe lorde,</p> -<span class="linenum">2404</span> - <p class="i4">& sayde, "w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> my wyf, I wene,</p> - <p class="i4">We schal yow wel acorde,</p> - <p class="i4">Þat watȝ yo<i>ur</i> enmy kene."</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> hardilyly, in MS. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XVIII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"Nay, forsooth," says Gawayne,</span> - <p>"Nay, for soþe," q<i>uod</i> þe segge, & sesed hys helme,</p> -<span class="linenum">2408</span> - <p> & hatȝ hit of hendely, & þe haþel þonkkeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">"I have sojourned sadly, but bliss betide thee!</span> - <p>"I haf soiorned sadly, sele yow bytyde,</p> - <p>& he ȝelde hit yow ȝare, þat ȝarkkeȝ al me<i>n</i>skes!</p> - <span class="sidenote">Commend me to your comely wife and that other lady who have beguiled me.</span> - <p>& comau<i>n</i>deȝ me to þat cortays, yo<i>ur</i> comlych fere,</p> -<span class="linenum">2412</span> - <p>Boþe þat on & þat oþ<i>er</i>, myn hono<i>ur</i>ed ladyeȝ.</p> - <p>Þat þ<i>us</i> hor knyȝt wyth hor kest han koy<i>n</i>tly bigyled.</p> - <span class="sidenote">But it is no marvel for a man to be brought to grief through a woman's wiles.</span> - <p>Bot hit is no ferly, þaȝ a fole madde,</p> - <p>& þurȝ wyles of wy<i>m</i>men be wonen to sorȝe;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Adam, Solomon, Samson, and David were beguiled by women.</span> -<span class="linenum">2416</span> - <p>For so watȝ Adam i<i>n</i> erde w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> one bygyled,</p> - <p>& Salamon w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> fele sere, & Samson eft soneȝ,</p> - <p>Dalyda dalt hy<i>m</i> hys wyrde, & Dauyth þer-aft<i>er</i></p> - <p>Watȝ blended w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> Barsabe, þat much bale þoled.</p> - <span class="sidenote">How could a man love them and believe them not?</span> -<span class="linenum">2420</span> - <p>Now þese were wrathed wyth her wyles, h<i>i</i>t were a wy<i>n</i>ne huge,</p> - <p>To luf hom wel, & leue hem not, a leude þat couþe,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 123<i>b</i>.]</span> - <p>For þes wer forne<sup>1</sup> þe freest þat folȝed alle þe sele, </p> - <p>Ex-ellently of alle þyse oþ<i>er</i>, vnder heuen-ryche,</p> -<span class="linenum">2424</span> - <p class="i8">þat mused;</p> - <p class="i4">& alle þay were bi-wyled,</p> - <p class="i4">With<sup>2</sup> wy<i>m</i>men þat þay vsed,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Though I be now beguiled, methinks I should be excused.</span> - <p class="i4">Þaȝ I be now bigyled,</p> -<span class="linenum">2428</span> - <p class="i4">Me þink me burde be excused." </p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> forme (?) - <sup>2</sup> with wyth, in MS. - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XIX.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">But God reward you for your girdle.</span> - <p>"Bot yo<i>ur</i> gordel," q<i>uod</i> G: "God yow for-ȝelde!</p> - <p>Þat wyl I welde wyth good wylle, not for þe wy<i>n</i>ne golde,</p> - <p>Ne þe saynt, ne þe sylk, ne þe syde pendau<i>n</i>des,</p> -<span class="linenum">2432</span> - <p>For wele, ne for worchyp, ne for þe wlonk werkkeȝ,</p> - <span class="sidenote">I will wear it in remembrance of my fault.</span> - <p>Bot i<i>n</i> sy<i>n</i>gne of my surfet I schal se hit ofte;</p> - <p>When I ride i<i>n</i> renou<i>n</i>, remorde to myseluen </p> - <p>Þe faut & þe fayntyse of þe flesche crabbed,</p> -<span class="linenum">2436</span> - <p>How tender hit is to entyse teches of fylþe;</p> - <span class="sidenote">And when pride shall prick me,</span> - <p>& þ<i>us</i>, quen pryde schal me pryk, for prowes of armes,</p> - <span class="sidenote">a look to this lace shall abate it.</span> - <p>Þe loke to þis luf lace schal leþe my hert.</p> - <p>Bot on I wolde yow pray, displeses yow neu<i>er</i>;</p> -<span class="linenum">2440</span> - <p>Syn ȝe be lorde of þe ȝonde[r] londe, þ<i>er</i> I haf lent i<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <p>Wyth yow wyth worschyp,—þe wyȝe hit yow ȝelde</p> - <p>Þat vp-haldeȝ þe heu<i>en</i>, & on hyȝ sitteȝ,—</p> - <span class="sidenote">But tell me your right name and I shall have done."</span> - <p>How norne ȝe yowre ryȝt nome, & þe<i>n</i>ne no more?"</p> -<span class="linenum">2444</span> - <p>"Þat schal I telle þe trwly," q<i>uod</i> þ<i>a</i>t oþ<i>er</i> þe<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <span class="sidenote">The Green Knight replies, "I am called Bernlak de Hautdesert, through might of Morgain la Fey, the pupil of Merlin.</span> - <p>"Bernlak de Hautdesert I hat i<i>n</i> þis londe,</p> - <p>Þurȝ myȝt of Morgne la Faye, þat i<i>n</i> my ho<i>us</i> lenges,</p> - <p>&<sup>1</sup> koyntyse of clergye, bi craftes wel lerned,</p> -<span class="linenum">2448</span> - <p>Þe maystres of M<i>er</i>lyn, mony ho<sup>2</sup> taken;</p> - <p>For ho hatȝ dalt drwry ful dere su<i>m</i> tyme,</p> - <p>With þat conable klerk, þat knowes alle yo<i>ur</i> knyȝteȝ</p> - <p class="i8">at hame;</p> -<span class="linenum">2452</span> - <p class="i4">Morgne þe goddes,</p> - <p class="i4">Þer-fore hit is hir name;</p> - <span class="sidenote">She can tame even the haughtiest.</span> - <p class="i4">Weldeȝ non so hyȝe hawtesse,</p> - <p class="i4">Þat ho ne con make ful tame.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> in (?). - <sup>2</sup> ho hatȝ (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XX.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">It was she who caused me to test the renown of the Round Table,</span> -<span class="linenum">2456</span> - <p>Ho wayned me vpon þis wyse to yo<i>ur</i> wy<i>n</i>ne halle,</p> - <p>For to assay þe surquidre, ȝif hit soth were,</p> - <p>Þat re<i>n</i>nes of þe grete renou<i>n</i> of þe Rou<i>n</i>de Table;</p> - <p>Ho wayned me þis wonder, yo<i>ur</i> wytteȝ to reue,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 124.]<br />hoping to grieve Guenever and cause her death through fear.</span> -<span class="linenum">2460</span> - <p>For to haf greued Gayno<i>ur</i>, & gart hir to dyȝe.</p> - <p>W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> gopny<i>n</i>g<sup>1</sup> of þat ilke gomen, þat gostlych speked,</p> - <p>W<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> his hede i<i>n</i> his honde, bifore þe hyȝe table.</p> - <p>Þat is ho þat is at home, þe au<i>n</i>cian lady;</p> - <span class="sidenote">She is even thine aunt.</span> -<span class="linenum">2464</span> - <p>Ho is euen þyn au<i>n</i>t, Arþureȝ half suster,</p> - <p>Þe duches doȝter of Tyntagelle, þat dere Vt<i>er</i> aft<i>er</i></p> - <span class="sidenote">Therefore come to her and make merry in my house."</span> - <p>Hade Arþur vpon, þat aþel is nowþe.</p> - <p>Þerfore I eþe þe, haþel, to com to þy nau<i>n</i>t,</p> -<span class="linenum">2468</span> - <p>Make myry i<i>n</i> my ho<i>us</i>, my meny þe louies,</p> - <p>& I wol þe as wel, wyȝe, bi my faythe,</p> - <p>As any gome vnder God, for þy grete trauþe."</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne refuses to return with the Green Knight.</span> - <p>& he nikked hy<i>m</i> naye, he nolde bi no wayes; </p> -<span class="linenum">2472</span> - <p>Þay acolen & kyssen, [bikennen] ayþer oþ<i>er</i></p> - <p>To þe prynce of paradise, & parten ryȝt þere,</p> - <p class="i8">on coolde;</p> - <span class="sidenote">On horse full fair he bends to Arthur's hall.</span> - <p class="i4">Gawayn on blonk ful bene,</p> -<span class="linenum">2476</span> - <p class="i4">To þe ky<i>n</i>geȝ burȝ buskeȝ bolde, </p> - <p class="i4">& þe knyȝt i<i>n</i> þe enker grene,</p> - <p class="i4">Whider-warde so eu<i>er</i> he wolde.</p> - - </div> - <p class="i8"> - <sup>1</sup> glopnyng (?). - </p> -</div> - -<h2>XXI.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">Wild ways now Gawayne rides.</span> - <p>Wylde wayeȝ i<i>n</i> þe worlde Wowen now rydeȝ, </p> -<span class="linenum">2480</span> - <p>On Gryngolet, þat þe g<i>ra</i>ce hade geten of his lyue;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Oft he harboured in house and oft thereout.</span> - <p>Ofte he herbered i<i>n</i> house, & ofte al þeroute, </p> - <p>& mony a-venture i<i>n</i> vale, & venquyst ofte,</p> - <p>Þat I ne tyȝt, at þis tyme, i<i>n</i> tale to remene.</p> - <span class="sidenote">The wound in his neck became whole.</span> -<span class="linenum">2484</span> - <p>Þe hurt watȝ hole, þat he hade hent i<i>n</i> his nek, </p> - <span class="sidenote">He still carried about him the belt,</span> - <p>& þe blykkande belt he bere þeraboute,</p> - <p>A belef as a bauderyk, bou<i>n</i>den bi his syde, </p> - <p>Loken vnder his lyfte arme, þe lace, w<i>i</i>t<i>h</i> a knot,</p> - <span class="sidenote">in token of his fault.</span> -<span class="linenum">2488</span> - <p>I<i>n</i> tokeny<i>n</i>g he watȝ tane i<i>n</i> tech of a faute;</p> - <span class="sidenote">Thus he comes to the Court of King Arthur.</span> - <p>& þ<i>us</i> he co<i>m</i>mes to þe co<i>u</i>rt, knyȝt al i<i>n</i> sou<i>n</i>de. </p> - <span class="sidenote">Great then was the joy of all.</span> - <p>Þer wakned wele i<i>n</i> þat wone, when wyst þe grete,</p> - <p>Þat gode G: watȝ co<i>m</i>men, gayn hit hym þoȝt;</p> - <span class="sidenote">The king and his knights ask him concerning his journey.</span> -<span class="linenum">2492</span> - <p>Þe ky<i>n</i>g kysseȝ þe knyȝt, & þe whene alce,</p> - <p>& syþen mony syker knyȝt, þat soȝt hy<i>m</i> to haylce,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Gawayne tells them of his adventures,</span> - <p>Of his fare þat hy<i>m</i> frayned, & ferlyly he telles; </p> - <p>Biknowoȝ alle þe costes of care þat he hade,— </p> -<span class="linenum">2496</span> - <p>Þe chau<i>n</i>ce of þe chapel, þe chere of þe knyȝt,</p> - <span class="sidenote">[Fol. 124<i>b</i>.]<br />the love of the lady, and lastly of the lace.</span> - <p>Þe luf of þe ladi, þe lace at þe last.</p> - <p>Þe nirt i<i>n</i> þe nek he naked hem schewed,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He showed them the cut in his neck.</span> - <p>Þat he laȝt for his vnleute at þe leudes hondes,</p> -<span class="linenum">2500</span> - <p class="i8">for blame;</p> - <p class="i4">He tened quen he schulde telle,</p> - <span class="sidenote">He groaned for grief and shame, and the blood rushed into his face.</span> - <p class="i4">He groned for gref & grame;</p> - <p class="i4">Þe blod i<i>n</i> his face con melle,</p> -<span class="linenum">2504</span> - <p class="i4">When he hit schulde schewe, for schame.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<h2>XXII.</h2> - -<div class="poem"> - <div class="stanza"> - <span class="sidenote">"Lo!" says he, handling the lace, "this is the band of blame,</span> - <p>"Lo! lorde," q<i>uod</i> þe leude, & þe lace hondeled,</p> - <p>"Þis is þe bende of þis blame I bere [in] my nek,</p> - <p>Þis is þe laþe & þe losse, þat I laȝt haue,</p> - <span class="sidenote">a token of my cowardice and covetousness,</span> -<span class="linenum">2508</span> - <p>Of couardise & couetyse, þat I haf caȝt þare,</p> - <p>Þis is þe token of vn-trawþe, þat I am tan i<i>n</i>ne,</p> - <span class="sidenote">I must needs wear it as long as I live."</span> - <p>& I mot nedeȝ hit were, wyle I may last;</p> - <p>For non may hyden his harme, bot vnhap ne may hit,</p> -<span class="linenum">2512</span> - <p>For þ<i>er</i> hit oneȝ is tachched, twy<i>n</i>ne wil hit neu<i>er</i>."</p> - <span class="sidenote">The king comforts the knight, and all the court too.</span> - <p>Þe ky<i>n</i>g comforteȝ þe knyȝt, & alle þe co<i>u</i>rt als,</p> - <p>Laȝen loude þ<i>er</i>-at, & luflyly acorden,</p> - <p>Þat lordes & ladis, þ<i>a</i>t longed to þe Table,</p> - <span class="sidenote">Each knight of the brotherhood agrees to wear a bright green belt,</span> -<span class="linenum">2516</span> - <p>Vche burne of þe broþ<i>er</i>-hede a bauderyk schulde haue,</p> - <p>A bende, a belef hy<i>m</i> aboute, of a bryȝt grene,</p> - <span class="sidenote">for Gawayne's sake,</span> - <p>& þat, for sake of þat segge, i<i>n</i> swete to were.</p> - <p>For þat watȝ acorded þe renou<i>n</i> of þe Rou<i>n</i>de Table,</p> - <span class="sidenote">who ever more honoured it.</span> -<span class="linenum">2520</span> - <p>& he hono<i>ur</i>ed þat hit hade, eu<i>er</i>-more aft<i>er</i>,</p> - <p>As hit is breued i<i>n</i> þe best boke of romau<i>n</i>ce.</p> - <span class="sidenote">Thus in Arthur's day this adventure befell.</span> - <p>Þ<i>us</i> i<i>n</i> Arthur<i>us</i> day þis au<i>n</i>t<i>er</i> bitidde,</p> - <p>Þe Brut<i>us</i> boke<i>es</i> þ<i>er</i>-of beres wyttenesse;</p> -<span class="linenum">2524</span> - <p>Syþ<i>en</i> Brut<i>us</i>, þe bolde burne, boȝed hider fyrst,</p> - <p>Aft<i>er</i> þe segge & þe asaute watȝ sesed at Troye,</p> - <p class="i8">I-wysse;</p> - <p class="i4">Mony au<i>n</i>t<i>er</i>eȝ here bi-forne,</p> -<span class="linenum">2528</span> - <p class="i4">Haf fallen suche er þis:</p> - <span class="sidenote">He that bore the crown of thorns bring us to His bliss!</span> - <p class="i4">Now þat bere þe crou<i>n</i> of þorne,</p> - <p class="i4">He bry<i>n</i>g v<i>us</i> to his blysse! AMEN.</p> - - </div> -</div> - -<hr /> - - <p>NOTES.</p> - -<table border="0"> - <tr><td>Line 8</td><td> - Ricchis turns, goes,<br /> - The king ...<br /> - <i>Ricchis</i> his reynys and the Renke metys:<br /> - Girden to gedur with þere grete speires.—T.B. l. 1232.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>37</td><td><i> Þis kyng lay at Camylot vpon kryst-masse</i>.<br /> - - <i>Camalot</i>, in Malory's "Morte Arthure," is said to be the same as - Winchester. Ritson supposes it to be <i>Caer-went</i>, in Monmouthshire, - and afterwards confounded with <i>Caer-wynt</i>, or <i>Winchester</i>. - But popular tradition here seems the best guide, which assigned the site - of Camalot to the ruins of a castle on a hill, near the church of South - Cadbury, in Somersetshire (Sir F. Madden).</td></tr> - - <tr><td>65</td><td><i> Nowel nayted o-newe, neuened ful ofte</i>.<br /> - - Christmas celebrated anew, mentioned full often.<br /> - - Sir F. Madden leaves the word <i>nayted</i> unexplained in his - Glossary to "Syr Gawayne."</td></tr> - - <tr><td>124</td><td><i>syluener</i> = <i>sylueren</i>, i.e. silver dishes.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>139</td><td><i>lyndes</i> = <i>lendes</i>, loins.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>142</td><td><i>in his muckel</i>, in his greatness.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>184</td><td>Watȝ euesed al umbe-torne—? was trimmed, all cut evenly - around; <i>umbe-torne</i> may be an error for <i>vmbe-corue</i> = cut - round.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>216</td><td><i>in gracios werkes</i>. Sir F. Madden reads <i>gracons</i> for - <i>gracios</i>, and suggests <i>Greek</i> as the meaning of it.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>244-5</td><td><i> As al were slypped vpon slepe so slaked hor loteȝ<br /> - in hyȝe</i>.<br /> - As all were fallen asleep so ceased their words<br /> - in haste (suddenly).<br /> - - Sir F. Madden reads <i>slaked horloteȝ</i>, instead of <i>slaked hor - loteȝ</i>, which, according to his glossary, signifies drunken vagabonds. - He evidently takes <i>horloteȝ</i> to be another (and a very uncommon) - form of <i>harloteȝ</i> = <i>harlots</i>. But <i>harlot</i>, or vagabond, would - be a very inappropriate term to apply to the noble <i>Knights of the - Round Table</i>. Moreover, <i>slaked</i> never, I think, means drunken. - The general sense of the verb <i>slake</i> is to let loose, lessen, - cease. Cf. lines 411-2, where <i>sloke</i>, another form of <i>slake</i>, - occurs with a similar meaning:<br /> - — <i>layt no fyrre; bot slokes</i>.<br /> - — seek no further, but stop (cease).<br /> - Sir F. Madden suggests <i>blows</i> as the explanation of - <i>slokes</i>. It is, however, a <i>verb</i> in the imperative mood.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>286</td><td><i>Brayn</i>. Mätzner suggests <i>brayn-wod</i>.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>296</td><td><i>barlay</i> = par loi. This word is exceedingly common in the T. - Book (see l. 3391).<br /> - I bid you now, <i>barlay</i>, with besines at all<br /> - Þat ye set you most soverainly my suster to gete.—T.B. l. 2780.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>394</td><td><i>siker</i>. Sir F. Madden reads <i>swer</i>.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>440</td><td><i>bluk</i>. Sir F. Madden suggests <i>blunk</i> (horse). I am - inclined to keep to the reading of the MS., and explain <i>bluk</i> as = - <i>bulk</i> = trunk. Cf. the use of the word <i>Blok</i> in "Early - English Alliterative Poems," p. 100, l. 272.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>558</td><td><i>derue doel</i>, etc. = great grief. Sir F. Madden reads - <i>derne</i>, i.e. secret, instead of <i>derue</i> (= <i>derf</i>). Cf. - line 564.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>577</td><td><i>knaged</i>, fastened.<br /> - The braunches were borly, sum of bright gold,<br /> - With leuys full luffly, light of the same;<br /> - With burions aboue bright to beholde;<br /> - And fruit on yt fourmyt of fairest of shap,<br /> - Of mony kynd that was knyt, <i>knagged</i> aboue.—T.B. l. 4973.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>629</td> <td> - <i>& ay quere hit is endeleȝ</i>, etc.<br /> - And everywhere it is <i>endless</i>, etc.<br /> - Sir F. Madden reads <i>emdeleȝ</i>, i.e. with equal sides.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>652</td><td><i>for-be</i> = <i>for-bi</i> = surpassing, beyond.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>681</td><td>for <i>Hadet</i> read <i>Halet</i> = <i>haled</i> = exiled (?). - See line 1049.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>806</td><td><i>auinant</i> = <i>auenaunt</i>, pleasantly. Sir F. Madden reads - <i>amnant</i>.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>954</td><td><i>of</i>. Should we not read <i>on</i> (?).</td></tr> - - <tr><td>957</td><td><i> Þat oþer wyth a gorger watȝ gered ouer þe swyre</i>.<br /> - The <i>gorger</i> or <i>wimple</i> is stated first to have appeared in - Edward the First's reign, and an example is found on the monument of - Aveline, Countess of Lancaster, who died in 1269. From the poem, however, - it would seem that the <i>gorger</i> was confined to elderly ladies (Sir - F. Madden)</td></tr> - - <tr><td>968</td><td> - <i>More lykker-wys on to lyk,<br /> - Watȝ þat scho had on lode.</i><br /> - A more pleasant one to like,<br /> - Was that (one) she had under her control.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>988</td><td><i>tayt</i> = lively, and hence pleasant, agreeable.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>1015</td><td><i>in vayres</i>, in purity.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>1020</td><td><i>dut</i> = <i>dunt</i> (?) = <i>dint</i> (?), referring to - <i>sword-sports</i>.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>1022</td><td><i>sayn[t] Ioneȝ day</i>. This is the 27th of December, and the - last of the feast. Sometimes the Christmas festivities were prolonged to - New Year's Day (Sir F. Madden). </td></tr> - - <tr><td>1047</td><td><i>derne dede</i> = secret deed. I would prefer to read <i>derue - dede</i> = great deed. Cf. lines 558, 564.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>1053</td><td><i>I wot in worlde</i>, etc. = <i>I not</i> (I know not) <i>in - worlde</i>, etc.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>1054</td><td> - <i>I nolde, bot if I hit negh myȝt on nwȝeres morne,</i><br /> - <i>For alle þe londe in-wyth Logres,</i> etc.<br /> - I would not [delay to set out], unless I might approach it on New - Year's morn, for all the lands within England, etc.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>1074</td><td><i>in spenne</i> = <i>in space</i> = in the interval = meanwhile. - See line 1503.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>1160</td><td><i>slentyng of arwes</i>. Sir F. Madden reads - <i>sleutyng</i>.<br /> - "Of drawyn swordis <i>sclentyng</i> to and fra,<br /> - The brycht mettale, and othir armouris seir,<br /> - Quharon the sonnys blenkis betis cleir,<br /> - Glitteris and schane, and vnder bemys brycht,<br /> - Castis ane new twynklyng or a lemand lycht."<br /> - (G. Douglas' Æneid, Vol. i, p. 421.) </td></tr> - - <tr><td>1281</td><td><i>let lyk</i> = appeared pleased.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>1283</td><td> <i>Þaȝ I were burde bryȝtest, þe burde in mynde hade</i>, - etc.<br /> - - The sense requires us to read:<br /> - - <i>Þaȝ ho were burde bryȝtest, þe burne in mynde hade</i>, etc.<br /> - - i.e., Though she were lady fairest, the knight in mind had, etc.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>1440</td><td> <i>Long sythen [seuered] for þe sounder þat wiȝt for-olde</i><br /> - Long since separated from the <i>sounder</i> or herd that fierce (one) - for-aged (grew very old).<br /> - "Now to speke of the boore, the fyrste year he is<br /> - A pygge of the <i>sounder</i> callyd, as haue I blys;<br /> - The secounde yere an hogge, and soo shall he be,<br /> - And an hoggestere, whan he is of yeres thre;<br /> - And when he is foure yere, a boor shall he be,<br /> - From the <i>sounder</i> of the swyne thenne departyth he;<br /> - A synguler is he soo, for alone he woll go."<br /> - (Book of St. Alban's, ed. 1496, sig. <i>d</i>., i.)</td></tr> - - <tr><td>1476</td><td><i>totes</i> = looks, toots.<br /> - Sho went up wightly by a walle syde.<br /> - To the toppe of a toure and <i>tot</i> ouer the water.—T.B. l. 862.<br /> </td></tr> - - <tr><td>1623</td><td>A verb [? <i>lalede</i> = cried] seems wanting after - <i>lorde</i>.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>1702</td><td><i>fnasted</i>, breathed.<br /> - These balfull bestes were, as the boke tellus,<br /> - Full flaumond of fyre with <i>fnastyng</i> of logh.—T.B. l. 168.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>1710</td><td><i>a strothe rande</i> = a rugged path. Cf. the phrases <i>tene - greue</i>, l. 1707; <i>roȝe greue</i>, l. 1898.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>1729</td><td><i>bi lag</i> = <i>be-lagh</i>(?) = below (?).</td></tr> - - <tr><td>1719</td><td> - <i>Thenne watȝ hit lif vpon list</i>, etc.<br /> - Should we not read:<br /> - <i>Thenne watȝ hit list vpon lif</i>, etc.<br /> - i.e., Then was there joy in life, etc.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>1780</td><td><i>lyf</i> = <i>lef</i>(?), beloved (one).</td></tr> - - <tr><td>1869</td><td> - <i>Ho hatȝ kyst þe knyȝt so toȝt</i>.<br /> - <i>She has kissed the knight so courteous</i>.<br /> - Sir F. Madden explains <i>toȝt</i>, promptly. <i>Toȝt</i> seems to be - the same as the Northumbrian <i>taght</i> in the following extract from - the "Morte Arthure":<br /> - "There come in at the fyrste course, before the kyng seluene,<br /> - Bare hevedys that ware bryghte, burnyste with sylver,<br /> - Alle with <i>taghte</i> mene and <i>towne</i> in togers fulle ryche."—(p. 15.)<br /> - The word <i>towne</i> (well-behaved) still exists in <i>wan-ton</i>, - the original meaning of which was ill-mannered, ill-bred.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>1909</td><td><i>bray houndeȝ</i> = <i>braþ houndeȝ</i>, i.e. fierce - hounds.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>1995</td><td><i>He hatȝ nere þat he soȝt</i> = <i>He watȝ nere þat he soȝt</i> - = He was near to that which he sought.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>2160</td><td><i>gedereȝ þe rake</i> = takes the path or way.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>2167</td><td> - - <i>Þe skweȝ of þe scowtes skayued hym þoȝt</i>.<br /> - The shadows of the hills appeared wild (desolate) to him. Sir F. - Madden reads <i>skayned</i>, of which he gives no explanation. - <i>Skayued</i> = <i>skayfed</i>, seems to be the N. Prov. English - <i>scafe</i>, wild. Scotch <i>schaivie</i>, wild, mad. O.N. - <i>skeifr</i>. Sw. <i>skef</i>, awry, distorted.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>2204</td><td><i>ronge</i> = clattered.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>2211</td><td> - <i>Drede dotȝ me no lote</i> =<br/> - No noise shall cause me to dread (fear).</td></tr> - - <tr><td>2357</td><td> - <i>& þer-for þat tappe ta þe</i>.<br /> - And therefore take thee that tap.<br /> - <i>ta þe</i> = take thee. Sir F. Madden reads <i>taþe = taketh</i>. - See l. 413, where <i>to þe</i> rhymes with <i>sothe</i>. We have - no imperatives in <i>th</i> in this poem.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>2401</td><td><i>We schyn reuel</i>, etc. Sir F. Madden reads <i>wasch yn - reuel</i>. But <i>schyn</i> = shall. See Glossary to "Alliterative - Poems."</td></tr> - - <tr><td>2474</td><td><i>on-coolde</i> = <i>on-colde</i> = <i>coldly</i> = - sorrowfully.</td></tr> - - <tr><td>2489 </td><td><i>in-sounde = soundly</i>, well. Cf. <i>in-blande</i> = - together; <i>in-lyche</i>, alike; <i>inmyddeȝ</i>, amidst.</td></tr> - </table> - -</body> -</html> |