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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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