The Project Gutenberg EBook of Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight, by Anonymous This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight An Alliterative Romance-Poem (c. 1360 A.D.) Author: Anonymous Release Date: January 3, 2005 [EBook #14568] Language: English, Middle (1100-1500) Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIR GAWAYNE AND THE GREEN KNIGHT *** Produced by Ted Garvin, Keith Edkins and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team Sir Gawayne and The Green Knight: AN ALLITERATIVE ROMANCE-POEM, (AB. 1360 A.D.) BY THE AUTHOR OF "EARLY ENGLISH ALLITERATIVE POEMS." RE-EDITED FROM COTTON. MS. NERO, A.x., IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM, BY RICHARD MORRIS, EDITOR OF HAMPOLE'S "PRICKE OF CONSCIENCE," "EARLY ENGLISH ALLITERATIVE POEMS," ETC.; MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF THE PHILOLOGICAL SOCIETY. SECOND EDITION, REVISED, 1869. LONDON MDCCCLXIV. JOHN CHILDS AND SON, PRINTERS. * * * * * PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. In re-editing the present romance-poem I have been saved all labour of transcription by using the very accurate text contained in Sir F. Madden's "Syr Gawayne." I have not only read his copy with the manuscript, but also the proof-sheets as they came to hand, hoping by this means to give the reader a text free from any errors of transcription. The present edition differs from that of the earlier one in having the contractions of the manuscript expanded and side-notes added to the text to enable the reader to follow with some degree of ease the author's pleasant narrative of Sir Gawayne's adventures. The Glossary is taken from Sir F. Madden's "Syr Gawayne,"[1] to which, for the better interpretation of the text, I have made several additions, and have, moreover, glossed nearly all the words previously left unexplained. For a description of the Manuscript, and particulars relating to the authorship and dialect of the present work, the reader is referred to the preface to Early English Alliterative Poems. R.M. LONDON, December 22, 1864. [Footnote 1: Sir F. Madden has most generously placed at the disposal of the Early English Text Society any of his works which it may determine to re-edit.] * * * * * INTRODUCTION. No Knight of the Round Table has been so highly honoured by the old Romance-writers as Sir Gawayne, the son of Loth, and nephew to the renowned Arthur. They delighted to describe him as Gawayne the good, a man matchless on mould, the most gracious that under God lived, the hardiest of hand, the most fortunate in arms, and the most polite in hall, whose knowledge, knighthood, kindly works, doings, doughtiness, and deeds of arms were known in all lands. When Arthur beheld the dead body of his kinsman lying on the ground bathed in blood, he is said to have exclaimed, "O righteous God, this blood were worthy to be preserved and enshrined in gold!" Our author, too, loves to speak of his hero in similar terms of praise, calling him the knight faultless in his five wits, void of every offence, and adorned with every earthly virtue. He represents him as one whose trust was in the five wounds, and in whom the five virtues which distinguished the true knight were more firmly established than in any other on earth. The author of the present story, who, as we know from his religious poems, had an utter horror of moral impurity, could have chosen no better subject for a romance in which amusement and moral instruction were to be combined. In the following tale he shows how the true knight, though tempted sorely not once alone, but twice, nay thrice, breaks not his vow of chastity, but turns aside the tempter's shafts with the shield of purity and arm of faith, and so passes scatheless through the perilous defile of trial and opportunity seeming safe. But while our author has borrowed many of the details of his story from the "Roman de Perceval" by Chrestien de Troyes, he has made the narrative more attractive by the introduction of several original and highly interesting passages which throw light on the manners and amusements of our ancestors. The following elaborate descriptions are well deserving of especial notice:-- I. The mode of completely arming a knight (ll. 568-589). II. The hunting and breaking the deer (ll. 1126-1359). III. The hunting and unlacing the wild boar (ll. 1412-1614). IV. A fox hunt (ll. 1675-1921). The following is an outline of the story of Gawayne's adventures, more or less in the words of the writer himself:-- Arthur, the greatest of Britain's kings, holds the Christmas festival at Camelot, surrounded by the celebrated knights of the Round Table, noble lords, the most renowned under heaven, and ladies the loveliest that ever had life (ll. 37-57). This noble company celebrate the New Year by a religious service, by the bestowal of gifts, and the most joyous mirth. Lords and ladies take their seats at the table--Queen Guenever, the grey-eyed, gaily dressed, sits at the daļs, 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 daļs 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] Sižen že sege & že assaut wat3 sesed at Troye, [Fol. 91a.] Že bor3 brittened & brent to bronde3 & aske3, Že tulk žat že trammes of tresoun žer wro3t, 4 Wat3 tried for his tricherie, že trewest on erthe; Hit wat3 Ennias že athel, & his highe kynde, Žat sižen depreced prouinces, & patrounes bicome Welne3e of al že wele in že west iles, 8 [B] Fro riche Romulus to Rome ricchis hym swyže, With gret bobbaunce žat 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 že French flod Felix Brutus On mony bonkkes ful brode Bretayn he sette3, wyth wynne; 16 [D] Where werre, & wrake, & wonder, Bi syže3 hat3 wont žer-inne, [E] & oft bože 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 žis Bretayn wat3 bigged bi žis burn rych, [A] Bolde bredden žer-inne, baret žat lofden, In mony turned tyme tene žat wro3ten; Mo ferlyes on žis folde han fallen here oft 24 [B] Žen in any ožer žat I wot, syn žat ilk tyme. [C] Bot of alle žat here bult of Bretaygne kynges Ay wat3 Arthur že hendest; as I haf herde telle; For-ži an aunter in erde I attle to schawe, [Fol. 91b.] 28 Žat a selly in si3t summe men hit holden, & an outtrage awenture of Arthure3 wondere3; [D] If 3e wyl lysten žis 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] Žis kyng lay at Camylot vpon kryst-masse, With mony luflych lorde, lede3 of že best, [B] Rekenly of že rounde table alle žo rich brežer, 40 With rych reuel ory3t, & rechles meržes; Žer tournayed tulkes bi-tyme3 ful mony, Iusted ful Iolilé žise gentyle kni3tes, Syžen kayred to že court, caroles to make. 44 [C] For žer že fest wat3 ilyche ful fiften dayes, With alle že mete & že mirže žat men couže 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 žo3t; With all že wele of že worlde žay woned žer samen, [E] Že most kyd kny3te3 vnder kryste seluen, 52 & že louelokkest ladies žat euer lif haden, & he že comlokest kyng žat že court haldes; For al wat3 žis fayre folk in her first age, on sille; 56 [F] Že 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 žat hit wat3 nwe cummen, Žat day doubble on že dece wat3 že douth serued, Fro že kyng wat3 cummen with kny3tes in to že halle, Že chauntre of že chapel cheued to an ende; 64 Loude crye wat3 žer kest of clerke3 & ožer, Nowel nayted o-newe, neuened ful ofte; [Fol. 92] & syžen riche forth runnen to reche honde-selle, [B] 3e3ed 3eres 3iftes on hi3, 3elde hem bi hond, 68 Debated busyly aboute žo giftes; Ladies la3ed ful loude, žo3 žay lost haden, & he žat wan wat3 not wrothe, žat may 3e wel trawe. [C] Alle žis mirže žay maden to že mete tyme; 72 When žay had waschen, woržyly žay wenten to sete, Že best burne ay abof, as hit best semed; [D] Whene Guenore ful gay, grayžed in že myddes. Dressed on že dere des, dubbed al aboute, 76 Smal sendal bisides, a selure hir ouer Of tryed Tolouse, of Tars tapites in-noghe, Žat were enbrawded & beten wyth že best gemmes, Žat my3t be preued of prys wyth penyes to bye, 80 in daye; [E] Že comlokest to discrye, Žer glent with y3en gray, A semloker žat 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 že lasse 88 [B] Aužer to lenge lye, or to longe sitte, So bi-sied him his 3onge blod & his brayn wylde; & also anožer maner meued him eke, Žat he žur3 nobelay had nomen, ho wolde neuer ete 92 Vpon such a dere day, er hym deuised were [C] Of sum auenturus žyng an vncouže tale, Of sum mayn meruayle, žat he my3t trawe, Of[1] alderes, of armes, of ožer auenturus, 96 Ožer 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 ožer, As fortune wolde fulsun hom že fayrer to haue. 100 Žis wat3 [že] kynges countenaunce where he in court were, At vch farand fest among his fre meny, in halle; [Fol. 92b.] [D] Žer-fore of face so fere. 104 He sti3tle3 stif in stalle, Ful 3ep in žat 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 žer stondes in stale že stif kyng his-seluen, 108 Talkkande bifore že hy3e table of trifles ful hende [B] There gode Gawan wat3 grayžed, Gwenore bisyde [C] & Agrauayn a la dure mayn on žat ožer syde sittes Bože že kynges sister sunes, & ful siker kni3tes; 112 [D] Bischop Bawdewyn abof bi-gine3 že table, [E] & Ywan, Vryn son, ette wit hym-seluen; Žise were di3t on že des, & derworžly serued, & sižen mony siker segge at že sidborde3. 116 [F] Žen že first cors come with crakkyng of trumpes, Wyth mony baner ful bry3t, žat žer-bi henged, Nwe nakryn noyse with že noble pipes, Wylde werbles & wy3t wakned lote, 120 Žat mony hert ful hi3e hef at her towches; [G] Dayntes dryuen žer-wyth of ful dere metes, Foysoun of že fresche, & on so fele disches, Žat pine to fynde že place že peple bi-forne 124 For to sette že syluener,[1] žat sere sewes halden, on clothe; Iche lede as he loued hym-selue Žer laght with-outen lože, 128 [H] Ay two had disches twelue, [I] Good ber, & bry3t wyn bože. [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 žat žer were; 132 [B] An ožer noyse ful newe ne3ed biliue, Žat že lude my3t haf leue lif-lode to cach. For vneže wat3 že noyce not a whyle sesed, & že fyrst cource in že court kyndely serued, 136 [C] Žer hales in at že halle dor an aghlich mayster, On že most on že molde on mesure hyghe; Fro že swyre to že swange so sware & so žik, [D] & his lyndes & his lymes so longe & so grete, 140 Half etayn in erde I hope žat he were. [Fol. 93.] [E] Bot mon most I algate mynn hym to bene, & žat že myriest in his muckel žat 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 žat 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 grayžed in grene žis gome & his wedes, 152 A strayt cote ful stre3t, žat stek on his sides, A mere mantile abof, mensked with-inne, With pelure pured apert že pane ful clene, With blyže blaunner ful bry3t, & his hod bože, 156 Žat wat3 la3t fro his lokke3, & layde on his schulderes Heme wel haled, hose of žat same grene, [B] Žat spenet on his sparlyr, & clene spures vnder, Of bry3t golde, vpon silk bordes, barred ful ryche 160 & scholes vnder schankes, žere že schalk rides; & alle his vesture uerayly wat3 clene verdure, Bože že barres of his belt & ožer blyže stones, Žat were richely rayled in his aray clene, 164 [C] Aboutte hym-self & his sadel, vpon silk werke3, Žat were to tor for to telle of tryfles že halue, Žat were enbrauded abof, wyth bryddes & fly3es, With gay gaudi of grene, že golde ay in myddes; 168 Že pendauntes of his payttrure, že proude cropure His molaynes, & alle že metail anamayld was ženne Že steropes žat he stod on, stayned of že same, & his arsoun3 al after, & his ažel sturtes, 172 Žat euer glemered[1] & glent al of grene stones. [D] Že fole žat he ferkkes on, fyn of žat ilke, sertayn; A grene hors gret & žikke, 176 [E] A stede ful stif to strayne, In brawden brydel quik, To že 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 žis gome gered in grene, 180 & že 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, Žat wyth his hi3lich here, žat of his hed reches, 184 Wat3 euesed al vmbe-torne, a-bof his elbowes, Žat half his armes žer vnder were halched in že wyse Of a kynge3 capados, žat closes his swyre. [C] Že mane of žat mayn hors much to hit lyke, 188 Wel cresped & cemmed wyth knottes ful mony, Folden in wyth fildore aboute že fayre grene, Ay a herle of že here, an ožer of golde; [D] Že tayl & his toppyng twynnen of a sute, 192 & bounden bože wyth a bande of a bry3t grene, Dubbed wyth ful dere stone3, as že dok lasted, Syžen žrawen wyth a žwong a žwarle knot alofte, Žer mony belle3 ful bry3t of brende golde rungen. 196 [E] Such a fole vpon folde, ne freke žat hym rydes, Wat3 neuer sene in žat sale wyth sy3t er žat tyme, with y3e; He loked as layt so ly3t, 200 So sayd al žat 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] Whežer hade he no helme ne hawb[e]rgh naužer, 204 Ne no pysan, ne no plate žat 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, Žat is grattest in grene, when greue3 ar bare, 208 [C] & an ax in his ožer, a hoge & vn-mete, A spetos sparže to expoun in spelle quo-so my3t; Že hede of an eln3erde že large lenkže hade, Že grayn al of grene stele & of golde hewen, 212 [D] Že bit burnyst bry3t, with a brod egge, As wel schapen to schere as scharp rasores; Že stele of a stif staf že sturne hit bi-grypte, Žat wat3 wounden wyth yrn to že wande3 ende, [Fol. 94.] 216 [E] & al bigrauen with grene, in gracios[1] werkes; A lace lapped aboute, žat louked at že hede, & so after že halme halched ful ofte, Wyth tryed tassele3 žerto tacched in-noghe, 220 [F] On botoun3 of že bry3t grene brayden ful ryche. Žis hažel helde3 hym in, & že halle entres, Driuande to že he3e dece, dut he no wože, [G] Haylsed he neuer one, bot he3e he ouer loked. 224 Že fyrst word žat he warp, "wher is," he sayd, [H] "Že gouernour of žis gyng? gladly I wolde Se žat 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 žer 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 lenže, že lude to be-holde, For vch mon had meruayle quat hit mene my3t, Žat a hažel & a horse my3t such a hwe lach, [B] As growe grene as že gres & grener hit semed, 236 Žen grene aumayl on golde lowande bry3ter; Al studied žat žer stod, & stalked hym nerre, [C] Wyth al že wonder of že worlde, what he worch schulde. For fele sellye3 had žay sen, bot such neuer are, 240 For-ži for fantoum & fayry3e že folk žere hit demed; [D] Žer-fore to answare wat3 ar3e mony ažel freke, & al stouned at his steuen, & stonstil seten, [E] In a swoghe sylence žur3 že 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 žat al schulde loute, Cast vnto žat 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] Ženn Aržour bifore že hi3 dece žat auenture byholde3, & rekenly hym reuerenced, for rad was he neuer, 252 & sayde, "wy3e, welcum iwys to žis place, [B] Že hede of žis ostel Arthour I hat, [Fol. 94b.] Li3t luflych adoun, & lenge, I že praye, & quat so žy wylle is, we schal wyt after." 256 [C] "Nay, as help me," quod že hažel, "he žat on hy3e syttes, To wone any quyle in žis won, hit wat3 not myn ernde; Bot for že los of že lede is lyft vp so hy3e, & žy bur3 & žy burnes best ar holden, 260 Stifest vnder stel-gere on stedes to ryde, [D] Že wy3test & že woržyest of že worldes kynde, Preue for to play wyth in ožer pure layke3; & here is kydde cortaysye, as I haf herd carp, 264 & žat hat3 wayned me hider, I-wyis, at žis tyme. 3e may be seker bi žis braunch žat I bere here, [E] Žat 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 bože, A schelde, & a scharp spere, schinande bry3t, Ande ožer weppenes to welde, I wene wel als, Bot for I wolde no were, my wede3 ar softer. 272 Bot if žou be so bold as alle burne3 tellen, Žou wyl grant me godly že gomen žat I ask, bi ry3t." [G] Arthour con onsware, 276 & sayd, "sir cortays kny3t, If žou craue batayl bare, Here fayle3 žou 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 že telle, 280 [B] Hit arn aboute on žis 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-žy I craue in žis court a crystmas gomen, 284 [D] For hit is 3ol & nwe 3er, & here ar 3ep mony; If any so hardy in žis hous holde3 hym-seluen, [E] Be so bolde in his blod, brayn in hys hede, Žat dar stifly strike a strok for an ožer, 288 I schal gif hym of my gyft žys giserne ryche, [F] Žis ax, žat is heué in-nogh, to hondele as hym lykes, & I schal bide že fyrst bur, as bare as I sitte. [Fol. 95.] If any freke be so felle to fonde žat I telle, 292 Lepe ly3tly me to, & lach žis weppen, I quit clayme hit for euer, kepe hit as his auen, [G] & I schal stonde hym a strok, stif on žis flet, Elle3 žou wyl di3t me že dom to dele hym an ožer, 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 žanne Alle že hered-men in halle, že hy3 & že lo3e; [B] Že 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 žis Aržures hous," quod že hažel ženne, "Žat al že rous rennes of, žur3 ryalmes so mony? Where is now your sourquydrye & your conquestes, 312 Your gry[n]del-layk, & your greme, & your grete wordes? [F] Now is že reuel & že renoun of že rounde table Ouer-walt wyth a worde of on wy3es speche; For al dares for drede, with-oute dynt schewed!" 316 Wyth žis he la3es so loude, žat že lorde greued; [G] Že blod schot for scham in-to his schyre face & lere; [H] He wex as wroth as wynde, 320 So did alle žat žer were Že kyng as kene bi kynde, Žen stod žat 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, "hažel, by heuen žyn askyng is nys, 324 & as žou foly hat3 frayst, fynde že be-houes; I know no gome žat is gast of žy grete wordes. Gif me now žy geserne, vpon gode3 halue, & I schal bayžen žy bone, žat žou boden habbes." 328 Ly3tly lepe3 he hym to, & la3t at his honde; [Fol. 95b.] Žen feersly žat ožer freke vpon fote ly3tis. [B] Now hat3 Arthure his axe, & že halme grype3, & sturnely sture3 hit aboute, žat stryke wyth hit žo3t. 332 Že stif mon hym bifore stod vpon hy3t, Herre žen ani in že hous by že hede & more; [C] Wyth sturne schere[1] žer 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, Žen any burne vpon bench hade bro3t hym to drynk of wyne, [D] Gawan, žat sate bi že quene, 340 To že kyng he can enclyne, "I be-seche now with sa3e3 sene, Žis 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, woržilych lorde," quod Gawan to že kyng, 344 [A] "Bid me bo3e fro žis benche, & stonde by yow žere, Žat I wyth-oute vylanye my3t voyde žis table, & žat my legge lady lyked not ille, I wolde com to your counseyl, bifore your cort ryche. 348 [B] For me žink hit not semly, as hit is sož knawen, Žer such an askyng is heuened so hy3e in your sale, Ža33e 3our-self be talenttyf to take hit to your-seluen, [C] Whil mony so bolde yow aboute vpon bench sytten, 352 Žat vnder heuen, I hope, non ha3er er of wylle, Ne better bodyes on bent, žer baret is rered; [D] I am že wakkest, I wot, and of wyt feblest, & lest lur of my lyf, quo laytes že sože, 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; & syžen žis note is so nys, žat no3t hit yow falles, & I haue frayned hit at yow fyrst, folde3 hit to me, 360 & if I carp not comlyly, let alle žis cort rych, bout blame." [E] Ryche to-geder con roun, & syžen žay redden alle same, 364 To ryd že kyng wyth croun, & gif Gawan že 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. Žen comaunded že kyng že kny3t for to ryse; [Fol. 96.] & he ful radly vp ros, & ruchched hym fayre, 368 [A] Kneled doun bifore že kyng, & cache3 žat weppen; & he luflyly hit hym laft, & lyfte vp his honde, & gef hym godde3 blessyng, & gladly hym biddes [B] Žat his hert & his honde schulde hardi be bože. 372 "Kepe že cosyn," quod že kyng, "žat žou on kyrf sette, & if žou rede3 hym ry3t, redly I trowe, Žat žou schal byden že bur žat he schal bede after. Gawan got3 to že gome, with giserne in honde, 376 & he baldly hym byde3, he bayst neuer že helder [C] Žen carppe3 to sir Gawan že kny3t in že grene, "Refourme we oure for-wardes, er we fyrre passe. Fyrst I eže že, hažel, how žat žou hattes, 380 Žat žou me telle truly, as I tryst may?" [D] "In god fayth," quod že goode kny3t, "Gawan I hatte, Žat bede že žis buffet, quat-so bi-falle3 after, & at žis tyme twelmonyth take at že anožer, 384 Wyth what weppen so[1] žou wylt, & wyth no wy3 elle3, on lyue." Žat ožer on-sware3 agayn, "Sir Gawan, so mot I žryue, 388 [E] As I am ferly fayn. Žis dint žat žou 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 že grene kny3t, "sir Gawan, melykes, Žat I schal fange at žy fust žat I haf frayst here; 392 & žou hat3 redily rehersed, bi resoun ful trwe, Clanly al že couenaunt žat I že kynge asked, Saf žat žou schal siker me, segge, bi ži trawže, Žat žou schal seche me ži-self, where-so žou hopes 396 I may be funde vpon folde, & foch že such wages [B] As žou deles me to day, bifore žis douže ryche." [C] "Where schulde I wale že," quod Gauan, "where is žy place? I wot neuer where žou wonyes, bi hym žat me wro3t, 400 Ne I know not že, kny3t, žy cort, ne ži name. [D] Bot teche me truly žer-to, & telle me howe žou hattes, & I schal ware alle my wyt to wynne me žeder, & žat I swere že for sože, & by my seker trawež." [Fol. 96b.] 404 "Žat is in-nogh in nwe 3er, hit nedes no more," Quod že gome in že grene to Gawan že hende, [E] "3if I že telle trwly, quen I že tape haue, & žou me smožely hat3 smyten, smartly I že teche 408 Of my hous, & my home, & myn owen nome, Žen may žou frayst my fare, & forwarde3 holde, [F] & if I spende no speche, ženne spede3 žou že better, For žou may leng in žy londe, & layt no fyrre, 412 bot slokes; [G] Ta now žy grymme tole to že, & let se how žou cnoke3." "Gladly sir, for sože," 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 grayžely hym dresses, A littel lut with že hede, že lere he discouere3, [B] His longe louelych lokke3 he layd ouer his croun. 420 Let že naked nec to že note schewe. Gauan gripped to his ax, & gederes hit on hy3t, Že kay fot on že folde he be-fore sette, [C] Let hit doun ly3tly ly3t on že naked, 424 Žat že scharp of že schalk schyndered že bones, [D] & schrank žur3 že schyire grece, & scade hit in twynne, Žat že bit of že broun stel bot on že grounde. [E] Že fayre hede fro že halce hit [felle] to že erže, 428 [F] Žat fele hit foyned wyth her fete, žere hit forth roled; Že blod brayd fro že body, žat blykked on že grene; [G] & nawžer faltered ne fel že freke neuer že helder, Bot styžly he start forth vpon styf schonkes, 432 [H] & ru[n]yschly he ra3t out, žere as renkke3 stoden, La3t to his lufly hed, & lyft hit vp sone; & syžen bo3e3 to his blonk, že brydel he cachche3, [I] Steppe3 in to stel bawe & stryde3 alofte, 436 [J] & his hede by že here in his honde halde3; & as sadly že segge hym in his sadel sette, As non vnhap had hym ayled, ža3 hedle3 he[1] we[re], in stedde; 440 [K] He brayde his bluk[2] aboute, Žat vgly bodi žat bledde, [Fol. 97.] Moni on of hym had doute, Bi žat 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 že hede in his honde he halde3 vp euen, [A] To-ward že derrest on že dece he dresse3 že face, & hit lyfte vp že y3e-lydde3, & loked ful brode, [B] & meled žus much with his muthe, as 3e may now here. 448 "Loke, Gawan, žou be grayže to go as žou hette3, & layte as lelly til žou me, lude, fynde, [C] As žou hat3 hette in žis halle, herande žise kny3tes; [D] To že grene chapel žou chose, I charge že to fotte, 452 Such a dunt as žou hat3 dalt disserued žou habbe3, [E] To be 3ederly 3olden on nw 3eres morn; Že kny3t of že grene chapel men knowen me mony; [F] For-ži me forto fynde if žou frayste3, fayle3 žou neuer, 456 [G] Žer-fore com, ožer recreaunt be calde že be-houeus." With a runisch rout že rayne3 he torne3, [H] Halled out at že hal-dor, his hed in his hande, Žat že fyr of že flynt fla3e fro fole houes. 460 To quat kyth he be-com, knwe non žere, Neuermore žen žay wyste fram quežen. he wat3 wonnen; what ženne? Že kyng & Gawen žare, 464 [I] At žat grene žay la3e & grenne, 3et breued wat3 hit ful bare, A meruayl among žo 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] Ža3 Aržer že hende kyng at hert hade wonder, 468 He let no semblaunt be sene, bot sayde ful hy3e To že 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 žise, kynde caroles of kny3te3 & ladye3; [C] Neuer-že-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 žyn ax, žat hat3 in-nogh hewen." & hit wat3 don abof že dece, on doser to henge, [Fol. 97b.] Žer alle men for meruayl my3t on hit loke, 480 & bi trwe tytel žer-of to telle že wonder. [E] Ženne žay bo3ed to a borde žise burnes to-geder, Že kyng & že gode kny3t, & kene men hem serued Of alle dayntye3 double, as derrest my3t falle, 484 Wyth alle maner of mete & mynstralcie bože; Wyth wele walt žay žat day, til woržed an ende, in londe. [F] Now ženk wel, sir Gawan, 488 For wože žat žou ne wonde, Žis auenture forto frayn, Žat žou 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 žay to sete wenten; Now ar žay stoken of sturne werk staf-ful her hond. Gawan wat3 glad to be-gynne žose gomne3 in halle, 496 Bot ža3 že ende be heuy, haf 3e no wonder; For ža3 men ben mery in mynde, quen žay han mayn drynk, [B] A 3ere 3ernes ful 3erne, & 3elde3 neuer lyke, Že forme to že fynisment folde3 ful selden. 500 For-ži žis 3ol ouer-3ede, & že 3ere after, & vche sesoun serlepes sued after ožer; [C] After crysten-masse com že crabbed lentoun, Žat frayste3 flesch wyth že fysche & fode more symple 504 Bot ženne že weder of že worlde wyth wynter hit žrepe3, [D] Colde clenge3 adoun, cloude3 vp-lyften, Schyre schede3 že rayn in schowre3 ful warme, Falle3 vpon fayre flat, flowre3 žere schewen, 508 [E] Bože grounde3 & že greue3 grene ar her wede3, [F] Brydde3 busken to bylde, & bremlych syngen, [G] For solace of že softe somer žat sues žer after, bi bonk; 512 [H] & blossume3 bolne to blowe, Bi rawe3 rych & ronk, [I] Žen 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 že sesoun of somer wyth že soft wynde3, Quen 3eferus syfle3 hym-self on sede3 & erbe3, [B] Wela-wynne is že wort žat woxes žer-oute. When že donkande dewe drope3 of že leue3, 520 To bide a blysful blusch of že bry3t sunne. [C] Bot žen hy3es heruest, & hardenes hym sone. Warne3 hym for že wynter to wax ful rype; [D] He dryues wyth dro3t že dust for to ryse. 524 Fro že face of že folde to fly3e ful hy3e; Wrože wynde of že welkyn wrastele3 with že sunne, [E] Že leue3 lancen fro že lynde, & ly3ten on že grounde, [F] & al grayes že gres, žat grene wat3 ere; 528 Ženne al rype3 & rote3 žat ros vpon fyrst, & žus 3irne3 že 3ere in 3isterdaye3 mony, [G] & wynter wynde3 a3ayn, as že worlde aske3 no sage. 532 Til me3el-mas mone, Wat3 cumen wyth wynter wage; [H] Žen ženkke3 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 Aržer he lenges, & he made a fare on žat fest, for že freke3 sake, With much reuel & ryche of že rounde table; Kny3te3 ful cortays & comlych ladies, 540 Al for luf of žat lede in longynge žay were, Bot neuer-že-lece ne že later žay neuened bot merže, Mony ioyle3 for žat ientyle iape3 žer 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 že cost of žis cace, kepe I no more To telle yow tene3 žer-of neuer bot trifel; 548 [D] Bot I am boun to že bur barely to morne, To sech že gome of že grene, as god wyl me wysse." Ženne že best of že bur3 bo3ed to-geder, Aywan, & Errik, & ožer ful mony, 552 Sir Doddinaual de Sauage, že duk of Clarence, [Fol. 98b.] Launcelot, & Lyonel, & Lucan že gode, Sir Boos, & sir Byduer, big men bože, [E] & mony ožer menskful, with Mador de la Port. 556 Alle žis compayny of court com že kyng nerre, For to counseyl že kny3t, with care at her hert; [F] Žere wat3 much derue[1] doel driuen in že sale, Žat so worthe as Wawan schulde wende on žat ernde, 560 To dry3e a delful dynt, & dele no more wyth bronde. Že 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 žer al žat day, and dresse3 on že morn, Aske3 erly hys arme3, & alle were žay bro3t 568 [B] Fyrst a tule tapit, ty3t ouer že flet, & miche wat3 že gyld gere žat glent žer alofte; [C] Že stif mon steppe3 žeron, & že stel hondole3, [D] Dubbed in a dublet of a dere tars, 572 & syžen a crafty capados, closed aloft, Žat wyth a bry3t blaunner was bounden with-inne; [E] Ženne set žay že sabatoun3 vpon že segge fote3, His lege3 lapped in stel with luflych greue3, 576 With polayne3 piched žer-to, policed ful clene, Aboute his kne3 knaged wyth knote3 of golde; [F] Queme quyssewes žen, žat coyntlych closed His thik žrawen žy3e3 with žwonges to-tachched; 580 [G] & syžen že brawden bryne of bry3t stel rynge3, Vmbe-weued žat wy3, vpon wlonk stuffe; [H] & wel bornyst brace vpon his bože armes, With gode cowters & gay, & gloue3 of plate, 584 & alle že godlych gere žat hym gayn schulde Žat 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.] Že lest lachet ou[ž]er loupe lemed of golde; 592 So harnayst as he wat3 he herkne3 his masse, Offred & honoured at že he3e auter; [B] Syžen he come3 to že kyng & to his cort fere3, Lache3 lufly his leue at lorde3 & ladye3; 596 & žay hym kyst & conueyed, bikende hym to kryst. [C] Bi žat wat3 Gryngolet grayth, & gurde with a sadel, Žat glemed ful gayly with mony golde frenges, Ay quere naylet ful nwe for žat note ryched; 600 Že brydel barred aboute, with bry3t golde bounden; [D] Že apparayl of že payttrure, & of že proude skyrte3, Že cropore, & že couertor, acorded wyth že arsoune3; & al wat3 rayled on red ryche golde nayle3, 604 Žat al glytered & glent as glem of že sunne. [E] Ženne hentes he že holme, & hastily hit kysses, Žat wat3 stapled stifly, & stoffed wyth-inne: Hit wat3 hy3e on his hede, hasped bihynde, 608 [F] Wyth a ly3tli vrysoun ouer že auentayle, [G] Enbrawden & bounden wyth že best gemme3, On brode sylkyn borde, & brydde3 on seme3, As papiaye3 paynted pernyng bitwene, 612 Tortors & trulofe3 entayled so žyk, As mony burde žer aboute had ben seuen wynter in toune; [H] Že cercle wat3 more o prys, 616 Žat vmbe-clypped hys croun, Of diamaunte3 a deuys, Žat bože 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 žay schewed hym že schelde, žat was of schyr goule3, 620 Wyth že pentangel de-paynt of pure golde hwe3; He brayde3 hit by že baude-ryk, aboute že hals kestes, Žat bisemed že segge semlyly fayre. [B] & quy že pentangel apende3 to žat prynce noble, 624 I am in tent yow to telle, žof tary hyt me schulde; Hit is a syngne žat Salamon set sum-quyle, In bytoknyng of trawže, bi tytle žat hit habbe3, For hit is a figure žat halde3 fyue poynte3, [Fol. 99b] 628 & vche lyne vmbe-lappe3 & louke3 in ožer, [C] & ay quere hit is endele3,[1] & Englych hit callen Ouer-al, as I here, že endeles knot. For-žy hit acorde3 to žis kny3t, & to his cler arme3, 632 For ay faythful in fyue & sere fyue syže3, [D] Gawan wat3 for gode knawen, & as golde pured, Voyded of vche vylany, wyth vertue3[2] ennourned in mote; 636 For-žy že 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 že freke in his fyue fyngres, [B] & alle his afyaunce vpon folde wat3 in že fyue wounde3 Žat Cryst ka3t on že croys, as že crede telle3; 644 & quere-so-euer žys mon in melly wat3 stad, His žro žo3t wat3 in žat, žur3 alle ožer žynge3, Žat alle his forsnes he fong at že fyue ioye3, Žat že hende heuen quene had of hir chylde; 648 At žis cause že kny3t comlyche hade [C] In že more half of his schelde hir ymage depaynted, Žat quen he blusched žerto, his belde neuer payred. Že fyrst[1] fyue žat I finde žat že frek vsed, 652 Wat3 fraunchyse, & fela3schyp for-be[2] al žyng; [D] His clannes & his cortaysye croked were neuer, & pite, žat passe3 alle poynte3, žyse pure fyue Were harder happed on žat hažel žen on any ožer. 656 Now alle žese fyue syže3, forsože, were fetled on žis kny3t, & vchone halched in ožer, žat non ende hade, & fyched vpon fyue poynte3, žat fayld neuer, Ne samned neuer in no syde, ne sundred nouž[er], 660 With-outen ende at any noke [a]i quere fynde, Where-euer že gomen bygan, or glod to an ende. [E] Žer-fore on his schene schelde schapen wat3 že knot, Žus alle wyth red golde vpon rede gowle3, 664 Žat is že pure pentaungel wyth že peple called, [Fol. 100] with lore. Now grayžed is Gawan gay, [F] & la3t his launce ry3t žore, 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 že sted with že spure3, & sprong on his way, So stif žat že ston fyr stroke out žer-after; 672 [B] Al žat se3 žat semly syked in hert, & sayde sožly al same segges til ožer, Carande for žat comly, "bi Kryst, hit is scaže, Žat žou, leude, schal be lost, žat art of lyf noble! 676 [C] To fynde hys fere vpon folde, in fayth is not eže; Warloker to haf wro3t had more wyt bene, & haf dy3t 3onder dere a duk to haue woržed; [D] A lowande leder of lede3 in londe hym wel seme3, 680 & so had better haf ben žen 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 že warme water žat waltered of y3en, When žat semly syre so3t fro žo wone3 žat[1] daye; He made non abode, 688 Bot wy3tly went hys way, [G] Mony wylsum way he rode, Že 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. žad.] IX. [A] Now ride3 žis renk žur3 že ryalme of Logres, 692 Sir Gauan on Gode3 halue, ža3 hym no gomen žo3t; Oft, leudle3 alone, he lenge3 on ny3te3, Žer he fonde no3t hym byfore že fare žat 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 žat he ne3ed ful noghe[1] in to že Norže Wale3; Alle že iles of Anglesay on lyft half he halde3, & fare3 ouer že forde3 by že for-londe3, 700 [D] Ouer at že Holy-Hede, til he hade eft bonk In že wyldrenesse of Wyrale; wonde žer bot lyte [E] Žat aužer God ožer gome wyth goud hert louied. [Fol. 100b] & ay he frayned, as he ferde, at freke3 žat he met, 704 [F] If žay hade herde any karp of a kny3t grene, In any grounde žer-aboute, of že grene chapel;[2] & al nykked hym wyth nay, žat neuer in her lyue [G] Žay se3e neuer no segge žat wat3 of suche hwe3 708 of grene. Že kny3t tok gates straunge, In mony a bonk vnbene, [H] His cher ful oft con chaunge, 712 Žat 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 warže ožer water žer že wy3e passed, 716 He fonde a foo hym byfore, bot ferly hit were, & žat so foule & so felle, žat fe3t hym by-hode; [C] So mony meruayl hi mount žer že mon fynde3, Hit were to tore for to telle of že tenže dole. 720 [D] Sumwhyle wyth worme3 he werre3, & with wolues als, Sumwhyle wyth wodwos, žat woned in že knarre3, [E] Bože wyth bulle3 & bere3, & bore3 ožer-quyle, & etayne3, žat hym a-nelede, of že 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, žat wynter was wors, When že colde cler water fro že cloude3 schadden, 728 & fres er hit falle my3t to že fale erže; Ner slayn wyth že slete he sleped in his yrnes, Mo ny3te3 žen in-noghe in naked rokke3, Žer as claterande fro že crest že colde borne renne3, 732 & henged he3e ouer his hede in hard ’sse-ikkles. [H] Žus in peryl, & payne, & plytes ful harde, Bi contray carye3 žis kny3t, tyl kryst-masse euen, al one; 736 Že kny3t wel žat tyde, [I] To Mary made his mone. Žat 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 že morne meryly he rydes, Into a forest ful dep, žat ferly wat3 wylde, Hi3e hille3 on vche a halue, & holt wode3 vnder, [B] Of hore oke3 fill hoge a hundreth to-geder; 744 Že hasel & že ha3-žorne were harled al samen, With ro3e raged mosse rayled ay-where, [C] With mony brydde3 vnblyže vpon bare twyges, Žat pitosly žer piped for pyne of že colde. 748 Že gome vpon Gryngolet glyde3 hem vnder, [D] Žur3 mony misy & myre, mon al hym one, Carande for his costes, lest he ne keuer schulde, To se že seruy[1] of žat syre, žat on žat self ny3t 752 Of a burde wat3 borne, oure baret to quelle; [E] & žerfore sykyng he sayde, "I be-seche že, lorde, & Mary, žat is myldest moder so dere. Of sum herber, žer he3ly I my3t here masse. 756 Ande žy matyne3 to-morne, mekely I ask, & žer-to prestly I pray my pater & aue, & crede." He rode in his prayere, 760 & cryed for his mysdede, [F] He sayned hym in syžes 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 žrye, 764 Er he wat3 war in že wod of a won in a mote. [B] Abof a launde, on a lawe, loken vnder bo3e3, Of mony borelych bole, aboute bi že diches; [C] A castel že comlokest žat euer kny3t a3te, 768 Pyched on a prayere, a park al aboute, With a pyked palays, pyned ful žik, Žat vmbe-te3e mony tre mo žen two myle. Žat holde on žat on syde že hažel auysed, 772 [D] As hit schemered & schon žur3 že schyre oke3; Ženne hat3 he hendly of his helme, & he3ly he žonke3 Iesus & say[nt] Gilyan, žat gentyle ar bože, Žat cortaysly hade hym kydde, & his cry herkened. [Fol. 101b.] 776 "Now bone hostel," cože že burne, "I be-seche yow 3ette!" Ženne gedere3 he to Gryngolet with že gilt hele3, [E] & he ful chauncely hat3 chosen to že chef gate, Žat bro3t bremly že burne to že bryge ende, 780 in haste; [F] Že bryge wat3 breme vp-brayde, Že 3ate3 wer stoken faste, Že 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] Že burne bode on bonk, žat on blonk houed, Of že depe double dich žat drof to že place, Že walle wod in že water wonderly depe, 788 [B] Ande eft a ful huge he3t hit haled vpon lofte, Of harde hewen ston vp to že table3, [C] Enbaned vnder že abataylment, in že best lawe; & syžen garyte3 ful gaye gered bi-twene, 792 Wyth mony luflych loupe, žat louked ful clene; A better barbican žat burne blusched vpon neuer; & innermore he be-helde žat halle ful hy3e, [D] Towre telded bytwene trochet ful žik, 796 Fayre fylyole3 žat fy3ed, & ferlyly long, [E] With coruon coprounes, craftyly sle3e; Chalk whyt chymnees žer ches he in-no3e, Vpon bastel roue3, žat blenked ful quyte; 800 So mony pynakle payntet wat3 poudred ay quere, Among že castel carnele3, clambred so žik, Žat pared out of papure purely hit semed. [F] Že fre freke on že fole hit fayr in-n[o]ghe žo3t, 804 If he my3t keuer to com že cloyster wyth-inne, To herber in žat hostel, whyl halyday lested auinant; [G] He calde, & sone žer com 808 A porter pure plesaunt, On že wal his ernd he nome, & haylsed že 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 žou go myn ernde, 812 To že he3 lorde of žis hous, herber to craue?" "3e, Peter," quod že porter, "& purely I trowe,[1] [Fol. 102.] [B] Žat 3e be, wy3e, welcum to won quyle yow lyke3." Žen 3ede žat wy3e a3ayn awyže, 816 & folke frely hym wyth, to fonge že kny3t; [C] Žay let doun že grete dra3t, & derely out 3eden, & kneled doun on her knes vpon že colde erže, To welcum žis ilk wy3, as woržy hom žo3t; 820 [D] Žay 3olden hym že brode 3ate, 3arked vp wyde, & he hem raysed rekenly, & rod ouer že brygge; Sere segge3 hym sesed by sadel, quel[2] he ly3t, [E] & syžen stabeled his stede stif men in-no3e. 824 [F] Kny3te3 & swyere3 comen doun ženne, For to bryng žis burne[3] wyth blys in-to halle; [G] Quen he hef vp his helme, žer hi3ed in-noghe For to hent hit at his honde, že hende to seruen, 828 His bronde & his blasoun bože žay token. Žen haylsed he ful hendly žo hažele3 vch one, & mony proud mon žer presed, žat prynce to honour; Alle hasped in his he3 wede to halle žay hym wonnen, 832 Žer fayre fyre vpon flet fersly brenned. [H] Ženne že lorde of že lede loute3 fro his chambre, For to mete wyth menske že mon on že flor; He sayde, "3e ar welcum to welde as yow lyke3, 836 Žat here is, al is yowre awen, to haue at yowre wylle & welde." "Graunt mercy," quod Gawayn, "Žer Kryst hit yow for-3elde," 840 [I] As freke3 žat semed fayn, Ayžer ožer 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 že gome žat godly hym gret, [B] & žu3t hit a bolde burne žat že bur3 a3te, 844 A hoge hažel for že none3, & of hyghe elde;[1] [C] Brode bry3t wat3 his berde, & al beuer hwed, Sturne stif on že stryžže on stal-worth schonke3, [D] Felle face as že fyre, & fre of hys speche; 848 & wel hym semed for sože, as že segge žu3t, To lede a lortschyp in lee of leude3 ful gode. [E] Že lorde hym charred to a chambre, & chefly cumaunde3[2] [Fol.] To delyuer hym a leude, hym lo3ly to serue; [102b.] 852 & žere were boun at his bode burne3 in-no3e, [F] Žat bro3t hym to a bry3t boure, žer 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 že wo3e, of tuly & tars, & vnder fete, on že flet, of fol3ande sute. 860 [I] Žer he wat3 dispoyled, wyth speche3 of myerže, Že burn of his bruny, & of his bry3t wede3; [J] Ryche robes ful rad renkke3 hem[3] bro3ten, For to charge, & to chaunge, & chose of že best. 864 Sone as he on hent, & happed žer-inne, Žat sete on hym[4] semly, wyth saylande skyrte3, [K] Že ver by his uisage verayly hit semed Wel ne3 to vche hažel alle on hwes, 868 Lowande & lufly, alle his lymme3 vnder, [L] Žat a comloker kny3t neuer Kryst made, hem žo3t; Whežen in worlde he were, 872 Hit semed as he my3t Be prynce with-outen pere, In felde žer 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 že chemné, žer charcole brenned, 876 Wat3 grayžed for sir Gawan, grayžely with clože3, Whyssynes vpon queldepoyntes, ža[t] koynt wer bože; [B] & ženne a mere mantyle wat3 on žat mon cast, Of a broun bleeaunt, enbrauded ful ryche, 880 & fayre furred wyth-inne with felle3 of že best, Alle of ermyn in erde, his hode of že same; & he sete in žat settel semlych ryche, & achaufed hym chefly,[1] & ženne his cher mended. 884 [C] Sone wat3 telded vp a tapit, on treste3 ful fayre, [D] Clad wyth a clene clože, žat cler quyt schewed, Sanap, & salure, & syluer-in spone3; Že 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 že best, Double felde, as hit falle3, & fele kyn fische3; [F] Summe baken in bred, summe brad on že glede3, 892 [G] Summe sožen, summe in sewe, sauered with spyces, & ay sawes[3] so sle3e3, žat že segge lyked. Že freke calde hit a fest ful frely & ofte, [H] Ful hendely, quen alle že haželes re-hayted hym at one3 896 as hende; "Žis penaunce now 3e take, & eft hit schal amende;" [I] Žat mon much merže con make. 900 For wyn in his hed žat 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] Ženne wat3 spyed & spured vpon spare wyse. Bi preue poynte3 of žat prynce, put to hym-seluen, Žat he be-knew cortaysly of že court žat he were, 904 [B] Žat ažel Arthure že hende halde3 hym one, Žat is že ryche ryal kyng of že rounde table; & hit wat3 Wawen hym-self žat in žat won sytte3, Comen to žat krystmasse, as case hym žen lymped. 908 [C] When že lorde hade lerned žat he že leude hade, Loude la3ed he žerat, so lef hit hym žo3t, [D] & alle že men in žat mote maden much joye, To apere in his presense prestly žat tyme, 912 Žat alle prys, & prowes, & pured žewes Apendes to hys persoun, & praysed is euer, By-fore alle men vpon molde, his mensk is že most. [E] Vch segge ful softly sayde to his fere, 916 [F] "Now schal we semlych se sle3te3 of žewe3, & že teccheles termes of talkyng noble, Wich spede is in speche, vnspurd may we lerne, [G] Syn we haf fonged žat fyne fader of nurture; 920 God hat3 geuen vus his grace godly for sože, Žat such a gest as Gawan graunte3 vus to haue, When burne3 blyže of his burže schal sitte & synge. 924 In menyng of manere3 mere, Žis burne now schal vus bryng, [Fol. 103b.] [H] I hope žat 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 žat že diner wat3 done, & že dere vp, Hit wat3 ne3 at že niy3t ne3ed že tyme; Chaplayne3[1] to že chapeles chosen že gate, Rungen ful rychely, ry3t as žay schulden, 932 [B] To že hersum euensong of že hy3e tyde. Že lorde loutes žerto, & že lady als, In-to a comly closet coyntly ho entre3; Gawan glyde3 ful gay, & gos žeder sone; 936 Že lorde laches hym by že lappe, & lede3 hym to sytte, & coužly hym knowe3, & calle3 hym his nome, & sayde he wat3 že welcomest wy3e of že worlde; [C] & he hym žonkked žroly, & ayžer halched ožer. 940 & seten soberly samen že seruise-quyle; Ženne lyst že lady to loke on že kny3t. [D] Ženne com ho of hir closet, with mony cler burde3, Ho wat3 že fayrest in felle, of flesche & of lyre, 944 & of compas, & colour, & costes of alle ožer, [E] & wener žen Wenore, as že wy3e žo3t. He ches žur3 že chaunsel, to cheryche žat hende; [F] An ožer lady hir lad bi že lyft honde, 948 Žat wat3 alder žen ho, an auncian hit semed, & he3ly honowred with hažele3 aboute. [G] Bot yn-lyke on to loke žo ladyes were, [H] For if že 3onge wat3 3ep, 3ol3e wat3 žat ožer; 952 Riche red on žat on rayled ay quere, [I] Rugh ronkled cheke3 žat ožer on rolled; Kerchofes of žat on wyth mony cler perle3 [J] Hir brest & hir bry3t žrote bare displayed, 956 Schon schyrer žen snawe, žat scheder[2] on hille3; Žat ožer wyth a gorger wat3 gered ouer že 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] Žat no3t wat3 bare of žat burde bot že blake bro3es. [Fol. 104.] Že tweyne y3en, & že nase, že naked lyppe3, & žose were soure to se, & sellyly blered; 964 A mensk lady on molde mon may hir calle, for gode; [M] Hir body wat3 schort & žik. [N] Hir buttoke3 bay & brode, 968 More lykker-wys on to lyk, Wat3 žat 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 žat gay, žat graciously loked, Wyth leue la3t of že lorde he went hem a3aynes; 972 [B] Že alder he haylses, heldande ful lowe, Že loueloker he lappe3 a lyttel in arme3, [C] He kysses hir comlyly, & kny3tly he mele3; Žay kallen hym of a quoyntaunce, & he hit quyk aske3 976 [D] To be her seruaunt sothly, if hem-self lyked. Žay tan hym bytwene hem, wyth talkyng hym leden [E] To chambre, to chemné, & chefly žay asken [F] Spyce3, žat vn-sparely men speded hom to bryng, 980 & že wynne-lych wyne žer-with vche tyme. Že lorde luflych aloft lepe3 ful ofte, Mynned merthe to be made vpon mony syže3. [G] Hent he3ly of his hode, & on a spere henged, 984 & wayned hom to wynne že worchip žer-of, [H] Žat most myrže my3t mene[1] žat crystenmas whyle; "& i schal fonde, bi my fayth, to fylter wyth že best, Er me wont že wede3, with help of my frende3." 988 Žus wyth la3ande lote3 že lorde hit tayt[2] make3, [I] For to glade sir Gawayn with gomne3 in halle žat ny3t; Til žat hit wat3 tyme, 992 Že 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 že morne, as vch mon myne3 žat tyme, 996 [B] [Ž]at dry3tyn for oure destyné to de3e wat3 borne, Wele waxe3 in vche a won in worlde, for his sake; [C] So did hit žere on žat day, žur3 dayntes mony; Bože at mes & at mele, messes ful quaynt [Fol. 104b.] 1000 Derf men vpon dece drest of že best. [D] Že olde auncian wyf he3est ho sytte3; Že lorde lufly her by lent, as I trowe; [E] Gawan & že gay burde to-geder žay seten, 1004 Euen in-mydde3, as že messe metely come; & syžen žur3 al že sale, as hem best semed, [F] Bi vche grome at his degre grayžely wat3 serued. Žer wat3 mete, žer wat3 myrže, žer wat3 much ioye, 1008 Žat for to telle žerof hit me tene were, & to poynte hit 3et I pyned me parauenture; [G] Bot 3et I wot žat Wawen & že wale burde Such comfort of her compaynye ca3ten to-geder, 1012 Žur3 her dere dalyaunce of her derne worde3, Wyth clene cortays carp, closed fro fylže; & hor play wat3 passande vche prynce gomen, in vayres; 1016 [H] Trumpe3 & nakerys, Much pypyng žer repayres, Vche mon tented hys, & žay two tented žayres. [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 žer dryuen žat day & žat ožer, & že žryd as žro žronge in žerafter; [B] Že ioye of sayn Ione3 day wat3 gentyle to here, & wat3 že last of že layk, leude3 žer žo3ten. 1024 Žer wer gestes to go vpon že gray morne, For-žy wonderly žay woke, & že wyn dronken, Daunsed ful dre3ly wyth dere carole3; [C] At že last, when hit wat3 late, žay lachen her leue, 1028 Vchon to wende on his way, žat wat3 wy3e stronge. Gawan gef hym god-day, že god mon hym lachche3, Ledes hym to his awen chambre, ž[e] chymné bysyde, [D] & žere he dra3e3 hym on-dry3e, & derely hym žonkke3, 1032 Of že wynne worschip &[1] he hym wayned hade, As to honour his hous on žat hy3e tyde, & enbelyse his bur3 with his bele chere. "I-wysse sir, quyl I leue, me worže3 že better, 1036 Žat Gawayn hat3 ben my gest, at Godde3 awen fest." [Fol. 105.] "Grant merci[2] sir," quod Gawayn, "in god fayth hit is yowre3, Al že honour is your awen, že he3e kyng yow 3elde; & I am wy3e at your wylle, to worch youre hest, 1040 As I am halden žer-to, in hy3e & in lo3e, bi ri3t." [E] Že lorde fast can hym payne, To holde lenger že kny3t, 1044 To hym answre3 Gawayn, Bi non way žat 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: žat (?).] [Footnote 2: nerci, in MS.] XXII. [A] Then frayned že freke ful fayre at him-seluen, Quat derne[1] dede had hym dryuen, at žat dere tyme, 1048 So kenly fro že kynge3 kourt to kayre al his one, Er že halidaye3 holly were halet out of toun? [B] "For sože sir," quod že segge, "3e sayn bot že trawže A he3e ernde & a hasty me hade fro žo 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 že londe in-wyth Logres, so me oure lorde help! 1056 For-žy, sir, žis enquest I require yow here, [C] Žat 3e me telle with trawže, if euer 3e tale herde Of že grene chapel, quere hit on grounde stonde3, & of že kny3t žat hit kepes, of colour of grene? 1060 Žer wat3 stabled bi statut a steuen vus by-twene, [D] To mete žat mon at žat mere, 3if I my3t last; & of žat ilk nw3ere hot neked now wonte3, & I wolde loke on žat lede, if God me let wolde, 1064 Gladloker, bi Godde3 sun, žen any god welde! For-ži, I-wysse, bi 3owre wylle, wende me bi-houes, [E] Naf I now to busy bot bare žre daye3, & me als fayn to falle feye as fayly of myyn ernde." 1068 [F] Ženne la3ande quod že lorde, "now leng že by-houes, For I schal teche yow to ža[t] terme bi že tyme3 ende, Že grene chapayle vpon grounde, greue yow no more; Bot 3e schal be in yowre bed, burne, at žyn ese, 1072 Quyle forth dayej, & ferk on pe fyrst of pe 3ere, & cum to žat merk at mydmorn, to make quat yow like3 [Fol. 105b] in spenne; Dowelle3 whyle new 3eres daye, 1076 & rys, & rayke3 ženne, [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] Ženne wat3 Gawan ful glad, & gomenly he la3ed,-- 1080 "Now I žonk yow žryuandely žur3 alle ožer žynge, [B] Now acheued is my chaunce, I schal at your wylle Dowelle, & elle3 do quat 3e demen." Ženne sesed hym že syre, & set hym bysyde, 1084 [C] Let že ladie3 be fette, to lyke hem že better; Žer wat3 seme solace by hem-self stille; Že lorde let for luf lote3 so myry, As wy3 žat wolde of his wyte, ne wyst quat he my3t. 1088 Ženne he carped to že kny3t, criande loude, [D] "3e han demed to do že dede žat I bidde; Wyl 3e halde žis hes here at žys one3?" "3e sir, for-sože," sayd že segge trwe, 1092 "Whyl I byde in yowre bor3e, be bayn to 3ow[r]e hest." "For 3e haf trauayled," quod že tulk, "towen fro ferre, & syžen waked me wyth, 3e arn not wel waryst, [E] Naužer of sostnaunce ne of slepe, sožly I knowe; 1096 3e schal lenge in your lofte, & ly3e in your ese, [F] To morn quyle že messe-quyle, & to mete wende, When 3e wyl, wyth my wyf, žat 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 žyse, 1104 Hym heldande, as že 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 že freke, "a forwarde we make; Quat-so-euer I wynne in že wod, hit worže3 to youre3, [B] & quat chek so 3e acheue, chaunge me žer-forne; 1108 Swete, swap we so, sware with trawže, Quežer, leude, so lymp lere ožer better." "Bi God," quod Gawayn že gode, "I grant žer-tylle, & žat yow lyst forto layke, lef hit me žynkes. [Fol. 106.] 1112 [C] "Who bringe3 vus žis beuerage, žis bargayn is maked:" So sayde že lorde of žat lede; žay la3ed vchone, Žay dronken, & daylyeden, & dalten vnty3tel,[1] Žise lorde3 & ladye3, quyle žat hem lyked; 1116 & syžen with frenkysch fare & fele fayre lote3 Žay 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 že laste, ful softe; To bed 3et er žay 3ede, Recorded couenaunte3 ofte; 1124 Že olde lorde of žat leude,[2] Cowže 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 že day že folk vp-rysen, Gestes žat go wolde, hor grome3 žay calden, 1128 [B] & žay busken vp bilyue, blonkke3 to sadel, Tyffen he[r] takles, trussen her males, Richen hem že rychest, to ryde alle arayde, Lepen vp ly3tly, lachen her brydeles, 1132 [C] Vche wy3e on his way, žer hym wel lyked. [D] Že leue lorde of že londe wat3 not že last, A-rayed for že 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 žat žat any day-ly3t lemed vpon erže, He with his haželes on hy3e horsses weren. [G] Ženne žise cacheres žat couže, cowpled hor hounde3, 1140 Vnclosed že kenel dore, & calde hem žer-oute, [H] Blwe bygly in bugle3 žre bare mote; Braches bayed žerfore, & breme noyse maked, [I] & žay chastysed, & charred, on chasyng žat went; 1144 A hundreth of hunteres, as I haf herde telle, of že best; [J] To trystors vewters 3od, Couples huntes of kest, 1148 Žer ros for blaste3 gode, [Fol. 106b.] [K] Gret rurd in žat 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 že fyrst quethe of že quest quaked že wylde; Der drof in že dale, doted for drede, 1152 Hi3ed to že hy3e, bot heterly žay were [B] Restayed with že stablye, žat stoutly ascryed; [C] Žay let že hertte3 haf že gate, with že hy3e hedes, Že breme bukke3 also, with hor brode paume3; 1156 For že fre lorde hade de-fende in fermysoun tyme, Žat žer schulde no mon mene[1] to že male dere. [D] Že hinde3 were halden in, with hay & war, Že does dryuen with gret dyn to že depe slade3; 1160 Žer my3t mon se, as žay slypte, slentyng of arwes, [E] At vche [žat] wende vnder wande wapped a flone, Žat bigly bote on že broun, with ful brode hede3, [F] What! žay brayen, & bleden, bi bonkke3 žay 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 žat schotten, 1168 Wat3 al to-raced & rent, at že resayt. Bi žay were tened at že hy3e, & taysed to že wattre3, Že lede3 were so lerned at že lo3e trysteres, & že gre-hounde3 so grete, žat geten hem bylyue, 1172 & hem to fylched, as fast as freke3 my3t loke, žer ry3t. [H] Že lorde for blys abloy Ful oft con launce & ly3t, 1176 [I] & drof žat day wyth Ioy Thus to že 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] Žus layke3 žis lorde by lynde wode3 eue3, & G. že god mon, in gay bed lyge3, 1180 [B] Lurkke3 quyl že day-ly3t lemed on že 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 že cložes, A corner of že cortyn he ca3t vp a lyttel, [Fol. 107.] & wayte3 warly žider-warde, quat hit be my3t. [D] Hit wat3 že ladi, loflyest to be-holde, 1188 Žat dro3 že dor after hir ful dernly[1] & stylle, [E] & bo3ed to-warde že bed; & že burne schamed. & layde hym doun lystyly, & let as he slepte. [F] & ho stepped stilly. & stel to his bedde, 1192 [G] Kest vp že cortyn, & creped with-inne, & set hir ful softly on že bed-syde, & lenged žere selly longe, to loke quen he wakened. Že lede lay lurked a ful longe quyle, 1196 [H] Compast in his concience to quat žat cace my3t Mene ožer amount, to meruayle hym žo3t; Bot 3et he sayde in hym-self, "more semly hit were To aspye wyth my spelle [in] space quat ho wolde." 1200 [I] žen he wakenede, & wroth, & to hir warde torned, [J] & vn-louked his y3e-lydde3, & let as hym wondered, & sayned hym, as bi his sa3e že sauer to worthe, with hande; 1204 Wyth chynne & cheke ful swete, Bože 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 žat fayr lady, "3e ar a sleper vn-sly3e, žat mon may slyde hider; Now ar 3e tan astyt, bot true vus may schape, [B] I schal bynde yow in your bedde, žat be 3e trayst:" 1212 Al la3ande že lady lanced žo bourde3. [C] "Goud moroun g[aye],"[1] quod Gawayn že blyže, "Me schal worže at your wille, & žat me wel lyke3, For I 3elde me 3ederly, & 3e3e after grace, 1216 & žat is že best, be my dome, for me by-houe3 nede;" & žus he bourded a-3ayn with mony a blyže la3ter. [D] "Bot wolde 3e, lady louely, žen leue me grante, & de-prece your prysoun, & pray hym to ryse, 1220 I wolde bo3e of žis bed, & busk me better, I schulde keuer že more comfort to karp yow wyth." [E] "Nay, for sože, beau sir," sayd žat swete, [Fol. 107b] "3e schal not rise of your bedde, I rych yow better, 1224 [F] I schal happe yow here žat ožer half als, & syžen karp wyth my kny3t žat I ka3t haue; [G] For I wene wel, Iwysse, sir Wawen 3e are, Žat alle že worlde worchipe3, quere-so 3e ride; 1228 Your honour, your hendelayk is hendely praysed [H] With lorde3, wyth ladyes, with alle žat lyf bere. & now 3e ar here, iwysse, & we bot oure one; [I] "My lorde & his lede3 ar on lenže faren, 1232 [J] Ožer burne3 in her bedde, & my burde3 als, [K] Že dor drawen, & dit with a derf haspe; [L] & syžen I haue in žis hous hym žat 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 žynkke3, [A] Ža3 I be not now he žat 3e of speken; To reche to such reuerence as 3e reherce here 1244 I am wy3e vn-woržy, I wot wel my-seluen; Bi God, I were glad, & yow god žo3t, [B] At sa3e ožer at seruyce žat I sette my3t To že plesaunce of your prys, hit were a pure ioye." 1248 "In god fayth, sir Gawayn," quod že gay lady, "Že prys & že prowes žat plese3 al ožer, If I hit lakked, ožer set at ly3t, hit were littel daynté; [C] Bot hit ar ladyes in-no3e, žat leuer wer nowže 1252 Haf že hende in hor holde, as I že habbe here, To daly witt derely your daynté worde3, Keuer hem comfort, & colen her care3, [D] Žen much of že garysourn ožer golde žat[1] žay hauen; 1256 Bot I louue[2] žat ilk lorde žat že lyfte halde3, I haf hit holly in my honde žat al desyres, žur3e grace." Scho made hym so gret chere, 1260 Žat wat3 so fayr of face, [Fol. 108.] [E] Že 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. žat žat.] [Footnote 2: louie or loune (?).] VI. [A] "Madame," quod že myry mon, "Mary yow 3elde, 1264 For I haf founden, in god fayth, yowre fraunchis nobele, & ožer ful much of ožer folk fongen hor dede3; Bot že daynté žat žay delen for my disert nysen, Hit is že worchyp of your-self, žat no3t hot wel conne3." 1268 [B] "Bi Mary," quod že menskful, "me žynk hit anožer; For were I worth al že wone of wymmen alyue, & al že wele of že worlde were in my honde, [C] & I schulde chepen & chose, to cheue me a lorde, 1272 For že costes žat I haf knowen vpun že kny3t here, Of bewté, & debonerté, & blyže semblaunt, [D] & žat I haf er herkkened, & halde hit here trwee, Žer schulde no freke vpon folde bifore yow be chosen." 1276 "I-wysse, woržy," quod že wy3e, "3e haf waled wel better, [E] Bot I am proude of že prys žat 3e put on me, & soberly your seruaunt my souerayn I holde yow, & yowre kny3t I be-com, & Kryst yow for-3elde." 1280 Žus žay meled of much-quat, til myd-morn paste, & ay že lady let lyk, a[1] hym loued mych; [F] Že freke ferde with defence, & feted ful fayre. Ža3 I were burde bry3test, že burde in mynde hade, 1284 Že lasse luf in his lode, for lur žat he so3t, boute hone; Že dunte žat schulde[2] hym deue, & nede3 hit most be done; 1288 [G] Že lady ženn 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] Ženne ho gef hym god-day, & wyth a glent la3ed. & as ho stod, ho stonyed hym wyth ful stor worde3: 1292 [B] "Now he žat spede3 vche spech, žis disport 3elde yow! Bot žat 3e be Gawan, hit got3 in mynde." "Quer-fore?" quod že freke, & freschly he aske3, Ferde lest he hade fayled in fourme of his castes; 1296 Bot že burde hym blessed, & bi žis 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] Žen quod Wowen, "I-wysse, worže 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 žat, & cache3 hym in arme3, Loute3 luflych adoun, & že leude kysse3; Žay comly bykennen to Kryst ayžer ožer; 1308 Ho dos hir forth at že 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, blyžely to masse, 1312 & ženne he meued to his mete, žat menskly hym keped, [G] & made myry al day til že mone rysed, with game; With[3] neuer freke fayrer fonge, 1316 [H] Bitwene two so dyngne dame, Že alder & že 3onge, Much solace set žay 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 že lorde of že londe is lent on his gamne3, 1320 To hunt in holte3 & heže, at hynde3 barayne, Such a sowme he žer slowe bi žat že sunne heldet, Of dos & of ožer dere, to deme were wonder. Ženne fersly žay flokked in folk at že laste, 1324 [B] & quykly of že quelled dere a querré žay maked; Že best bo3ed žerto, with burne3 in-noghe, [C] Gedered že grattest of gres žat žer were, & didden hem derely vndo, as že dede aske3; 1328 [D] Serched hem at že asay, summe žat žer were, Two fyngeres žay fonde of že fowlest of alle; [E] Syžen žay slyt že slot, sesed že erber, [F] Schaued wyth a scharp knyf, & že schyre knitten; 1332 Syžen rytte žay že foure lymmes, & rent of že hyde, [G] Žen brek žay že bale, že bale3 out token, [H] Lystily forlancyng, & bere of že knot; [Fol. 109.] Žay gryped to že gargulun, & grayžely departed 1336 [I] Že wesaunt fro že wynt-hole, & walt out že gutte3; Žen scher žay out že schuldere3 with her scharp knyue3, [J] Haled hem by a lyttel hole, to haue hole sydes; Sižen britned žay že brest, & brayden hit in twynne, 1340 & eft at že gargulun bigyne3 on ženne, [K] Ryue3 hit vp radly, ry3t to že by3t, Voyde3 out že a-vanters, & verayly žerafter Alle že ryme3 by že rybbe3 radly žay lance; 1344 So ryde žay of by resoun bi že rygge bone3, Euenden to že haunche, žat henged alle samen, & heuen hit vp al hole, & hwen hit of žere, & žat žayneme for že noumbles, bi nome as I trowe, 1348 bi kynde; [L] Bi že by3t al of že žy3es, Že lappe3 žay lance bi-hynde, [M] To hewe hit in two žay hy3es, 1352 Bi že 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] Bože že hede & že hals žay hwen of ženne, & syžen sunder žay že syde3 swyft fro že chyne, & že corbeles fee žay kest in a greue;[1] 1356 Ženn žurled žay ayžer žik side žur3, bi že rybbe, & henged ženne a[y]žer bi ho3es of že fourche3, Vche freke for his fee, as falle3 forto haue. Vpon a felle of že fayre best, fede žay žayr houndes, 1360 [B] Wyth že lyuer & že ly3te3, že ležer of že paunche3, & bred bažed in blod, blende žer amonge3; Baldely žay blw prys, bayed žayr rachche3, [C] Syžen fonge žay her flesche folden to home, 1364 Strakande ful stoutly mony stif mote3. Bi žat že dayly3t wat3 done, že douthe wat3 al wonen In-to že comly castel, žer že kny3t bide3 ful stille; 1368 Wyth blys & bry3t fyr bette, Že lord is comen žer-tylle, [D] When Gawayn wyth hym mette, Žer 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 že lorde in žat sale to samen alle že meny,[Fol.] Bože že ladyes on loghe to ly3t with her burdes, [109b.] [B] Bi-fore alle že folk on že flette, freke3 he bedde3 Verayly his venysoun to fech hym byforne; 1376 [C] & al godly in gomen Gaway[n] he called, Teche3 hym to že tayles of ful tayt bestes, Schewe3 hym že schyree grece schorne vpon rybbes. [D] "How paye3 yow žis play? haf I prys wonnen? 1380 Haue I žryuandely žonk žur3 my craft serued?" "3e I-wysse," quod žat ožer wy3e, "here is wayth fayrest [E] Žat I se3 žis seuen 3ere in sesoun of wynter." "& al I gif yow, Gawayn," quod že gome ženne, 1384 "For by a-corde of couenaunt 3e craue hit as your awen." "Žis is soth," quod že segge, "I say yow žatilke, &[1] I haf worthyly žis wone3 wyth-inne, [F] I-wysse with as god wylle hit worže3 to 3oure3." 1388 He hasppe3 his fayre hals his arme3 wyth-inne, & kysses hym as comlyly as he[2] couže awyse: "Tas yow žere my cheuicaunce, I cheued no more, I wowche hit saf fynly, ža3 feler hit were." 1392 "Hit is god," quod že god mon, "grant mercy žerfore, [G] Hit may be such, hit is že better, &[1] 3e me breue wolde Where 3e wan žis ilk wele, biwytte of hor[3] seluen?" [H] "Žat wat3 not forward," quod he, "frayst me no more, 1396 For 3e haftan žat yow tyde3, trawe3e non ožer 3e mowe." Žay la3ed, & made hem blyže, [I] Wyth lote3 žat were to lowe, 1400 To soper žay 3ede asswyže, 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 syžen by že chymné in chamber žay seten. [B] Wy3e3 že walle wyn we3ed to hem oft, 1404 & efte in her bourdyng žay bayžen in že morn, To fylle že same forwarde3 žat žay by-fore maden, [C] Žat chaunce so bytyde3 hor cheuysaunce to chaunge, What nwe3 so žay nome, at na3t quen žay metten 1408 Žay acorded of že couenaunte3 byfore že court alle; Že beuerage wat3 bro3t forth in bourde at žat tyme; [Fol. 110.] [D] Ženne žay louelych le3ten leue at že last, Vche burne to his bedde busked bylyue. 1412 [E] Bi žat že coke hade crowe3[1] & cakled bot žryse, Že lorde wat3 lopen of his bedde, [&] že leude3 vch one, So žat že mete & že masse wat3 metely delyuered; Že douthe dressed to že wod, er any day sprenged, 1416 to chace; [F] He3 with hunte & horne3, Žur3 playne3 žay passe in space, Vn-coupled among žo žorne3, 1420 Rache3 žat 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 žay calle of a quest in aker syde, Že hunt re-hayted že hounde3, žat hit fyrst mynged, [B] Wylde worde3 hym warp wyth a wrast noyce; 1424 Že hownde3 žat hit herde, hastid žider swyže, & fellen as fast to že fuyt, fourty at ones; Ženne such a glauerande glam of gedered rachche3 Ros, žat že rochere3 rungen aboute; 1428 Huntere3 hem hardened with horne & wyth muthe. [C] Žen al in a semblé sweyed to-geder, Bitwene a flosche in žat fryth, & a foo cragge; In a knot, bi a clyffe, at že kerre syde, 1432 Žer as že rogh rocher vn-rydely wat3 fallen, [Žay] ferden to že fyndyng, & freke3 hem after; [D] Žay vmbe-kesten že knarre & že knot bože. Wy3e3, whyl žay wysten wel wyt inne hem hit were, 1436 Že best žat žer breued wat3 wyth že blod hounde3. [E] Ženne žay beten on že buske3, & bede hym vp ryse, & he vnsoundyly out so3t segge3 ouer-žwert, [F] On že sellokest swyn swenged out žere, 1440 Long sythen for[1] že sounder žat wi3t for-olde, For he wat3 b[este &] bor alžer grattest, [And eue]re quen he gronyed, ženne greued mony, [G] For [žre a]t že fyrst žrast he žry3t to že erže, 1444 & [sped hym] forth good sped, boute spyt more, [Ande žay] halowed hyghe ful hy3e & hay! hay! cryed Haden horne3 to mouže heterly rechated; [Fol. 110b.] [H] Mony wat3 že myry mouthe of men & of hounde3, 1448 Žat buskke3 after žis bor, with bost & wyth noyse, To quelle; Ful oft he byde3 že baye, & mayme3 že mute Inn-melle, 1452 [I] He hurte3 of že hounde3, & žay 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 ženne, Haled to hym of her arewe3, hitten hym oft; 1456 Bot že poynte3 payred at že pyth žat py3t in his schelde3, & že barbe3 of his browe bite non wolde, [B] Ža3 že schauen schaft schyndered in pece3, Že hede hypped a3ayn, were-so-euer hit hitte; 1460 [C] Bot quon že dynte3 hym dered of her dry3e stroke3, Žen, brayn-wod for bate, on burne3 he rase3, [D] Hurte3 hem ful heterly žer he forth hy3e3, & mony ar3ed žerat, & on-lyte dro3en. 1464 Bot že lorde on a ly3t horce launces hym after, [E] As burne bolde vpon bent his bugle he blowe3, He rechated, & r[ode][1] žur3 rone3 ful žyk, Suande žis wy[ld]e swyn til že sunne schafted. 1468 [F] Žis day wyth žis ilk dede žay dryuen on žis wyse, Whyle oure luflych lede lys in his bedde, [G] Gawayn grayžely at home, in gere3 ful ryche of hewe; 1472 Že 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 že cortyn, & at že kny3t totes, Sir Wawen her welcumed woržy on fyrst, & ho hym 3elde3 a3ayn, ful 3erne of hir worde3, [B] Sette3 hir sof[t]ly by his syde, & swyžely ho la3e3, 1480 & wyth a luflych loke ho layde[1] hym žyse worde3: "Sir, 3if 3e be Wawen, wonder me žynkke3, Wy3e žat is so wel wrast alway to god, & conne3 not of compaynye že coste3 vnder-take, 1484 & if mon kennes yow hom to knowe, 3e kest hom of your mynde;[Fol.] [C] Žou hat3 for-3eten 3ederly žat 3isterday I ta3tte [111] alder-truest token of talk žat I cowže." "What is žat?" quod že wyghe, "I-wysse I wot neuer, 1488 If hit be sothe žat 3e breue, že blame is myn awen." [D] "3et I kende yow of kyssyng," quod že clere ženne, "Quere-so countenaunce is couže, quikly to clayme, Žat bicumes vche a kny3t, žat cortaysy vses." 1492 "Do way," quod žat derf mon, "my dere, žat speche, [E] For žat durst I not do, lest I denayed were, If I were werned, I were wrang I-wysse, 3if I profered." "Ma fay," quod že mere wyf, "3e may not be werned, 1496 [F] 3e ar stif in-noghe to constrayne wyth strenkže, 3if yow lyke3, 3if any were so vilanous žat yow denaye[2] wolde." "3e, be God," quod Gawayn, "good is your speche, Bot žrete is vn-žryuande in žede žer I lende, 1500 [G] & vche gift žat 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 žynkke3, in space." 1504 [H] Že lady loute3 a-doun, & comlyly kysses his face, Much speche žay žer 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," žat woržy žer sayde, "& yow wrathed not žer-wyth, what were že skylle, Žat so 3ong & so 3epe, as 3e [ar] at žis tyme, So cortayse, so kny3tyly, as 3e ar knowen oute, 1512 [B] & of alle cheualry to chose, že chef žyng a-losed, Is[2] že lel layk of luf, že lettrure of armes; F[or] to telle of žis tenelyng of žis trwe kny3te3, Hit is že 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 Žat euer longed to luf, lasse ne more; [E] & 3e, žat ar so cortays & coynt of your hetes, Oghe to a 3onke žynk 3ern to schewe, & teche sum tokene3 of trweluf craftes. 1528 Why ar 3e lewed, žat alle že los welde3, Ožer 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 fayže," quod Gawayn, "God yow for3elde, 1536 Gret is že gode gle, & gomen to me huge, Žat so woržy 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 že toruayle[1] to my-self, to trwluf expoun, & towche že teme3 of tyxt, & tale3 of arme3, To yow žat, I wot wel, welde3 more sly3t Of žat art, bi že half, or a hundreth of seche 1544 As I am, ožer euer schal, in erde žer I leue, Hit were a fole fele-folde, my fre, by my trawže. [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!" Žus hym frayned žat fre, & fondet hym ofte, Forto haf wonnen hym to wo3e, what-so scho žo3t elle3, [E] Bot he de fended hym so fayr, žat no faut semed, 1552 Ne non euel on nawžer halue, nawžer žay wysten, bot blysse; Žay la3ed & layked longe, At že 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 ružes hym že renk, & ryses to že masse, & sižen hor diner wat3 dy3t & derely serued. [Fol. 112.] 1560 [B] Že lede with že ladye3 layked alle day, Bot že lorde ouer že londe3 launced ful ofte, Swe3 his vncely swyn, žat swynge3 bi že bonkke3, [C] & bote že best of his brache3 že bakke3 in sunder; 1564 Žer 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 že folk gedered; Bot 3et že styffest to start bi stounde3 he made, 1568 Til at že last he wat3 so mat, he my3t no more renne, [E] Bot in že hast žat he my3t, he to a hole wynne3, Of a rasse, bi a rokk, žer renne3 že boerne, He gete že bonk at his bak, bigyne3 to scrape, 1572 [F] Že frože femed[3] at his mouth vnfayre bi že wyke3, Whette3 his whyte tusche3; with hym žen irked Alle že burne3 so bolde, žat hym by stoden, [G] To nye hym on-ferum, bot ne3e hym non durst 1576 for wože; He hade hurt so mony byforne, Žat al žu3t[4] ženne ful lože, [H] Be more wyth his tusche3 torne, 1580 Žat 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: žo3t (?).] XVIII. [A] Til že kny3t com hym-self, kachande his blonk, Sy3 hym byde at že bay, his burne3 bysyde, [B] He ly3tes luflych[1] adoun, leue3 his corsour, 1584 Brayde3 out a bry3t bront, & bigly forth stryde3, Founde3 fast žur3 že forth, žer že felle byde3, [C] Že wylde wat3 war of že wy3e with weppen in honde, Hef hy3ly že here, so hetterly he fnast, 1588 Žat fele ferde for že freke3,[2] lest felle hym že worre; [D] Že swyn sette3 hym out on že segge euen, Žat že burne & že bor were bože vpon hepe3, In že wy3t-est of že water, že worre hade žat ožer; 1592 [E] For že mon merkke3 hym wel, as žay mette fyrst, Set sadly že scharp in že slot euen, [F] Hit hym vp to že hult, žat že hert schyndered, & he 3arrande hym 3elde, & 3edoun[3] že water, 1596 ful tyt; A hundreth hounde3 hym hent, [Fol. 112b.] [G] Žat 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 hažele3 žat my3t; [B] Brachetes bayed žat best, as bidden že maystere3, 1604 Of žat chargeaunt chace žat were chef huntes. [C] Ženne a wy3e žat wat3 wys vpon wod crafte3, To vnlace žis bor lufly bigynne3; [D] Fyrst he hewes of his hed, & on hi3e sette3, 1608 & syžen rende3 him al roghe bi že rygge after, [E] Brayde3 out že boweles, brenne3 hom on glede, With bred blent žer-with his braches rewarde3; Syžen he britne3 out že brawen in bry3t brode [s]chelde3, 1612 [F] & hat3 out že hastlette3, as hi3tly biseme3; [G] & 3et hem halche3 al hole že halue3 to-geder, & syžen on a stif stange stoutly hem henges. Now with žis ilk swyn žay swengen to home; 1616 [H] Že bores hed wat3 borne bifore že burnes seluen, Žat him for-ferde in že forže, žur3 forse of his honde, so stronge; Til he se3 sir Gawayne, 1620 In halle hym žo3t ful longe, [I] He calde, & he com gayn, His fee3 žer 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] Že lorde ful lowde with lote, & la3ed myry, 1624 When he se3e sir G: with solace he speke3; Že goude ladye3 were geten, & gedered že meyny, [B] He schewe3 hem že schelde3, & schapes hem že tale, Of že largesse, & že lenže, že ližerne3 alse, 1628 Of že were of že wylde swyn, in wod žer he fled. Žat ožer kny3t ful comly comended his dede3, & praysed hit as gret prys, žat he proued hade; [C] For suche a brawne of a best, že bolde burne sayde, 1632 Ne such sydes of a swyn, segh he neuer are. Ženne hondeled žay že hoge hed, že hende mon hit praysed, & let lodly žerat že lorde forte here: [Fol. 113.] [D] "Now Gawayn," quod že god mon, "žis gomen is your awen, 1636 Bi fyn for-warde & faste, faythely 3e knowe." "Hit is sothe," quod že segge, "& as siker trwe; Alle my get I schal yow gif agayn, bi my trawže." [E] He [hent] že hažel aboute že halse, & hendely hym kysses, 1640 & efter-sones of že same he serued hym žere. "Now ar we euen," quod že hažel, "in žis euen-tide, Of alle že couenauntes žat we knyt, syžen I com hider, bi lawe;" 1644 [F] Že lorde sayde, "bi saynt Gile, 3e ar že best žat 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] Ženne žay teldet table3 [on] trestes alofte, [B] Kesten clože3 vpon, clere ly3t ženne [C] Wakned bi wo3e3, waxen torches Segge3 sette, & serued in sale al aboute; 1652 [D] Much glam & gle glent vp žer-inne, Aboute že fyre vpon flet, & on fele wyse, [E] At že soper & after, mony ažel songe3, As coundutes of kryst-masse, & carole3 newe, 1656 With alle že manerly merže žat mon may of telle. [F] & euer oure luflych kny3t že lady bi-syde; Such semblaunt to žat segge semly ho made, [G] Wyth stille stollen countenaunce, žat stalworth to plese, 1660 Žat al for-wondered wat3 že 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 že dede turned to wrast; 1664 [H] Quen žay hade played in halle, As longe as hor wylle hom last, [I] To chambre he[1] con hym calle, & to že chem-ne žay 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 žer žay dronken, & dalten, & demed eft nwe, To norne on že same note, on nwe3ere3 euen; [B] Bot že kny3t craued leue, to kayre on že morn, For hit wat3 ne3 at že terme, žat he to[1] schulde. 1672 Že lorde hym letted of žat, to lenge hym resteyed, [Fol. 113b.] [C] & sayde, "as I am trwe segge, I siker my trawže, [D] Žou schal cheue to že grene chapel, žy charres to make, Leude, on nw3ere3 ly3t, longe bifore pryme: 1676 For-žy žow lye in žy loft, & lach žyn ese, & I schal hunt in žis holt, & halde že towche3, Chaunge wyth že cheuisaunce, bi žat I charre hider; For I haf fraysted že twys, & faythful I fynde že, 1680 Now žrid tyme žrowe best ženk on že morne, Make we mery quyl we may, & mynne vpon Ioye, For že lur may mon lach, when so mon lyke3." Žis wat3 grayžely graunted, & Gawayn is lenged, 1684 [E] Bliže bro3t wat3 hym drynk, & žay to bedde 3eden, with li3t; [F] Sir G: lis & slepes, Ful stille & softe al ni3t; 1688 [G] Že lorde žat 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 že mornyng, his mounture he askes; 1692 [B] Alle že haželes žat on horse schulde helden hym after, Were boun busked on hor blonkke3, bi-fore[2] že halle 3ate3; [C] Ferly fayre wat3 že folde, for že forst clenged, In rede rudede vpon rak rises že sunne, 1696 [D] & ful clere coste3[3] že clowdes of že welkyn. Hunteres vnhardeled bi a holt syde, Rocheres roungen bi rys, for rurde of her hornes; [E] Summe fel in že fute, žer že fox bade, 1700 Trayle3 ofte a trayteres[4], bi traunt of her wyles; A kenet kryes žerof, že hunt on hym calles, His fela3es fallen hym to, žat fnasted ful žike, [F] Runnen forth in a rabel, in his ry3t fare; 1704 & he fyske3 hem by-fore, žay founden hym sone, [G] & quen žay seghe hym with sy3t, žay sued hym fast, Wre3ande h[ym] ful [w]eterly with a wroth noyse; [H] & he trantes & tornayee3 žur3 mony tene greue; 1708 Hamloune3, & herkene3, bi hegge3 ful ofte; [I] At že 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 že wode, with wyle3 fro že houndes, 1712 Ženne wat3 he went, er he wyst, to[5] a wale tryster, [K] Žer žre žro at a žrich žrat hym at ones, al graye; [L] He blenched a3ayn bilyue, 1716 & stifly start onstray, With alle že wo on lyue, [M] To že 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 lyžen že hounde3, 1720 When alle že mute hade hym met, menged to-geder, Suche a sor3e at žat sy3t žay sette on his hede, As alle že clamberande clyffes hade clatered on hepes; [B] Here he wat3 halawed, when hažele3 hym metten, 1724 Loude he wat3 3ayned, with 3arande speche; [C] Žer he wat3 žreted, & ofte žef called, & ay že titleres at his tayl, žat 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, že lorde & his meyny; On žis maner bi že mountes, quyle myd, ouer, vnder, [F] Whyle že hende kny3t at home holsumly slepe3, 1732 With-inne že comly cortynes, on že colde morne. Bot že lady for luf let not to slepe, Ne že purpose to payre, žat py3t in hir hert, Bot ros hir vp radly, rayked hir žeder, 1736 [G] In a mery mantyle, mete to že erže, Žat wat3 furred ful fyne with felle3, wel pured, No hwe3 goud on hir hede, bot že ha3er stones Trased aboute hir tressour, be twenty in clusteres; 1740 [H] Hir žryuen face & hir žrote žrowen al naked, Hir brest bare bifore, & bihinde eke. [I] Ho come3 with-inne že chambre dore, & closes hit hir after, [J] Wayne3[1] vp a wyndow, & on že wy3e calle3, 1744 & radly žus re-hayted hym, with hir riche worde3, with[2] chere; [K] "A! mon, how may žou slepe, [L] Žis morning is so clere?" [Fol. 114b.] 1748 He wat3 in drowping depe, Bot ženne 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, ą sec. manu.] XXV. [A] In dre3 droupyng of dreme draueled žat noble, As mon žat wat3 in mornyng of mony žro žo3tes, 1752 How žat destiné schulde žat day [dy3t] his wyrde, At že grene chapel, when he že gome metes, & bi-houes his buffet abide, with-oute debate more; [B] Bot quen žat comly he keuered his wyttes, 1756 Swenges out of že sweuenes, & sware3 with hast. Že lady luflych com la3ande swete, [C] Felle ouer his fayre face, & fetly him kyssed; He welcume3 hir woržily, 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 smože smylyng & smolt žay smeten in-to merže, 1764 Žat al wat3 blis & bonchef, žat breke hem bi-twene, & wynne, Žay lanced wordes gode, Much wele žen wat3 žer-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 žat prynce of pris de-presed hym so žikke. Nurned hym so ne3e že žred, žat nede hym bi-houed, 1772 Ožer lach žer hir luf, ožer lodly re-fuse; He cared for his cortaysye, lest cražayn he were, [B] & more for his meschef, 3if he schulde make synne, & be traytor to žat tolke, žat žat telde a3t. 1776 "God schylde," quod že schalk, "žat schal not be-falle!" With luf-la3yng a lyt, he layd hym by-syde Alle že speche3 of specialté žat sprange of her mouthe. Quod žat burde to že burne, "blame 3e disserue, 1780 3if 3e luf not žat lyf žat 3e lye nexte, Bifore alle že wy3e3 in že worlde, wounded in hert, [C] Bot if 3e haf a lemman, a leuer, žat yow lyke3 better, & folden fayth to žat fre, festned so harde, 1784 Žat yow lausen ne lyst, & žat I leue nouže; [Fol. 115.] And žat 3e telle me žat, now trwly I pray yow, For alle že lufe3 vpon lyue, layne not že sože, for gile." 1788 [D] Že kny3t sayde, "be sayn Ion," & smežely con he smyle, "In fayth I welde ri3t non, Ne non wil welde že 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 "Žat is a worde," quod žat wy3t, "žat worst is of alle, Bot I am swared for sože, žat sore me žinkke3; [A] Kysse me now coraly, & I schal cach hežen, I may bot mourne vpon molde, as may žat much louyes." 1796 Sykande ho swe3e doun, & semly hym kyssed, & sižen ho seueres hym fro, & says as ho stondes, "Now, dere, at žis de-partyng, do me žis ese, [B] Gif me sumquat of žy gifte, ži gloue if[1] hit were, 1800 [C] Žat I may mynne on že mon, my mournyng to lassen." "Now Iwysse," quod žat wy3e, "I wolde I hade here Že leuest žing for žy luf, žat I in londe welde, [D] For 3e haf deserued, forsože, sellyly ofte 1804 More rewarde bi resoun, žen I reche my3t, Bot to dele yow for drurye, žat dawed bot neked; Hit is not your honour to haf at žis tyme A gloue for a garysoun, of Gawayne3 gifte3, 1808 & I am here [on] an erande in erde3 vncouže, [E] & haue no men wyth no male3, with menskful žinge3; Žat mislyke3 me, ladé, for luf at žis tyme,[2] Iche tolke mon do as he is tan, tas to non ille, 1812 ne pine." [F] "Nay, hende of hy3e honours," Quod žat lufsum vnder lyne, [G] "Ža3 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, Žat bere blusschande beme3 as že bry3t sunne; 1820 Wyt 3e wel, hit wat3 worth wele ful hoge. [B] Bot že renk hit renayed, & redyly he sayde, "I wil no gifte3 for gode, my gay, at žis 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, žat he hit sese nolde; [D] & ho sore žat he forsoke, & sayde žer-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, žat gaynes yow lasse." Ho la3t a lace ly3tly, žat[2] leke vmbe hir syde3, [E] Knit vpon hir kyrtel, vnder že clere mantyle, 1832 Gered hit wat3 with grene sylke, & with golde schaped, No3t bot arounde brayden, beten with fyngre3; & žat ho bede to že burne, & blyžely bi-so3t [F] Ža3 hit vn-worži were, žat he hit take wolde. 1836 & he nay žat he nolde neghe in no wyse, [G] Naužer golde ne garysoun, er God hym grace sende, To acheue to že chaunce žat he hade chosen žere. "& žerfore, I pray yow, displese yow no3t, 1840 & lette3 be your bisinesse, for I bayže 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: žat žat, in MS.] XXIX. [A] "Now forsake 3e žis silke." sayde že burde ženne, "For hit is symple in hit-self. & so hit wel seme3? 1848 Lo! so hit is littel, & lasse hit is woržy; [B] Bot who-so knew že costes žat knit ar žer-inne, He wolde hit prayse at more prys, parauenture; [C] For quat gome so is gorde with žis grene lace, 1852 While he hit hade hemely halched aboute, Žer is no hažel vnder heuen to-hewe hym žat my3t; [D] For he my3t not he slayn, for sly3t vpon erže." Žen kest že kny3t, & hit come to his hert, 1856 [E] Hit were a Iuel for že Iopardé, žat hym iugged were, When he acheued to že chapel, his chek forto fech; [F] My3[1] he haf slypped to že vn-slayn, že sle3t were noble. Ženne ho žulged with hir žrepe, & žoled hir to speke, [Fol. 116.] 1860 & ho bere on hym že belt, & bede hit hym swyže, [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; že leude hym acorde3. 1864 Žat neuer wy3e schulde hit wyt, Iwysse, bot žay twayne, for no3te; He žonkked hir oft ful swyže, Ful žro with hert & žo3t. 1868 [H] Bi žat on žrynne syže, He hat3 kyst že 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 žere, For more myrže of žat 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 že luf-lace, že lady hym ra3t, Hid hit ful holdely, žer he hit eft fonde; 1876 Syžen cheuely to že chapel choses he že waye, [D] Preuely aproched to a prest, & prayed hym žere Žat he wolde lyfte[2] his lyf, & lern hym better, How his sawle schulde be saued, when he schuld seye hežen. 1880 [E] Žere he schrof hym schyrly, & schewed his mysdede3, Of že more & že mynne, & merci beseche3, [F] & of absolucioun he on že segge calles; & he asoyled hym surely, & sette hym so clene, 1884 [G] As dome3-day schulde haf ben di3t on že morn. & syžen he mace hym as mery among že fre ladyes, [H] With comlych caroles, & alle kynnes ioye, As neuer he did bot žat daye, to že derk ny3t, 1888 with blys; Vche mon hade daynte žare, [I] Of hym, & sayde Iwysse, [J] Žus myry he wat3 neuer are, 1892 Syn he com hider, er žis. [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 žat lee, žer luf hym bi-tyde; 3et is že lorde on že launde, ledande his gomnes, [B] He hat3 forfaren žis fox, žat he fol3ed longe; 1896 As he sprent ouer a spenné, to spye že schrewe, Žer as he herd že howndes, žat hasted hym swyže, [Fol. 116b.] [C] Renaud com richchande žur3 a ro3e greue, & alle že rabel in a res, ry3t at his hele3. 1900 [D] Že wy3e wat3 war of že wylde, & warly abides, & brayde3 out že bry3t bronde, & at že best caste3; & he schunt for že scharp, & schulde haf arered, [E] A rach rapes hym to, ry3t er he my3t, 1904 & ry3t bifore že hors fete žay fel on hym alle, & woried me žis wyly wyth a wroth noyse. [F] Že lorde ly3te3 bilyue, & cache3 by[1] sone, Rased hym ful radly out of že rach moužes, 1908 Halde3 he3e ouer his hede, halowe3 faste, & žer bayen hym mony bray[2] hounde3; [G] Huntes hy3ed hem žeder, with horne3 ful mony, Ay re-chatande ary3t til žay že renk se3en; 1912 Bi žat wat3 comen his compeyny noble, Alle žat euer ber bugle blowed at ones, [H] & alle žise ožer halowed, žat hade no hornes, Hit wat3 že myriest mute žat euer men herde, 1916 Že rich rurd žat žer wat3 raysed for renaude saule, with lote; [I] Hor hounde3 žay žer rewarde, Her[3] hede3 žay fawne & frote, 1920 [J] & syžen žay 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: braž (?).] [Footnote 3: Her her, in MS.] XXXII. [A] & ženne žay helden to home, for hit wat3 nie3 ny3t, Strakande ful stoutly in hor store horne3; 1924 [B] Že lorde is ly3t at že laste at hys lef home, Fynde3 fire vpon flet, že freke žer by-side, Sir Gawayn že gode, žat glad wat3 with alle, [C] Among že ladies for luf he ladde much ioye, 1928 He were a bleaunt of blwe, žat bradde to že erže, His surkot semed hym wel, žat softe wat3 forred, & his hode of žat ilke henged on his schulder, [D] Blande al of blaunner were bože al aboute. 1932 He mete3 me žis god mon in mydde3 že flore, & al with gomen he hym gret, & goudly he sayde, "I schal fylle vpon fyrst oure forwarde3 nouže, Žat we spedly han spoken, žer spared wat3 no drynk;" [Fol. 117.] 1936 [E] Žen acoles he [že] kny3t, & kysses hym žryes, [F] As sauerly & sadly as he hem sette couže. [G] "Bi Kryst," quod žat ožer kny3t, "3e cach much sele, In cheuisaunce of žis chaffer, 3if 3e hade goud chepe3." 1940 "3e of že chepe no charg," quod chefly žat ožer, "As is pertly payed že chepe3 žat I a3te." "Mary," quod žat ožer mon, "myn is bi-hynde, [H] For I haf hunted al žis day, & no3t haf I geten, 1944 [I] Bot žis foule fox felle, že fende haf že gode3, [J] & žat is ful pore, for to pay for suche prys žinges, As 3e haf žry3t me here, žro suche žre cosses, so gode." 1948 "I-no3," quod sir Gawayn, "I žonk yow, bi že rode;" [K] & how že fox wat3 slayn, He tolde hym, as žay 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 merže & mynstralsye, wyth mete3 at hor wylle, Žay maden as mery as any men mo3ten, With la3yng of ladies, with lote3 of bordes; Gawayn & že gode mon so glad were žay bože, 1956 Bot if že douthe had doted, ožer dronken ben ožer, Bože že mon & že meyny maden mony iape3, [B] Til že sesoun wat3 se3en, žat žay seuer moste; Burne3 to hor bedde be-houed at že laste. 1960 [C] Ženne lo3ly his leue at že lorde fyrst Fochche3 žis fre mon, & fayre he hym žonkke3; [D] "Of such a sellyly[1] soiorne, as I haf hade here, Your honour, at žis hy3e fest, že 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, Že gate to že grene chapel, as god wyl me suffer 1968 To dele, on nw3ere3 day, že dome of my wyrdes." "In god fayže," quod že god mon. "wyth a goud wylle; Al žat euer I yow hy3t, halde schal I rede." [F] Žer asyngnes he a seruaunt, to sett hym in že waye, 1972 & coundue hym by že downe3, žat he no drechch had, [Fol. 117b.] For to f[e]rk žur3 že fryth, & fare at že gaynest, bi greue. Že lorde Gawayn con žonk, 1976 Such worchip he wolde hym weue; [G] Žen at žo ladye3 wlonk. Že 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 žryuande žonkke3 he žrat hom to haue, & žay 3elden hym a3ay[n] 3eply žat ilk; [B] Žay bikende hym to Kryst, with ful colde sykynge3. [C] Syžen fro že meyny he menskly de-partes; 1984 Vche mon žat he mette, he made hem a žonke, For his seruyse, & his solace, & his sere pyne, Žat žay wyth busynes had ben, aboute hym to serue; & vche segge as sore, to seuer with hym žere, 1988 As žay hade wonde woržyly with žat wlonk euer. [D] Žen 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 že morn to mynne, 3if he wolde, in žo3t; [F] Let hym ly3e žere stille, He hat3[1] nere žat he so3t, 1996 [G] & 3e wyl a whyle be stylle, I schal telle yow how žay 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 že nw3ere, & že ny3t passe3, Že day dryue3 to že derk, as dry3tyn bidde3; 2000 [B] Bot wylde wedere3 of že worlde wakned žeroute, Clowdes kesten kenly že colde to že erže, Wyth ny3e[1] in-noghe of že norže, že naked to tene; [C] Že snawe snitered ful snart, žat snayped že wylde; 2004 Že werbelande wynde wapped fro že hy3e, [D] & drof vche dale ful of dryftes ful grete. Že leude lystened ful wel, žat le3 in his bedde, [E] Ža3 he lowke3 his lidde3, ful lyttel he slepes; 2008 Bi vch kok žat crue, he knwe wel že steuen. De-liuerly he dressed vp, er že day sprenged, [Fol. 118.] For žere wat3 ly3t of a lau[m]pe, žat lemed in his chambre; [F] He called to his chamberlayn, žat cofly hym swared, 2012 & bede hym bryng hym his bruny, & his blonk sadel; Žat ožer ferke3 hym vp, & feche3 hym his wede3, & grayže3 me sir Gawayn vpon a grett wyse. Fyrst he clad hym in his clože3, že colde for to were; 2016 & syžen his ožer harnays, žat holdely wat3 keped, Bože his paunce, & his plate3, piked ful clene, [G] Že rynge3[2] rokked of že roust, of his riche bruny; & al wat3 fresch as vpon fyrst, & he wat3 fayn ženne 2020 to žonk; He hade vpon vche pece, Wypped ful wel & wlonk; [H] Že gayest in to Grece, 2024 Že 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 že wlonkest wedes he warp on hym-seluen; His cote, wyth be conysaunce of že 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 že lace, že ladie3 gifte, Žat for-gat not Gawayn, for gode of hym-seluen; 2032 Bi he hade belted že bronde vpon his bal3e haunche3, [C] Ženn dressed he his drurye double hym aboute; Swyže swežled vmbe his swange swetely, žat kny3t, Že gordel of že grene silke, žat gay wel bisemed, 2036 Vpon žat ryol red clože, žat ryche wat3 to schewe. [D] Bot wered not žis ilk wy3e for wele žis gordel, For pryde of že pendaunte3, ža3 polyst žay were, & ža3 že 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, ožer knyffe; Bi žat že bolde mon boun, 2044 Wynne3 žeroute bilyue, [F] Alle že meyny of renoun, He žonkke3 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 grayže, žat gret wat3 & huge, [Fol. 118b.] 2048 & hade ben soiourned sauerly, & in a siker wyse, [B] Hym lyst prik for poynt, žat proude hors ženne; Že wy3e wynne3 hym to, & wyte3 on his lyre, & sayde soberly hym-self, & by his soth swere3, 2052 "Here is a meyny in žis mote, žat on menske ženkke3, [C] Že mon hem maynteines, ioy mot žay haue; Že leue lady, on lyue luf hir bityde; 3if žay for charyté cherysen a gest, 2056 & halden honour in her honde, že hažel hem 3elde, Žat halde3 že 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] Ženn 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 že ston, stod he no lenger, 2064 to praunce; His hažel on hors wat3 ženne, Žat bere his spere & launce. [F] "Žis 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, & že brode 3ate3 Vnbarred, & born open, vpon bože halue; [B] Že burne blessed hym bilyue, & že brede3 passed; 2072 Prayses že porter, bifore že prynce kneled, Gef hym God & goud day, žat Gawayn he saue; [C] & went on his way, with his wy3e one, Žat schulde teche hym to tourne to žat tene place, 2076 Žer že ruful race he schulde re-sayue. Žay bo3en bi bonkke3, žer bo3e3 ar bare, [D] Žay clomben bi clyffe3, žer clenge3 že colde; Že heuen wat3 vp halt, bot vgly žer vnder, 2080 Mist muged on že mor, malt on že mounte3, [E] Vch hille hade a hatte, a myst-hakel huge; Broke3 byled, & breke, bi bonkke3 aboute, Schyre schaterande on schore3, žer žay doun schowued. 2084 Welawylle wat3 že way, žer žay bi wod schulden, [Fol. 119.] [F] Til hit wat3 sone sesoun, žat že sunne ryses, žat tyde; [G] Žay were on a hille ful hy3e, 2088 Že quyte snaw lay bisyde; [H] Že burne žat 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 žis tyme, 2092 & now nar 3e not fer fro žat note place, [B] Žat 3e han spied & spuryed so specially after; Bot I schal say yow for sože, syžen I yow knowe, & 3e ar a lede vpon lyue, žat I wel louy, 2096 Wolde 3e worch bi my wytte, 3e woržed že better. [C] Že place žat 3e prece to, ful perelous is halden; [D] Žer wone3 a wy3e in žat waste, že worst vpon erže; For he is stiffe, & sturne, & to strike louies, 2100 & more he is žen any mon vpon myddelerde, [E] & his body bigger žen že best fowre. Žat ar in Aržure3 hous, Hestor[1] ožer ožer. He cheue3 žat chaunce at že chapel grene; 2104 [F] Žer passes non bi žat place, so proude in his armes, Žat he ne dynne3 hym to deže, with dynt of his honde; For he is a mon methles, & mercy non vses, [G] For be hit chorle, ožer chaplayn, žat bi že chapel rydes, 2108 Monk, ožer masse-prest, ožer any mon elles, Hym žynk as queme hym to quelle, as quyk go hym seluen. For-žy I say že as sože as 3e in sadel sitte, Com 3e žere, 3e be kylled, [I] may že kny3t rede, 2112 Trawe 3e me žat trwely, ža3 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-žy, goude sir Gawayn, let že gome one, & got3 a-way sum ožer gate; vpon Godde3 halue; 2120 [B] Cayre3 bi sum ožer kyth, žer Kryst mot yow spede; & I schal hy3 me hom a3ayn, & hete yow fyrre, [C] Žat I schal swere bi God, & alle his gode hal3e3, [Fol. 119b.] As help me God & že halydam, & ože3 in-noghe, 2124 Žat I schal lelly yow layne, & lance neuer tale, Žat euer 3e fondet to fle, for freke žat I wyst." "Grant merci;" quod Gawayn, & gruchyng he sayde, "Wel worth že wy3e, žat wolde3 my gode, 2128 & žat lelly me layne, I leue wel žou wolde3! [D] Bot helde žou hit neuer so holde, & I here passed, Founded for ferde for to fle, in fourme žat žou telle3, I were a kny3t kowarde, I my3t not[1] be excused. 2132 [E] Bot I wy1 to že chape1, for chaunce žat may falle, & talk wyth žat ilk tulk že tale žat me lyste, Worže hit wele, ožer wo, as že wyrde lyke3 hit hafe; 2136 [F] Ža3e 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 žat ožer mon, "now žou so much spelle3, Žat žou wylt žyn awen nye nyme to žy-seluen, & že lyst lese žy lyf, že lette I ne kepe; [B] Haf here ži helme on žy hede, ži spere in ži honde, 2144 & ryde me doun žis ilk rake, bi 3on rokke syde, [C] Til žou be bro3t to že božem of že brem valay; [D] Ženne loke a littel on že launde, on ži lyfte honde, [E] & žou schal se in žat slade že self chapel, 2148 & že borelych burne on bent, žat hit kepe3. Now fare3 wel on Gode3 half, Gawayn že noble, For alle že golde vpon grounde I nolde go with že, Ne bere že fela3schip žur3 žis fryth on fote fyrre." 2152 [F] Bi žat že wy3e in že wod wende3 his brydel, Hit že hors with že hele3, as harde as he my3t, Lepe3 hym ouer že launde, & leue3 že kny3t žere, al one. 2156 [G] "Bi Godde3 self," quod Gawayn, "I wyl naužer 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 že rake, [Fol. 120.] Schowue3 in bi a schore, at a scha3e syde, [B] Ride3 žur3 že ro3e bonk, ry3t to že dale; & ženne he wayted hym aboute, & wylde hit hym žo3t, 2164 [C] & se3e no syngne of resette, bisyde3 nowhere, Bot hy3e bonkke3 & brent, vpon bože halue, & ru3e knokled knarre3, with knorned stone3; Že skwe3 of že scowtes skayued[1] hym žo3t. 2168 Ženne he houed, & wyth-hylde his hors at žat tyde, & ofte chaunged his cher, že chapel to seche; [D] He se3 non suche in no syde, & selly hym žo3t, Sone a lyttel on a launde, a lawe as hit we[re]; 2172 [E] A bal3 ber3, bi a bonke, že brymme by-syde, Bi a for3 of a flode, žat ferked žare; Že borne blubred žer-inne, as hit boyled hade. [F] Že kny3t kache3 his caple, & com to že lawe, 2176 [G] Li3te3 doun luflyly, & at a lynde tache3 Že rayne, & his riche, with a ro3e braunche; [H] Žen[n]e he bo3e3 to že ber3e, aboute hit he walke, D[e]batande with hym-self, quat hit be my3t. 2180 Hit hade a hole on že ende, & on ayžer 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 couže hit no3t deme 2184 with spelle, "We,[2] lorde," quod že gentyle kny3t, "Whežer žis be že grene chapelle; [J] He my3t aboute myd-ny3t, 2188 [Ž]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; Žis oritore is vgly, with erbe3 ouer-growen; [B] Wel biseme3 že wy3e wruxled in grene 2192 Dele here his deuocioun, on že deuele3 wyse; Now I fele hit is že fende, in my fyue wytte3, Žat hat3 stoken me žis steuen, to strye me here; [C] Žis is a chapel of meschaunce, žat chekke hit by-tyde, 2196 Hit is že corsedest kyrk, žat euer i com inne!" With he3e helme on his hede, his launce in his honde, [Fol. 120b.] [D] He rome3 vp to že rokke of žo ro3 wone3; Žene herde he of žat hy3e hil, in a harde roche, 2200 [E] Bi3onde že broke, in a bonk, a wonder breme noyse, [F] Quat! hit clatered in že clyff, as hit cleue schulde, As one vpon a gryndelston hade grounden a syže; [G] What! hit wharred, & whette, as water at a mulne, 2204 What! hit rusched, & ronge, rawže to here. Ženne "bi Godde," quod Gawayn, "žat gere as[1] I trowe, Is ryched at že reuerence, me renk to mete, bi rote; 2208 Let God worche we loo, [H] Hit helppe3 me not a mote, My lif ža3 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 že kny3t con calle ful hy3e, [B] "Who sti3tle3 in žis sted, me steuen to holde? [C] For now is gode Gawayn goande ry3t here, If any wy3e o3t wyl wynne hider fast, 2216 Ožer now, ožer neuer, his nede3 to spede." [D] "Abyde," quod on on že bonke, abouen ouer his hede, "& žou schal haf al in hast, žat I že hy3t ones." 3et he rusched on žat rurde, rapely a žrowe, 2220 & wyth quettyng a-wharf, er he wolde ly3t; [E] & syžen he keuere3 bi a cragge, & come3 of a hole, Whyrlande out of a wro, wyth a felle weppen, [F] A dene3 ax nwe dy3t, že dynt with [t]o 3elde 2224 With a borelych bytte, bende by že halme, Fyled in a fylor, fowre fote large, Hit wat3 no lasse, bi žat lace žat lemed ful bry3t. [G] & že gome in že erene gered as fyrst, 2228 Bože že lyre & že legge3, lokke3, & berde, Saue žat fayre on his fote he founde3 on že erže, Sette že stele to že stone, & stalked bysyde. [H] When he wan to že watter, žer he wade nolde, 2232 He hypped ouer on hys ax, & orpedly stryde3, Bremly brože on a bent, žat brode wat3 a-boute, on snawe. [I] Sir Gawayn že kny3t con mete. [Fol. 121.] 2236 He ne lutte hym no žyng lowe, [J] Žat ožer sayde, "now, sir swete, Of steuen mon may že 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 žat grene gome, "God že mot loke! 2240 I-wysse žou art welcom,[1] wy3e, to my place, [B] & žou hat3 tymed ži trauayl as true[2] mon schulde; [C] & žou knowe3 že couenaunte3 kest vus by-twene, At žis tyme twelmonyth žou toke žat že falled, 2244 [D] & I schulde at žis nwe 3ere 3eply že quyte. [E] & we ar in žis valay, verayly oure one, Here ar no renkes vs to rydde, rele as vus like3; [F] Haf žy[3] helme of žy hede, & haf here žy pay; 2248 Busk no more debate žen I že bede ženne, "When žou wypped of my hede at a wap one." [G] "Nay, bi God," quod Gawayn, "žat me gost lante, I schal gruch že no grwe, for grem žat falle3; 2252 Botsty3tel že vpon on strok, & I schal stonde stylle, & warp že no wernyng, to worch as že lyke3, no whare." [H] He lened with že nek, & lutte, 2256 & schewed žat 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. žy žy.] XII. [A] Then že gome in že grene grayžed hym swyže, 2260 Gedere3 yp hys grymme tole, Gawayn to smyte; [B] With alle že 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 Žer hade ben ded of his dynt, žat do3ty wat3 euer. Bot Gawayn on žat giserne glyfte hym bysyde, [C] As hit com glydande adoun, on glode hym to schende, [D] & schranke a lytel with že schulderes, for že scharp yrne. 2268 Žat ožer schalk wyth a schunt že schene wythhalde3, [E] & ženne repreued he že prynce with mony prowde worde3: [F] "Žou art not Gawayn," quod že gome, "žat is so goud halden, Žat neuer ar3ed for no here, by hylle ne be vale, 2272 [G] & now žou fles for ferde, er žou fele harme3; [Fol. 121b.] Such cowardise of žat kny3t cowže I neuer here. [H] Nawžer fyked I, ne fla3e, freke, quen žou myntest, Ne kest no kauelacion, in kynge3 hous Arthor, 2276 [I] My hede fla3 to my fote, & 3et fla3 I neuer; & žou, er any harme hent, ar3e3 in hert, [J] Wherfore že better burne me burde be called žer-fore." 2280 [K] Quod G:, "I schunt one3, & so wyl I no more, Bot pa3 my hede falle on že 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 ži fayth, & bryng me to že poynt, Dele to me my destiné, & do hit out of honde, For I schal stonde že a strok, & start no more, Til žyn ax haue me hitte, haf here my trawže." 2288 [B] "Haf at že ženne," quod žat ožer, & heue3 hit alofte, & wayte3 as wrožely, as he wode were; [C] He mynte3 at hym ma3tyly, bot not že mon ryue3,[1] With-helde heterly h[i]s honde, er hit hurt my3t. 2292 [D] Gawayn grayžely hit byde3, & glent with no membre, Bot stode stylle as že ston, ožer a stubbe aužer, Žat raželed is in roche grounde, with rote3 a hundreth. Žen muryly efte con he mele, že mon in že grene, 2296 [E] "So now žou hat3 ži hert holle, hitte me bihou[e]s; Halde že now že hy3e hode, žat Aržur že ra3t, & kepe žy kanel at žis kest, 3if hit keuer may." G: ful gryndelly with greme ženne sayde, 2300 [F] "Wy žresch on, žou žro mon, žou žrete3 to longe, I hope žat ži hert ar3e wyth žyn awen seluen." "For sože," quod žat ožer freke, "so felly žou speke3, I wyl no lenger on lyte lette žin ernde, 2304 ri3t nowe." [G] Ženne tas he[2] hym stryže to stryke, & frounses bože lyppe & browe, No meruayle ža3 hym myslyke, 2308 Žat 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 že barbe of že bitte bi že bare nek [Fol. 122.] Ža3 he homered heterly, hurt hym no more, 2312 Bot snyrt hym on žat on syde, žat seuered že hyde; [C] Že scharp schrank to že flesche žur3 že schyre grece, Žat že schene blod over his schulderes schot to že erže. [D] & quen že burne se3 že blode blenk on že snawe, 2316 He sprit forth spenne fote more žen a spere lenže, 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 žat he wat3 burne borne of his moder, Wat3 he neuer in žis worlde, wy3e half so blyže:-- [F] "Blynne, burne, of žy bur, bede me no mo; I haf a stroke in žis sted with-oute stryf hent, 2324 [G] & if žow reche3 me any mo, I redyly schal quyte, & 3elde 3ederly a3ayn, & žer to 3e tryst, & foo; [H] Bot on stroke here me falle3, 2328 Že couenaunt schop ry3t so, [Sikered][1] in Aržure3 halle3, & žer-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 hažel heldet hym fro, & on his ax rested, 2332 Sette že schaft vpon schore, & to be scharp lened, [B] & loked to že leude, žat on že launde 3ede, How žat do3ty dredles deruely žer stonde3, Armed ful a3le3; in hert hit hym lyke3. 2336 ženn he mele3 muryly, wyth a much steuen, [C] & wyth a r[a]ykande rurde he to že renk sayde, "Bolde burne, on žis bent be not so gryndel; No mon here vn-manerly že mys-boden habbe, 2340 Ne kyd, bot as couenaunde, at kynge3 kort schaped; [D] I hy3t že a strok, & žou hit hat3, halde že wel payed, I relece že of že remnaunt, of ry3tes alle ožer; 3if[1] I deliuer had bene, a boffet, paraunter, 2344 [E] I couže wroželoker haf waret, [&] to že haf wro3t anger.[2] Fyrst I mansed že muryly, with a mynt one, [F] & roue že wyth no rof, sore with ry3t I že profered, For že forwarde that we fest in že fyrst ny3t, [Fol. 122b.] 2348 & žou trystyly že trawže & trwly me halde3, Al že gayne žow me gef, as god mon shulde; [G] Žat ožer munt for že morne, mon, I že profered, Žou kyssedes my clere wyf, že cosse3 me ra3te3, 2352 For bože two here I že bede bot two bare myntes, boute scaže; [H] Trwe mon trwe restore, Ženne žar mon drede no waže; 2356 [I] At že žrid žou fayled žore, & žer-for žat tappe ta že. [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 žat žou were3, žat ilke wouen girdel, Myn owen wyf hit že weued, I wot wel forsože; 2360 [B] Now know I wel žy cosses, & žy costes als, & že wowyng of my wyf, I wro3t hit myseluen; [C] I sende hir to asay že, & sothly me žynkke3, On že fautlest freke, žat euer on fote 3ede; 2364 As perle bi že quite pese is of prys more, So is Gawayn, in god fayth, bi ožer gay kny3te3. [D] Bot here you lakked a lyttel, sir, & lewte yow wonted, Bot žat wat3 for no wylyde werke, ne wowyng naužer, 2368 [E] Bot for 3e lufed your lyf, že lasse I yow blame." Žat ožer stif mon in study stod a gret whyle; So agreued for greme he gryed with-inne, [F] Alle že blode of his brest blende in his face, 2372 Žat al he schrank for schome, žat že schalk talked. Že forme worde vpon folde, žat že freke meled,-- [G] "Corsed worth cowarddyse & couetyse bože! In yow is vylany & vyse, žat vertue disstrye3." 2376 [H] Ženne he ka3t to že knot, & že kest lawse3, Brayde brožely že belt to že burne seluen: "Lo! žer že falssyng, foule mot hit falle! [I] For care of žy knokke cowardyse me ta3t 2380 To a-corde me with couetyse, my kynde to for-sake, Žat is larges & lewte, žat longe3 to kny3te3. [J] Now am I fawty, & falce, & ferde haf ben euer; Of trecherye & vn-trawže bože 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 žat ožer leude, & luflyly sayde, "I halde hit hardily[1] hole, že harme žat I hade; [B] Žou art confessed so clene, be-knowen of žy mysses, 2392 & hat3 že penaunce apert, of že poynt of myn egge, [C] I halde že polysed of žat ply3t, & pured as clene, As žou hade3 neuer forfeted, syžen žou wat3 fyrst borne. [D] & I gif že, sir, že gurdel žat is golde hemmed; 2396 For hit is grene as my goune, sir G:, 3e maye Ženk vpon žis ilke žrepe, žer žou forth žrynge3 Among prynces of prys, & žis a pure token [E] Of že chaunce of že grene chapel, at cheualrous kny3te3; 2400 [F] & 3e schal in žis nwe 3er a3ayn to my wone3, & we schyn reuel že remnaunt of žis ryche fest, ful bene." Žer lažed hym fast že lorde, 2404 & sayde, "with my wyf, I wene, We schal yow wel acorde, Žat 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 sože," quod že segge, & sesed hys helme, 2408 & hat3 hit of hendely, & že hažel žonkke3, [B] "I haf soiorned sadly, sele yow bytyde, & he 3elde hit yow 3are, žat 3arkke3 al menskes! [C] & comaunde3 me to žat cortays, your comlych fere, 2412 Bože žat on & žat ožer, myn honoured ladye3. Žat žus hor kny3t wyth hor kest han koyntly bigyled. [D] Bot hit is no ferly, ža3 a fole madde, & žur3 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 žer-after Wat3 blended with Barsabe, žat much bale žoled. 2420 Now žese were wrathed wyth her wyles, hit were a wynne huge, [F] To luf hom wel, & leue hem not, a leude žat couže, For žes wer forne[1] že freest žat fol3ed alle že sele, [Fol.] Ex-ellently of alle žyse ožer, vnder heuen-ryche, [123b.] 2424 žat mused; & alle žay were bi-wyled, With[2] wymmen žat žay vsed, [G] Ža3 I be now bigyled, 2428 Me žink 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! Žat wyl I welde wyth good wylle, not for že wynne golde, Ne že saynt, ne že sylk, ne že syde pendaundes, 2432 For wele, ne for worchyp, ne for že wlonk werkke3, [B] Bot in syngne of my surfet I schal se hit ofte; When I ride in renoun, remorde to myseluen Že faut & že fayntyse of že flesche crabbed, 2436 How tender hit is to entyse teches of fylže; [C] & žus, quen pryde schal me pryk, for prowes of armes, [D] Že loke to žis luf lace schal leže my hert. Bot on I wolde yow pray, displeses yow neuer; 2440 Syn 3e be lorde of že 3onde[r] londe, žer I haf lent inne, Wyth yow wyth worschyp,--že wy3e hit yow 3elde Žat vp-halde3 že heuen, & on hy3 sitte3,-- [E] How norne 3e yowre ry3t nome, & ženne no more?" 2444 "Žat schal I telle že trwly," quod žat ožer ženne, [F] "Bernlak de Hautdesert I hat in žis londe, Žur3 my3t of Morgne la Faye, žat in my hous lenges, &[1] koyntyse of clergye, bi craftes wel lerned, 2448 Že maystres of Merlyn, mony ho[2] taken; For ho hat3 dalt drwry ful dere sum tyme, With žat conable klerk, žat knowes alle your kny3te3 at hame; 2452 Morgne že goddes, Žer-fore hit is hir name; [G] Welde3 non so hy3e hawtesse, Žat 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 žis wyse to your wynne halle, For to assay že surquidre, 3if hit soth were, Žat rennes of že grete renoun of že Rounde Table; Ho wayned me žis wonder, your wytte3 to reue, 2460 [B] For to haf greued Gaynour, & gart hir to dy3e. [Fol. 124.] With gopnyng[1] of žat ilke gomen, žat gostlych speked, With his hede in his honde, bifore že hy3e table. Žat is ho žat is at home, že auncian lady; 2464 [C] Ho is euen žyn aunt, Aržure3 half suster, Že duches do3ter of Tyntagelle, žat dere Vter after [D] Hade Aržur vpon, žat ažel is nowže. Žerfore I eže že, hažel, to com to žy naunt, 2468 Make myry in my hous, my meny že louies, & I wol že as wel, wy3e, bi my faythe, As any gome vnder God, for žy grete trauže." [E] & he nikked hym naye, he nolde bi no wayes; 2472 Žay acolen & kyssen, [bikennen] ayžer ožer To že prynce of paradise, & parten ry3t žere, on coolde; [F] Gawayn on blonk ful bene, 2476 To že kynge3 bur3 buske3 bolde, & že kny3t in že 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 že worlde Wowen now ryde3, 2480 On Gryngolet, žat že grace hade geten of his lyue; [B] Ofte he herbered in house, & ofte al žeroute, & mony a-venture in vale, & venquyst ofte, Žat I ne ty3t, at žis tyme, in tale to remene. 2484 [C] Že hurt wat3 hole, žat he hade hent in his nek, [D] & že blykkande belt he bere žeraboute, A belef as a bauderyk, bounden bi his syde, Loken vnder his lyfte arme, že lace, with a knot, 2488 [E] In tokenyng he wat3 tane in tech of a faute; [F] & žus he commes to že court, kny3t al in sounde. [G] Žer wakned wele in žat wone, when wyst že grete, Žat gode G: wat3 commen, gayn hit hym žo3t; 2492 [H] Že kyng kysse3 že kny3t, & že whene alce, & syžen mony syker kny3t, žat so3t hym to haylce, [I] Of his fare žat hym frayned, & ferlyly he telles; Biknowo3 alle že costes of care žat he hade,-- 2496 Že chaunce of že chapel, že chere of že kny3t, [J] Že luf of že ladi, že lace at že last. [Fol. 124b.] Že nirt in že nek he naked hem schewed, [K] Žat he la3t for his vnleute at že leudes hondes, 2500 for blame; He tened quen he schulde telle, [L] He groned for gref & grame; Že 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 že leude, & že lace hondeled, "Žis is že bende of žis blame I bere [in] my nek, Žis is že laže & že losse, žat I la3t haue, 2508 [B] Of couardise & couetyse, žat I haf ca3t žare, Žis is že token of vn-trawže, žat 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 žer hit one3 is tachched, twynne wil hit neuer." [D] Že kyng comforte3 že kny3t, & alle že court als, La3en loude žer-at, & luflyly acorden, Žat lordes & ladis, žat longed to že Table, 2516 [E] Vche burne of že brožer-hede a bauderyk schulde haue, A bende, a belef hym aboute, of a bry3t grene, [F] & žat, for sake of žat segge, in swete to were. For žat wat3 acorded že renoun of že Rounde Table, 2520 [G] & he honoured žat hit hade, euer-more after, As hit is breued in že best boke of romaunce. [H] Žus in Arthurus day žis aunter bitidde, Že Brutus bokees žer-of beres wyttenesse; 2524 Syžen Brutus, že bolde burne, bo3ed hider fyrst, After že segge & že asaute wat3 sesed at Troye, I-wysse; Mony auntere3 here bi-forne, 2528 Haf fallen suche er žis: [I] Now žat bere že croun of žorne, 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 žere grete speires.--T.B. l. 1232. 37 Žis 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 Žat 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 Žat ožer wyth a gorger wat3 gered ouer že 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 žat 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 že 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' Ęneid, Vol. i, p. 421.) 1281 let lyk = appeared pleased. 1283 Ža3 I were burde bry3test, že burde in mynde hade, etc. The sense requires us to read: Ža3 ho were burde bry3test, že burne in mynde hade, etc. i.e., Though she were lady fairest, the knight in mind had, etc. 1440 Long sythen [seuered] for že sounder žat 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 že 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 = braž hounde3, i.e. fierce hounds. 1995 He hat3 nere žat he so3t = He wat3 nere žat he so3t = He was near to that which he sought. 2160 gedere3 že rake = takes the path or way. 2167 Že skwe3 of že scowtes skayued hym žo3t. 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 & žer-for žat tappe ta že. And therefore take thee that tap. ta že = take thee. Sir F. Madden reads taže = taketh. See l. 413, where to že rhymes with sothe. We have no imperatives in th in this poem. 2401 We schyn reuel, etc. Sir F. Madden reads wasch yn reuel. But schyn = shall. See Glossary to "Alliterative Poems." 2474 on-coolde = on-colde = coldly = sorrowfully. 2489 in-sounde = soundly, well. Cf. in-blande = together; in-lyche, alike; inmydde3, amidst. End of Project Gutenberg's Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight, by Anonymous *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIR GAWAYNE AND THE GREEN KNIGHT *** ***** This file should be named 14568-8.txt or 14568-8.zip ***** This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: https://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/5/6/14568/ Produced by Ted Garvin, Keith Edkins and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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