SIEN e sege and e assaut watz sesed at Troye, e bor brittened and brent to bronde and askez, e tulk at e trammes of tresoun er wrot Watz tried for his tricherie, e trewest on ere: Hit watz Ennias e athel, and his highe kynde, at sien depreced prouinces, and patrounes bicome Welnee of al e wele in e west iles. Fro riche Romulus to Rome ricchis hym swye, With gret bobbaunce at bure he biges vpon fyrst, And neuenes hit his aune nome, as hit now hat; Tirius to Tuskan and teldes bigynnes, Langaberde in Lumbardie lyftes vp homes, And fer ouer e French flod Felix Brutus On mony bonkkes ful brode Bretayn he settez wyth wynne, Where werre and wrake and wonder Bi syez hatz wont erinne, And oft boe blysse and blunder Ful skete hatz skyfted synne. Ande quen is Bretayn watz bigged bi is burn rych, Bolde bredden erinne, baret at lofden, In mony turned tyme tene at wroten. Mo ferlyes on is folde han fallen here oft en in any oer at I wot, syn at ilk tyme. Bot of alle at here bult, of Bretaygne kynges, Ay watz Arthur e hendest, as I haf herde telle.

Fori an aunter in erde I attle to schawe, at a selly in sit summe men hit holden, And an outtrage awenture of Arthurez wonderez. If e wyl lysten is laye bot on littel quile, I schal telle hit as-tit, as I in toun herde, with tonge, As hit is stad and stoken In stori stif and stronge, With lel letteres loken, In londe so hatz ben longe. is kyng lay at Camylot vpon Krystmasse With mony luflych lorde, ledez of e best, Rekenly of e Rounde Table alle o rich breer, With rych reuel oryt and rechles meres. er tournayed tulkes by tymez ful mony, Justed ful jolil ise gentyle knites, Syen kayred to e court caroles to make. For er e fest watz ilyche ful fiften dayes, With alle e mete and e mire at men coue avyse; Such glaum ande gle glorious to here, Dere dyn vpon day, daunsyng on nytes, Al watz hap vpon hee in hallez and chambrez With lordez and ladies, as leuest him ot. With all e wele of e worlde ay woned er samen, e most kyd knytez vnder Krystes seluen, And e louelokkest ladies at euer lif haden, And he e comlokest kyng at e court haldes; For al watz is fayre folk in her first age, on sille, e hapnest vnder heuen, Kyng hyest mon of wylle; Hit were now gret nye to neuen So hardy a here on hille. Wyle Nw er watz so ep at hit watz nwe cummen, at day doubble on e dece watz e douth serued. Fro e kyng watz cummen with knytes into e halle,

e chauntr of e chapel cheued to an ende, Loude crye watz er kest of clerkez and oer, Nowel nayted onewe, neuened ful ofte; And syen riche forth runnen to reche hondeselle, eed eres-iftes on hi, elde hem bi hond, Debated busyly aboute o giftes; Ladies laed ful loude, o ay lost haden, And he at wan watz not wrothe, at may e wel trawe. Alle is mire ay maden to e mete tyme; When ay had waschen woryly ay wenten to sete, e best burne ay abof, as hit best semed, Whene Guenore, ful gay, grayed in e myddes, Dressed on e dere des, dubbed al aboute, Smal sendal bisides, a selure hir ouer Of tryed tolouse, and tars tapites innoghe, at were enbrawded and beten wyth e best gemmes at myt be preued of prys wyth penyes to bye, in daye. e comlokest to discrye er glent with yen gray, A semloker at euer he sye Soth mot no mon say. Bot Arthure wolde not ete til al were serued, He watz so joly of his joyfnes, and sumquat childgered: His lif liked hym lyt, he louied e lasse Auer to longe lye or to longe sitte, So bisied him his onge blod and his brayn wylde. And also an oer maner meued him eke at he ur nobelay had nomen, he wolde neuer ete Vpon such a dere day er hym deuised were Of sum auenturus yng an vncoue tale, Of sum mayn meruayle, at he myt trawe, Of alderes, of armes, of oer auenturus, Oer sum segg hym bisot of sum siker knyt To joyne wyth hym in iustyng, in jopard to lay, Lede, lif for lyf, leue vchon oer,

As fortune wolde fulsun hom, e fayrer to haue. is watz e kynges countenaunce where he in court were, At vch farand fest among his fre meny in halle. erfore of face so fere He stitlez stif in stalle, Ful ep in at Nw ere Much mirthe he mas withalle. Thus er stondes in stale e stif kyng hisseluen, Talkkande bifore e hye table of trifles ful hende. There gode Gawan watz grayed Gwenore bisyde, And Agrauayn a la dure mayn on at oer syde sittes, Boe e kynges sistersunes and ful siker knites; Bischop Bawdewyn abof biginez e table, And Ywan, Vryn son, ette with hymseluen. ise were dit on e des and derworly serued, And sien mony siker segge at e sidbordez. en e first cors come with crakkyng of trumpes, Wyth mony baner ful bryt at erbi henged; Nwe nakryn noyse with e noble pipes, Wylde werbles and wyt wakned lote, at mony hert ful hie hef at her towches. Daynts dryuen erwyth of ful dere metes, Foysoun of e fresche, and on so fele disches at pine to fynde e place e peple biforne For to sette e sylueren at sere sewes halden on clothe. Iche lede as he loued hymselue er laght withouten loe; Ay two had disches twelue, Good ber and bryt wyn boe. Now wyl I of hor seruise say yow no more, For vch wye may wel wit no wont at er were. An oer noyse ful newe need biliue, at e lude myt haf leue liflode to cach;

For vnee watz e noyce not a whyle sesed, And e fyrst cource in e court kyndely serued, er hales in at e halle dor an aghlich mayster, On e most on e molde on mesure hyghe; Fro e swyre to e swange so sware and so ik, And his lyndes and his lymes so longe and so grete, Half etayn in erde I hope at he were, Bot mon most I algate mynn hym to bene, And at e myriest in his muckel at myt ride; For of bak and of brest al were his bodi sturne, Both his wombe and his wast were worthily smale, And alle his fetures folande, in forme at he hade, ful clene; For wonder of his hwe men hade, Set in his semblaunt sene; He ferde as freke were fade, And oueral enker-grene. Ande al grayed in grene is gome and his wedes: A strayte cote ful stret, at stek on his sides, A mer mantile abof, mensked withinne With pelure pured apert, e pane ful clene With blye blaunner ful bryt, and his hod boe, at watz lat fro his lokkez and layde on his schulderes; Heme wel-haled hose of at same, at spenet on his sparlyr, and clene spures vnder Of bryt golde, vpon silk bordes barred ful ryche, And scholes vnder schankes ere e schalk rides; And alle his vesture uerayly watz clene verdure, Boe e barres of his belt and oer blye stones, at were richely rayled in his aray clene Aboutte hymself and his sadel, vpon silk werkez. at were to tor for to telle of tryfles e halue at were enbrauded abof, wyth bryddes and flyes, With gay gaudi of grene, e golde ay inmyddes. e pendauntes of his payttrure, e proude cropure, His molaynes, and alle e metail anamayld was enne, e steropes at he stod on stayned of e same,

And his arsounz al after and his ael skyrtes, at euer glemered and glent al of grene stones; e fole at he ferkkes on fyn of at ilke, sertayn, A grene hors gret and ikke, A stede ful stif to strayne, In brawden brydel quik-- To e gome he watz ful gayn. Wel gay watz is gome gered in grene, And e here of his hed of his hors swete. Fayre fannand fax vmbefoldes his schulderes; A much berd as a busk ouer his brest henges, at wyth his hilich here at of his hed reches Watz euesed al vmbetorne abof his elbowes, at half his armes er-vnder were halched in e wyse Of a kyngez capados at closes his swyre; e mane of at mayn hors much to hit lyke, Wel cresped and cemmed, wyth knottes ful mony Folden in wyth fildore aboute e fayre grene, Ay a herle of e here, an oer of golde; e tayl and his toppyng twynnen of a sute, And bounden boe wyth a bande of a bryt grene, Dubbed wyth ful dere stonez, as e dok lasted, Syen rawen wyth a wong a warle knot alofte, er mony bellez ful bryt of brende golde rungen. Such a fole vpon folde, ne freke at hym rydes, Watz neuer sene in at sale wyth syt er at tyme, with ye. He loked as layt so lyt, So sayd al at hym sye; Hit semed as no mon myt Vnder his dynttez drye. Wheer hade he no helme ne hawbergh nauer, Ne no pysan ne no plate at pented to armes, Ne no schafte ne no schelde to schwue ne to smyte, Bot in his on honde he hade a holyn bobbe,

at is grattest in grene when greuez ar bare, And an ax in his oer, a hoge and vnmete, A spetos spare to expoun in spelle, quoso myt. e lenke of an elnerde e large hede hade, e grayn al of grene stele and of golde hewen, e bit burnyst bryt, with a brod egge As wel schapen to schere as scharp rasores, e stele of a stif staf e sturne hit bi grypte, at watz wounden wyth yrn to e wandez ende, And al bigrauen with grene in gracios werkes; A lace lapped aboute, at louked at e hede, And so after e halme halched ful ofte, Wyth tryed tasselez erto tacched innoghe On botounz of e bryt grene brayden ful ryche. is hael heldez hym in and e halle entres, Driuande to e hee dece, dut he no woe, Haylsed he neuer one, bot hee he ouer loked. e fyrst word at he warp, 'Wher is', he sayd, 'e gouernour of is gyng? Gladly I wolde Se at segg in syt, and with hymself speke raysoun.' To knytez he kest his ye, And reled hym vp and doun; He stemmed, and con studie Quo walt er most renoun. Ther watz lokyng on lene e lude to beholde, For vch mon had meruayle quat hit mene myt at a hael and a horse myt such a hwe lach, As growe grene as e gres and grener hit semed, en grene aumayl on golde glowande bryter. Al studied at er stod, and stalked hym nerre Wyth al e wonder of e worlde what he worch schulde. For fele sellyez had ay sen, bot such neuer are; Fori for fantoum and fayrye e folk ere hit demed. erfore to answare watz are mony ael freke, And al stouned at his steuen and stonstil seten In a swoghe sylence ur e sale riche;

As al were slypped vpon slepe so slaked hor lotez in hye-- I deme hit not al for doute, Bot sum for cortaysye-- Bot let hym at al schulde loute Cast vnto at wye. enn Arour bifore e hi dece at auenture byholdez, And rekenly hym reuerenced, for rad was he neuer, And sayde, 'Wye, welcum iwys to is place, e hede of is ostel Arthour I hat; Lit luflych adoun and lenge, I e praye, And quat-so y wylle is we schal wyt after.' 'Nay, as help me,' quo e hael, 'he at on hye syttes, To wone any quyle in is won, hit watz not myn ernde; Bot for e los of e, lede, is lyft vp so hye, And y bur and y burnes best ar holden, Stifest vnder stel-gere on stedes to ryde, e wytest and e woryest of e worldes kynde, Preue for to play wyth in oer pure laykez, And here is kydde cortaysye, as I haf herd carp, And at hatz wayned me hider, iwyis, at is tyme. e may be seker bi is braunch at I bere here at I passe as in pes, and no plyt seche; For had I founded in fere in fetyng wyse, I haue a hauberghe at home and a helme boe, A schelde and a scharp spere, schinande bryt, Ande oer weppenes to welde, I wene wel, als; Bot for I wolde no were, my wedez ar softer. Bot if ou be so bold as alle burnez tellen, ou wyl grant me godly e gomen at I ask bi ryt.' Arthour con onsware, And sayd, 'Sir cortays knyt, If ou craue batayl bare, Here faylez ou not to fyt.' 'Nay, frayst I no fyt, in fayth I e telle, Hit arn aboute on is bench bot berdlez chylder. If I were hasped in armes on a hee stede,

Here is no mon me to mach, for mytez so wayke. Fory I craue in is court a Crystemas gomen, For hit is ol and Nwe er, and here ar ep mony: If any so hardy in is hous holdez hymseluen, Be so bolde in his blod, brayn in hys hede, at dar stifly strike a strok for an oer, I schal gif hym of my gyft ys giserne ryche, is ax, at is heu innogh, to hondele as hym lykes, And I schal bide e fyrst bur as bare as I sitte. If any freke be so felle to fonde at I telle, Lepe lytly me to, and lach is weppen, I quit-clayme hit for euer, kepe hit as his auen, And I schal stonde hym a strok, stif on is flet, Ellez ou wyl dit me e dom to dele hym an oer barlay, And et gif hym respite, A twelmonyth and a day; Now hye, and let se tite Dar any herinne ot say.' If he hem stowned vpon fyrst, stiller were anne Alle e heredmen in halle, e hy and e loe. e renk on his rounc hym ruched in his sadel, And runischly his rede yen he reled aboute, Bende his bresed broez, blycande grene, Wayued his berde for to wayte quo-so wolde ryse. When non wolde kepe hym with carp he coed ful hye, Ande rimed hym ful richly, and ryt hym to speke: 'What, is is Arthures hous,' quo e hael enne, 'at al e rous rennes of ur ryalmes so mony? Where is now your sourquydrye and your conquestes, Your gryndellayk and your greme, and your grete wordes? Now is e reuel and e renoun of e Rounde Table Ouerwalt wyth a worde of on wyes speche, For al dares for drede withoute dynt schewed!' Wyth is he laes so loude at e lorde greued; e blod schot for scham into his schyre face and lere;

He wex as wroth as wynde, So did alle at er were. e kyng as kene bi kynde en stod at stif mon nere, Ande sayde, 'Hael, by heuen, yn askyng is nys, And as ou foly hatz frayst, fynde e behoues. I know no gome at is gast of y grete wordes; Gif me now y geserne, vpon Godez halue, And I schal bayen y bone at ou boden habbes.' Lytly lepez he hym to, and lat at his honde. en feersly at oer freke vpon fote lytis. Now hatz Arthure his axe, and e halme grypez, And sturnely sturez hit aboute, at stryke wyth hit ot. e stif mon hym bifore stod vpon hyt, Herre en ani in e hous by e hede and more. Wyth sturne schere er he stod he stroked his berde, And wyth a countenaunce drye he dro doun his cote, No more mate ne dismayd for hys mayn dintez en any burne vpon bench hade brot hym to drynk of wyne. Gawan, at sate bi e quene, To e kyng he can enclyne: 'I beseche now with saez sene is melly mot be myne. 'Wolde e, worilych lorde,' quo Wawan to e kyng, 'Bid me boe fro is benche, and stonde by yow ere, at I wythoute vylanye myt voyde is table, And at my legge lady lyked not ille, I wolde com to your counseyl bifore your cort ryche. For me ink hit not semly, as hit is so knawen, er such an askyng is heuened so hye in your sale, a e ourself be talenttyf, to take hit to yourseluen, Whil mony so bolde yow aboute vpon bench sytten, at vnder heuen I hope non haerer of wylle, Ne better bodyes on bent er baret is rered. I am e wakkest, I wot, and of wyt feblest, And lest lur of my lyf, quo laytes e soe--

Bot for as much as e ar myn em I am only to prayse, No bount bot your blod I in my bod knowe; And syen is note is so nys at not hit yow falles, And I haue frayned hit at yow fyrst, foldez hit to me; And if I carp not comlyly, let alle is cort rych bout blame.' Ryche togeder con roun, And syen ay redden alle same To ryd e kyng wyth croun, And gif Gawan e game. en comaunded e kyng e knyt for to ryse; And he ful radly vpros, and ruchched hym fayre, Kneled doun bifore e kyng, and cachez at weppen; And he luflyly hit hym laft, and lyfte vp his honde, And gef hym Goddez blessyng, and gladly hym biddes at his hert and his honde schulde hardi be boe. 'Kepe e cosyn,' quo e kyng, 'at ou on kyrf sette, And if ou rede hym ryt, redly I trowe at ou schal byden e bur at he schal bede after.' Gawan gotz to e gome with giserne in honde, And he baldly hym bydez, he bayst neuer e helder. en carppez to Sir Gawan e knyt in e grene, 'Refourme we oure forwardes, er we fyrre passe. Fyrst I ee e, hael, how at ou hattes at ou me telle truly, as I tryst may.' 'In god fayth,' quo e goode knyt, 'Gawan I hatte, at bede e is buffet, quat-so bifallez after, And at is tyme twelmonyth take at e an oer Wyth what weppen so ou wylt, and wyth no wy ellez on lyue.' at oer onswarez agayn, 'Sir Gawan, so mot I ryue As I am ferly fayn is dint at ou schal dryue. 'Bigog,' quo e grene knyt, 'Sir Gawan, me lykes at I schal fange at y fust at I haf frayst here. And ou hatz redily rehersed, bi resoun ful trwe,

Clanly al e couenaunt at I e kynge asked, Saf at ou schal siker me, segge, bi i trawe, at ou schal seche me iself, where-so ou hopes I may be funde vpon folde, and foch e such wages As ou deles me to-day bifore is doue ryche.' 'Where schulde I wale e,' quo Gauan, 'where is y place? I wot neuer where ou wonyes, bi hym at me wrot, Ne I know not e, knyt, by cort ne i name. Bot teche me truly erto, and telle me how ou hattes, And I schal ware alle my wyt to wynne me eder, And at I swere e for soe, and by my seker trawe.' 'at is innogh in Nwe er, hit nedes no more', Quo e gome in e grene to Gawan e hende; 'if I e telle trwly, quen I e tape haue And ou me smoely hatz smyten, smartly I e teche Of my hous and my home and myn owen nome, en may ou frayst my fare and forwardez holde; And if I spende no speche, enne spedez ou e better, For ou may leng in y londe and layt no fyrre-- bot slokes! Ta now y grymme tole to e, And let se how ou cnokez.' 'Gladly, sir, for soe', Quo Gawan; his ax he strokes. e grene knyt vpon grounde grayely hym dresses, A littel lut with e hede, e lere he discouerez, His longe louelych lokkez he layd ouer his croun, Let e naked nec to e note schewe. Gauan gripped to his ax, and gederes hit on hyt, e kay fot on e folde he before sette, Let him doun lytly lyt on e naked, at e scharp of e schalk schyndered e bones, And schrank ur e schyire grece, and schade hit in twynne, at e bit of e broun stel bot on e grounde. e fayre hede fro e halce hit to e ere, at fele hit foyned wyth her fete, ere hit forth roled; e blod brayd fro e body, at blykked on e grene;

And nawer faltered ne fel e freke neuer e helder, Bot styly he start forth vpon styf schonkes, And runyschly he rat out, ere as renkkez stoden, Lat to his lufly hed, and lyft hit vp sone; And syen boez to his blonk, e brydel he cachchez, Steppez into stelbawe and strydez alofte, And his hede by e here in his honde haldez; And as sadly e segge hym in his sadel sette As non vnhap had hym ayled, a hedlez he were in stedde. He brayde his bulk aboute, at vgly bodi at bledde; Moni on of hym had doute, Bi at his resounz were redde. For e hede in his honde he haldez vp euen, Toward e derrest on e dece he dressez e face, And hit lyfte vp e ye-lyddez and loked ful brode, And meled us much with his muthe, as e may now here: 'Loke, Gawan, ou be graye to go as ou hettez, And layte as lelly til ou me, lude, fynde, As ou hatz hette in is halle, herande ise knytes; To e grene chapel ou chose, I charge e, to fotte Such a dunt as ou hatz dalt--disserued ou habbez To be ederly olden on Nw eres morn. e knyt of e grene chapel men knowen me mony; Fori me for to fynde if ou fraystez, faylez ou neuer. erfore com, oer recreaunt be calde e behoues.' With a runisch rout e raynez he tornez, Halled out at e hal dor, his hed in his hande, at e fyr of e flynt flae fro fole houes. To quat kyth he becom knwe non ere, Neuer more en ay wyste from queen he watz wonnen. What enne? e kyng and Gawen are At at grene ay lae and grenne, et breued watz hit ful bare A meruayl among o menne.

a Arer e hende kyng at hert hade wonder, He let no semblaunt be sene, bot sayde ful hye To e comlych quene wyth cortays speche, 'Dere dame, to-day demay yow neuer; Wel bycommes such craft vpon Cristmasse, Laykyng of enterludez, to lae and to syng, Among ise kynde caroles of knytez and ladyez. Neuer e lece to my mete I may me wel dres, For I haf sen a selly, I may not forsake.' He glent vpon Sir Gawen, and gaynly he sayde, 'Now, sir, heng vp yn ax, at hatz innogh hewen'; And hit watz don abof e dece on doser to henge, er alle men for meruayl myt on hit loke, And bi trwe tytel erof to telle e wonder. enne ay boed to a borde ise burnes togeder, e kyng and e gode knyt, and kene men hem serued Of alle dayntyez double, as derrest myt falle; Wyth alle maner of mete and mynstralcie boe, Wyth wele walt day, til wored an ende in londe. Now enk wel, Sir Gawan, For woe at ou ne wonde is auenture for to frayn at ou hatz tan on honde. THIS hanselle hatz Arthur of auenturus on fyrst In onge er, for he erned elpyng to here. Tha hym wordez were wane when ay to sete wenten, Now ar ay stoken of sturne werk, stafful her hond. Gawan watz glad to begynne ose gomnez in halle, Bot a e ende be heuy haf e no wonder; For a men ben mery in mynde quen ay han mayn drynk, A ere ernes ful erne, and eldez neuer lyke, e forme to e fynisment foldez ful selden. Fori is ol ouerede, and e ere after, And vche sesoun serlepes sued after oer:

After Crystenmasse com e crabbed lentoun, at fraystez flesch wyth e fysche and fode more symple; Bot enne e weder of e worlde wyth wynter hit repez, Colde clengez adoun, cloudez vplyften, Schyre schedez e rayn in schowrez ful warme, Fallez vpon fayre flat, flowrez ere schewen, Boe groundez and e greuez grene ar her wedez, Bryddez busken to bylde, and bremlych syngen For solace of e softe somer at sues erafter bi bonk; And blossumez bolne to blowe Bi rawez rych and ronk, en notez noble innoe Ar herde in wod so wlonk. After e sesoun of somer wyth e soft wyndez Quen Zeferus syflez hymself on sedez and erbez, Wela wynne is e wort at waxes eroute, When e donkande dewe dropez of e leuez, To bide a blysful blusch of e bryt sunne. Bot en hyes heruest, and hardenes hym sone, Warnez hym for e wynter to wax ful rype; He dryues wyth drot e dust for to ryse, Fro e face of e folde to flye ful hye; Wroe wynde of e welkyn wrastelez with e sunne, e leuez lancen fro e lynde and lyten on e grounde, And al grayes e gres at grene watz ere; enne al rypez and rotez at ros vpon fyrst, And us irnez e ere in isterdayez mony, And wynter wyndez aayn, as e worlde askez, no fage, Til Meelmas mone Wat cumen wyth wynter wage; en enkkez Gawan ful sone Of his anious uyage. et quyl Al-hal-day with Arer he lenges; And he made a fare on at fest for e frekez sake, With much reuel and ryche of e Rounde Table.

Knytez ful cortays and comlych ladies Al for luf of at lede in longynge ay were, Bot neuer e lece ne e later ay neuened bot mere: Mony ioylez for at ientyle iapez er maden. For aftter mete with mournyng he melez to his eme, And spekez of his passage, and pertly he sayde, 'Now, lege lorde of my lyf, leue I yow ask; e knowe e cost of is cace, kepe I no more To telle yow tenez erof neuer bot trifel; Bot I am boun to e bur barely to-morne To sech e gome of e grene, as God wyl me wysse.' enne e best of e bur boed togeder, Aywan, and Errik, and oer ful mony, Sir Doddinaual de Sauage, e duk of Clarence, Launcelot, and Lyonel, and Lucan e gode, Sir Boos, and Sir Byduer, big men boe, And mony oer menskful, with Mador de la Port. Alle is compayny of court com e kyng nerre For to counseyl e knyt, with care at her hert. ere watz much derue doel driuen in e sale at so wor as Wawan schulde wende on at ernde, To drye a delful dynt, and dele no more wyth bronde. e knyt mad ay god chere, And sayde, 'Quat schuld I wonde? Of destins derf and dere What may mon do bot fonde?' He dowellez er al at day, and dressez on e morn, Askez erly hys armez, and alle were ay brot. Fyrst a tul tapit tyt ouer e flet, And miche watz e gyld gere at glent eralofte; e stif mon steppez eron, and e stel hondelez, Dubbed in a dublet of a dere tars, And syen a crafty capados, closed aloft, at wyth a bryt blaunner was bounden withinne. enne set ay e sabatounz vpon e segge fotez, His legez lapped in stel with luflych greuez, With polaynez piched erto, policed ful clene, Aboute his knez knaged wyth knotez of golde;

Queme quyssewes en, at coyntlych closed His thik rawen yez, with wonges to tachched; And syen e brawden bryn of bryt stel ryngez Vmbeweued at wy vpon wlonk stuffe, And wel bornyst brace vpon his boe armes, With gode cowters and gay, and glouez of plate, And alle e godlych gere at hym gayn schulde at tyde; Wyth ryche cote-armure, His gold sporez spend with pryde, Gurde wyth a bront ful sure With silk sayn vmbe his syde. When he watz hasped in armes, his harnays watz ryche: e lest lachet ouer loupe lemed of golde. So harnayst as he watz he herknez his masse, Offred and honoured at e hee auter. Syen he comez to e kyng and to his cort-ferez, Lachez lufly his leue at lordez and ladyez; And ay hym kyst and conueyed, bikende hym to Kryst. Bi at watz Gryngolet grayth, and gurde with a sadel at glemed ful gayly with mony golde frenges, Ayquere naylet ful nwe, for at note ryched; e brydel barred aboute, with bryt golde bounden; e apparayl of e payttrure and of e proude skyrtez, e cropore and e couertor, acorded wyth e arsounez; And al watz rayled on red ryche golde naylez, at al glytered and glent as glem of e sunne. enne hentes he e helme, and hastily hit kysses, at watz stapled stifly, and stoffed wythinne. Hit watz hye on his hede, hasped bihynde, Wyth a lytly vrysoun ouer e auentayle, Enbrawden and bounden wyth e best gemmez On brode sylkyn borde, and bryddez on semez, As papiayez paynted peruyng bitwene, Tortors and trulofez entayled so yk As mony burde eraboute had ben seuen wynter in toune.

e cercle watz more o prys at vmbeclypped hys croun, Of diamauntez a deuys at boe were bryt and broun. THEN ay schewed hym e schelde, at was of schyr goulez Wyth e pentangel depaynt of pure golde hwez. He braydez hit by e bauderyk, aboute e hals kestes, at bisemed e segge semlyly fayre. And quy e pentangel apendez to at prynce noble I am in tent yow to telle, of tary hyt me schulde: Hit is a syngne at Salamon set sumquyle In bytoknyng of trawe, bi tytle at hit habbez, For hit is a figure at haldez fyue poyntez, And vche lyne vmbelappez and loukez in oer, And ayquere hit is endelez; and Englych hit callen Oueral, as I here, e endeles knot. Fory hit acordez to is knyt and to his cler armez, For ay faythful in fyue and sere fyue syez Gawan watz for gode knawen, and as golde pured, Voyded of vche vylany, wyth vertuez ennourned in mote; Fory e pentangel nwe He ber in schelde and cote, As tulk of tale most trwe And gentylest knyt of lote. Fyrst he watz funden fautlez in his fyue wyttez, And efte fayled neuer e freke in his fyue fyngres, And alle his afyaunce vpon folde watz in e fyue woundez at Cryst kat on e croys, as e crede tellez; And quere-so-euer ys mon in melly watz stad, His ro ot watz in at, ur alle oer yngez, at alle his forsnes he feng at e fyue joyez at e hende heuen-quene had of hir chylde; At is cause e knyt comlyche hade In e inore half of his schelde hir ymage depaynted, at quen he blusched erto his belde neuer payred.

e fyft fyue at I finde at e frek vsed Watz fraunchyse and felaschyp forbe al yng, His clannes and his cortaysye croked were neuer, And pit, at passez alle poyntez, yse pure fyue Were harder happed on at hael en on any oer. Now alle ese fyue syez, for soe, were fetled on is knyt, And vchone halched in oer, at non ende hade, And fyched vpon fyue poyntez, at fayld neuer, Ne samned neuer in no syde, ne sundred nouer, Withouten ende at any noke I oquere fynde, Whereeuer e gomen bygan, or glod to an ende. erfore on his schene schelde schapen watz e knot Ryally wyth red golde vpon rede gowlez, at is e pure pentaungel wyth e peple called with lore. Now grayed is Gawan gay, And lat his launce ryt ore, And gef hem alle goud day, He wende for euermore. He sperred e sted with e spurez and sprong on his way, So stif at e ston-fyr stroke out erafter. Al at se at semly syked in hert, And sayde soly al same segges til oer, Carande for at comly: 'Bi Kryst, hit is scae at ou, leude, schal be lost, at art of lyf noble! To fynde hys fere vpon folde, in fayth, is not ee. Warloker to haf wrot had more wyt bene, And haf dyt onder dere a duk to haue wored; A lowande leder of ledez in londe hym wel semez, And so had better haf ben en britned to not, Hadet wyth an aluisch mon, for angardez pryde. Who knew euer any kyng such counsel to take As knytez in cauelaciounz on Crystmasse gomnez!' Wel much watz e warme water at waltered of yen, When at semly syre sot fro o wonez ad daye.

He made non abode, Bot wytly went hys way; Mony wylsum way he rode, e bok as I herde say. Now ridez is renk ur e ryalme of Logres, Sir Gauan, on Godez halue, a hym no gomen ot. Oft leudlez alone he lengez on nytez er he fonde not hym byfore e fare at he lyked. Hade he no fere bot his fole bi frythez and dounez, Ne no gome bot God bi gate wyth to karp, Til at he need ful neghe into e Nore Walez. Alle e iles of Anglesay on lyft half he haldez, And farez ouer e fordez by e forlondez, Ouer at e Holy Hede, til he hade eft bonk In e wyldrenesse of Wyrale; wonde er bot lyte at auer God oer gome wyth goud hert louied. And ay he frayned, as he ferde, at frekez at he met, If ay hade herde any karp of a knyt grene, In any grounde eraboute, of e grene chapel; And al nykked hym wyth nay, at neuer in her lyue ay see neuer no segge at watz of suche hwez of grene. e knyt tok gates straunge In mony a bonk vnbene, His cher ful oft con chaunge at chapel er he myt sene. Mony klyf he ouerclambe in contrayez straunge, Fer floten fro his frendez fremedly he rydez. At vche ware oer water er e wye passed He fonde a foo hym byfore, bot ferly hit were, And at so foule and so felle at fet hym byhode. So mony meruayl bi mount er e mon fyndez, Hit were to tore for to telle of e tene dole. Sumwhyle wyth wormez he werrez, and with wolues als, Sumwhyle wyth wodwos, at woned in e knarrez, Boe wyth bullez and berez, and borez oerquyle, And etaynez, at hym anelede of e hee felle;

Nade he ben duty and drye, and Drytyn had serued, Douteles he hade ben ded and dreped ful ofte. For werre wrathed hym not so much at wynter nas wors, When e colde cler water fro e cloudez schadde, And fres er hit falle myt to e fale ere; Ner slayn wyth e slete he sleped in his yrnes Mo nytez en innoghe in naked rokkez, er as claterande fro e crest e colde borne rennez, And henged hee ouer his hede in hard iisse-ikkles. us in peryl and payne and plytes ful harde Bi contray cayrez is knyt, tyl Krystmasse euen, al one; e knyt wel at tyde To Mary made his mone, at ho hym red to ryde And wysse hym to sum wone. Bi a mounte on e morne meryly he rydes Into a forest ful dep, at ferly watz wylde, Hie hillez on vche a halue, and holtwodez vnder Of hore okez ful hoge a hundreth togeder; e hasel and e haorne were harled al samen, With roe raged mosse rayled aywhere, With mony bryddez vnblye vpon bare twyges, at pitosly er piped for pyne of e colde. e gome vpon Gryngolet glydez hem vnder, ur mony misy and myre, mon al hym one, Carande for his costes, lest he ne keuer schulde To se e seruyse of at syre, at on at self nyt Of a burde watz borne oure baret to quelle; And erfore sykyng he sayde, 'I beseche e, lorde, And Mary, at is myldest moder so dere, Of sum herber er hely I myt here masse, Ande y matynez to-morne, mekely I ask, And erto prestly I pray my pater and aue and crede.' He rode in his prayere, And cryed for his mysdede,

He sayned hym in syes sere, And sayde 'Cros Kryst me spede!' NADE he sayned hymself, segge, bot rye, Er he watz war in e wod of a won in a mote, Abof a launde, on a lawe, loken vnder boez Of mony borelych bole aboute bi e diches: A castel e comlokest at euer knyt ate, Pyched on a prayere, a park al aboute, With a pyked palays pyned ful ik, at vmbetee mony tre mo en two myle. at holde on at on syde e hael auysed, As hit schemered and schon ur e schyre okez; enne hatz he hendly of his helme, and hely he onkez Jesus and sayn Gilyan, at gentyle ar boe, at cortaysly had hym kydde, and his cry herkened. 'Now bone hostel,' coe e burne, 'I beseche yow ette!' enne gerdez he to Gryngolet with e gilt helez, And he ful chauncely hatz chosen to e chef gate, at brot bremly e burne to e bryge ende in haste. e bryge watz breme vpbrayde, e atez wer stoken faste, e wallez were wel arayed, Hit dut no wyndez blaste. e burne bode on blonk, at on bonk houed Of e depe double dich at drof to e place; e walle wod in e water wonderly depe, Ande eft a ful huge het hit haled vpon lofte Of harde hewen ston vp to e tablez, Enbaned vnder e abataylment in e best lawe; And syen garytez ful gaye gered bitwene, Wyth mony luflych loupe at louked ful clene: A better barbican at burne blusched vpon neuer. And innermore he behelde at halle ful hye, Towres telded bytwene, trochet ful ik, Fayre fylyolez at fyed, and ferlyly long,

With coruon coprounes craftyly slee. Chalkwhyt chymnees er ches he innoe Vpon bastel rouez, at blenked ful quyte; So mony pynakle payntet watz poudred ayquere, Among e castel carnelez clambred so ik, at pared out of papure purely hit semed. e fre freke on e fole hit fayr innoghe ot, If he myt keuer to com e cloyster wythinne, To herber in at hostel whyl halyday lested, auinant. He calde, and sone er com A porter pure plesaunt, On e wal his ernd he nome, And haylsed e knyt erraunt. 'Gode sir,' quo Gawan, 'woldez ou go myn ernde To e he lorde of is hous, herber to craue?' 'e, Peter,' quo e porter, 'and purely I trowee at e be, wye, welcum to won quyle yow lykez.' en ede e wye erne and com aayn swye, And folke frely hym wyth, to fonge e knyt. ay let doun e grete drat and derely out eden, And kneled doun on her knes vpon e colde ere To welcum is ilk wy as wory hom ot; ay olden hym e brode ate, arked vp wyde, And he hem raysed rekenly, and rod ouer e brygge. Sere seggez hym sesed by sadel, quel he lyt, And syen stabeled his stede stif men innoe. Knytez and swyerez comen doun enne For to bryng is buurne wyth blys into halle; Quen he hef vp his helme, er hied innoghe For to hent hit at his honde, e hende to seruen; His bronde and his blasoun boe ay token. en haylsed he ful hendly o haelez vchone, And mony proud mon er presed at prynce to honour. Alle hasped in his he wede to halle ay hym wonnen, er fayre fyre vpon flet fersly brenned. enne e lorde of e lede loutez fro his chambre

For to mete wyth menske e mon on e flor; He sayde, 'e ar welcum to welde as yow lykez at here is; al is yowre awen, to haue at yowre wylle and welde.' 'Graunt mercy,' quo Gawayn, 'er Kryst hit yow forelde.' As frekez at semed fayn Ayer oer in armez con felde. Gawayn glyt on e gome at godly hym gret, And ut hit a bolde burne at e bur ate, A hoge hael for e nonez, and of hyghe eldee; Brode, bryt, watz his berde, and al beuer-hwed, Sturne, stif on e strye on stalworth schonkez, Felle face as e fyre, and fre of hys speche; And wel hym semed, for soe, as e segge ut, To lede a lortschyp in lee of leudez ful gode. e lorde hym charred to a chambre, and chefly cumaundez To delyuer hym a leude, hym loly to serue; And ere were boun at his bode burnez innoe, at brot hym to a bryt boure, er beddyng watz noble, Of cortynes of clene sylk wyth cler golde hemmez, And couertorez ful curious with comlych panez Of bryt blaunner aboue, enbrawded bisydez, Rudelez rennande on ropez, red golde ryngez, Tapitez tyt to e woe of tuly and tars, And vnder fete, on e flet, of folande sute. er he watz dispoyled, wyth spechez of myere, e burn of his bruny and of his bryt wedez. Ryche robes ful rad renkkez hym broten, For to charge, and to chaunge, and chose of e best. Sone as he on hent, and happed erinne, at sete on hym semly wyth saylande skyrtez, e ver by his uisage verayly hit semed Welne to vche hael, alle on hwes Lowande and lufly alle his lymmez vnder, at a comloker knyt neuer Kryst made hem ot.

Wheen in worlde he were, Hit semed as he mot Be prynce withouten pere In felde er felle men fot. A cheyer byfore e chemn, er charcole brenned, Watz grayed for Sir Gawan grayely with cloez, Whyssynes vpon queldepoyntes at koynt wer boe; And enne a mer mantyle watz on at mon cast Of a broun bleeaunt, enbrauded ful ryche And fayre furred wythinne with fellez of e best, Alle of ermyn in erde, his hode of e same; And he sete in at settel semlych ryche, And achaufed hym chefly, and enne his cher mended. Sone watz telded vp a tabil on trestez ful fayre, Clad wyth a clene cloe at cler quyt schewed, Sanap, and salure, and syluerin sponez. e wye wesche at his wylle, and went to his mete. Seggez hym serued semly innoe Wyth sere sewes and sete, sesounde of e best. Double-felde, as hit fallez, and fele kyn fischez, Summe baken in bred, summe brad on e gledez, Summe soen, summe in sewe sauered with spyces, And ay sawes so slee at e segge lyked. e freke calde hit a fest ful frely and ofte Ful hendely, quen alle e haeles rehayted hym at onez, 'As hende, is penaunce now e take, And eft hit schal amende.' at mon much mere con make, For wyn in his hed at wende. enne watz spyed and spured vpon spare wyse Bi preu poyntez of at prynce, put to hymseluen, at he beknew cortaysly of e court at he were at ael Arthure e hende haldez hym one, at is e ryche ryal kyng of e Rounde Table, And hit watz Wawen hymself at in at won syttez,

Comen to at Krystmasse, as case hym en lymped. When e lorde hade lerned at he e leude hade, Loude laed he erat, so lef hit hym ot, And alle e men in at mote maden much joye To apere in his presense prestly at tyme, at alle prys and prowes and pured ewes Apendes to hys persoun, and praysed is euer; Byfore alle men vpon molde his mensk is e most. Vch segge ful softly sayde to his fere: 'Now schal we semlych se sletez of ewez And e teccheles termes of talkyng noble, Wich spede is in speche vnspurd may we lerne, Syn we haf fonged at fyne fader of nurture. God hatz geuen vus his grace godly for soe, at such a gest as Gawan grauntez vus to haue, When burnez blye of his bure schal sitte and synge. In menyng of manerez mere is burne now schal vus bryng, I hope at may hym here Schal lerne of luf-talkyng.' Bi at e diner watz done and e dere vp Hit watz ne at e niyt need e tyme. Chaplaynez to e chapeles chosen e gate, Rungen ful rychely, ryt as ay schulden, To e hersum euensong of e hye tyde. e lorde loutes erto, and e lady als, Into a cumly closet coyntly ho entrez. Gawan glydez ful gay and gos eder sone; e lorde laches hym by e lappe and ledez hym to sytte, And couly hym knowez and callez hym his nome, And sayde he watz e welcomest wye of e worlde; And he hym onkked roly, and ayer halched oer, And seten soberly samen e seruise quyle. enne lyst e lady to loke on e knyt, enne com ho of hir closet with mony cler burdez. Ho watz e fayrest in felle, of flesche and of lyre, And of compas and colour and costes, of alle oer,

And wener en Wenore, as e wye ot. Ho ches ur e chaunsel to cheryche at hende. An oer lady hir lad bi e lyft honde, at watz alder en ho, an auncian hit semed, And hely honowred with haelez aboute. Bot vnlyke on to loke o ladyes were, For if e onge watz ep, ole watz at oer; Riche red on at on rayled ayquere, Rugh ronkled chekez at oer on rolled; Kerchofes of at on, wyth mony cler perlez, Hir brest and hir bryt rote bare displayed, Schon schyrer en snawe at schedez on hillez; at oer wyth a gorger watz gered ouer e swyre, Chymbled ouer hir blake chyn with chalkquyte vayles, Hir frount folden in sylk, enfoubled ayquere, Toreted and treleted with tryflez aboute, at not watz bare of at burde bot e blake broes, e tweyne yen and e nase, e naked lyppez, And ose were soure to se and sellyly blered; A mensk lady on molde mon may hir calle, for Gode! Hir body watz schort and ik, Hir buttokez bal and brode, More lykkerwys on to lyk Watz at scho hade on lode. When Gawayn glyt on at gay, at graciously loked, Wyth leue lat of e lorde he lent hem aaynes; e alder he haylses, heldande ful lowe, e loueloker he lappez a lyttel in armez, He kysses hir comlyly, and knytly he melez. ay kallen hym of aquoyntaunce, and he hit quyk askez To be her seruaunt sothly, if hemself lyked. ay tan hym bytwene hem, wyth talkyng hym leden To chambre, to chemn, and chefly ay asken Spycez, at vnsparely men speded hom to bryng, And e wynnelych wyne erwith vche tyme. e lorde luflych aloft lepez ful ofte,

Mynned merthe to be made vpon mony syez, Hent hely of his hode, and on a spere henged, And wayned hom to wynne e worchip erof, at most myre myt meue at Crystenmas whyle-- 'And I schal fonde, bi my fayth, to fylter wyth e best Er me wont e wede, with help of my frendez.' us wyth laande lotez e lorde hit tayt makez, For to glade Sir Gawayn with gomnez in halle at nyt, Til at hit watz tyme e lord comaundet lyt; Sir Gawen his leue con nyme And to his bed hym dit. On e morne, as vch mon mynez at tyme at Drytyn for oure destyn to dee watz borne, Wele waxez in vche a won in worlde for his sake; So did hit ere on at day ur daynts mony: Boe at mes and at mele messes ful quaynt Derf men vpon dece drest of e best. e olde auncian wyf heest ho syttez, e lorde lufly her by lent, as I trowe; Gawan and e gay burde togeder ay seten, Euen inmyddez, as e messe metely come, And syen ur al e sale as hem best semed. Bi vche grome at his degr grayely watz serued er watz mete, er watz myre, er watz much ioye, at for to telle erof hit me tene were, And to poynte hit et I pyned me parauenture. Bot et I wot at Wawen and e wale burde Such comfort of her compaynye caten togeder ur her dere dalyaunce of her derne wordez, Wyth clene cortays carp closed fro fyle, at hor play watz passande vche prynce gomen, in vayres. Trumpez and nakerys, Much pypyng er repayres; Vche mon tented hys, And ay two tented ayres.

Much dut watz er dryuen at day and at oer, And e ryd as ro ronge in erafter; e ioye of sayn Jonez day watz gentyle to here, And watz e last of e layk, leudez er oten. er wer gestes to go vpon e gray morne, Fory wonderly ay woke, and e wyn dronken, Daunsed ful drely wyth dere carolez. At e last, when hit watz late, ay lachen her leue, Vchon to wende on his way at watz wye stronge. Gawan gef hym god day, e godmon hym lachchez, Ledes hym to his awen chambre, e chymn bysyde, And ere he draez hym on drye, and derely hym onkkez Of e wynne worschip at he hym wayued hade, As to honour his hous on at hye tyde, And enbelyse his bur with his bele chere: 'Iwysse sir, quyl I leue, me worez e better at Gawayn hatz ben my gest at Goddez awen fest.' 'Grant merci, sir,' quo Gawayn, 'in god fayth hit is yowrez, Al e honour is your awen--e hee kyng yow elde! And I am wye at your wylle to worch youre hest, As I am halden erto, in hye and in loe, bi rit.' e lorde fast can hym payne To holde lenger e knyt; To hym answarez Gawayn Bi non way at he myt. Then frayned e freke ful fayre at himseluen Quat derue dede had hym dryuen at at dere tyme So kenly fro e kyngez kourt to kayre al his one, Er e halidayez holly were halet out of toun. 'For soe, sir,' quo e segge, 'e sayn bot e trawe, A hee ernde and a hasty me hade fro o wonez, For I am sumned myselfe to sech to a place, I ne wot in worlde whederwarde to wende hit to fynde. I nolde bot if I hit negh myt on Nw eres morne For alle e londe inwyth Logres, so me oure lorde help! Fory, sir, is enquest I require yow here, at e me telle with trawe if euer e tale herde

Of e grene chapel, quere hit on grounde stondez, And of e knyt at hit kepes, of colour of grene. er watz stabled bi statut a steuen vus bytwene To mete at mon at at mere, if I myt last; And of at ilk Nw ere bot neked now wontez, And I wolde loke on at lede, if God me let wolde, Gladloker, bi Goddez sun, en any god welde! Fori, iwysse, bi owre wylle, wende me bihoues, Naf I now to busy bot bare re dayez, And me als fayn to falle feye as fayly of myyn ernde.' enne laande quo e lorde, 'Now leng e byhoues, For I schal teche yow to at terme bi e tymez ende, e grene chapayle vpon grounde greue yow no more; Bot e schal be in yowre bed, burne, at yn ese, Quyle forth dayez, and ferk on e fyrst of e ere, And cum to at merk at mydmorn, to make quat yow likez in spenne. Dowellez whyle New eres daye, And rys, and raykez enne, Mon schal yow sette in waye, Hit is not two myle henne.' enne watz Gawan ful glad, and gomenly he laed: 'Now I onk yow ryuandely ur alle oer ynge, Now acheued is my chaunce, I schal at your wylle Dowelle, and ellez do quat e demen.' enne sesed hym e syre and set hym bysyde, Let e ladiez be fette to lyke hem e better. er watz seme solace by hemself stille; e lorde let for luf lotez so myry, As wy at wolde of his wyte, ne wyst quat he myt. enne he carped to e knyt, criande loude, 'e han demed to do e dede at I bidde; Wyl e halde is hes here at ys onez?' 'e, sir, for soe,' sayd e segge trwe, 'Whyl I byde in yowre bore, be bayn to owre hest.' 'For e haf trauayled,' quo e tulk, 'towen fro ferre, And syen waked me wyth, e arn not wel waryst Nauer of sostnaunce ne of slepe, soly I knowe;

e schal lenge in your lofte, and lye in your ese To-morn quyle e messequyle, and to mete wende When e wyl, wyth my wyf, at wyth yow schal sitte And comfort yow with compayny, til I to cort torne; e lende, And I schal erly ryse, On huntyng wyl I wende.' Gauayn grantez alle yse, Hym heldande, as e hende. 'et firre,' quo e freke, 'a forwarde we make: Quat-so-euer I wynne in e wod hit worez to yourez, And quat chek so e acheue chaunge me erforne. Swete, swap we so, sware with trawe, Queer, leude, so lymp, lere oer better.' 'Bi God,' quo Gawayn e gode, 'I grant ertylle, And at yow lyst for to layke, lef hit me ynkes.' 'Who bryngez vus is beuerage, is bargayn is maked': So sayde e lorde of at lede; ay laed vchone, ay dronken and daylyeden and dalten vntytel, ise lordez and ladyez, quyle at hem lyked; And syen with Frenkysch fare and fele fayre lotez ay stoden and stemed and stylly speken, Kysten ful comlyly and katen her leue. With mony leude ful lyt and lemande torches Vche burne to his bed watz brot at e laste, ful softe. To bed et er ay ede, Recorded couenauntez ofte; e olde lorde of at leude Cowe wel halde layk alofte. Ful erly bifore e day e folk vprysen, Gestes at go wolde hor gromez ay calden, And ay busken vp bilyue blonkkez to sadel,

Tyffen her takles, trussen her males, Richen hem e rychest, to ryde alle arayde, Lepen vp lytly, lachen her brydeles, Vche wye on his way er hym wel lyked. e leue lorde of e londe watz not e last Arayed for e rydyng, with renkkez ful mony; Ete a sop hastyly, when he hade herde masse, With bugle to bent-felde he buskez bylyue. By at any daylyt lemed vpon ere He with his haeles on hye horsses weren. enne ise cacheres at coue cowpled hor houndez, Vnclosed e kenel dore and calde hem eroute, Blwe bygly in buglez re bare mote; Braches bayed erfore and breme noyse maked; And ay chastysed and charred on chasyng at went, A hundreth of hunteres, as I haf herde telle, of e best. To trystors vewters od, Couples huntes of kest; er ros for blastez gode Gret rurd in at forest. At e fyrst quethe of e quest quaked e wylde; Der drof in e dale, doted for drede, Hied to e hye, bot heterly ay were Restayed with e stablye, at stoutly ascryed. ay let e herttez haf e gate, with e hye hedes, e breme bukkez also with hor brode paumez; For e fre lorde hade defende in fermysoun tyme at er schulde no mon meue to e male dere. e hindez were halden in with hay! and war! e does dryuen with gret dyn to e depe sladez; er myt mon se, as ay slypte, slentyng of arwes-- At vche wende vnder wande wapped a flone-- at bigly bote on e broun with ful brode hedez. What! ay brayen, and bleden, bi bonkkez ay deen, And ay rachches in a res radly hem foles, Hunterez wyth hye horne hasted hem after Wyth such a crakkande kry as klyffes haden brusten.

What wylde so atwaped wyes at schotten Watz al toraced and rent at e resayt, Bi ay were tened at e hye and taysed to e wattrez; e ledez were so lerned at e loe trysteres, And e grehoundez so grete, at geten hem bylyue And hem tofylched, as fast as frekez myt loke, er-ryt. e lorde for blys abloy Ful oft con launce and lyt, And drof at day wyth joy Thus to e derk nyt. us laykez is lorde by lynde-wodez euez, And Gawayn e god mon in gay bed lygez, Lurkkez quyl e daylyt lemed on e wowes, Vnder couertour ful clere, cortyned aboute; And as in slomeryng he slode, slely he herde A littel dyn at his dor, and dernly vpon; And he heuez vp his hed out of e cloes, A corner of e cortyn he cat vp a lyttel, And waytez warly iderwarde quat hit be myt. Hit watz e ladi, loflyest to beholde, at dro e dor after hir ful dernly and stylle, And boed towarde e bed; and e burne schamed, And layde hym doun lystyly, and let as he slepte; And ho stepped stilly and stel to his bedde, Kest vp e cortyn and creped withinne, And set hir ful softly on e bed-syde, And lenged ere selly longe to loke quen he wakened. e lede lay lurked a ful longe quyle, Compast in his concience to quat at cace myt Meue oer amount--to meruayle hym ot, Bot et he sayde in hymself, 'More semly hit were To aspye wyth my spelle in space quat ho wolde.' en he wakenede, and wroth, and to hir warde torned, And vnlouked his ye-lyddez, and let as hym wondered, And sayned hym, as bi his sae e sauer to worthe, with hande.

Wyth chynne and cheke ful swete, Boe quit and red in blande, Ful lufly con ho lete Wyth lyppez smal laande. 'God moroun, Sir Gawayn,' sayde at gay lady, 'e ar a sleper vnslye, at mon may slyde hider; Now ar e tan as-tyt! Bot true vus may schape, I schal bynde yow in your bedde, at be e trayst': Al laande e lady lanced o bourdez. 'Goud moroun, gay,' quo Gawayn e blye, 'Me schal wore at your wille, and at me wel lykez, For I elde me ederly, and ee after grace, And at is e best, be my dome, for me byhouez nede': And us he bourded aayn with mony a blye later. 'Bot wolde e, lady louely, en leue me grante, And deprece your prysoun, and pray hym to ryse, I wolde boe of is bed, and busk me better; I schulde keuer e more comfort to karp yow wyth.' 'Nay for soe, beau sir,' sayd at swete, 'e schal not rise of your bedde, I rych yow better, I schal happe yow here at oer half als, And syen karp wyth my knyt at I kat haue; For I wene wel, iwysse, Sir Wowen e are, at alle e worlde worchipez quere-so e ride; Your honour, your hendelayk is hendely praysed With lordez, wyth ladyes, with alle at lyf bere. And now e ar here, iwysse, and we bot oure one; My lorde and his ledez ar on lene faren, Oer burnez in her bedde, and my burdez als, e dor drawen and dit with a derf haspe; And syen I haue in is hous hym at al lykez, I schal ware my whyle wel, quyl hit lastez, with tale. e ar welcum to my cors, Yowre awen won to wale, Me behouez of fyne force Your seruaunt be, and schale.'

'In god fayth,' quo Gawayn, 'gayn hit me ynkkez, a I be not now he at e of speken; To reche to such reuerence as e reherce here I am wye vnwory, I wot wel myseluen. Bi God, I were glad, and yow god ot, At sae oer at seruyce at I sette myt To e plesaunce of your prys--hit were a pure ioye.' 'In god fayth, Sir Gawayn,' quo e gay lady, 'e prys and e prowes at plesez al oer, If I hit lakked oer set at lyt, hit were littel daynt; Bot hit ar ladyes innoe at leuer wer nowe Haf e, hende, in hor holde, as I e habbe here, To daly with derely your daynt wordez, Keuer hem comfort and colen her carez, en much of e garysoun oer golde at ay hauen. Bot I louue at ilk lorde at e lyfte haldez, I haf hit holly in my honde at al desyres, ure grace.' Scho made hym so gret chere, at watz so fayr of face, e knyt with speches skere Answared to vche a cace. 'Madame,' quo e myry mon, 'Mary yow elde, For I haf founden, in god fayth, yowre fraunchis nobele, And oer ful much of oer folk fongen bi hor dedez, Bot e daynt at ay delen, for my disert nys euen, Hit is e worchyp of yourself, at not bot wel connez.' 'Bi Mary,' quo e menskful, 'me ynk hit an oer; For were I worth al e wone of wymmen alyue, And al e wele of e worlde were in my honde, And I schulde chepen and chose to cheue me a lorde, For e costes at I haf knowen vpon e, knyt, here, Of bewt and debonert and blye semblaunt, And at I haf er herkkened and halde hit here trwee, er schulde no freke vpon folde bifore yow be chosen.' 'Iwysse, wory,' quo e wye, 'e haf waled wel better, Bot I am proude of e prys at e put on me, And, soberly your seruaunt, my souerayn I holde yow,

And yowre knyt I becom, and Kryst yow forelde.' us ay meled of muchquat til mydmorn paste, And ay e lady let lyk as hym loued mych; e freke ferde with defence, and feted ful fayre-- 'a I were burde brytest', e burde in mynde hade. e lasse luf in his lode for lur at he sot boute hone, e dunte at schulde hym deue, And nedez hit most be done. e lady enn spek of leue, He granted hir ful sone. enne ho gef hym god day, and wyth a glent laed, And as ho stod, ho stonyed hym wyth ful stor wordez: 'Now he at spedez vche spech is disport elde yow! Bot at e be Gawan, hit gotz in mynde.' 'Querfore?' quo e freke, and freschly he askez, Ferde lest he hade fayled in fourme of his castes; Bot e burde hym blessed, and 'Bi is skyl' sayde: 'So god as Gawayn gaynly is halden, And cortaysye is closed so clene in hymseluen, Couth not lytly haf lenged so long wyth a lady, Bot he had craued a cosse, bi his courtaysye, Bi sum towch of summe tryfle at sum talez ende.' en quo Wowen: 'Iwysse, wore as yow lykez; I schal kysse at your comaundement, as a knyt fallez, And fire, lest he displese yow, so plede hit no more.' Ho comes nerre with at, and cachez hym in armez, Loutez luflych adoun and e leude kyssez. ay comly bykennen to Kryst ayer oer; Ho dos hir forth at e dore withouten dyn more; And he ryches hym to ryse and rapes hym sone, Clepes to his chamberlayn, choses his wede, Boez forth, quen he watz boun, blyely to masse; And enne he meued to his mete at menskly hym keped, And made myry al day, til e mone rysed, with game. Watz neuer freke fayrer fonge Bitwene two so dyngne dame,

e alder and e onge; Much solace set ay same. And ay e lorde of e londe is lent on his gamnez, To hunt in holtez and hee at hyndez barayne; Such a sowme he er slowe bi at e sunne heldet, Of dos and of oer dere, to deme were wonder. enne fersly ay flokked in folk at e laste, And quykly of e quelled dere a querr ay maked. e best boed erto with burnez innoghe, Gedered e grattest of gres at er were, And didden hem derely vndo as e dede askez; Serched hem at e asay summe at er were, Two fyngeres ay fonde of e fowlest of alle. Syen ay slyt e slot, sesed e erber, Schaued wyth a scharp knyf, and e schyre knitten; Syen rytte ay e foure lymmes, and rent of e hyde, en brek ay e bal, e bowelez out token Lystily for laucyng e lere of e knot; ay gryped to e gargulun, and grayely departed e wesaunt fro e wynt-hole, and walt out e guttez; en scher ay out e schulderez with her scharp knyuez, Haled hem by a lyttel hole to haue hole sydes. Sien britned ay e brest and brayden hit in twynne, And eft at e gargulun bigynez on enne, Ryuez hit vp radly ryt to e byt, Voydez out e avanters, and verayly erafter Alle e rymez by e rybbez radly ay lance; So ryde ay of by resoun bi e rygge bonez, Euenden to e haunche, at henged alle samen, And heuen hit vp al hole, and hwen hit of ere, And at ay neme for e noumbles bi nome, as I trowe, bi kynde; Bi e byt al of e yes e lappez ay lance bihynde; To hewe hit in two ay hyes, Bi e bakbon to vnbynde. Boe e hede and e hals ay hwen of enne, And syen sunder ay e sydez swyft fro e chyne,

And e corbeles fee ay kest in a greue; enn urled ay ayer ik side ur bi e rybbe, And henged enne ayer bi hoez of e fourchez, Vche freke for his fee, as fallez for to haue. Vpon a felle of e fayre best fede ay ayr houndes Wyth e lyuer and e lytez, e leer of e paunchez, And bred baed in blod blende eramongez. Baldely ay blw prys, bayed ayr rachchez, Syen fonge ay her flesche, folden to home, Strakande ful stoutly mony stif motez. Bi at e daylyt watz done e douthe watz al wonen Into e comly castel, er e knyt bidez ful stille, Wyth blys and bryt fyr bette. e lorde is comen ertylle; When Gawayn wyth hym mette er watz bot wele at wylle. Thenne comaunded e lorde in at sale to samen alle e meny, Boe e ladyes on loghe to lyt with her burdes Bifore alle e folk on e flette, frekez he beddez Verayly his venysoun to fech hym byforne, And al godly in gomen Gawayn he called, Techez hym to e tayles of ful tayt bestes, Schewez hym e schyree grece schorne vpon rybbes. 'How payez yow is play? Haf I prys wonnen? Haue I ryuandely onk ur my craft serued?' 'e iwysse,' quo at oer wye, 'here is wayth fayrest at I se is seuen ere in sesoun of wynter.' 'And al I gif yow, Gawayn,' quo e gome enne, 'For by acorde of couenaunt e craue hit as your awen.' 'is is soth,' quo e segge, 'I say yow at ilke: at I haf worthyly wonnen is wonez wythinne, Iwysse with as god wylle hit worez to ourez.' He hasppez his fayre hals his armez wythinne, And kysses hym as comlyly as he coue awyse:

'Tas yow ere my cheuicaunce, I cheued no more; I wowche hit saf fynly, a feler hit were.' 'Hit is god,' quo e godmon, 'grant mercy erfore. Hit may be such hit is e better, and e me breue wolde Where e wan is ilk wele bi wytte of yorseluen.' 'at watz not forward,' quo he, 'frayst me no more. For e haf tan at yow tydez, trawe non oer e mowe.' ay laed, and made hem blye Wyth lotez at were to lowe; To soper ay ede as-swye, Wyth daynts nwe innowe. And syen by e chymn in chamber ay seten, Wyez e walle wyn weed to hem oft, And efte in her bourdyng ay bayen in e morn To fylle e same forwardez at ay byfore maden: Wat chaunce so bytydez hor cheuysaunce to chaunge, What nwez so ay nome, at nat quen ay metten. ay acorded of e couenauntez byfore e court alle; e beuerage watz brot forth in bourde at at tyme, enne ay louelych leten leue at e last, Vche burne to his bedde busked bylyue. Bi at e coke hade crowen and cakled bot ryse, e lorde watz lopen of his bedde, e leudez vchone; So at e mete and e masse watz metely delyuered, e douthe dressed to e wod, er any day sprenged, to chace; He with hunte and hornez ur playnez ay passe in space, Vncoupled among o ornez Rachez at ran on race. SONE ay calle of a quest in a ker syde, e hunt rehayted e houndez at hit fyrst mynged, Wylde wordez hym warp wyth a wrast noyce; e howndez at hit herde hastid ider swye, And fellen as fast to e fuyt, fourty at ones;

enne such a glauer ande glam of gedered rachchez Ros, at e rocherez rungen aboute; Hunterez hem hardened with horne and wyth muthe. en al in a sembl sweyed togeder, Bitwene a flosche in at fryth and a foo cragge; In a knot bi a clyffe, at e kerre syde, er as e rogh rocher vnrydely watz fallen, ay ferden to e fyndyng, and frekez hem after; ay vmbekesten e knarre and e knot boe, Wyez, whyl ay wysten wel wythinne hem hit were, e best at er breued watz wyth e blodhoundez. enne ay beten on e buskez, and bede hym vpryse, And he vnsoundyly out sot seggez ouerwert; On e sellokest swyn swenged out ere, Long sythen fro e sounder at sied for olde, For he watz breme, bor aler-grattest, Ful grymme quen he gronyed; enne greued mony, For re at e fyrst rast he ryt to e ere, And sparred forth good sped boute spyt more. ise oer halowed hyghe! ful hye, and hay! hay! cryed, Haden hornez to moue, heterly rechated; Mony watz e myry mouthe of men and of houndez at buskkez after is bor with bost and wyth noyse to quelle. Ful oft he bydez e baye, And maymez e mute inn melle; He hurtez of e houndez, and ay Ful omerly aule and elle. Schalkez to schote at hym schowen to enne, Haled to hym of her arewez, hitten hym oft; Bot e poyntez payred at e pyth at pyt in his scheldez, And e barbez of his browe bite non wolde-- a e schauen schaft schyndered in pecez, e hede hypped aayn were-so-euer hit hitte.

Bot quen e dyntez hym dered of her drye strokez, en, braynwod for bate, on burnez he rasez, Hurtez hem ful heterly er he forth hyez, And mony ared erat, and on lyte droen. Bot e lorde on a lyt horce launces hym after, As burne bolde vpon bent his bugle he blowez, He rechated, and rode ur ronez ful yk, Suande is wylde swyn til e sunne schafted. is day wyth is ilk dede ay dryuen on is wyse, Whyle oure luflych lede lys in his bedde, Gawayn grayely at home, in gerez ful ryche of hewe. e lady not forate, Com to hym to salue; Ful erly ho watz hym ate His mode for to remwe. Ho commes to e cortyn, and at e knyt totes. Sir Wawen her welcumed wory on fyrst, And ho hym eldez aayn ful erne of hir wordez, Settez hir softly by his syde, and swyely ho laez, And wyth a luflych loke ho layde hym yse wordez: 'Sir, if e be Wawen, wonder me ynkkez, Wye at is so wel wrast alway to god, And connez not of compaynye e costez vndertake, And if mon kennes yow hom to knowe, e kest hom of your mynde; ou hatz foreten ederly at isterday I tatte Bi alder-truest token of talk at I cowe.' 'What is at?' quo e wyghe, 'Iwysse I wot neuer; If hit be sothe at e breue, e blame is myn awen.' 'et I kende yow of kyssyng,' quo e clere enne, 'Quere-so countenaunce is coue quikly to clayme; at bicumes vche a knyt at cortaysy vses.' 'Do way,' quo at derf mon, 'my dere, at speche, For at durst I not do, lest I deuayed were; If I were werned, I were wrang, iwysse, if I profered.' 'Ma fay,' quo e mer wyf, 'e may not be werned,

e ar stif innoghe to constrayne wyth strenke, if yow lykez, if any were so vilanous at yow devaye wolde.' 'e, be God,' quo Gawayn, 'good is your speche, Bot rete is vnryuande in ede er I lende, And vche gift at is geuen not with goud wylle. I am at your comaundement, to kysse quen yow lykez, e may lach quen yow lyst, and leue quen yow ynkkez, in space.' e lady loutez adoun, And comlyly kysses his face, Much speche ay er expoun Of druryes greme and grace. 'I woled wyt at yow, wye,' at wory er sayde, 'And yow wrathed not erwyth, what were e skylle at so ong and so epe as e at is tyme, So cortayse, so knytly, as e ar knowen oute-- And of alle cheualry to chose, e chef yng alosed Is e lel layk of luf, e lettrure of armes; For to telle of is teuelyng of is trwe knytez, Hit is e tytelet token and tyxt of her werkkez, How ledes for her lele luf hor lyuez han auntered, Endured for her drury dulful stoundez, And after wenged with her walour and voyded her care, And brot blysse into boure with bountees hor awen-- And e ar knyt comlokest kyd of your elde, Your worde and your worchip walkez ayquere, And I haf seten by yourself here sere twyes, et herde I neuer of your hed helde no wordez at euer longed to luf, lasse ne more; And e, at ar so cortays and coynt of your hetes, Oghe to a onke ynk ern to schewe And teche sum tokenez of trweluf craftes. Why! ar e lewed, at alle e los weldez? Oer elles e demen me to dille your dalyaunce to herken? For schame! I com hider sengel, and sitte To lerne at yow sum game;

Dos, techez me of your wytte, Whil my lorde is fro hame.' 'In goud faye,' quo Gawayn, 'God yow forelde! Gret is e gode gle, and gomen to me huge, at so wory as e wolde wynne hidere, And pyne yow with so pouer a mon, as play wyth your knyt With anyskynnez countenaunce, hit keuerez me ese; Bot to take e toruayle to myself to trwluf expoun, And towche e temez of tyxt and talez of armez To yow at, I wot wel, weldez more slyt Of at art, bi e half, or a hundreth of seche As I am, oer euer schal, in erde er I leue, Hit were a fol felefolde, my fre, by my trawe. I wolde yowre wylnyng worche at my myt, As I am hyly bihalden, and euermore wylle Be seruaunt to yourseluen, so saue me Drytyn!' us hym frayned at fre, and fondet hym ofte, For to haf wonnen hym to woe, what-so scho ot ellez; Bot he defended hym so fayr at no faut semed, Ne non euel on nawer halue, nawer ay wysten bot blysse. ay laed and layked longe; At e last scho con hym kysse, Hir leue fayre con scho fonge And went hir waye, iwysse. The rues hym e renk and ryses to e masse, And sien hor diner watz dyt and derely serued. e lede with e ladyez layked alle day, Bot e lorde ouer e londez launced ful ofte, Swez his vncely swyn, at swyngez bi e bonkkez And bote e best of his brachez e bakkez in sunder er he bode in his bay, tel bawemen hit breken, And madee hym mawgref his hed for to mwe vtter, So felle flonez er flete when e folk gedered. Bot et e styffest to start bi stoundez he made, Til at e last he watz so mat he myt no more renne, Bot in e hast at he myt he to a hole wynnez Of a rasse bi a rokk er rennez e boerne.

He gete e bonk at his bak, bigynez to scrape, e froe femed at his mouth vnfayre bi e wykez, Whettez his whyte tuschez; with hym en irked Alle e burnez so bolde at hym by stoden To nye hym on-ferum, bot nee hym non durst for woe; He hade hurt so mony byforne at al ut enne ful loe Be more wyth his tusches torne, at breme watz and braynwod bothe, Til e knyt com hymself, kachande his blonk, Sy hym byde at e bay, his burnez bysyde; He lytes luflych adoun, leuez his corsour, Braydez out a bryt bront and bigly forth strydez, Foundez fast ur e forth er e felle bydez. e wylde watz war of e wye with weppen in honde, Hef hyly e here, so hetterly he fnast at fele ferde for e freke, lest felle hym e worre. e swyn settez hym out on e segge euen, at e burne and e bor were boe vpon hepez In e wytest of e water; e worre hade at oer, For e mon merkkez hym wel, as ay mette fyrst, Set sadly e scharp in e slot euen, Hit hym vp to e hult, at e hert schyndered, And he arrande hym elde, and edoun e water ful tyt. A hundreth houndez hym hent, at bremely con hym bite, Burnez him brot to bent, And doggez to dethe endite. There watz blawyng of prys in mony breme horne, Hee halowing on hie with haelez at myt; Brachetes bayed at best, as bidden e maysterez Of at chargeaunt chace at were chef huntes. enne a wye at watz wys vpon wodcraftez To vnlace is bor lufly bigynnez. Fyrst he hewes of his hed and on hie settez,

And syen rendez him al roghe bi e rygge after, Braydez out e boweles, brennez hom on glede, With bred blent erwith his braches rewardez. Syen he britnez out e brawen in bryt brode cheldez, And hatz out e hastlettez, as hitly bisemez; And et hem halchez al hole e haluez togeder, And syen on a stif stange stoutly hem henges. Now with is ilk swyn ay swengen to home; e bores hed watz borne bifore e burnes seluen at him forferde in e fore ur forse of his honde so stronge. Til he se Sir Gawayne In halle hym pot ful longe; He calde, and he com gayn His feez er for to fonge. e lorde ful lowde with lote and later myry, When he see Sir Gawayn, with solace he spekez; e goude ladyez were geten, and gedered e meyny, He schewez hem e scheldez, and schapes hem e tale Of e largesse and e lene, e liernez alse Of e were of e wylde swyn in wod er he fled. at oer knyt ful comly comended his dedez, And praysed hit as gret prys at he proued hade, For suche a brawne of a best, e bolde burne sayde, Ne such sydes of a swyn segh he neuer are. enne hondeled ay e hoge hed, e hende mon hit praysed, And let lodly erat e lorde for to here. 'Now, Gawayn,' quo e godmon, 'is gomen is your awen Bi fyn forwarde and faste, faythely e knowe.' 'Hit is sothe,' quo e segge, 'and as siker trwe Alle my get I schal yow gif agayn, bi my trawe.' He hent e hael aboute e halse, and hendely hym kysses, And eftersones of e same he serued hym ere. 'Now ar we euen,' quo e hael, 'in is euentide Of alle e couenauntes at we knyt, syen I com hider, bi lawe.' e lorde sayde, 'Bi saynt Gile, e ar e best at I knowe!

e ben ryche in a whyle, Such chaffer and e drowe.' enne ay teldet tablez trestes alofte, Kesten cloen vpon; clere lyt enne Wakned bi woez, waxen torches; Seggez sette and serued in sale al aboute; Much glam and gle glent vp erinne Aboute e fyre vpon flet, and on fele wyse At e soper and after, mony ael songez, As coundutes of Krystmasse and carolez newe With al e manerly mere at mon may of telle, And euer oure luflych knyt e lady bisyde. Such semblaunt to at segge semly ho made Wyth stille stollen countenaunce, at stalworth to plese, at al forwondered watz e wye, and wroth with hymseluen, Bot he nolde not for his nurture nurne hir aaynez, Bot dalt with hir al in daynt, how-se-euer e dede turned towrast. Quen ay hade played in halle As longe as hor wylle hom last, To chambre he con hym calle, And to e chemn ay past. Andre er ay dronken, and dalten, and demed eft nwe To norne on e same note on Nwe erez euen; Bot e knyt craued leue to kayre on e morn, For hit watz ne at e terme at he to schulde. e lorde hym letted of at, to lenge hym resteyed, And sayde, 'As I am trwe segge, I siker my trawe ou schal cheue to e grene chapel y charres to make, Leude, on Nw erez lyt, longe bifore pryme. Fory ow lye in y loft and lach yn ese, And I schal hunt in is holt, and halde e towchez, Chaunge wyth e cheuisaunce, bi at I charre hider; For I haf fraysted e twys, and faythful I fynde e. Now "rid tyme rowe best" enk on e morne, Make we mery quyl we may and mynne vpon joye, For e lur may mon lach when-so mon lykez.' is watz grayely graunted, and Gawayn is lenged,

Blie brot watz hym drynk, and ay to bedde eden with lit. Sir Gawayn lis and slepes Ful stille and softe al nit; e lorde at his craftez kepes, Ful erly he watz dit. After messe a morsel he and his men token; Miry watz e mornyng, his mounture he askes. Alle e haeles at on horse schulde helden hym after Were boun busked on hor blonkkez bifore e halle atez. Ferly fayre watz e folde, for e forst clenged; In rede rudede vpon rak rises e sunne, And ful clere costez e clowdes of e welkyn. Hunteres vnhardeled bi a holt syde, Rocheres roungen bi rys for rurde of her hornes; Summe fel in e fute er e fox bade, Traylez ofte a traueres bi traunt of her wyles; A kenet kyres erof, e hunt on hym calles; His felaes fallen hym to, at fnasted ful ike, Runnen forth in a rabel in his ryt fare, And he fyskez hem byfore; ay founden hym sone, And quen ay seghe hym with syt ay sued hym fast, Wreande hym ful weterly with a wroth noyse; And he trantes and tornayeez ur mony tene greue, Hauilounez, and herkenez bi heggez ful ofte. At e last bi a littel dich he lepez ouer a spenne, Stelez out ful stilly bi a strothe rande, Went haf wylt of e wode with wylez fro e houndes; enne watz he went, er he wyst, to a wale tryster, er re ro at a rich rat hym at ones, al graye. He blenched aayn bilyue And stifly start on-stray, With alle e wo on lyue To e wod he went away.

Thenne watz hit list vpon lif to lyen e houndez, When alle e mute hade hym met, menged togeder: Suche a sore at at syt ay sette on his hede As alle e clamberande clyffes hade clatered on hepes; Here he watz halawed, when haelez hym metten, Loude he watz ayned with arande speche; er he watz reted and ofte ef called, And ay e titleres at his tayl, at tary he ne myt; Ofte he watz runnen at, when he out rayked, And ofte reled in aayn, so Reniarde watz wyl. And e he lad hem bi lagmon, e lorde and his meyny, On is maner bi e mountes quyle myd-ouer-vnder, Whyle e hende knyt at home holsumly slepes Withinne e comly cortynes, on e colde morne. Bot e lady for luf let not to slepe, Ne e purpose to payre at pyt in hir hert, Bot ros hir vp radly, rayked hir eder In a mery mantyle, mete to e ere, at watz furred ful fyne with fellez wel pured, No hwef goud on hir hede bot e haer stones Trased aboute hir tressour be twenty in clusteres; Hir ryuen face and hir rote rowen al naked, Hir brest bare bifore, and bihinde eke. Ho comez withinne e chambre dore, and closes hit hir after, Wayuez vp a wyndow, and on e wye callez, And radly us rehayted hym with hir riche wordes, with chere: 'A! mon, how may ou slepe, is morning is so clere?' He watz in drowping depe, Bot enne he con hir here. In dre droupyng of dreme draueled at noble, As mon at watz in mornyng of mony ro otes, How at destin schulde at day dele hym his wyrde At e grene chapel, when he e gome metes, And bihoues his buffet abide withoute debate more; Bot quen at comly com he keuered his wyttes,

Swenges out of e sweuenes, and swarez with hast. e lady luflych com laande swete, Felle ouer his fayre face, and fetly hym kyssed; He welcumez hir worily with a wale chere. He se hir so glorious and gayly atyred, So fautles of hir fetures and of so fyne hewes, Wit wallande joye warmed his hert. With smoe smylyng and smolt ay smeten into mere, at al watz blis and bonchef at breke hem bitwene, and wynne. ay lanced wordes gode, Much wele en watz erinne; Gret perile bitwene hem stod, Nif Mar of hir knyt mynne. For at prynces of pris depresed hym so ikke, Nurned hym so nee e red, at nede hym bihoued Oer lach er hir luf, oer lodly refuse. He cared for his cortaysye, lest craayn he were, And more for his meschef if he schulde make synne, And be traytor to at tolke at at telde at. 'God schylde,' quo e schalk, 'at schal not befalle!' With luf-layng a lyt he layd hym bysyde Alle e spechez of specialt at sprange of her mouthe. Quo at burde to e burne, 'Blame e disserue, if e luf not at lyf at e lye nexte, Bifore alle e wyez in e worlde wounded in hert, Bot if e haf a lemman, a leuer, at yow lykez better, And folden fayth to at fre, festned so harde at yow lausen ne lyst--and at I leue noue; And at e telle me at now trwly I pray yow, For alle e lufez vpon lyue layne not e soe for gile.' e knyt sayde, 'Be sayn Jon,' And smeely con he smyle, 'In fayth I welde rit non, Ne non wil welde e quile.' 'at is a worde,' quo at wyt, 'at worst is of alle,

Bot I am swared for soe, at sore me inkkez. Kysse me now comly, and I schal cach heen, I may bot mourne vpon molde, as may at much louyes.' Sykande ho swee doun and semly hym kyssed, And sien ho seueres hym fro, and says as ho stondes, 'Now, dere, at is departyng do me is ese, Gif me sumquat of y gifte, i gloue if hit were, at I may mynne on e, mon, my mournyng to lassen.' 'Now iwysse,' quo at wye, 'I wolde I hade here e leuest ing for y luf at I in londe welde, For e haf deserued, for soe, sellyly ofte More rewarde bi resoun en I reche myt; Bot to dele yow for drurye at dawed bot neked, Hit is not your honour to haf at is tyme A gloue for a garysoun of Gawaynez giftez, And I am here an erande in erdez vncoue, And haue no men wyth no malez with menskful ingez; at mislykez me, lad, for luf at is tyme, Iche tolke mon do as he is tan, tas to non ille ne pine.' 'Nay, hende of hye honours,' Quo at lufsum vnder lyne, 'a I hade not of yourez, et schulde e haue of myne.' Ho rat hym a riche rynk of red golde werkez, Wyth a starande ston stondande alofte at bere blusschande bemez as e bryt sunne; Wyt e wel, hit watz worth wele ful hoge. Bot e renk hit renayed, and redyly he sayde, 'I wil no giftez, for Gode, my gay, at is tyme; I haf none yow to norne, ne not wyl I take.' Ho bede hit hym ful bysily, and he hir bode wernes, And swere swyfte by his sothe at he hit sese nolde, And ho sor at he forsoke, and sayde erafter, 'If e renay my rynk, to ryche for hit semez, e wolde not so hyly halden be to me, I schal gif yow my girdel, at gaynes yow lasse.'

Ho lat a lace lytly at leke vmbe hir sydez, Knit vpon hir kyrtel vnder e clere mantyle, Gered hit watz with grene sylke and with golde schaped, Not bot arounde brayden, beten with fyngrez; And at ho bede to e burne, and blyely bisot, a hit vnwori were, at he hit take wolde. And he nay at he nolde neghe in no wyse Nauer golde ne garysoun, er God hym grace sende To acheue to e chaunce at he hade chosen ere. 'And erfore, I pray yow, displese yow not, And lettez be your bisinesse, for I baye hit yow neuer to graunte; I am derely to yow biholde Bicause of your sembelaunt, And euer in hot and colde To be your trwe seruaunt.' 'Now forsake e is silke,' sayde e burde enne, 'For hit is symple in hitself? And so hit wel semez. Lo! so hit is littel, and lasse hit is wory; Bot who-so knew e costes at knit ar erinne, He wolde hit prayse at more prys, parauenture; For quat gome so is gorde with is grene lace, While he hit hade hemely halched aboute, er is no hael vnder heuen tohewe hym at myt, For he myt not be slayn for slyt vpon ere.' en kest e knyt, and hit come to his hert Hit were a juel for e jopard at hym iugged were: When he acheued to e chapel his chek for to fech, Myt he haf slypped to be vnslayn, e slet were noble. enne he ulged with hir repe and oled hir to speke, And ho bere on hym e belt and bede hit hym swye-- And he granted and hym gafe with a goud wylle-- And bisot hym, for hir sake, disceuer hit neuer, Bot to lelly layne fro hir lorde; e leude hym acordez at neuer wye schulde hit wyt, iwysse, bot ay twayne for note; He onkked hir oft ful swye, Ful ro with hert and ot.

Bi at on rynne sye Ho hatz kyst e knyt so tot. Thenne lachchez ho hir leue, and leuez hym ere, For more myre of at mon mot ho not gete. When ho watz gon, Sir Gawayn gerez hym sone, Rises and riches hym in araye noble, Lays vp e luf-lace e lady hym rat, Hid hit ful holdely, er he hit eft fonde. Syen cheuely to e chapel choses he e waye, Preuly aproched to a prest, and prayed hym ere at he wolde lyste his lyf and lern hym better How his sawle schulde be saued when he schuld seye heen. ere he schrof hym schyrly and schewed his mysdedez, Of e more and e mynne, and merci besechez, And of absolucioun he on e segge calles; And he asoyled hym surely and sette hym so clene As domezday schulde haf ben dit on e morn. And syen he mace hym as mery among e fre ladyes, With comlych caroles and alle kynnes ioye, As neuer he did bot at daye, to e derk nyt, with blys. Vche mon hade daynt are Of hym, and sayde, 'Iwysse, us myry he watz neuer are, Syn he com hider, er is.' Now hym lenge in at lee, er luf hym bityde! et is e lorde on e launde ledande his gomnes. He hatz forfaren is fox at he foled longe; As he sprent ouer a spenne to spye e schrewe, er as he herd e howndes at hasted hym swye, Renaud com richchande ur a roe greue, And alle e rabel in a res ryt at his helez. e wye watz war of e wylde, and warly abides, And braydez out e bryt bronde, and at e best castez. And he schunt for e scharp, and schulde haf arered; A rach rapes hym to, ryt er he myt, And ryt bifore e hors fete ay fel on hym alle,

And woried me is wyly wyth a wroth noyse. e lorde lytez bilyue, and lachez hym sone, Rased hym ful radly out of e rach moues, Haldez hee ouer his hede, halowez faste, And er bayen hym mony bra houndez. Huntes hyed hem eder with hornez ful mony, Ay rechatande aryt til ay e renk seen. Bi at watz comen his compeyny noble, Alle at euer ber bugle blowed at ones, And alle ise oer halowed at hade no hornes; Hit watz e myriest mute at euer men herde, e rich rurd at er watz raysed for Renaude saule with lote. Hor houndez ay er rewarde, Her hedez ay fawne and frote, And syen ay tan Reynarde, And tyruen of his cote. And enne ay helden to home, for hit watz nie nyt, Strakande ful stoutly in hor store hornez. e lorde is lyt at e laste at hys lef home, Fyndez fire vpon flet, e freke er-byside, Sir Gawayn e gode, at glad watz withalle, Among e ladies for luf he ladde much ioye; He were a bleaunt of blwe at bradde to e ere, His surkot semed hym wel at softe watz forred, And his hode of at ilke henged on his schulder, Blande al of blaunner were boe al aboute. He metez me is godmon inmyddez e flore, And al with gomen he hym gret, and goudly he sayde, 'I schal fylle vpon fyrst oure forwardez noue, at we spedly han spoken, er spared watz no drynk.' en acoles he e knyt and kysses hym ryes, As sauerly and sadly as he hem sette coue. 'Bi Kryst,' quo at oer knyt, 'e cach much sele In cheuisaunce of is chaffer, if e hade goud chepez.' 'e, of e chepe no charg,' quo chefly at oer, 'As is pertly payed e chepez at I ate.'

'Mary,' quo at oer mon, 'myn is bihynde, For I haf hunted al is day, and not haf I geten Bot is foule fox felle--e fende haf e godez!-- And at is ful pore for to pay for suche prys inges As e haf ryt me here ro, suche re cosses so gode.' 'Ino,' quo Sir Gawayn, 'I onk yow, bi e rode', And how e fox watz slayn He tolde hym as ay stode. With mere and mynstralsye, with metez at hor wylle, ay maden as mery as any men moten-- With layne of ladies, with lotez of bordes Gawayn and e godemon so glad were ay boe-- Bot if e douthe had doted, oer dronken ben oer. Boe e mon and e meyny maden mony iapez, Til e sesoun watz seen at ay seuer moste; Burnez to hor bedde behoued at e laste. enne loly his leue at e lorde fyrst Fochchez is fre mon, and fayre he hym onkkez: 'Of such a selly soiorne as I haf hade here, Your honour at is hye fest, e hye kyng yow elde! I ef yow me for on of yourez, if yowreself lykez, For I mot nedes, as e wot, meue to-morne, And e me take sum tolke to teche, as e hyt, e gate to e grene chapel, as God wyl me suffer To dele on Nw erez day e dome of my wyrdes.' 'In god faye,' quo e godmon, 'wyth a goud wylle Al at euer I yow hyt halde schal I red.' er asyngnes he a seruaunt to sett hym in e waye, And coundue hym by e downez, at he no drechch had, For to ferk ur e fryth and fare at e gaynest bi greue. e lorde Gawayn con onk, Such worchip he wolde hym weue. en at o ladyez wlonk e knyt hatz tan his leue.

With care and wyth kyssyng he carppez hem tille, And fele ryuande onkkez he rat hom to haue, And ay elden hym aayn eply at ilk; ay bikende hym to Kryst with ful colde sykyngez. Syen fro e meyny he menskly departes; Vche mon at he mette, he made hem a onke For his seruyse and his solace and his sere pyne, at ay wyth busynes had ben aboute hym to serue; And vche segge as sor to seuer with hym ere As ay hade wonde woryly with at wlonk euer. en with ledes and lyt he watz ladde to his chambre And blyely brot to his bedde to be at his rest. if he ne slepe soundyly say ne dar I, For he hade muche on e morn to mynne, if he wolde, in ot. Let hym lye ere stille, He hatz nere at he sot; And e wyl a whyle be stylle I schal telle yow how ay wrot. Now neez e Nw ere, and e nyt passez, e day dryuez to e derk, as Drytyn biddez; Bot wylde wederez of e worlde wakned eroute, Clowdes kesten kenly e colde to e ere, Wyth nye innoghe of e nore, e naked to tene; e snawe snitered ful snart, at snayped e wylde; e werbelande wynde wapped fro e hye, And drof vche dale ful of dryftes ful grete. e leude lystened ful wel at le in his bedde, a he lowkez his liddez, ful lyttel he slepes; Bi vch kok at crue he knwe wel e steuen. Deliuerly he dressed vp, er e day sprenged, For ere watz lyt of a laumpe at lemed in his chambre; He called to his chamberlayn, at cofly hym swared, And bede hym bryng hym his bruny and his blonk sadel;

at oer ferkez hym vp and fechez hym his wedez, And grayez me Sir Gawayn vpon a grett wyse. Fyrst he clad hym in his cloez e colde for to were, And syen his oer harnays, at holdely watz keped, Boe his paunce and his platez, piked ful clene, e ryngez rokked of e roust of his riche bruny; And al watz fresch as vpon fyrst, and he watz fayn enne to onk; He hade vpon vche pece, Wypped ful wel and wlonk; e gayest into Grece, e burne bede bryng his blonk. Whyle e wlonkest wedes he warp on hymseluen-- His cote wyth e conysaunce of e clere werkez Ennurned vpon veluet, vertuus stonez Aboute beten and bounden, enbrauded semez, And fayre furred withinne wyth fayre pelures-- et laft he not e lace, e ladiez gifte, at forgat not Gawayn for gode of hymseluen. Bi he hade belted e bronde vpon his bale haunchez, enn dressed he his drurye double hym aboute, Swye sweled vmbe his swange swetely at knyt e gordel of e grene silke, at gay wel bisemed, Vpon at ryol red cloe at ryche watz to schewe. Bot wered not is ilk wye for wele is gordel, For pryde of e pendauntez, a polyst ay were, And a e glyterande golde glent vpon endez, Bot for to sauen hymself, when suffer hym byhoued, To byde bale withoute dabate of bronde hym to were oer knyffe. Bi at e bolde mon boun Wynnez eroute bilyue, Alle e meyny of renoun He onkkez ofte ful ryue. Thenne watz Gryngolet graye, at gret watz and huge, And hade ben soiourned sauerly and in a siker wyse, Hym lyst prik for poynt, at proude hors enne.

e wye wynnez hym to and wytez on his lyre, And sayde soberly hymself and by his soth swerez: 'Here is a meyny in is mote at on menske enkkez, e mon hem maynteines, ioy mot ay haue; e leue lady on lyue luf hir bityde; if ay for charyt cherysen a gest, And halden honour in her honde, e hael hem elde at haldez e heuen vpon hye, and also yow alle! And if I myt lyf vpon londe lede any quyle, I schuld rech yow sum rewarde redyly, if I myt.' enn steppez he into stirop and strydez alofte; His schalk schewed hym his schelde, on schulder he hit lat, Gordez to Gryngolet with his gilt helez, And he startez on e ston, stod he no lenger to praunce. His hael on hors watz enne, at bere his spere and launce. 'is kastel to Kryst I kenne': He gef hit ay god chaunce. The brygge watz brayde doun, and e brode atez Vnbarred and born open vpon boe halue. e burne blessed hym bilyue, and e bredez passed-- Prayses e porter bifore e prynce kneled, Gef hym God and goud day, at Gawayn he saue-- And went on his way with his wye one, at schulde teche hym to tourne to at tene place er e ruful race he schulde resayue. ay boen bi bonkkez er boez ar bare, ay clomben bi clyffez er clengez e colde. e heuen watz vphalt, bot vgly er-vnder; Mist muged on e mor, malt on e mountez, Vch hille hade a hatte, a myst-hakel huge. Brokez byled and breke bi bonkkez aboute, Schyre schaterande on schorez, er ay doun schowued. Wela wylle watz e way er ay bi wod schulden, Til hit watz sone sesoun at e sunne ryses at tyde. ay were on a hille ful hye, e quyte snaw lay bisyde;

e burne at rod hym by Bede his mayster abide. 'For I haf wonnen yow hider, wye, at is tyme, And now nar e not fer fro at note place at e han spied and spuryed so specially after; Bot I schal say yow for soe, syen I yow knowe, And e ar a lede vpon lyue at I wel louy, Wolde e worch bi my wytte, e wored e better. e place at e prece to ful perelous is halden; er wonez a wye in at waste, e worst vpon ere, For he is stiffe and sturne, and to strike louies, And more he is en any mon vpon myddelerde, And his body bigger en e best fowre at ar in Arurez hous, Hestor, oer oer. He cheuez at chaunce at e chapel grene, er passes non bi at place so proude in his armes at he ne dyngez hym to dee with dynt of his honde; For he is a mon methles, and mercy non vses, For be hit chorle oer chaplayn at bi e chapel rydes, Monk oer masseprest, oer any mon elles, Hym ynk as queme hym to quelle as quyk go hymseluen. Fory I say e, as soe as e in sadel sitte, Com e ere, e be kylled, may e knyt rede, Trawe e me at trwely, a e had twenty lyues to spende. He hatz wonyd here ful ore, On bent much baret bende, Aayn his dyntez sore e may not yow defende. 'Fory, goude Sir Gawayn, let e gome one, And gotz away sum oer gate, vpon Goddez halue! Cayrez bi sum oer kyth, er Kryst mot yow spede, And I schal hy me hom aayn, and hete yow fyrre at I schal swere bi God and alle his gode halez, As help me God and e halydam, and oez innoghe, at I schal lelly yow layne, and lance neuer tale at euer e fondet to fle for freke at I wyst.'

'Grant merci', quo Gawayn, and gruchyng he sayde: 'Wel worth e, wye, at woldez my gode, And at lelly me layne I leue wel ou woldez. Bot helde ou hit neuer so holde, and I here passed, Founded for ferde for to fle, in fourme at ou tellez, I were a knyt kowarde, I myt not be excused. Bot I wyl to e chapel, for chaunce at may falle, And talk wyth at ilk tulk e tale at me lyste, Wore hit wele oer wo, as e wyrde lykez hit hafe. ae he be a sturn knape To stitel, and stad with staue, Ful wel con Drytyn schape His seruauntez for to saue.' 'Mary!' quo at oer mon, 'now ou so much spellez, at ou wylt yn awen nye nyme to yseluen, And e lyst lese y lyf, e lette I ne kepe. Haf here i helme on y hede, i spere in i honde, And ryde me doun is ilk rake bi on rokke syde, Til ou be brot to e boem of e brem valay; enne loke a littel on e launde, on i lyfte honde, And ou schal se in at slade e self chapel, And e borelych burne on bent at hit kepez. Now farez wel, on Godez half, Gawayn e noble! For alle e golde vpon grounde I nolde go wyth e, Ne bere e felaschip ur is fryth on fote fyrre.' Bi at e wye in e wod wendez his brydel, Hit e hors with e helez as harde as he myt, Lepez hym ouer e launde, and leuez e knyt ere al one. 'Bi Goddez self,' quo Gawayn, 'I wyl nauer grete ne grone; To Goddez wylle I am ful bayn, And to hym I haf me tone.' Thenne gyrdez he to Gryngolet, and gederez e rake, Schowuez in bi a schore at a schae syde, Ridez ur e roe bonk ryt to e dale;

And enne he wayted hym aboute, and wylde hit hym ot, And see no syngne of resette bisydez nowhere, Bot hye bonkkez and brent vpon boe halue, And rue knokled knarrez with knorned stonez; e skwez of e scowtes skayned hym ot. enne he houed, and wythhylde his hors at at tyde, And ofte chaunged his cher e chapel to seche: He se non suche in no syde, and selly hym ot, Saue, a lyttel on a launde, a lawe as hit were; A bal ber bi a bonke e brymme bysyde, Bi a for of a flode at ferked are; e borne blubred erinne as hit boyled hade. e knyt kachez his caple, and com to e lawe, Litez doun luflyly, and at a lynde tachez e rayne and his riche with a roe braunche. enne he boez to e bere, aboute hit he walkez, Debatande with hymself quat hit be myt. Hit hade a hole on e ende and on ayer syde, And ouergrowen with gresse in glodes aywhere, And al watz hol inwith, nobot an olde caue, Or a creuisse of an olde cragge, he coue hit not deme with spelle. 'We! Lorde,' quo e gentyle knyt, 'Wheer is be e grene chapelle? Here myt aboute mydnyt e dele his matynnes telle! 'Now iwysse,' quo Wowayn, 'wysty is here; is oritore is vgly, with erbez ouergrowen; Wel bisemez e wye wruxled in grene Dele here his deuocioun on e deuelez wyse. Now I fele hit is e fende, in my fyue wyttez, at hatz stoken me is steuen to strye me here. is is a chapel of meschaunce, at chekke hit bytyde! Hit is e corsedest kyrk at euer I com inne!' With hee helme on his hede, his launce in his honde, He romez vp to e roffe of e ro wonez.

ene herde he of at hye hil, in a harde roche Bionde e broke, in a bonk, a wonder breme noyse, Quat! hit clatered in e clyff, as hit cleue schulde, As one vpon a gryndelston hade grounden a sye. What! hit wharred and whette, as water at a mulne; What! hit rusched and ronge, rawe to here. enne 'Bi Godde,' quo Gawayn, 'at gere, as I trowe, Is ryched at e reuerence me, renk, to mete bi rote. Let God worche! "We loo"-- Hit helppez me not a mote. My lif a I forgoo, Drede dotz me no lote.' Thenne e knyt con calle ful hye: 'Who stitlez in is sted me steuen to holde? For now is gode Gawayn goande ryt here. If any wye ot wyl, wynne hider fast, Oer now oer neuer, his nedez to spede.' 'Abyde', quo on on e bonke abouen ouer his hede, 'And ou schal haf al in hast at I e hyt ones.' et he rusched on at rurde rapely a rowe. And wyth quettyng awharf, er he wolde lyt; And syen he keuerez bi a cragge, and comez of a hole, Whyrlande out of a wro wyth a felle weppen, A denez ax nwe dyt, e dynt with to elde, With a borelych bytte bende by e halme, Fyled in a fylor, fowre fote large-- Hit watz no lasse bi at lace at lemed ful bryt-- And e gome in e grene gered as fyrst, Boe e lyre and e leggez, lokkez and berde, Saue at fayre on his fote he foundez on e ere, Sette e stele to e stone, and stalked bysyde. When he wan to e watter, er he wade nolde, He hypped ouer on hys ax, and orpedly strydez, Bremly broe on a bent at brode watz aboute, on snawe. Sir Gawayn e knyt con mete, He ne lutte hym noyng lowe;

at oer sayde, 'Now, sir swete, Of steuen mon may e trowe.' 'Gawayn,' quo at grene gome, 'God e mot loke! Iwysse ou art welcom, wye, to my place, And ou hatz tymed i trauayl as truee mon schulde, And ou knowez e couenauntez kest vus bytwene: At is tyme twelmonyth ou toke at e falled, And I schulde at is Nwe ere eply e quyte. And we ar in is valay verayly oure one; Here ar no renkes vs to rydde, rele as vus likez. Haf y helme of y hede, and haf here y pay. Busk no more debate en I e bede enne When ou wypped of my hede at a wap one.' 'Nay, bi God,' quo Gawayn, 'at me gost lante, I schal gruch e no grwe for grem at fallez. Bot stytel e vpon on strok, and I schal stonde stylle And warp e no wernyng to worch as e lykez, nowhare.' He lened with e nek, and lutte, And schewed at schyre al bare, And lette as he not dutte; For drede he wolde not dare. THEN e gome in e grene grayed hym swye, Gederez vp hys grymme tole Gawayn to smyte; With alle e bur in his body he ber hit on lofte, Munt as matyly as marre hym he wolde; Hade hit dryuen adoun as dre as he atled, er hade ben ded of his dynt at doty watz euer. Bot Gawayn on at giserne glyfte hym bysyde, As hit com glydande adoun on glode hym to schende, And schranke a lytel with e schulderes for e scharp yrne. at oer schalk wyth a schunt e schene wythhaldez, And enne repreued he e prynce with mony prowde wordez: 'ou art not Gawayn,' quo e gome, 'at is so goud halden, at neuer ared for no here by hylle ne be vale, And now ou fles for ferde er ou fele harmez! Such cowardise of at knyt cowe I neuer here.

Nawer fyked I ne flae, freke, quen ou myntest, Ne kest no kauelacion in kyngez hous Arthor. My hede fla to my fote, and et fla I neuer; And ou, er any harme hent, arez in hert; Wherfore e better burne me burde be called erfore.' Quo Gawayn, 'I schunt onez, And so wyl I no more; Bot a my hede falle on e stonez, I con not hit restore. 'Bot busk, burne, bi i fayth, and bryng me to e poynt. Dele to me my destin, and do hit out of honde, For I schal stonde e a strok, and start no more Til yn ax haue me hitte: haf here my trawe.' 'Haf at e enne!' quo at oer, and heuez hit alofte, And waytez as wroely as he wode were. He myntez at hym matyly, bot not e mon rynez, Withhelde heterly his honde, er hit hurt myt. Gawayn grayely hit bydez, and glent with no membre, Bot stode stylle as e ston, oer a stubbe auer at raeled is in roch grounde with rotez a hundreth. en muryly efte con he mele, e mon in e grene: 'So, now ou hatz i hert holle, hitte me bihous. Halde e now e hye hode at Arur e rat, And kepe y kanel at is kest, if hit keuer may.' Gawayn ful gryndelly with greme enne sayde: 'Wy! resch on, ou ro mon, ou retez to longe; I hope at i hert are wyth yn awen seluen.' 'For soe,' quo at oer freke, 'so felly ou spekez, I wyl no lenger on lyte lette in ernde rit nowe.' enne tas he hym strye to stryke, And frounsez boe lyppe and browe; No meruayle a hym myslyke at hoped of no rescowe. He lyftes lytly his lome, and let hit doun fayre With e barbe of e bitte bi e bare nek;

a he homered heterly, hurt hym no more Bot snyrt hym on at on syde, at seuered e hyde. e scharp schrank to e flesche ur e schyre grece, at e schene blod ouer his schulderes schot to e ere; And quen e burne se e blode blenk on e snawe, He sprit forth spenne-fote more en a spere lene, Hent heterly his helme, and on his hed cast, Schot with his schulderez his fayre schelde vnder, Braydez out a bryt sworde, and bremely he spekez-- Neuer syn at he watz burne borne of his moder Watz he neuer in is worlde wye half so blye-- 'Blynne, burne, of y bur, bede me no mo! I haf a stroke in is sted withoute stryf hent, And if ow rechez me any mo, I redyly schal quyte, And elde ederly aayn--and erto e tryst-- and foo. Bot on stroke here me fallez-- e couenaunt schop ryt so, Fermed in Arurez hallez-- And erfore, hende, now hoo!' The hael heldet hym fro, and on his ax rested, Sette e schaft vpon schore, and to e scharp lened, And loked to e leude at on e launde ede, How at doty, dredles, deruely er stondez Armed, ful alez: in hert hit hym lykez. enn he melez muryly wyth a much steuen, And wyth a rynkande rurde he to e renk sayde: 'Bolde burne, on is bent be not so gryndel. No mon here vnmanerly e mysboden habbez, Ne kyd bot as couenaunde at kyngez kort schaped. I hyt e a strok and ou hit hatz, halde e wel payed; I relece e of e remnaunt of rytes alle oer. Iif I deliuer had bene, a boffet paraunter I coue wroeloker haf waret, to e haf wrot anger. Fyrst I mansed e muryly with a mynt one, And roue e wyth no rof-sore, with ryt I e profered

For e forwarde at we fest in e fyrst nyt, And ou trystyly e trawe and trwly me haldez, Al e gayne ow me gef, as god mon schulde. at oer munt for e morne, mon, I e profered, ou kyssedes my clere wyf--e cossez me ratez. For boe two here I e bede bot two bare myntes boute scae. Trwe mon trwe restore, enne ar mon drede no wae. At e rid ou fayled ore, And erfor at tappe ta e. 'For hit is my wede at ou werez, at ilke wouen girdel, Myn owen wyf hit e weued, I wot wel for soe. Now know I wel y cosses, and y costes als, And e wowyng of my wyf: I wrot hit myseluen. I sende hir to asay e, and sothly me ynkkez On e fautlest freke at euer on fote ede; As perle bi e quite pese is of prys more, So is Gawayn, in god fayth, bi oer gay knytez. Bot here yow lakked a lyttel, sir, and lewt yow wonted; Bot at watz for no wylyde werke, ne wowyng nauer, Bot for e lufed your lyf; e lasse I yow blame.' at oer stif mon in study stod a gret whyle, So agreued for greme he gryed withinne; Alle e blode of his brest blende in his face, at al he schrank for schome at e schalk talked. e forme worde vpon folde at e freke meled: 'Corsed worth cowarddyse and couetyse boe! In yow is vylany and vyse at vertue disstryez.' enne he kat to e knot, and e kest lawsez, Brayde broely e belt to e burne seluen: 'Lo! er e falssyng, foule mot hit falle! For care of y knokke cowardyse me tat To acorde me with couetyse, my kynde to forsake, at is larges and lewt at longez to knytez. Now am I fawty and falce, and ferde haf ben euer Of trecherye and vntrawe: boe bityde sore and care!

I biknowe yow, knyt, here stylle, Al fawty is my fare; Letez me ouertake your wylle And efte I schal be ware.' Thenn loe at oer leude and luflyly sayde: 'I halde hit hardily hole, e harme at I hade. ou art confessed so clene, beknowen of y mysses, And hatz e penaunce apert of e poynt of myn egge, I halde e polysed of at plyt, and pured as clene As ou hadez neuer forfeted syen ou watz fyrst borne; And I gif e, sir, e gurdel at is golde-hemmed, For hit is grene as my goune. Sir Gawayn, e maye enk vpon is ilke repe, er ou forth ryngez Among prynces of prys, and is a pure token Of e chaunce of e grene chapel at cheualrous knytez. And e schal in is Nwe er aayn to my wonez, And we schyn reuel e remnaunt of is ryche fest ful bene.' er laed hym fast e lorde And sayde: 'With my wyf, I wene, We schal yow wel acorde, at watz your enmy kene.' 'Nay, for soe,' quo e segge, and sesed hys helme, And hatz hit of hendely, and e hael onkkez, 'I haf soiorned sadly; sele yow bytyde, And he elde hit yow are at arkkez al menskes! And comaundez me to at cortays, your comlych fere, Boe at on and at oer, myn honoured ladyez, at us hor knyt wyth hor kest han koyntly bigyled. Bot hit is no ferly a a fole madde, And ur wyles of wymmen be wonen to sore, For so watz Adam in erde with one bygyled, And Salamon with fele sere, and Samson eftsonez-- Dalyda dalt hym hys wyrde--and Dauyth erafter Watz blended with Barsabe, at much bale oled. Now ese were wrathed wyth her wyles, hit were a wynne huge

To luf hom wel, and leue hem not, a leude at coue. For es wer forne e freest, at foled alle e sele Exellently of alle yse oer, vnder heuenryche at mused; And alle ay were biwyled With wymmen at ay vsed. a I be now bigyled, Me ink me burde be excused. 'Bot your gordel', quo Gawayn, 'God yow forelde! at wyl I welde wyth guod wylle, not for e wynne golde, Ne e saynt, ne e sylk, ne e syde pendaundes, For wele ne for worchyp, ne for e wlonk werkkez, Bot in syngne of my surfet I schal se hit ofte, When I ride in renoun, remorde to myseluen e faut and e fayntyse of e flesche crabbed, How tender hit is to entyse teches of fyle; And us, quen pryde schal me pryk for prowes of armes, e loke to is luf-lace schal lee my hert. Bot on I wolde yow pray, displeses yow neuer: Syn e be lorde of e onder londe er I haf lent inne Wyth yow wyth worschyp--e wye hit yow elde at vphaldez e heuen and on hy sittez-- How norne e yowre ryt nome, and enne no more?' 'at schal I telle e trwly,' quo at oer enne, 'Bertilak de Hautdesert I hat in is londe. ur myt of Morgne la Faye, at in my hous lenges, And koyntyse of clergye, bi craftes wel lerned, e maystrs of Merlyn mony hatz taken-- For ho hatz dalt drwry ful dere sumtyme With at conable klerk, at knowes alle your knytez at hame; Morgne e goddes erfore hit is hir name: Weldez non so hye hawtesse at ho ne con make ful tame-- 'Ho wayned me vpon is wyse to your wynne halle For to assay e surquidr, if hit soth were

at rennes of e grete renoun of e Rounde Table; Ho wayned me is wonder your wyttez to reue, For to haf greued Gaynour and gart hir to dye With glopnyng of at ilke gome at gostlych speked With his hede in his honde bifore e hye table. at is ho at is at home, e auncian lady; Ho is euen yn aunt, Arurez half-suster, e duches doter of Tyntagelle, at dere Vter after Hade Arur vpon, at ael is nowe. erfore I ee e, hael, to com to yn aunt, Make myry in my hous; my meny e louies, And I wol e as wel, wye, bi my faythe, As any gome vnder God for y grete traue.' And he nikked hym naye, he nolde bi no wayes. ay acolen and kyssen and kennen ayer oer To e prynce of paradise, and parten ryt ere on coolde; Gawayn on blonk ful bene To e knygez bur buskez bolde, And e knyt in e enker-grene Whiderwarde-so-euer he wolde. Wylde wayez in e worlde Wowen now rydez On Gryngolet, at e grace hade geten of his lyue; Ofte he herbered in house and ofte al eroute, And mony aventure in vale, and venquyst ofte, at I ne tyt at is tyme in tale to remene. e hurt watz hole at he hade hent in his nek, And e blykkande belt he bere eraboute Abelef as a bauderyk bounden bi his syde, Loken vnder his lyfte arme, e lace, with a knot, In tokenyng he watz tane in tech of a faute. And us he commes to e court, knyt al in sounde. er wakned wele in at wone when wyst e grete at gode Gawayn watz commen; gayn hit hym ot. e kyng kyssez e knyt, and e whene alce, And syen mony syker knyt at sot hym to haylce, Of his fare at hym frayned; and ferlyly he telles,

Biknowez alle e costes of care at he hade, e chaunce of e chapel, e chere of e knyt, e luf of e ladi, e lace at e last. e nirt in e nek he naked hem schewed at he lat for his vnleut at e leudes hondes for blame. He tened quen he schulde telle, He groned for gref and grame; e blod in his face con melle, When he hit schulde schewe, for schame. 'Lo! lorde,' quo e leude, and e lace hondeled, 'is is e bende of is blame I bere in my nek, is is e lae and e losse at I lat haue Of couardise and couetyse at I haf cat are; is is e token of vntrawe at I am tan inne, And I mot nedez hit were wyle I may last; For mon may hyden his harme, bot vnhap ne may hit, For er hit onez is tachched twynne wil hit neuer.' e kyng comfortez e knyt, and alle e court als Laen loude erat, and luflyly acorden at lordes and ladis at longed to e Table, Vche burne of e broerhede, a bauderyk schulde haue, A bende abelef hym aboute of a bryt grene, And at, for sake of at segge, in swete to were. For at watz acorded e renoun of e Rounde Table, And he honoured at hit hade euermore after, As hit is breued in e best boke of romaunce. us in Arthurus day is aunter bitidde, e Brutus bokez erof beres wyttenesse; Syphen Brutus, e bolde burne, boed hider fyrst, After e segge and e asaute watz sesed at Troye, iwysse, Mony aunterez here-biforne Haf fallen suche er is. Now at here e croun of orne, He bryng vus to his blysse! AMEN. HONY SOYT QUI MAL PENCE.