LONDON,

December 22, 1864.

"Each two had dishes twelve,

Good beer and bright wine both."

"Not all from fear, but some for courtesy" (ll. 221-249).

And yet give I him respite,

A twelvemonth and a day;

Now haste and let see tite (soon)

Dare any here-in ought say.'"

"The king and Gawayne there

At that green (one) they laugh and grin."

"Very much was the warm water that poured from eyes that day."

"Though I had nought of yours,

Yet should ye have of mine.

[Fol. 91a.]
After the siege of Troy

Sižen že sege & že assaut wat3 sesed at Troye,

Že bor3 brittened & brent to bronde3 & aske3,

Že tulk žat že trammes of tresoun žer wro3t,

4

Wat3 tried for his tricherie, že trewest on erthe;

Hit wat3 Ennias že athel, & his highe kynde,

Žat sižen depreced prouinces, & patrounes bicome

Welne3e of al že wele in že west iles,

Romulus built Rome, 8

Fro riche Romulus to Rome ricchis hym swyže,

With gret bobbaunce žat bur3e he biges vpon fyrst,

& neuenes hit his aune nome, as hit now hat;

Ticius to Tuskan [turnes,] & teldes bigynnes;

12

Langaberde in Lumbardie lyftes vp homes;

and Felix Brutus founded Britain,

& fer ouer že French flod Felix Brutus

On mony bonkkes ful brode Bretayn he sette3,

wyth wynne;

a land of war and wonder, 16

Where werre, & wrake, & wonder,

Bi syže3 hat3 wont žer-inne,

and oft of bliss and blunder.

& oft bože blysse & blunder

Ful skete hat3 skyfted synne.

20

Ande quen žis Bretayn wat3 bigged bi žis burn rych,

Bold men increased in the Land,

Bolde bredden žer-inne, baret žat lofden,

In mony turned tyme tene žat wro3ten;

Mo ferlyes on žis folde han fallen here oft

and many marvels happened. 24

Žen in any ožer žat I wot, syn žat ilk tyme.

Of all Britain's kings Arthur was the noblest.

Bot of alle žat here bult of Bretaygne kynges

Ay wat3 Arthur že hendest; as I haf herde telle;

[Fol. 91b.]

For-ži an aunter in erde I attle to schawe,

28

Žat a selly in si3t summe men hit holden,

& an outtrage awenture of Arthure3 wondere3;

Listen a while and ye shall hear the story of an "outrageous adventure."

If 3e wyl lysten žis laye bot on littel quile,

I schal telle hit, as-tit, as I in toun herde,

32

with tonge;

As hit is stad & stoken,

In stori stif & stronge,

With lel letteres loken,

36

In londe so hat3 ben longe.

Arthur held at Camelot his Christmas feast,

Žis kyng lay at Camylot vpon kryst-masse,

With mony luflych lorde, lede3 of že best,

with all the knights of the Round Table,

Rekenly of že rounde table alle žo rich brežer,

40

With rych reuel ory3t, & rechles meržes;

Žer tournayed tulkes bi-tyme3 ful mony,

Iusted ful Iolilé žise gentyle kni3tes,

Syžen kayred to že court, caroles to make.

full fifteen days. 44

For žer že fest wat3 ilyche ful fiften dayes,

With alle že mete & že mirže žat men couže a-vyse;

Such glaumande gle glorious to here,

Dere dyn vp-on day, daunsyng on ny3tes,

All was joy in hall and chamber, 48

Al wat3 hap vpon he3e in halle3 & chambre3,

With lorde3 & ladies, as leuest him žo3t;

With all že wele of že worlde žay woned žer samen,

among brave knights and lovely ladies,

Že most kyd kny3te3 vnder kryste seluen,

52

& že louelokkest ladies žat euer lif haden,

& he že comlokest kyng žat že court haldes;

For al wat3 žis fayre folk in her first age,

on sille;

the happiest under heaven. 56

Že hapnest vnder heuen,

Kyng hy3est mon of wylle,

Hit were¹ now gret nye to neuen

So hardy a here on hille.

They celebrate the New Year with great joy. 60

Wyle nw 3er wat3 so 3ep žat hit wat3 nwe cummen,

Žat day doubble on že dece wat3 že douth serued,

Fro že kyng wat3 cummen with kny3tes in to že halle,

Že chauntre of že chapel cheued to an ende;

64

Loude crye wat3 žer kest of clerke3 & ožer,

[Fol. 92]

Nowel nayted o-newe, neuened ful ofte;

& syžen riche forth runnen to reche honde-selle,

Gifts are demanded and bestowed.

3e3ed 3eres 3iftes on hi3, 3elde hem bi hond,

68

Debated busyly aboute žo giftes;

Ladies la3ed ful loude, žo3 žay lost haden,

& he žat wan wat3 not wrothe, žat may 3e wel trawe.

Lords and ladies take their seats at the table.

Alle žis mirže žay maden to že mete tyme;

72

When žay had waschen, woržyly žay wenten to sete,

Že best burne ay abof, as hit best semed;

Queen Guenever appears gaily dressed.

Whene Guenore ful gay, grayžed in že myddes.

Dressed on že dere des, dubbed al aboute,

76

Smal sendal bisides, a selure hir ouer

Of tryed Tolouse, of Tars tapites in-noghe,

Žat were enbrawded & beten wyth že best gemmes,

Žat my3t be preued of prys wyth penyes to bye,

80

in daye;

A lady fairer of form might no one say he had ever before seen.

Že comlokest to discrye,

Žer glent with y3en gray,

A semloker žat euer he sy3e,

84

Soth mo3t no mon say.

Arthur would not eat,

Bot Arthure wolde not ete til al were serued,

He wat3 so Ioly of his Ioyfnes, & sum-quat child gered,

His lif liked hym ly3t, he louied že lasse

nor would he long sit 88

Aužer to lenge lye, or to longe sitte,

So bi-sied him his 3onge blod & his brayn wylde;

& also anožer maner meued him eke,

Žat he žur3 nobelay had nomen, ho wolde neuer ete

92

Vpon such a dere day, er hym deuised were

until he had witnessed a "wondrous adventure" of some kind.

Of sum auenturus žyng an vncouže tale,

Of sum mayn meruayle, žat he my3t trawe,

Of¹ alderes, of armes, of ožer auenturus,

96

Ožer sum segg hym bi-so3t of sum siker kny3t,

To Ioyne wyth hym in iustyng in Iopardé to lay,

Lede lif for lyf, leue vchon ožer,

As fortune wolde fulsun hom že fayrer to haue.

100

Žis wat3 [že] kynges countenaunce where he in court were,

At vch farand fest among his fre meny,

[Fol. 92b.]

in halle;

He of face so bold makes much mirth with all.

Žer-fore of face so fere.

104

He sti3tle3 stif in stalle,

Ful 3ep in žat nw 3ere,

Much mirthe he mas with alle.

The king talks with his knights.

Thus žer stondes in stale že stif kyng his-seluen,

108

Talkkande bifore že hy3e table of trifles ful hende

Gawayne,

There gode Gawan wat3 grayžed, Gwenore bisyde

Agravayn,

& Agrauayn a la dure mayn on žat ožer syde sittes

Bože že kynges sister sunes, & ful siker kni3tes;

Bishop Bawdewyn, 112

Bischop Bawdewyn abof bi-gine3 že table,

and Ywain sit on the dais.

& Ywan, Vryn son, ette wit hym-seluen;

Žise were di3t on že des, & derworžly serued,

& sižen mony siker segge at že sidborde3.

The first course is served with cracking of trumpets. 116

Žen že first cors come with crakkyng of trumpes,

Wyth mony baner ful bry3t, žat žer-bi henged,

Nwe nakryn noyse with že noble pipes,

Wylde werbles & wy3t wakned lote,

120

Žat mony hert ful hi3e hef at her towches;

It consisted of all dainties in season.

Dayntes dryuen žer-wyth of ful dere metes,

Foysoun of že fresche, & on so fele disches,

Žat pine to fynde že place že peple bi-forne

124

For to sette že syluener,¹ žat sere sewes halden,

on clothe;

Iche lede as he loued hym-selue

Žer laght with-outen lože,

Each two had dishes twelve, 128

Ay two had disches twelue,

good beer and bright wine both.

Good ber, & bry3t wyn bože.

There was no want of anything.

Now wyl I of hor seruise say yow no more,

For veh wy3e may wel wit no wont žat žer were;

Scarcely had the first course commenced, 132

An ožer noyse ful newe ne3ed biliue,

Žat že lude my3t haf leue lif-lode to cach.

For vneže wat3 že noyce not a whyle sesed,

& že fyrst cource in že court kyndely serued,

when there rushes in at the hall-door a knight; 136

Žer hales in at že halle dor an aghlich mayster,

On že most on že molde on mesure hyghe;

Fro že swyre to že swange so sware & so žik,

the tallest on earth

& his lyndes & his lymes so longe & so grete,

[Fol. 93.] 140

Half etayn in erde I hope žat he were.

he must have been.

Bot mon most I algate mynn hym to bene,

& žat že myriest in his muckel žat my3t ride;

His back and breast were great,

For of bak & of brest al were his bodi sturne,

but his belly and waist were small. 144

Bot his wombe & his wast were worthily smale,

& alle his fetures fol3ande, in forme žat he hade,

ful clene;

For wonder of his hwe men hade,

148

Set in his semblaunt sene;

He ferde as freke were fade,

& ouer-al enker grene.

He was clothed entirely in green.

Ande al grayžed in grene žis gome & his wedes,

152

A strayt cote ful stre3t, žat stek on his sides,

A mere mantile abof, mensked with-inne,

With pelure pured apert že pane ful clene,

With blyže blaunner ful bry3t, & his hod bože,

156

Žat wat3 la3t fro his lokke3, & layde on his schulderes

Heme wel haled, hose of žat same grene,

His spurs were of bright gold.

Žat spenet on his sparlyr, & clene spures vnder,

Of bry3t golde, vpon silk bordes, barred ful ryche

160

& scholes vnder schankes, žere že schalk rides;

& alle his vesture uerayly wat3 clene verdure,

Bože že barres of his belt & ožer blyže stones,

Žat were richely rayled in his aray clene,

His saddle was embroidered with birds and flies. 164

Aboutte hym-self & his sadel, vpon silk werke3,

Žat were to tor for to telle of tryfles že halue,

Žat were enbrauded abof, wyth bryddes & fly3es,

With gay gaudi of grene, že golde ay in myddes;

168

Že pendauntes of his payttrure, že proude cropure

His molaynes, & alle že metail anamayld was ženne

Že steropes žat he stod on, stayned of že same,

& his arsoun3 al after, & his ažel sturtes,

172

Žat euer glemered¹ & glent al of grene stones.

The foal that he rode upon was green;

Že fole žat he ferkkes on, fyn of žat ilke,

sertayn;

A grene hors gret & žikke,

it was a steed full stiff to guide. 176

A stede ful stif to strayne,

In brawden brydel quik,

[Fol. 93b.]

To že gome he wat3 ful gayn.

Gaily was the knight attired.

Wel gay wat3 žis gome gered in grene,

180

& že here of his hed of his hors swete;

Fayre fannand fax vmbe-foldes his schulderes;

His great beard, like a bush, hung on his breast.

A much berd as¹ a busk ouer his brest henges,

Žat wyth his hi3lich here, žat of his hed reches,

184

Wat3 euesed al vmbe-torne, a-bof his elbowes,

Žat half his armes žer vnder were halched in že wyse

Of a kynge3 capados, žat closes his swyre.

The horse's mane was decked with golden threads.

Že mane of žat mayn hors much to hit lyke,

188

Wel cresped & cemmed wyth knottes ful mony,

Folden in wyth fildore aboute že fayre grene,

Ay a herle of že here, an ožer of golde;

Its tail was bound with a green band.

Že tayl & his toppyng twynnen of a sute,

192

& bounden bože wyth a bande of a bry3t grene,

Dubbed wyth ful dere stone3, as že dok lasted,

Syžen žrawen wyth a žwong a žwarle knot alofte,

Žer mony belle3 ful bry3t of brende golde rungen.

Such a foal nor a knight were never before seen. 196

Such a fole vpon folde, ne freke žat hym rydes,

Wat3 neuer sene in žat sale wyth sy3t er žat tyme,

with y3e;

He loked as layt so ly3t,

200

So sayd al žat hym sy3e,

It seemed that no man might endure his dints.

Hit semed as no mon my3t,

Vnder his dyntte3 dry3e.

The knight carried neither spear nor shield,

Whežer hade he no helme ne hawb[e]rgh naužer,

204

Ne no pysan, ne no plate žat pented to armes,

Ne no schafte, ne no schelde, to schwne ne to smyte,

In one hand was a holly bough,

Bot in his on honde he hade a holyn bobbe,

Žat is grattest in grene, when greue3 ar bare,

in the other an axe, 208

& an ax in his ožer, a hoge & vn-mete,

A spetos sparže to expoun in spelle quo-so my3t;

Že hede of an eln3erde že large lenkže hade,

Že grayn al of grene stele & of golde hewen,

the edge of which was as keen as a sharp razor, 212

Že bit burnyst bry3t, with a brod egge,

As wel schapen to schere as scharp rasores;

Že stele of a stif staf že sturne hit bi-grypte,

[Fol. 94.]

Žat wat3 wounden wyth yrn to že wande3 ende,

and the handle was encased in iron, curiously "graven with green, in gracious works." 216

& al bigrauen with grene, in gracios¹ werkes;

A lace lapped aboute, žat louked at že hede,

& so after že halme halched ful ofte,

Wyth tryed tassele3 žerto tacched in-noghe,

Thus arrayed the Green Knight enters the hall, 220

On botoun3 of že bry3t grene brayden ful ryche.

Žis hažel helde3 hym in, & že halle entres,

Driuande to že he3e dece, dut he no wože,

without saluting any one.

Haylsed he neuer one, bot he3e he ouer loked.

224

Že fyrst word žat he warp, "wher is," he sayd,

He asks for the "governor" of the company,

"Že gouernour of žis gyng? gladly I wolde

Se žat segg in sy3t, & with hym self speke

raysoun."

228

To kny3te3 he kest his y3e,

& reled hym vp & doun,

and looks for the most renowned.

He stemmed & con studie,

Quo walt žer most renoun.

Much they marvel to see a man and a horse 232

Ther wat3 lokyng on lenže, že lude to be-holde,

For vch mon had meruayle quat hit mene my3t,

Žat a hažel & a horse my3t such a hwe lach,

as green as grass.

As growe grene as že gres & grener hit semed,

236

Žen grene aumayl on golde lowande bry3ter;

Al studied žat žer stod, & stalked hym nerre,

Never before had they seen such a sight as this.

Wyth al že wonder of že worlde, what he worch schulde.

For fele sellye3 had žay sen, bot such neuer are,

240

For-ži for fantoum & fayry3e že folk žere hit demed;

They were afraid to answer,

Žer-fore to answare wat3 ar3e mony ažel freke,

& al stouned at his steuen, & stonstil seten,

and were as silent as if sleep had taken possession of them;

In a swoghe sylence žur3 že sale riche

244

As al were slypped vpon slepe so slaked hor lote3

in hy3e;

I deme hit not al for doute,

some from fear and others from courtesy.

Bot sum for cortaysye,

248

Bot let hym žat al schulde loute,

Cast vnto žat wy3e.

Arthur salutes the Green Knight.

Ženn Aržour bifore že hi3 dece žat auenture byholde3,

& rekenly hym reuerenced, for rad was he neuer,

252

& sayde, "wy3e, welcum iwys to žis place,

[Fol. 94b.]
bids him welcome, and invites him to stay awhile.

Že hede of žis ostel Arthour I hat,

Li3t luflych adoun, & lenge, I že praye,

& quat so žy wylle is, we schal wyt after."

The knight says that he will not tarry. 256

"Nay, as help me," quod že hažel, "he žat on hy3e syttes,

To wone any quyle in žis won, hit wat3 not myn ernde;

Bot for že los of že lede is lyft vp so hy3e,

& žy bur3 & žy burnes best ar holden,

260

Stifest vnder stel-gere on stedes to ryde,

He seeks the most valiant that he may prove him.

Že wy3test & že woržyest of že worldes kynde,

Preue for to play wyth in ožer pure layke3;

& here is kydde cortaysye, as I haf herd carp,

264

& žat hat3 wayned me hider, I-wyis, at žis tyme.

3e may be seker bi žis braunch žat I bere here,

He comes in peace.

Žat I passe as in pes, & no ply3t seche;

For had I founded in fere, in fe3tyng wyse,

At home, however, he has both shield and spear. 268

I haue a hauberghe at home & a helme bože,

A schelde, & a scharp spere, schinande bry3t,

Ande ožer weppenes to welde, I wene wel als,

Bot for I wolde no were, my wede3 ar softer.

272

Bot if žou be so bold as alle burne3 tellen,

Žou wyl grant me godly že gomen žat I ask,

bi ry3t."

Arthur assures him that he shall not fail to find an opponent worthy of him.

Arthour con onsware,

276

& sayd, "sir cortays kny3t,

If žou craue batayl bare,

Here fayle3 žou not to fy3t."

"I seek no fight," says the knight.

"Nay, frayst I no fy3t, in fayth I že telle,

"'Here are only beardless children.' 280

Hit arn aboute on žis bench bot berdle3 chylder;

If I were hasped in armes on a he3e stede,

Here is no man to match me.

Here is no mon me to mach, for my3te3 so¹ wayke.

For-žy I craue in žis court a crystmas gomen,

Here are brave ones many, 284

For hit is 3ol & nwe 3er, & here ar 3ep mony;

If any so hardy in žis hous holde3 hym-seluen,

if any be bold enough to 'strike a stroke for another,'

Be so bolde in his blod, brayn in hys hede,

Žat dar stifly strike a strok for an ožer,

288

I schal gif hym of my gyft žys giserne ryche,

this axe shall be his;

Žis ax, žat is heué in-nogh, to hondele as hym lykes,

[Fol. 95.]

& I schal bide že fyrst bur, as bare as I sitte.

If any freke be so felle to fonde žat I telle,

292

Lepe ly3tly me to, & lach žis weppen,

I quit clayme hit for euer, kepe hit as his auen,

but I shall give him a 'stroke' in return

& I schal stonde hym a strok, stif on žis flet,

Elle3 žou wyl di3t me že dom to dele hym an ožer,

296

barlay;

& 3et gif hym respite,

within a twelvemonth and a day."

A twelmonyth & a day;—

Now hy3e, & let se tite

300

Dar any her-inne o3t say."

Fear kept all silent.

If he hem stowned vpon fyrst, stiller were žanne

Alle že hered-men in halle, že hy3 & že lo3e;

The knight rolled his red eyes about,

Že renk on his rounce hym ruched in his sadel,

304

& runisch-ly his rede y3en he reled aboute,

and bent his bristly green brows.

Bende his bresed bro3e3, bly-cande grene,

Waving his beard awhile, he exclaimed:

Wayued his berde for to wayte quo-so wolde ryse.

When non wolde kepe hym with carp he co3ed ful hy3e,

308

Ande rimed hym ful richley, & ry3t hym to speke:

"What! is this Arthur's court?

"What, is žis Aržures hous," quod že hažel ženne,

"Žat al že rous rennes of, žur3 ryalmes so mony?

Where is now your sourquydrye & your conquestes,

312

Your gry[n]del-layk, & your greme, & your grete wordes?

Forsooth the renown of the Round Table is overturned 'with a word of one man's speech.'"

Now is že reuel & že renoun of že rounde table

Ouer-walt wyth a worde of on wy3es speche;

For al dares for drede, with-oute dynt schewed!"

316

Wyth žis he la3es so loude, žat že lorde greued;

Arthur blushes for shame.

Že blod schot for scham in-to his schyre face

& lere;

He waxes as wroth as the wind.

He wex as wroth as wynde,

320

So did alle žat žer were

Že kyng as kene bi kynde,

Žen stod žat stif mon nere.

He assures the knight that no one is afraid of his great words.

Ande sayde, "hažel, by heuen žyn askyng is nys,

324

& as žou foly hat3 frayst, fynde že be-houes;

I know no gome žat is gast of žy grete wordes.

Gif me now žy geserne, vpon gode3 halue,

& I schal bayžen žy bone, žat žou boden habbes."

[Fol. 95b.] 328

Ly3tly lepe3 he hym to, & la3t at his honde;

Žen feersly žat ožer freke vpon fote ly3tis.

Arthur seizes his axe.

Now hat3 Arthure his axe, & že halme grype3,

& sturnely sture3 hit aboute, žat stryke wyth hit žo3t.

332

Že stif mon hym bifore stod vpon hy3t,

Herre žen ani in že hous by že hede & more;

The knight, stroking his beard, awaits the blow, and with a "dry countenance" draws down his coat.

Wyth sturne schere¹ žer he stod, he stroked his berde,

& wyth a countenaunce dry3e he dro3 doun his cote,

336

No more mate ne dismayd for hys mayn dinte3,

Žen any burne vpon bench hade bro3t hym to drynk

of wyne,

Sir Gawayne beseeches the king to let him undertake the blow.

Gawan, žat sate bi že quene,

340

To že kyng he can enclyne,

"I be-seche now with sa3e3 sene,

Žis melly mot be myne."

"Wolde 3e, woržilych lorde," quod Gawan to že kyng,

He asks permission to leave the table; he says, 344

"Bid me bo3e fro žis benche, & stonde by yow žere,

Žat I wyth-oute vylanye my3t voyde žis table,

& žat my legge lady lyked not ille,

I wolde com to your counseyl, bifore your cort ryche.

it is not meet that Arthur should be active in the matter, 348

For me žink hit not semly, as hit is sož knawen,

Žer such an askyng is heuened so hy3e in your sale,

Ža33e 3our-self be talenttyf to take hit to your-seluen,

while so many bold ones sit upon bench.

Whil mony so bolde yow aboute vpon bench sytten,

352

Žat vnder heuen, I hope, non ha3er er of wylle,

Ne better bodyes on bent, žer baret is rered;

Although the weakest, he is quite ready to meet the Green Knight.

I am že wakkest, I wot, and of wyt feblest,

& lest lur of my lyf, quo laytes že sože,

356

Bot for as much as 3e ar myn em, I am only to prayse,

No bounté bot your blod I in my bodé knowe;

& syžen žis note is so nys, žat no3t hit yow falles,

& I haue frayned hit at yow fyrst, folde3 hit to me,

360

& if I carp not comlyly, let alle žis cort rych,

bout blame."

The nobles entreat Arthur to "give Gawayne the game."

Ryche to-geder con roun,

& syžen žay redden alle same,

364

To ryd že kyng wyth croun,

& gif Gawan že game.

[Fol. 96.]

Žen comaunded že kyng že kny3t for to ryse;

& he ful radly vp ros, & ruchched hym fayre,

The king gives his nephew his weapon, 368

Kneled doun bifore že kyng, & cache3 žat weppen;

& he luflyly hit hym laft, & lyfte vp his honde,

& gef hym godde3 blessyng, & gladly hym biddes

and tells him to keep heart and hand steady.

Žat his hert & his honde schulde hardi be bože.

372

"Kepe že cosyn," quod že kyng, "žat žou on kyrf sette,

& if žou rede3 hym ry3t, redly I trowe,

Žat žou schal byden že bur žat he schal bede after.

Gawan got3 to že gome, with giserne in honde,

376

& he baldly hym byde3, he bayst neuer že helder

The Green Knight enquires the name of his opponent.

Žen carppe3 to sir Gawan že kny3t in že grene,

"Refourme we oure for-wardes, er we fyrre passe.

Fyrst I eže že, hažel, how žat žou hattes,

380

Žat žou me telle truly, as I tryst may?"

Sir Gawayne tells him his name, and declares that he is willing to give and receive a blow.

"In god fayth," quod že goode kny3t, "Gawan I hatte,

Žat bede že žis buffet, quat-so bi-falle3 after,

& at žis tyme twelmonyth take at že anožer,

384

Wyth what weppen so¹ žou wylt, & wyth no wy3 elle3,

on lyue."

Žat ožer on-sware3 agayn,

"Sir Gawan, so mot I žryue,

The other thereof is glad. 388

As I am ferly fayn.

Žis dint žat žou schal dryue."

"It pleases me well, Sir Gawayne," says the Green Knight, "that I shall receive a blow from thy fist; but thou must swear that thou wilt seek me,

"Bigog," quod že grene kny3t, "sir Gawan, melykes,

Žat I schal fange at žy fust žat I haf frayst here;

392

& žou hat3 redily rehersed, bi resoun ful trwe,

Clanly al že couenaunt žat I že kynge asked,

Saf žat žou schal siker me, segge, bi ži trawže,

Žat žou schal seche me ži-self, where-so žou hopes

396

I may be funde vpon folde, & foch že such wages

to receive the blow in return."

As žou deles me to day, bifore žis douže ryche."

"Where shall I seek thee?" says Sir Gawayne;

"Where schulde I wale že," quod Gauan, "where is žy place?

I wot neuer where žou wonyes, bi hym žat me wro3t,

400

Ne I know not že, kny3t, žy cort, ne ži name.

"tell me thy name and abode and I will find thee."

Bot teche me truly žer-to, & telle me howe žou hattes,

& I schal ware alle my wyt to wynne me žeder,

[Fol. 96b.]

& žat I swere že for sože, & by my seker trawež."

404

"Žat is in-nogh in nwe 3er, hit nedes no more,"

Quod že gome in že grene to Gawan že hende,

"When thou hast smitten me," says the knight, "then tell I thee of my home and name;

"3if I že telle trwly, quen I že tape haue,

& žou me smožely hat3 smyten, smartly I že teche

408

Of my hous, & my home, & myn owen nome,

Žen may žou frayst my fare, & forwarde3 holde,

if I speak not at all, so much the better for thee.

& if I spende no speche, ženne spede3 žou že better,

For žou may leng in žy londe, & layt no fyrre,

412

bot slokes;

Take now thy grim tool, and let us see how thou knockest."

Ta now žy grymme tole to že,

& let se how žou cnoke3."

"Gladly sir, for sože,"

416

Quod Gawan; his ax he strokes.

The Green Knight

The grene kny3t vpon grounde grayžely hym dresses,

A littel lut with že hede, že lere he discouere3,

puts his long lovely locks aside and lays bare his neck.

His longe louelych lokke3 he layd ouer his croun.

420

Let že naked nec to že note schewe.

Gauan gripped to his ax, & gederes hit on hy3t,

Že kay fot on že folde he be-fore sette,

Sir Gawayne lets fall his axe

Let hit doun ly3tly ly3t on že naked,

424

Žat že scharp of že schalk schyndered že bones,

and severs the head from the body.

& schrank žur3 že schyire grece, & scade hit in twynne,

Žat že bit of že broun stel bot on že grounde.

The head falls to the earth.

Že fayre hede fro že halce hit [felle] to že erže,

Many kick it aside with their feet. 428

Žat fele hit foyned wyth her fete, žere hit forth roled;

Že blod brayd fro že body, žat blykked on že grene;

The knight never falters;

& nawžer faltered ne fel že freke neuer že helder,

Bot styžly he start forth vpon styf schonkes,

he rushes forth, seizes his head, 432

& ru[n]yschly he ra3t out, žere as renkke3 stoden,

La3t to his lufly hed, & lyft hit vp sone;

& syžen bo3e3 to his blonk, že brydel he cachche3,

steps into the saddle,

Steppe3 in to stel bawe & stryde3 alofte,

holding the while the head in his hand by the hair, 436

& his hede by že here in his honde halde3;

& as sadly že segge hym in his sadel sette,

As non vnhap had hym ayled, ža3 hedle3 he¹ we[re],

in stedde;

and turns his horse about. 440

He brayde his bluk² aboute,

[Fol. 97.]

Žat vgly bodi žat bledde,

Moni on of hym had doute,

Bi žat his resoun3 were redde.

444

For že hede in his honde he halde3 vp euen,

The head lifts up its eyelids,

To-ward že derrest on že dece he dresse3 že face,

& hit lyfte vp že y3e-lydde3, & loked ful brode,

and addresses Sir Gawayne; "Look thou, be ready to go as thou hast promised,

& meled žus much with his muthe, as 3e may now here.

448

"Loke, Gawan, žou be grayže to go as žou hette3,

& layte as lelly til žou me, lude, fynde,

and seek till thou findest me.

As žou hat3 hette in žis halle, herande žise kny3tes;

Get thee to the Green Chapel,

To že grene chapel žou chose, I charge že to fotte,

452

Such a dunt as žou hat3 dalt disserued žou habbe3,

there to receive a blow on New Year's morn.

To be 3ederly 3olden on nw 3eres morn;

Že kny3t of že grene chapel men knowen me mony;

Fail thou never;

For-ži me forto fynde if žou frayste3, fayle3 žou neuer,

come, or recreant be called." 456

Žer-fore com, ožer recreaunt be calde že be-houeus."

With a runisch rout že rayne3 he torne3,

The Green Knight then rushes out of the hall, his head in his hand.

Halled out at že hal-dor, his hed in his hande,

Žat že fyr of že flynt fla3e fro fole houes.

460

To quat kyth he be-com, knwe non žere,

Neuermore žen žay wyste fram quežen he wat3 wonnen;

what ženne?

Že kyng & Gawen žare,

At that green one Arthur and Gawayne "laugh and grin." 464

At žat grene žay la3e & grenne,

3et breued wat3 hit ful bare,

A meruayl among žo menne.

Arthur addresses the queen:

Ža3 Aržer že hende kyng at hert hade wonder,

468

He let no semblaunt be sene, bot sayde ful hy3e

To že comlych quene, wyth cortays speche,

"Dear dame, be not dismayed; such marvels well become the Christmas festival;

"Dere dame, to day demay yow neuer;

Wel by-commes such craft vpon cristmasse,

472

Laykyng of enterlude3, to la3e & to syng.

Among žise, kynde caroles of kny3te3 & ladye3;

I may now go to meat.

Neuer-že-lece to my mete I may me wel dres,

For I haf sen a selly, I may not for-sake."

476

He glent vpon sir Gawen, & gaynly he sayde,

Sir Gawayne, hang up thine axe.

"Now sir, heng vp žyn ax, žat hat3 in-nogh hewen."

[Fol. 97b.]

& hit wat3 don abof že dece, on doser to henge,

Žer alle men for meruayl my3t on hit loke,

480

& bi trwe tytel žer-of to telle že wonder.

The king and his knights sit feasting at the board till day is ended.

Ženne žay bo3ed to a borde žise burnes to-geder,

Že kyng & že gode kny3t, & kene men hem serued

Of alle dayntye3 double, as derrest my3t falle,

484

Wyth alle maner of mete & mynstralcie bože;

Wyth wele walt žay žat day, til woržed an ende,

in londe.

Now beware, Sir Gawayne, lest thou fail to seek the adventure that thou hast taken in hand.

Now ženk wel, sir Gawan,

488

For wože žat žou ne wonde,

Žis auenture forto frayn,

Žat žou hat3 tan on honde.

This marvel serves to keep up a brisk conversation in Court.

This hanselle hat3 Arthur of auenturus on fyrst,

492

In 3onge 3er, for he 3erned 3elpyng to here,

Tha3 hym worde3 were wane, when žay to sete wenten;

Now ar žay stoken of sturne werk staf-ful her hond.

Gawan wat3 glad to be-gynne žose gomne3 in halle,

496

Bot ža3 že ende be heuy, haf 3e no wonder;

For ža3 men ben mery in mynde, quen žay han mayn drynk,

The year passes full quickly and never returns.

A 3ere 3ernes ful 3erne, & 3elde3 neuer lyke,

Že forme to že fynisment folde3 ful selden.

500

For-ži žis 3ol ouer-3ede, & že 3ere after,

& vche sesoun serlepes sued after ožer;

After Christmas comes the "crabbed Lenten."

After crysten-masse com že crabbed lentoun,

Žat frayste3 flesch wyth že fysche & fode more symple

504

Bot ženne že weder of že worlde wyth wynter hit žrepe3,

Spring sets in and warm showers descend;

Colde clenge3 adoun, cloude3 vp-lyften,

Schyre schede3 že rayn in schowre3 ful warme,

Falle3 vpon fayre flat, flowre3 žere schewen,

the groves become green, 508

Bože grounde3 & že greue3 grene ar her wede3,

birds build and sing,

Brydde3 busken to bylde, & bremlych syngen,

for joy of the summer that follows;

For solace of že softe somer žat sues žer after,

bi bonk;

blossoms begin to bloom, 512

& blossume3 bolne to blowe,

Bi rawe3 rych & ronk,

and noble notes are heard in the woods

Žen note3 noble in-no3e,

[Fol. 98]

Ar herde in wod so wlonk.

Then the soft winds of summer, 516

After že sesoun of somer wyth že soft wynde3,

Quen 3eferus syfle3 hym-self on sede3 & erbe3,

beautiful are the flowers wet with dew-drops.

Wela-wynne is že wort žat woxes žer-oute.

When že donkande dewe drope3 of že leue3,

520

To bide a blysful blusch of že bry3t sunne.

But harvest approaches soon,

Bot žen hy3es heruest, & hardenes hym sone.

Warne3 hym for že wynter to wax ful rype;

and drives the dust about.

He dryues wyth dro3t že dust for to ryse.

524

Fro že face of že folde to fly3e ful hy3e;

Wrože wynde of že welkyn wrastele3 with že sunne,

The leaves drop off the trees,

Že leue3 lancen fro že lynde, & ly3ten on že grounde,

the grass becomes gray, and all ripens and rots.

& al grayes že gres, žat grene wat3 ere;

528

Ženne al rype3 & rote3 žat ros vpon fyrst,

& žus 3irne3 že 3ere in 3isterdaye3 mony,

Winter winds round again,

& wynter wynde3 a3ayn, as že worlde aske3

no sage.

532

Til me3el-mas mone,

Wat3 cumen wyth wynter wage;

and then Sir Gawayne thinks of his dread journey.

Žen ženkke3 Gawan ful sone,

Of his anious uyage.

On All-hallows day Arthur makes a feast for his nephew's sake. 536

3et quyl al-hal-day with Aržer he lenges,

& he made a fare on žat fest, for že freke3 sake,

With much reuel & ryche of že rounde table;

Kny3te3 ful cortays & comlych ladies,

540

Al for luf of žat lede in longynge žay were,

Bot neuer-že-lece ne že later žay neuened bot merže,

Mony ioyle3 for žat ientyle iape3 žer maden.

After meat, Sir Gawayne thus speaks to his uncle:

For aftter mete, with mournyng he mele3 to his eme,

544

& speke3 of his passage, & pertly he sayde,

"Now, liege lord, I ask leave of you,

"Now, lege lorde of my lyf, leue I yow ask;

3e knowe že cost of žis cace, kepe I no more

To telle yow tene3 žer-of neuer bot trifel;

for I am bound on the morn to seek the Green Knight." 548

Bot I am boun to že bur barely to morne,

To sech že gome of že grene, as god wyl me wysse."

Ženne že best of že bur3 bo3ed to-geder,

Aywan, & Errik, & ožer ful mony,

[Fol. 98b.] 552

Sir Doddinaual de Sauage, že duk of Clarence,

Launcelot, & Lyonel, & Lucan že gode,

Sir Boos, & sir Byduer, big men bože,

Many nobles, the best of the court, counsel and comfort him.

& mony ožer menskful, with Mador de la Port.

556

Alle žis compayny of court com že kyng nerre,

For to counseyl že kny3t, with care at her hert;

Much sorrow prevails in the hall.

Žere wat3 much derue¹ doel driuen in že sale,

Žat so worthe as Wawan schulde wende on žat ernde,

560

To dry3e a delful dynt, & dele no more

wyth bronde.

Že kny3t mad ay god chere,

& sayde, "quat schuld I wonde,

Gawayne declares that he has nothing to fear. 564

Of destines derf & dere,

What may mon do bot fonde?"

On the morn he asks for his arms.

He dowelle3 žer al žat day, and dresse3 on že morn,

Aske3 erly hys arme3, & alle were žay bro3t

A carpet is spread on the floor, 568

Fyrst a tule tapit, ty3t ouer že flet,

& miche wat3 že gyld gere žat glent žer alofte;

and he steps thereon.

Že stif mon steppe3 žeron, & že stel hondole3,

He is dubbed in a doublet of Tarsic silk, and a well-made hood.

Dubbed in a dublet of a dere tars,

572

& syžen a crafty capados, closed aloft,

Žat wyth a bry3t blaunner was bounden with-inne;

They set steel slices on his feet, and lap his legs in steel greaves.

Ženne set žay že sabatoun3 vpon že segge fote3,

His lege3 lapped in stel with luflych greue3,

576

With polayne3 piched žer-to, policed ful clene,

Aboute his kne3 knaged wyth knote3 of golde;

Fair cuisses enclose his thighs,

Queme quyssewes žen, žat coyntlych closed

His thik žrawen žy3e3 with žwonges to-tachched;

and afterwards they put on the steel habergeon, 580

& syžen že brawden bryne of bry3t stel rynge3,

Vmbe-weued žat wy3, vpon wlonk stuffe;

well-burnished braces, elbow pieces, and gloves of plate.

& wel bornyst brace vpon his bože armes,

With gode cowters & gay, & gloue3 of plate,

584

& alle že godlych gere žat hym gayn schulde

Žat tyde;

Over all this is placed the coat armour.

Wyth ryche cote armure,

His spurs are then fixed,

His gold spore3 spend with pryde,

and his sword is attached to his side by a silken girdle. 588

Gurde wyth a bront ful sure,

With silk sayn vmbe his syde.

[Fol. 99a.]
Thus arrayed the knight hears mass,

When he wat3 hasped in armes, his harnays wat3 ryche,

Že lest lachet ou[ž]er loupe lemed of golde;

592

So harnayst as he wat3 he herkne3 his masse,

Offred & honoured at že he3e auter;

and afterwards takes leave of Arthur and his court.

Syžen he come3 to že kyng & to his cort fere3,

Lache3 lufly his leue at lorde3 & ladye3;

596

& žay hym kyst & conueyed, bikende hym to kryst.

By that time his horse Gringolet was ready,

Bi žat wat3 Gryngolet grayth, & gurde with a sadel,

Žat glemed ful gayly with mony golde frenges,

Ay quere naylet ful nwe for žat note ryched;

600

Že brydel barred aboute, with bry3t golde bounden;

the harness of which glittered like the "gleam of the sun."

Že apparayl of že payttrure, & of že proude skyrte3,

Že cropore, & že couertor, acorded wyth že arsoune3;

& al wat3 rayled on red ryche golde nayle3,

604

Žat al glytered & glent as glem of že sunne.

Then Sir Gawayne sets his helmet upon his head,

Ženne hentes he že holme, & hastily hit kysses,

Žat wat3 stapled stifly, & stoffed wyth-inne:

Hit wat3 hy3e on his hede, hasped bihynde,

fastened behind with a "urisoun," 608

Wyth a ly3tli vrysoun ouer že auentayle,

richly embroidered with gems.

Enbrawden & bounden wyth že best gemme3,

On brode sylkyn borde, & brydde3 on seme3,

As papiaye3 paynted pernyng bitwene,

612

Tortors & trulofe3 entayled so žyk,

As mony burde žer aboute had ben seuen wynter

in toune;

The circle around the helmet was decked with diamonds.

Že cercle wat3 more o prys,

616

Žat vmbe-clypped hys croun,

Of diamaunte3 a deuys,

Žat bože were bry3t & broun.

Then they show him his shield with the "pentangle" of pure gold.

Then žay schewed hym že schelde, žat was of schyr goule3,

620

Wyth že pentangel de-paynt of pure golde hwe3;

He brayde3 hit by že baude-ryk, aboute že hals kestes,

Žat bisemed že segge semlyly fayre.

The "pentangle" was devised by Solomon as a token of truth.

& quy že pentangel apende3 to žat prynce noble,

624

I am in tent yow to telle, žof tary hyt me schulde;

Hit is a syngne žat Salamon set sum-quyle,

In bytoknyng of trawže, bi tytle žat hit habbe3,

[Fol. 99b]

For hit is a figure žat halde3 fyue poynte3,

628

& vche lyne vmbe-lappe3 & louke3 in ožer,

It is called the endless knot

& ay quere hit is endele3,¹ & Englych hit callen

Ouer-al, as I here, že endeles knot.

For-žy hit acorde3 to žis kny3t, & to his cler arme3,

632

For ay faythful in fyue & sere fyue syže3,

It well becomes the good Sir Gawayne,

Gawan wat3 for gode knawen, & as golde pured,

Voyded of vche vylany, wyth vertue3² ennourned

in mote;

636

For-žy že pen-tangel nwe

He ber in schelde & cote,

a knight the truest of speech and the fairest of form.

As tulk of tale most trwe,

& gentylest kny3t of lote.

He was found faultless in his five wits. 640

Fyrst he wat3 funden fautle3 in his fyue wytte3,

& efte fayled neuer že freke in his fyue fyngres,

His trust was in the five wounds.

& alle his afyaunce vpon folde wat3 in že fyue wounde3

Žat Cryst ka3t on že croys, as že crede telle3;

644

& quere-so-euer žys mon in melly wat3 stad,

His žro žo3t wat3 in žat, žur3 alle ožer žynge3,

Žat alle his forsnes he fong at že fyue ioye3,

Žat že hende heuen quene had of hir chylde;

648

At žis cause že kny3t comlyche hade

The image of the Virgin was depicted upon his shield.

In že more half of his schelde hir ymage depaynted,

Žat quen he blusched žerto, his belde neuer payred.

Že fyrst¹ fyue žat I finde žat že frek vsed,

652

Wat3 fraunchyse, & fela3schyp for-be² al žyng;

In cleanness and courtesy he was never found wanting,

His clannes & his cortaysye croked were neuer,

& pite, žat passe3 alle poynte3, žyse pure fyue

Were harder happed on žat hažel žen on any ožer.

656

Now alle žese fyue syže3, forsože, were fetled on žis kny3t,

& vchone halched in ožer, žat non ende hade,

& fyched vpon fyue poynte3, žat fayld neuer,

Ne samned neuer in no syde, ne sundred nouž[er],

660

With-outen ende at any noke [a]i quere fynde,

Where-euer že gomen bygan, or glod to an ende.

therefore was the endless knot fastened on his shield.

Žer-fore on his schene schelde schapen wat3 že knot,

Žus alle wyth red golde vpon rede gowle3,

[Fol. 100] 664

Žat is že pure pentaungel wyth že peple called,

with lore.

Now grayžed is Gawan gay,

Sir Gawayne seizes his lance and bids all "good day."

& la3t his launce ry3t žore,

668

& gef hem alle goud day,

He wende for euer more.

He spurs his horse and goes on his way.

He sperred že sted with že spure3, & sprong on his way,

So stif žat že ston fyr stroke out žer-after;

All that saw that seemly one mourned in their hearts. 672

Al žat se3 žat semly syked in hert,

& sayde sožly al same segges til ožer,

Carande for žat comly, "bi Kryst, hit is scaže,

Žat žou, leude, schal be lost, žat art of lyf noble!

They declared that his equal was not to be found upon earth. 676

To fynde hys fere vpon folde, in fayth is not eže;

Warloker to haf wro3t had more wyt bene,

& haf dy3t 3onder dere a duk to haue woržed;

It would have been better for him to have been a leader of men,

A lowande leder of lede3 in londe hym wel seme3,

680

& so had better haf ben žen britned to no3t,

than to die by the hands of "an elvish man."

Hadet wyth an aluisch mon, for angarde3 pryde.

Who knew euer any kyng such counsel to take,

As kny3te3 in caueloun3 on cryst-masse gomne3!"

Much was the warm water that poured from eyes that day. 684

Wel much wat3 že warme water žat waltered of y3en,

When žat semly syre so3t fro žo wone3

žat¹ daye;

He made non abode,

688

Bot wy3tly went hys way,

Meanwhile many a weary way goes Sir Gawayne.

Mony wylsum way he rode,

Že bok as I herde say.

Now rides the knight through the realms of England.

Now ride3 žis renk žur3 že ryalme of Logres,

692

Sir Gauan on Gode3 halue, ža3 hym no gomen žo3t;

Oft, leudle3 alone, he lenge3 on ny3te3,

Žer he fonde no3t hym byfore že fare žat he lyked;

He has no companion but his horse.

Hade he no fere bot his fole, bi frythe3 & doune3,

696

Ne no gome bot God, bi gate wyth to karp,

No men does he see till he approaches North Wales.

Til žat he ne3ed ful noghe¹ in to že Norže Wale3;

Alle že iles of Anglesay on lyft half he halde3,

& fare3 ouer že forde3 by že for-londe3,

From Holyhead he passes into Wirral. 700

Ouer at že Holy-Hede, til he hade eft bonk

In že wyldrenesse of Wyrale; wonde žer bot lyte

[Fol. 100b]
There he finds but few that loved God or man.

Žat aužer God ožer gome wyth goud hert louied.

& ay he frayned, as he ferde, at freke3 žat he met,

He enquires after the Green Knight of the Green Chapel, 704

If žay hade herde any karp of a kny3t grene,

In any grounde žer-aboute, of že grene chapel;²

& al nykked hym wyth nay, žat neuer in her lyue

but can gain no tidings of him.

Žay se3e neuer no segge žat wat3 of suche hwe3

708

of grene.

Že kny3t tok gates straunge,

In mony a bonk vnbene,

His cheer oft changed before he found the Chapel.

His cher ful oft con chaunge,

712

Žat chapel er he my3t sene.

Many a cliff he climbed over;

Mony klyf he ouer-clambe in contraye3 straunge,

Fer floten fro his frende3 fremedly he ryde3;

many a ford and stream he crossed, and everywhere he found a foe.

At vche warže ožer water žer že wy3e passed,

716

He fonde a foo hym byfore, bot ferly hit were,

& žat so foule & so felle, žat fe3t hym by-hode;

It were too tedious to tell the tenth part of his adventures

So mony meruayl hi mount žer že mon fynde3,

Hit were to tore for to telle of že tenže dole.

with serpents, wolves, and wild men; 720

Sumwhyle wyth worme3 he werre3, & with wolues als,

Sumwhyle wyth wodwos, žat woned in že knarre3,

with bulls, bears, and boars.

Bože wyth bulle3 & bere3, & bore3 ožer-quyle,

& etayne3, žat hym a-nelede, of že he3e felle;

Had he not been both brave and good, doubtless he had been dead. 724

Nade he ben du3ty & dry3e, & dry3tyn had serued,

Douteles he hade ben ded, & dreped ful ofte.

The sharp winter was far worse than any war that ever troubled him.

For werre wrathed hym not so much, žat wynter was wors,

When že colde cler water fro že cloude3 schadden,

728

& fres er hit falle my3t to že fale erže;

Ner slayn wyth že slete he sleped in his yrnes,

Mo ny3te3 žen in-noghe in naked rokke3,

Žer as claterande fro že crest že colde borne renne3,

732

& henged he3e ouer his hede in hard ’sse-ikkles.

Thus in peril he travels till Christmas-eve.

Žus in peryl, & payne, & plytes ful harde,

Bi contray carye3 žis kny3t, tyl kryst-masse euen,

al one;

736

Že kny3t wel žat tyde,

To the Virgin Mary he prays to guide him to some abode.

To Mary made his mone.

Žat ho hym red to ryde,

[Fol. 101.]

& wysse hym to sum wone.

On the morn Sir Gawayne finds himself in a deep forest, 740

Bi a mounte on že morne meryly he rydes,

Into a forest ful dep, žat ferly wat3 wylde,

Hi3e hille3 on vche a halue, & holt wode3 vnder,

where were old oaks many a hundred.

Of hore oke3 fill hoge a hundreth to-geder;

744

Že hasel & že ha3-žorne were harled al samen,

With ro3e raged mosse rayled ay-where,

Many sad birds upon bare twigs piped piteously for the cold.

With mony brydde3 vnblyže vpon bare twyges,

Žat pitosly žer piped for pyne of že colde.

748

Že gome vpon Gryngolet glyde3 hem vnder,

Through many a mire he goes, that he may celebrate the birth of Christ.

Žur3 mony misy & myre, mon al hym one,

Carande for his costes, lest he ne keuer schulde,

To se že seruy¹ of žat syre, žat on žat self ny3t

752

Of a burde wat3 borne, oure baret to quelle;

He beseeches the Virgin Mary to direct him to some lodging where he may hear mass.

& žerfore sykyng he sayde, "I be-seche že, lorde,

& Mary, žat is myldest moder so dere.

Of sum herber, žer he3ly I my3t here masse.

756

Ande žy matyne3 to-morne, mekely I ask,

& žer-to prestly I pray my pater & aue,

& crede."

He rode in his prayere,

760

& cryed for his mysdede,

Blessing himself, he says, "Cross of Christ, speed me!"

He sayned hym in syžes sere,

& sayde "cros Kryst me spede!"

Scarcely had he blessed himself thrice

Nade he sayned hym-self, segge, bot žrye,

764

Er he wat3 war in že wod of a won in a mote.

when he saw a dwelling in the wood, set on a hill,

Abof a launde, on a lawe, loken vnder bo3e3,

Of mony borelych bole, aboute bi že diches;

the comeliest castle that knight ever owned.

A castel že comlokest žat euer kny3t a3te,

768

Pyched on a prayere, a park al aboute,

With a pyked palays, pyned ful žik,

Žat vmbe-te3e mony tre mo žen two myle.

Žat holde on žat on syde že hažel auysed,

It shone as the sun through the bright oaks. 772

As hit schemered & schon žur3 že schyre oke3;

Ženne hat3 he hendly of his helme, & he3ly he žonke3

Iesus & say[nt] Gilyan, žat gentyle ar bože,

[Fol. 101b.]

Žat cortaysly hade hym kydde, & his cry herkened.

776

"Now bone hostel," cože že burne, "I be-seche yow 3ette!"

Ženne gedere3 he to Gryngolet with že gilt hele3,

Sir Gawayne goes to the chief gate,

& he ful chauncely hat3 chosen to že chef gate,

Žat bro3t bremly že burne to že bryge ende,

780

in haste;

and finds the draw-bridge raised, and the gates shut fast.

Že bryge wat3 breme vp-brayde,

Že 3ate3 wer stoken faste,

Že walle3 were wel arayed,

784

Hit dut no wynde3 blaste.

The knight abides on the bank,

Že burne bode on bonk, žat on blonk houed,

Of že depe double dich žat drof to že place,

Že walle wod in že water wonderly depe,

and observes the "huge height," 788

Ande eft a ful huge he3t hit haled vpon lofte,

Of harde hewen ston vp to že table3,

with its battlements and watch towers.

Enbaned vnder že abataylment, in že best lawe;

& syžen garyte3 ful gaye gered bi-twene,

792

Wyth mony luflych loupe, žat louked ful clene;

A better barbican žat burne blusched vpon neuer;

& innermore he be-helde žat halle ful hy3e,

Bright and long were its round towers,

Towre telded bytwene trochet ful žik,

796

Fayre fylyole3 žat fy3ed, & ferlyly long,

with their well-made capitals.

With coruon coprounes, craftyly sle3e;

Chalk whyt chymnees žer ches he in-no3e,

Vpon bastel roue3, žat blenked ful quyte;

800

So mony pynakle payntet wat3 poudred ay quere,

Among že castel carnele3, clambred so žik,

Žat pared out of papure purely hit semed.

He thinks it fair enough if he might only come within the cloister.

Že fre freke on že fole hit fayr in-n[o]ghe žo3t,

804

If he my3t keuer to com že cloyster wyth-inne,

To herber in žat hostel, whyl halyday lested

auinant;

He calls, and soon there comes a porter to know the knight's errand.

He calde, & sone žer com

808

A porter pure plesaunt,

On že wal his ernd he nome,

& haylsed že kny3t erraunt.

"Good sir," says Gawayne, "ask the high lord of this house to grant me a lodging."

"Gode sir," quod Gawan, "wolde3 žou go myn ernde,

812

To že he3 lorde of žis hous, herber to craue?"

[Fol. 102.]

"3e, Peter," quod že porter, "& purely I trowe,¹

"You are welcome to dwell here as long as you like," replied the porter.

Žat 3e be, wy3e, welcum to won quyle yow lyke3."

Žen 3ede žat wy3e a3ayn awyže,

816

& folke frely hym wyth, to fonge že kny3t;

The draw-bridge is let down,

Žay let doun že grete dra3t, & derely out 3eden,

& kneled doun on her knes vpon že colde erže,

To welcum žis ilk wy3, as woržy hom žo3t;

and the gate is opened wide to receive him. 820

Žay 3olden hym že brode 3ate, 3arked vp wyde,

& he hem raysed rekenly, & rod ouer že brygge;

Sere segge3 hym sesed by sadel, quel² he ly3t,

His horse is well stabled.

& syžen stabeled his stede stif men in-no3e.

Knights and squires bring Gawayne into the hall. 824

Kny3te3 & swyere3 comen doun ženne,

For to bryng žis burne³ wyth blys in-to halle;

Many a one hastens to take his helmet and sword.

Quen he hef vp his helme, žer hi3ed in-noghe

For to hent hit at his honde, že hende to seruen,

828

His bronde & his blasoun bože žay token.

Žen haylsed he ful hendly žo hažele3 vch one,

& mony proud mon žer presed, žat prynce to honour;

Alle hasped in his he3 wede to halle žay hym wonnen,

832

Žer fayre fyre vpon flet fersly brenned.

The lord of the country bids him welcome,

Ženne že lorde of že lede loute3 fro his chambre,

For to mete wyth menske že mon on že flor;

He sayde, "3e ar welcum to welde as yow lyke3,

836

Žat here is, al is yowre awen, to haue at yowre wylle

& welde."

"Graunt mercy," quod Gawayn,

"Žer Kryst hit yow for-3elde,"

and they embrace each other. 840

As freke3 žat semed fayn,

Ayžer ožer in arme3 con felde.

Gawayne looks on his host;

Gawayn gly3t on že gome žat godly hym gret,

a big bold one he seemed.

& žu3t hit a bolde burne žat že bur3 a3te,

844

A hoge hažel for že none3, & of hyghe elde;¹

Beaver-hued was his broad beard,

Brode bry3t wat3 his berde, & al beuer hwed,

Sturne stif on že stryžže on stal-worth schonke3,

and his face as "fell as the fire."

Felle face as že fyre, & fre of hys speche;

848

& wel hym semed for sože, as že segge žu3t,

To lede a lortschyp in lee of leude3 ful gode.

[Fol. 102b.]
The lord leads Gawayne to a chamber, and assigns him a page to wait upon him.

Že lorde hym charred to a chambre, & chefly cumaunde3²

To delyuer hym a leude, hym lo3ly to serue;

852

& žere were boun at his bode burne3 in-no3e,

In this bright bower was noble bedding;

Žat bro3t hym to a bry3t boure, žer beddyng wat3 noble,

Of cortynes of clene sylk, wyth cler golde hemme3,

the curtains were of pure silk with golden hems;

& couertore3 ful curious, with comlych pane3,

856

Of bry3t blaunnier a-boue enbrawded bisyde3,

Rudele3 rennande on rope3, red golde rynge3,

Tarsic tapestries covered the walls and the floor.

Tapyte3 ty3t to že wo3e, of tuly & tars,

& vnder fete, on že flet, of fol3ande sute.

Here the knight doffed his armour, 860

Žer he wat3 dispoyled, wyth speche3 of myerže,

Že burn of his bruny, & of his bry3t wede3;

and put on rich robes,

Ryche robes ful rad renkke3 hem³ bro3ten,

For to charge, & to chaunge, & chose of že best.

864

Sone as he on hent, & happed žer-inne,

Žat sete on hym⁴ semly, wyth saylande skyrte3,

which well became him.

Že ver by his uisage verayly hit semed

Wel ne3 to vche hažel alle on hwes,

868

Lowande & lufly, alle his lymme3 vnder,

A more comely knight Christ never made.

Žat a comloker kny3t neuer Kryst made,

hem žo3t;

Whežen in worlde he were,

872

Hit semed as he my3t

Be prynce with-outen pere,

In felde žer felle men fy3t.

A chair is placed for Sir Gawayne before the fireplace.

A cheyer by-fore že chemné, žer charcole brenned,

876

Wat3 grayžed for sir Gawan, grayžely with clože3,

Whyssynes vpon queldepoyntes, ža[t] koynt wer bože;

A mantle of fine linen, richly embroidered, is thrown over him.

& ženne a mere mantyle wat3 on žat mon cast,

Of a broun bleeaunt, enbrauded ful ryche,

880

& fayre furred wyth-inne with felle3 of že best,

Alle of ermyn in erde, his hode of že same;

& he sete in žat settel semlych ryche,

& achaufed hym chefly,¹ & ženne his cher mended.

A table is soon raised, 884

Sone wat3 telded vp a tapit, on treste3 ful fayre,

and the knight, having washed, proceeded to meat.

Clad wyth a clene clože, žat cler quyt schewed,

Sanap, & salure, & syluer-in spone3;

[Fol. 103.]

Že wy3e wesche at his wylle, & went to his mete

888

Segge3 hym serued semly in-no3e,

He is served with numerous dishes;

Wyth sere sewes & sete,² sesounde of že best,

Double felde, as hit falle3, & fele kyn fische3;

with fish baked and broiled,

Summe baken in bred, summe brad on že glede3,

or boiled and seasoned with spices. 892

Summe sožen, summe in sewe, sauered with spyces,

& ay sawes³ so sle3e3, žat že segge lyked.

Že freke calde hit a fest ful frely & ofte,

He calls it a full noble feast,

Ful hendely, quen alle že haželes re-hayted hym at one3

896

as hende;

"Žis penaunce now 3e take,

& eft hit schal amende;"

and much mirth he makes, for the wine is in his head.

Žat mon much merže con make.

900

For wyn in his hed žat wende.

Sir Gawayne, in answer to questions put to him,

Ženne wat3 spyed & spured vpon spare wyse.

Bi preue poynte3 of žat prynce, put to hym-seluen,

Žat he be-knew cortaysly of že court žat he were,

tells the prince that he is of Arthur's court. 904

Žat ažel Arthure že hende halde3 hym one,

Žat is že ryche ryal kyng of že rounde table;

& hit wat3 Wawen hym-self žat in žat won sytte3,

Comen to žat krystmasse, as case hym žen lymped.

When this was made known, 908

When že lorde hade lerned žat he že leude hade,

Loude la3ed he žerat, so lef hit hym žo3t,

great was the joy in the hall.

& alle že men in žat mote maden much joye,

To apere in his presense prestly žat tyme,

912

Žat alle prys, & prowes, & pured žewes

Apendes to hys persoun, & praysed is euer,

By-fore alle men vpon molde, his mensk is že most.

Each one said softly to his mate,

Vch segge ful softly sayde to his fere,

"Now we shall see courteous manners and hear noble speech, 916

"Now schal we semlych se sle3te3 of žewe3,

& že teccheles termes of talkyng noble,

Wich spede is in speche, vnspurd may we lerne,

for we have amongst us the 'father of nurture.'

Syn we haf fonged žat fyne fader of nurture;

920

God hat3 geuen vus his grace godly for sože,

Žat such a gest as Gawan graunte3 vus to haue,

When burne3 blyže of his burže schal sitte

& synge.

924

In menyng of manere3 mere,

[Fol. 103b.]

Žis burne now schal vus bryng,

He that may him hear shall learn of love-talking."

I hope žat may hym here,

Schal lerne of luf-talkyng."

After dinner the company go to the chapel, 928

Bi žat že diner wat3 done, & že dere vp,

Hit wat3 ne3 at že niy3t ne3ed že tyme;

Chaplayne3¹ to že chapeles chosen že gate,

Rungen ful rychely, ry3t as žay schulden,

to hear the evensong of the great season. 932

To že hersum euensong of že hy3e tyde.

Že lorde loutes žerto, & že lady als,

In-to a comly closet coyntly ho entre3;

Gawan glyde3 ful gay, & gos žeder sone;

936

Že lorde laches hym by že lappe, & lede3 hym to sytte,

& coužly hym knowe3, & calle3 hym his nome,

& sayde he wat3 že welcomest wy3e of že worlde;

The lord of the castle and Sir Gawayne sit together during service.

& he hym žonkked žroly, & ayžer halched ožer.

940

& seten soberly samen že seruise-quyle;

Ženne lyst že lady to loke on že kny3t.

His wife, accompanied by her maids, leaves her seat.

Ženne com ho of hir closet, with mony cler burde3,

Ho wat3 že fayrest in felle, of flesche & of lyre,

944

& of compas, & colour, & costes of alle ožer,

She appeared even fairer than Guenever.

& wener žen Wenore, as že wy3e žo3t.

He ches žur3 že chaunsel, to cheryche žat hende;

An older lady (an ancient one she seemed) led her by the hand.

An ožer lady hir lad bi že lyft honde,

948

Žat wat3 alder žen ho, an auncian hit semed,

& he3ly honowred with hažele3 aboute.

Very unlike were these two.

Bot yn-lyke on to loke žo ladyes were,

if the young one was fair the other was yellow,

For if že 3onge wat3 3ep, 3ol3e wat3 žat ožer;

952

Riche red on žat on rayled ay quere,

and had rough and wrinkled cheeks.

Rugh ronkled cheke3 žat ožer on rolled;

Kerchofes of žat on wyth mony cler perle3

The younger had breast and throat "bare displayed."

Hir brest & hir bry3t žrote bare displayed,

956

Schon schyrer žen snawe, žat scheder² on hille3;

Žat ožer wyth a gorger wat3 gered ouer že swyre,

Chymbled ouer hir blake chyn with mylk-quyte vayles,

The ancient one exposed only her "black brows," her two eyes,

Hir frount folden in sylk, enfoubled ay quere,

960

Toret & treieted with tryfle3 aboute,

[Fol. 104.]
nose, and naked lips, all sour and bleared.

Žat no3t wat3 bare of žat burde bot že blake bro3es.

Že tweyne y3en, & že nase, že naked lyppe3,

& žose were soure to se, & sellyly blered;

964

A mensk lady on molde mon may hir calle,

for gode;

Her body was short and thick;

Hir body wat3 schort & žik.

her buttocks broad and round.

Hir buttoke3 bay & brode,

968

More lykker-wys on to lyk,

Wat3 žat scho hade on lode.

With permission of the lord,

When Gawayn gly3t on žat gay, žat graciously loked,

Wyth leue la3t of že lorde he went hem a3aynes;

Sir Gawayne salutes the elder, 972

Že alder he haylses, heldande ful lowe,

Že loueloker he lappe3 a lyttel in arme3,

but the younger he kisses,

He kysses hir comlyly, & kny3tly he mele3;

Žay kallen hym of a quoyntaunce, & he hit quyk aske3

and begs to be her servant. 976

To be her seruaunt sothly, if hem-self lyked.

Žay tan hym bytwene hem, wyth talkyng hym leden

To chamber all go,

To chambre, to chemné, & chefly žay asken

where spices and wine are served.

Spyce3, žat vn-sparely men speded hom to bryng,

980

& že wynne-lych wyne žer-with vche tyme.

Že lorde luflych aloft lepe3 ful ofte,

Mynned merthe to be made vpon mony syže3.

The lord takes off his hood and places it on a spear.

Hent he3ly of his hode, & on a spere henged,

984

& wayned hom to wynne že worchip žer-of,

He who makes most mirth is to win it.

Žat most myrže my3t mene¹ žat crystenmas whyle;

"& i schal fonde, bi my fayth, to fylter wyth že best,

Er me wont že wede3, with help of my frende3."

988

Žus wyth la3ande lote3 že lorde hit tayt² make3,

Night approaches, and then

For to glade sir Gawayn with gomne3 in halle

žat ny3t;

Til žat hit wat3 tyme,

992

Že kyng comaundet ly3t,

Sir Gawayne takes his leave and retires to rest.

Sir Gawen his leue con nyme,

& to his bed hym di3t.

On Christmas morn,

On že morne, as vch mon myne3 žat tyme,

joy reigns in every dwelling in the world. 996

[Ž]at dry3tyn for oure destyné to de3e wat3 borne,

Wele waxe3 in vche a won in worlde, for his sake;

So did it in the castle where our knight abode.

So did hit žere on žat day, žur3 dayntes mony;

[Fol. 104b.]

Bože at mes & at mele, messes ful quaynt

1000

Derf men vpon dece drest of že best.

The lord and "the old ancient wife" sit together.

Že olde auncian wyf he3est ho sytte3;

Že lorde lufly her by lent, as I trowe;

Gawayne sits by the wife of his host.

Gawan & že gay burde to-geder žay seten,

1004

Euen in-mydde3, as že messe metely come;

& syžen žur3 al že sale, as hem best semed,

It were too tedious to tell of the meat, the mirth, and the joy that abounded everywhere.

Bi vche grome at his degre grayžely wat3 serued.

Žer wat3 mete, žer wat3 myrže, žer wat3 much ioye,

1008

Žat for to telle žerof hit me tene were,

& to poynte hit 3et I pyned me parauenture;

Gawayne and his beautiful companion derive much comfort from each other's conversation.

Bot 3et I wot žat Wawen & že wale burde

Such comfort of her compaynye ca3ten to-geder,

1012

Žur3 her dere dalyaunce of her derne worde3,

Wyth clene cortays carp, closed fro fylže;

& hor play wat3 passande vche prynce gomen,

in vayres;

Trumpets and nakers give forth their sounds. 1016

Trumpe3 & nakerys,

Much pypyng žer repayres,

Vche mon tented hys,

& žay two tented žayres.

Great was the joy for three days. 1020

Much dut wat3 žer dryuen žat day & žat ožer,

& že žryd as žro žronge in žerafter;

St. John's-day was the last of the Christmas festival.

Že ioye of sayn Ione3 day wat3 gentyle to here,

& wat3 že last of že layk, leude3 žer žo3ten.

1024

Žer wer gestes to go vpon že gray morne,

For-žy wonderly žay woke, & že wyn dronken,

Daunsed ful dre3ly wyth dere carole3;

On the morrow many of the guests took their departure from the castle.

At že last, when hit wat3 late, žay lachen her leue,

1028

Vchon to wende on his way, žat wat3 wy3e stronge.

Gawan gef hym god-day, že god mon hym lachche3,

Ledes hym to his awen chambre, ž[e] chymné bysyde,

Sir Gawayne is thanked by his host for the honour and pleasure of his visit.

& žere he dra3e3 hym on-dry3e, & derely hym žonkke3,

1032

Of že wynne worschip &¹ he hym wayned hade,

As to honour his hous on žat hy3e tyde,

& enbelyse his bur3 with his bele chere.

"I-wysse sir, quyl I leue, me worže3 že better,

[Fol. 105.] 1036

Žat Gawayn hat3 ben my gest, at Godde3 awen fest."

"Grant merci² sir," quod Gawayn, "in god fayth hit is yowre3,

Al že honour is your awen, že he3e kyng yow 3elde;

& I am wy3e at your wylle, to worch youre hest,

1040

As I am halden žer-to, in hy3e & in lo3e,

bi ri3t."

He endeavours to keep the knight at his court.

Že lorde fast can hym payne,

To holde lenger že kny3t,

1044

To hym answre3 Gawayn,

Bi non way žat he my3t.

He desires to know what had driven Sir Gawayne from Arthur's court before the end of the Christmas holidays.

Then frayned že freke ful fayre at him-seluen,

Quat derne¹ dede had hym dryuen, at žat dere tyme,

1048

So kenly fro že kynge3 kourt to kayre al his one,

Er že halidaye3 holly were halet out of toun?

The knight replies that "a high errand and a hasty one" had forced him to leave the court.

"For sože sir," quod že segge, "3e sayn bot že trawže

A he3e ernde & a hasty me hade fro žo wone3,

1052

For I am sumned my selfe to sech to a place,

I wot² in worlde wheder warde to wende, hit to fynde;

I nolde, bot if I hit negh my3t on nw3eres morne,

For alle že londe in-wyth Logres, so me oure lorde help!

1056

For-žy, sir, žis enquest I require yow here,

He asks his host whether he has ever heard of the Green Chapel,

Žat 3e me telle with trawže, if euer 3e tale herde

Of že grene chapel, quere hit on grounde stonde3,

& of že kny3t žat hit kepes, of colour of grene?

1060

Žer wat3 stabled bi statut a steuen vus by-twene,

for he has to be there on New Year's-day.

To mete žat mon at žat mere, 3if I my3t last;

& of žat ilk nw3ere hot neked now wonte3,

& I wolde loke on žat lede, if God me let wolde,

1064

Gladloker, bi Godde3 sun, žen any god welde!

For-ži, I-wysse, bi 3owre wylle, wende me bi-houes,

He wonld as lief die as fail in his errand.

Naf I now to busy bot bare žre daye3,

& me als fayn to falle feye as fayly of myyn ernde."

The prince tells Sir Gawayne that he will teach him the way. 1068

Ženne la3ande quod že lorde, "now leng že by-houes,

For I schal teche yow to ža[t] terme bi že tyme3 ende,

Že grene chapayle vpon grounde, greue yow no more;

Bot 3e schal be in yowre bed, burne, at žyn ese,

1072

Quyle forth dayej, & ferk on pe fyrst of pe 3ere,

[Fol. 105b]

& cum to žat merk at mydmorn, to make quat yow like3

in spenne;

Dowelle3 whyle new 3eres daye,

1076

& rys, & rayke3 ženne,

The Green chapel is not more than two miles from the castle.

Mon schal yow sette in waye,

Hit is not two myle henne."

Then was Gawayne glad,

Ženne wat3 Gawan ful glad, & gomenly he la3ed,—

1080

"Now I žonk yow žryuandely žur3 alle ožer žynge,

and consents to tarry awhile at the castle.

Now acheued is my chaunce, I schal at your wylle

Dowelle, & elle3 do quat 3e demen."

Ženne sesed hym že syre, & set hym bysyde,

The ladies are brought in to solace him. 1084

Let že ladie3 be fette, to lyke hem že better;

Žer wat3 seme solace by hem-self stille;

Že lorde let for luf lote3 so myry,

As wy3 žat wolde of his wyte, ne wyst quat he my3t.

1088

Ženne he carped to že kny3t, criande loude,

The lord of the castle asks the knight to grant him one request;

"3e han demed to do že dede žat I bidde;

Wyl 3e halde žis hes here at žys one3?"

"3e sir, for-sože," sayd že segge trwe,

1092

"Whyl I byde in yowre bor3e, be bayn to 3ow[r]e hest."

"For 3e haf trauayled," quod že tulk, "towen fro ferre,

& syžen waked me wyth, 3e arn not wel waryst,

That he will stay in his chamber during mass time,

Naužer of sostnaunce ne of slepe, sožly I knowe;

1096

3e schal lenge in your lofte, & ly3e in your ese,

and then go to meat with his hostess.

To morn quyle že messe-quyle, & to mete wende,

When 3e wyl, wyth my wyf, žat wyth yow schal sitte,

& comfort yow with compayny, til I to cort torne,

1100

3e lende;

& I schal erly ryse,

On huntyng wyl I wende."

Gawayne accedes to his request.

Gauayn grante3 alle žyse,

1104

Hym heldande, as že hende.

"Whatsoever," says the host, "I win in the wood shall be yours,

"3et firre," quod že freke, "a forwarde we make;

Quat-so-euer I wynne in že wod, hit worže3 to youre3,

and what check you achieve shall be mine."

& quat chek so 3e acheue, chaunge me žer-forne;

1108

Swete, swap we so, sware with trawže,

Quežer, leude, so lymp lere ožer better."

"Bi God," quod Gawayn že gode, "I grant žer-tylle,

[Fol. 106.]

& žat yow lyst forto layke, lef hit me žynkes.

A bargain is made between them. 1112

"Who bringe3 vus žis beuerage, žis bargayn is maked:"

So sayde že lorde of žat lede; žay la3ed vchone,

Žay dronken, & daylyeden, & dalten vnty3tel,¹

Žise lorde3 & ladye3, quyle žat hem lyked;

1116

& syžen with frenkysch fare & fele fayre lote3

Žay stoden, & stemed, & stylly speken,

Kysten ful comlyly, & ka3ten her leue.

Night approaches and each "to his bed was brought at the last."

With mony leude ful ly3t, & lemande torches,

1120

Vche burne to his bed wat3 bro3t at že laste,

ful softe;

To bed 3et er žay 3ede,

Recorded couenaunte3 ofte;

1124

Že olde lorde of žat leude,²

Cowže wel halde layk a-lofte.

Before day-break folks uprise,

Ful erly bifore že day že folk vp-rysen,

Gestes žat go wolde, hor grome3 žay calden,

saddle their horses, and truss their mails. 1128

& žay busken vp bilyue, blonkke3 to sadel,

Tyffen he[r] takles, trussen her males,

Richen hem že rychest, to ryde alle arayde,

Lepen vp ly3tly, lachen her brydeles,

Each goes where it pleases him best. 1132

Vche wy3e on his way, žer hym wel lyked.

The noble lord of the land arrays himself for riding.

Že leue lorde of že londe wat3 not že last,

A-rayed for že rydyng, with renkke3 ful mony;

He eats a sop hastily and goes to mass.

Ete a sop hastyly, when he hade herde masse,

1136

With bugle to bent felde he buske3 by-lyue;

Before day-light he and his men are on their horses.

By žat žat any day-ly3t lemed vpon erže,

He with his haželes on hy3e horsses weren.

Then the hounds are called out and coupled.

Ženne žise cacheres žat couže, cowpled hor hounde3,

1140

Vnclosed že kenel dore, & calde hem žer-oute,

Three short notes are blown by the bugles.

Blwe bygly in bugle3 žre bare mote;

Braches bayed žerfore, & breme noyse maked,

A hundred hunters join in the chase.

& žay chastysed, & charred, on chasyng žat went;

1144

A hundreth of hunteres, as I haf herde telle,

of že best;

To the stations the "fewters" go,

To trystors vewters 3od,

Couples huntes of kest,

[Fol. 106b.] 1148

Žer ros for blaste3 gode,

and the dogs are cast off.

Gret rurd in žat forest.

Roused by the clamour the deer rush to the heights,

At že fyrst quethe of že quest quaked že wylde;

Der drof in že dale, doted for drede,

1152

Hi3ed to že hy3e, bot heterly žay were

but are soon driven back.

Restayed with že stablye, žat stoutly ascryed;

The harts and bucks are allowed to pass,

Žay let že hertte3 haf že gate, with že hy3e hedes,

Že breme bukke3 also, with hor brode paume3;

1156

For že fre lorde hade de-fende in fermysoun tyme,

Žat žer schulde no mon mene¹ to že male dere.

but the hinds and does are driven back to the shades.

Že hinde3 were halden in, with hay & war,

Že does dryuen with gret dyn to že depe slade3;

1160

Žer my3t mon se, as žay slypte, slentyng of arwes,

As they fly they are shot by the bowmen.

At vche [žat] wende vnder wande wapped a flone,

Žat bigly bote on že broun, with ful brode hede3,

The hounds and the hunters, with a loud cry, follow in pursuit.

What! žay brayen, & bleden, bi bonkke3 žay de3en.

1164

& ay rachches in a res radly hem fol3es,

Huntere3 wyth hy3e horne hasted hem after,

Those that escaped the arrows are killed by the hounds.

Wyth such a crakkande kry, as klyffes haden brusten;

What wylde so at-waped wy3es žat schotten,

1168

Wat3 al to-raced & rent, at že resayt.

Bi žay were tened at že hy3e, & taysed to že wattre3,

Že lede3 were so lerned at že lo3e trysteres,

& že gre-hounde3 so grete, žat geten hem bylyue,

1172

& hem to fylched, as fast as freke3 my3t loke,

žer ry3t.

The lord waxes joyful in the chase,

Že lorde for blys abloy

Ful oft con launce & ly3t,

which lasted till the approach of night. 1176

& drof žat day wyth Ioy

Thus to že derk ny3t.

All this time Gawayne lies a-bed.

Žus layke3 žis lorde by lynde wode3 eue3,

& G. že god mon, in gay bed lyge3,

under "coverture full clear". 1180

Lurkke3 quyl že day-ly3t lemed on že wowes,

Vnder couertour ful clere, cortyned aboute;

& as in slomeryng he slode, sle3ly he herde

He hears a noise at his door.

A littel dyn at his dor, & derfly vpon;

1184

& he heue3 vp his hed out of že cložes,

[Fol. 107.]

A corner of že cortyn he ca3t vp a lyttel,

& wayte3 warly žider-warde, quat hit be my3t.

A lady, the loveliest to behold, enters softly.

Hit wat3 že ladi, loflyest to be-holde,

1188

Žat dro3 že dor after hir ful dernly¹ & stylle,

She approaches the bed.

& bo3ed to-warde že bed; & že burne schamed.

& layde hym doun lystyly, & let as he slepte.

Gawayne pretends to be asleep.

& ho stepped stilly. & stel to his bedde,

The lady casts up the curtain and sits on the bedside. 1192

Kest vp že cortyn, & creped with-inne,

& set hir ful softly on že bed-syde,

& lenged žere selly longe, to loke quen he wakened.

Že lede lay lurked a ful longe quyle,

Gawayne has much wonder thereat. 1196

Compast in his concience to quat žat cace my3t

Mene ožer amount, to meruayle hym žo3t;

Bot 3et he sayde in hym-self, "more semly hit were

To aspye wyth my spelle [in] space quat ho wolde."

He rouses himself up, 1200

žen he wakenede, & wroth, & to hir warde torned,

unlocks his eyes, and looks as if he were astonished.

& vn-louked his y3e-lydde3, & let as hym wondered,

& sayned hym, as bi his sa3e že sauer to worthe,

with hande;

1204

Wyth chynne & cheke ful swete,

Bože quit & red in-blande,

Ful lufly con ho lete,

Wyth lyppe3 smal la3ande.

"Good morrow", says the lady, "ye are a careless sleeper to let one enter thus. 1208

"God moroun, sir Gawayn," sayde žat fayr lady,

"3e ar a sleper vn-sly3e, žat mon may slyde hider;

Now ar 3e tan astyt, bot true vus may schape,

I shall bind you in your bed, of that be ye sure."

I schal bynde yow in your bedde, žat be 3e trayst:"

1212

Al la3ande že lady lanced žo bourde3.

"Good morrow," says the knight, "I am well pleased to be at your service;

"Goud moroun g[aye],"¹ quod Gawayn že blyže,

"Me schal worže at your wille, & žat me wel lyke3,

For I 3elde me 3ederly, & 3e3e after grace,

1216

& žat is že best, be my dome, for me by-houe3 nede;"

& žus he bourded a-3ayn with mony a blyže la3ter.

but permit me to rise and dress myself."

"Bot wolde 3e, lady louely, žen leue me grante,

& de-prece your prysoun, & pray hym to ryse,

1220

I wolde bo3e of žis bed, & busk me better,

I schulde keuer že more comfort to karp yow wyth."

[Fol. 107b]
"Nay, beau sir," said that sweet one,

"Nay, for sože, beau sir," sayd žat swete,

"3e schal not rise of your bedde, I rych yow better,

"I shall hold talk with you here. 1224

I schal happe yow here žat ožer half als,

& syžen karp wyth my kny3t žat I ka3t haue;

I know well that you are Gawayne that all the woild worships.

For I wene wel, Iwysse, sir Wawen 3e are,

Žat alle že worlde worchipe3, quere-so 3e ride;

1228

Your honour, your hendelayk is hendely praysed

We are by ourselves;

With lorde3, wyth ladyes, with alle žat lyf bere.

& now 3e ar here, iwysse, & we bot oure one;

My lord and his men are far off.

"My lorde & his lede3 ar on lenže faren,

Other men are in their beds, so are my maidens. 1232

Ožer burne3 in her bedde, & my burde3 als,

The door is safely closed.

Že dor drawen, & dit with a derf haspe;

Since I have him in house that every one likes, I shall use my time well while it lasts.

& syžen I haue in žis hous hym žat al lyke3,

I schal ware my whyle wel, quyl hit laste3,

1236

with tale;

Ye are welcome to my body.

3e ar welcum to my cors,

Yowre awen won to wale,

Me be-houe3 of fyne force,

I shall be your servant." 1240

Your seruaunt be & schale."

"In god fayth," quod Gawayn, "gayn hit me žynkke3,

"I am unworthy," says Sir Gawayne, "to reach to such reverence as ye rehearse.

Ža3 I be not now he žat 3e of speken;

To reche to such reuerence as 3e reherce here

1244

I am wy3e vn-woržy, I wot wel my-seluen;

Bi God, I were glad, & yow god žo3t,

I shall be glad, however, to please you by word, or service."

At sa3e ožer at seruyce žat I sette my3t

To že plesaunce of your prys, hit were a pure ioye."

1248

"In god fayth, sir Gawayn," quod že gay lady,

"Že prys & že prowes žat plese3 al ožer,

If I hit lakked, ožer set at ly3t, hit were littel daynté;

"There are ladies," says his visitor, "who would prefer thy company

Bot hit ar ladyes in-no3e, žat leuer wer nowže

1252

Haf že hende in hor holde, as I že habbe here,

To daly witt derely your daynté worde3,

Keuer hem comfort, & colen her care3,

to much of the gold that they possess."

Žen much of že garysourn ožer golde žat¹ žay hauen;

1256

Bot I louue² žat ilk lorde žat že lyfte halde3,

I haf hit holly in my honde žat al desyres,

žur3e grace."

Scho made hym so gret chere,

[Fol. 108.] 1260

Žat wat3 so fayr of face,

The knight answers the lady's questions.

Že kny3t with speches skere,

A[n]swared to vche a cace.

Gawayne tells her that he prefers her conversation before that of all others.

"Madame," quod že myry mon, "Mary yow 3elde,

1264

For I haf founden, in god fayth, yowre fraunchis nobele,

& ožer ful much of ožer folk fongen hor dede3;

Bot že daynté žat žay delen for my disert nysen,

Hit is že worchyp of your-self, žat no3t hot wel conne3."

The lady declares by Mary, 1268

"Bi Mary," quod že menskful, "me žynk hit anožer;

For were I worth al že wone of wymmen alyue,

& al že wele of že worlde were in my honde,

that were she about to choose her a lord,

& I schulde chepen & chose, to cheue me a lorde,

1272

For že costes žat I haf knowen vpun že kny3t here,

Of bewté, & debonerté, & blyže semblaunt,

she would select Gawayne before any man on earth.

& žat I haf er herkkened, & halde hit here trwee,

Žer schulde no freke vpon folde bifore yow be chosen."

1276

"I-wysse, woržy," quod že wy3e, "3e haf waled wel better,

Gawayne tells her that he will become her own knight and faithful servant.

Bot I am proude of že prys žat 3e put on me,

& soberly your seruaunt my souerayn I holde yow,

& yowre kny3t I be-com, & Kryst yow for-3elde."

1280

Žus žay meled of much-quat, til myd-morn paste,

& ay že lady let lyk, a¹ hym loued mych;

The remembrance of his adventure prevents him from thinking of love.

Že freke ferde with defence, & feted ful fayre.

Ža3 I were burde bry3test, že burde in mynde hade,

1284

Že lasse luf in his lode, for lur žat he so3t,

boute hone;

Že dunte žat schulde² hym deue,

& nede3 hit most be done;

The lady takes leave of Sir Gawayne. 1288

Že lady ženn spek of leue.

He granted hir ful sone.

With a laughing glance, she says,

Ženne ho gef hym god-day, & wyth a glent la3ed.

& as ho stod, ho stonyed hym wyth ful stor worde3:

"I am doubtful whether ye be Gawayne. 1292

"Now he žat spede3 vche spech, žis disport 3elde yow!

Bot žat 3e be Gawan, hit got3 in mynde."

"Quer-fore?" quod že freke, & freschly he aske3,

Ferde lest he hade fayled in fourme of his castes;

1296

Bot že burde hym blessed, & bi žis skyl sayde,

[Fol. 108b.]

"So god as Gawayn gaynly is halden,

& cortaysye is closed so clene in hym-seluen,

Were it he, surely, ere this, he would have craved a kiss."

Couth not ly3tly haf lenged so long wyth a lady,

1300

Bot he had craued a cosse, bi his courtaysye,

Bi sum towch of summe tryfle, at sum tale3 ende."

"I shall kiss," says the knight, "at your commandment."

Žen quod Wowen, "I-wysse, worže as yow lyke3,

I schal kysse at your comaundement, as a kny3t falle3,

1304

& fire¹ lest he displese yow, so² plede hit no more."

With that the lady catches him in her arms and kisses him.

Ho comes nerre with žat, & cache3 hym in arme3,

Loute3 luflych adoun, & že leude kysse3;

Žay comly bykennen to Kryst ayžer ožer;

1308

Ho dos hir forth at že dore, with-outen dyn more.

& he ryches hym to ryse, & rapes hym sone,

Gawayne then rises and goes to mass.

Clepes to his chamberlayn, choses his wede,

Bo3e3 forth, quen he wat3 boun, blyžely to masse,

1312

& ženne he meued to his mete, žat menskly hym keped,

He makes mirth all day till the moon rises,

& made myry al day til že mone rysed,

with game;

With³ neuer freke fayrer fonge,

between the "two dames," the older and the younger. 1316

Bitwene two so dyngne dame,

Že alder & že 3onge,

Much solace set žay same.

Meanwhile the lord of the land and his men hunt in woods and heaths.

And ay že lorde of že londe is lent on his gamne3,

1320

To hunt in holte3 & heže, at hynde3 barayne,

Such a sowme he žer slowe bi žat že sunne heldet,

Of dos & of ožer dere, to deme were wonder.

Ženne fersly žay flokked in folk at že laste,

Quickly of the killed a "quarry" they make. 1324

& quykly of že quelled dere a querré žay maked;

Že best bo3ed žerto, with burne3 in-noghe,

Then they set about breaking the deer.

Gedered že grattest of gres žat žer were,

& didden hem derely vndo, as že dede aske3;

They take away the assay or fat, 1328

Serched hem at že asay, summe žat žer were,

Two fyngeres žay fonde of že fowlest of alle;

then they slit the slot and remove the erber.

Syžen žay slyt že slot, sesed že erber,

They afterwards rip the four limbs and rend off the hide.

Schaued wyth a scharp knyf, & že schyre knitten;

1332

Syžen rytte žay že foure lymmes, & rent of že hyde,

They next open the belly

Žen brek žay že bale, že bale3 out token,

[Fol. 109.]
and take out the bowels.

Lystily forlancyng, & bere of že knot;

Žay gryped to že gargulun, & grayžely departed

They then separate the weasand from the windhole and throw out the guts. 1336

Že wesaunt fro že wynt-hole, & walt out že gutte3;

Žen scher žay out že schuldere3 with her scharp knyue3,

The shoulders are cut out, and the breast divided into halves.

Haled hem by a lyttel hole, to haue hole sydes;

Sižen britned žay že brest, & brayden hit in twynne,

1340

& eft at že gargulun bigyne3 on ženne,

The numbles are next removed.

Ryue3 hit vp radly, ry3t to že by3t,

Voyde3 out že a-vanters, & verayly žerafter

Alle že ryme3 by že rybbe3 radly žay lance;

1344

So ryde žay of by resoun bi že rygge bone3,

Euenden to že haunche, žat henged alle samen,

& heuen hit vp al hole, & hwen hit of žere,

& žat žayneme for že noumbles, bi nome as I trowe,

1348

bi kynde;

By the fork of the thighs,

Bi že by3t al of že žy3es,

Že lappe3 žay lance bi-hynde,

the flaps are hewn in two by the backbone.

To hewe hit in two žay hy3es,

1352

Bi že bak-bon to vnbynde.

After this the head and neck are cut off, and the sides severed from the chine.

Bože že hede & že hals žay hwen of ženne,

& syžen sunder žay že syde3 swyft fro že chyne,

& že corbeles fee žay kest in a greue;¹

1356

Ženn žurled žay ayžer žik side žur3, bi že rybbe,

& henged ženne a[y]žer bi ho3es of že fourche3,

Vche freke for his fee, as falle3 forto haue.

Vpon a felle of že fayre best, fede žay žayr houndes,

With the liver, lights and paunches, they feed the hounds. 1360

Wyth že lyuer & že ly3te3, že ležer of že paunche3,

& bred bažed in blod, blende žer amonge3;

Baldely žay blw prys, bayed žayr rachche3,

Then they make for home.

Syžen fonge žay her flesche folden to home,

1364

Strakande ful stoutly mony stif mote3.

Bi žat že dayly3t wat3 done, že douthe wat3 al wonen

In-to že comly castel, žer že kny3t bide3

ful stille;

1368

Wyth blys & bry3t fyr bette,

Že lord is comen žer-tylle,

Gawayne goes out to meet his host.

When Gawayn wyth hym mette,

Žer wat3 bot wele at wylle.

[Fol. 109b.]
The lord commands all his household to assemble, 1372

Thenne comaunded že lorde in žat sale to samen alle že meny,

Bože že ladyes on loghe to ly3t with her burdes,

and the venison to be brought before him.

Bi-fore alle že folk on že flette, freke3 he bedde3

Verayly his venysoun to fech hym byforne;

He calls Gawayne, 1376

& al godly in gomen Gaway[n] he called,

Teche3 hym to že tayles of ful tayt bestes,

Schewe3 hym že schyree grece schorne vpon rybbes.

and asks him whether he does not deserve much praise for his success in the chase.

"How paye3 yow žis play? haf I prys wonnen?

1380

Haue I žryuandely žonk žur3 my craft serued?"

"3e I-wysse," quod žat ožer wy3e, "here is wayth fayrest

On the knight expressing himself satisfied, he is told to take the whole according to a former agreement between them.

Žat I se3 žis seuen 3ere in sesoun of wynter."

"& al I gif yow, Gawayn," quod že gome ženne,

1384

"For by a-corde of couenaunt 3e craue hit as your awen."

"Žis is soth," quod že segge, "I say yow žatilke,

&¹ I haf worthyly žis wone3 wyth-inne,

Gawayne gives the knight a comely kiss in return.

I-wysse with as god wylle hit worže3 to 3oure3."

1388

He hasppe3 his fayre hals his arme3 wyth-inne,

& kysses hym as comlyly as he² couže awyse:

"Tas yow žere my cheuicaunce, I cheued no more,

I wowche hit saf fynly, ža3 feler hit were."

1392

"Hit is god," quod že god mon, "grant mercy žerfore,

His host desires to know where he has gotten such weal.

Hit may be such, hit is že better, &¹ 3e me breue wolde

Where 3e wan žis ilk wele, biwytte of hor³ seluen?"

As this does not enter into the covenant, he gets no answer to his question.

"Žat wat3 not forward," quod he, "frayst me no more,

1396

For 3e haftan žat yow tyde3, trawe3e non ožer

3e mowe."

Žay la3ed, & made hem blyže,

They then proceed to supper, where were dainties new and enough.

Wyth lote3 žat were to lowe,

1400

To soper žay 3ede asswyže,

Wyth dayntes nwe in-nowe.

By the hearth they sit.

And syžen by že chymné in chamber žay seten.

Wine is carried round.

Wy3e3 že walle wyn we3ed to hem oft,

1404

& efte in her bourdyng žay bayžen in že morn,

To fylle že same forwarde3 žat žay by-fore maden,

Again Sir Gawayne and his host renew their agreement.

Žat chaunce so bytyde3 hor cheuysaunce to chaunge,

What nwe3 so žay nome, at na3t quen žay metten

1408

Žay acorded of že couenaunte3 byfore že court alle;

[Fol. 110.]

Že beuerage wat3 bro3t forth in bourde at žat tyme;

Then they take leave of each other and hasten to bed.

Ženne žay louelych le3ten leue at že last,

Vche burne to his bedde busked bylyue.

Scarce had the cock cackled thrice when the lord was up. 1412

Bi žat že coke hade crowe3¹ & cakled bot žryse,

Že lorde wat3 lopen of his bedde, [&] že leude3 vch one,

So žat že mete & že masse wat3 metely delyuered;

Že douthe dressed to že wod, er any day sprenged,

1416

to chace;

With his hunters and horns they pursue the chase.

He3 with hunte & horne3,

Žur3 playne3 žay passe in space,

Vn-coupled among žo žorne3,

1420

Rache3 žat ran on race.

The hunters cheer on the hounds,

Sone žay calle of a quest in aker syde,

Že hunt re-hayted že hounde3, žat hit fyrst mynged,

which fall to the scent forty at once.

Wylde worde3 hym warp wyth a wrast noyce;

1424

Že hownde3 žat hit herde, hastid žider swyže,

& fellen as fast to že fuyt, fourty at ones;

Ženne such a glauerande glam of gedered rachche3

Ros, žat že rochere3 rungen aboute;

1428

Huntere3 hem hardened with horne & wyth muthe.

All come together by the side of a cliff.

Žen al in a semblé sweyed to-geder,

Bitwene a flosche in žat fryth, & a foo cragge;

In a knot, bi a clyffe, at že kerre syde,

1432

Žer as že rogh rocher vn-rydely wat3 fallen,

[Žay] ferden to že fyndyng, & freke3 hem after;

They look about on all sides,

Žay vmbe-kesten že knarre & že knot bože.

Wy3e3, whyl žay wysten wel wyt inne hem hit were,

1436

Že best žat žer breued wat3 wyth že blod hounde3.

and beat on the bushes.

Ženne žay beten on že buske3, & bede hym vp ryse,

& he vnsoundyly out so3t segge3 ouer-žwert,

Out there rushes a fierce wild boar,

On že sellokest swyn swenged out žere,

1440

Long sythen for¹ že sounder žat wi3t for-olde,

For he wat3 b[este &] bor alžer grattest,

[And eue]re quen he gronyed, ženne greued mony,

At the first thrust he fells three to the ground.

For [žre a]t že fyrst žrast he žry3t to že erže,

1444

& [sped hym] forth good sped, boute spyt more,

[Ande žay] halowed hyghe ful hy3e & hay! hay! cryed

[Fol. 110b.]

Haden horne3 to mouže heterly rechated;

Full quickly the hunters pursue him.

Mony wat3 že myry mouthe of men & of hounde3,

1448

Žat buskke3 after žis bor, with bost & wyth noyse,

To quelle;

Ful oft he byde3 že baye,

& mayme3 že mute Inn-melle,

However, he attacks the hounds, causing them to yowl and yell. 1452

He hurte3 of že hounde3, & žay

Ful 3omerly 3aule & 3elle.

The bowmen send their arrows after this wild swine,

Schalke3 to schote at hym schowen to ženne,

Haled to hym of her arewe3, hitten hym oft;

1456

Bot že poynte3 payred at že pyth žat py3t in his schelde3,

& že barbe3 of his browe bite non wolde,

but they glide off shivered in pieces.

Ža3 že schauen schaft schyndered in pece3,

Že hede hypped a3ayn, were-so-euer hit hitte;

Enraged with the blows, 1460

Bot quon že dynte3 hym dered of her dry3e stroke3,

Žen, brayn-wod for bate, on burne3 he rase3,

he attacks the hunters.

Hurte3 hem ful heterly žer he forth hy3e3,

& mony ar3ed žerat, & on-lyte dro3en.

1464

Bot že lorde on a ly3t horce launces hym after,

The lord of the land blows his bugle,

As burne bolde vpon bent his bugle he blowe3,

He rechated, & r[ode]¹ žur3 rone3 ful žyk,

Suande žis wy[ld]e swyn til že sunne schafted.

and pursues the boar. 1468

Žis day wyth žis ilk dede žay dryuen on žis wyse,

Whyle oure luflych lede lys in his bedde,

All this time Gawayne lies a-bed.

Gawayn grayžely at home, in gere3 ful ryche

of hewe;

1472

Že lady no3t for3ate,

Com to hym to salue,

Ful erly ho wat3 hym ate,

His mode forto remwe.

The lady of the castle again visits Sir Gawayne. 1476

Ho commes to že cortyn, & at že kny3t totes,

Sir Wawen her welcumed woržy on fyrst,

& ho hym 3elde3 a3ayn, ful 3erne of hir worde3,

Softly she sits by his side,

Sette3 hir sof[t]ly by his syde, & swyžely ho la3e3,

1480

& wyth a luflych loke ho layde¹ hym žyse worde3:

"Sir, 3if 3e be Wawen, wonder me žynkke3,

Wy3e žat is so wel wrast alway to god,

& conne3 not of compaynye že coste3 vnder-take,

[Fol. 111] 1484

& if mon kennes yow hom to knowe, 3e kest hom of your mynde;

and tells the knight that he has forgotten what she taught him the day before.

Žou hat3 for-3eten 3ederly žat 3isterday I ta3tte

alder-truest token of talk žat I cowže."

"What is žat?" quod že wyghe, "I-wysse I wot neuer,

1488

If hit be sothe žat 3e breue, že blame is myn awen."

"I taught you of kissing," she says, "that becomes every knight."

"3et I kende yow of kyssyng," quod že clere ženne,

"Quere-so countenaunce is couže, quikly to clayme,

Žat bicumes vche a kny3t, žat cortaysy vses."

1492

"Do way," quod žat derf mon, "my dere, žat speche,

Gawayne says that he must not take that which is forbidden.

For žat durst I not do, lest I denayed were,

If I were werned, I were wrang I-wysse, 3if I profered."

"Ma fay," quod že mere wyf, "3e may not be werned,

He is told that he is strong enough to enforce it. 1496

3e ar stif in-noghe to constrayne wyth strenkže, 3if yow lyke3,

3if any were so vilanous žat yow denaye² wolde."

"3e, be God," quod Gawayn, "good is your speche,

Bot žrete is vn-žryuande in žede žer I lende,

The knight replies that every gift is worthless that is not given willingly. 1500

& vche gift žat is geuen not with goud wylle;

I am at your comaundement, to kysse quen yow lyke3,

3e may lach quen yow lyst, & leue quen yow žynkke3,

in space."

The lady stoops down and kisses him. 1504

Že lady loute3 a-doun,

& comlyly kysses his face,

Much speche žay žer expoun,

Of druryes greme & grace.

"I would learn," she says, "why you, who are so young and active, 1508

"I woled¹ wyt at yow, wy3e," žat woržy žer sayde,

"& yow wrathed not žer-wyth, what were že skylle,

Žat so 3ong & so 3epe, as 3e [ar] at žis tyme,

So cortayse, so kny3tyly, as 3e ar knowen oute,

so skilled in the true sport of love, 1512

& of alle cheualry to chose, že chef žyng a-losed,

Is² že lel layk of luf, že lettrure of armes;

F[or] to telle of žis tenelyng of žis trwe kny3te3,

Hit is že tytelet, token, & tyxt of her werkke3,

1516

How le[des] for her lele luf hor lyue3 han auntered,

Endured for her drury dulful stounde3,

& after wenged with her walour & voyded her care,

and so renowned a knight,

& bro3t blysse in-to boure, with bountees hor awen.

1520

& 3e ar kny3t com-lokest kyd of your elde,

[Fol. 111b.]

Your worde & your worchip walke3 ay quere,

& I haf seten by your-self here sere twyes,

have never talked to me of love.

3et herde I neuer of your hed helde no worde3

1524

Žat euer longed to luf, lasse ne more;

You ought to show a young thing like me some token of 'true-love's crafts.'

& 3e, žat ar so cortays & coynt of your hetes,

Oghe to a 3onke žynk 3ern to schewe,

& teche sum tokene3 of trweluf craftes.

1528

Why ar 3e lewed, žat alle že los welde3,

Ožer elles 3e demen me to dille, your dalyaunce to herken?

for schame!

I com hider sengel, & sitte,

1532

To lerne at yow sum game,

So teach me of your 'wit' while my lord is from home."

Dos, teche3 me of your wytte,

Whil my lorde is fro hame."

"It is a great pleasure to me," says Sir Gawayne, "to hear you talk,

"In goud fayže," quod Gawayn, "God yow for3elde,

1536

Gret is že gode gle, & gomen to me huge,

Žat so woržy as 3e wolde wynne hidere,

& pyne yow with so pouer a mon, as play wyth your kny3t,

With any skynne3 countenaunce, hit keuere3 me ese;

but I cannot undertake the task to expound true-love and tales of arms. 1540

Bot to take že toruayle¹ to my-self, to trwluf expoun,

& towche že teme3 of tyxt, & tale3 of arme3,

To yow žat, I wot wel, welde3 more sly3t

Of žat art, bi že half, or a hundreth of seche

1544

As I am, ožer euer schal, in erde žer I leue,

Hit were a fole fele-folde, my fre, by my trawže.

I will, however, act according to your will,

I wolde yowre wylnyng worche at my my3t,

As I am hy3ly bihalden, & euer-more wylle

and ever be your servant." 1548

Be seruaunt to your-seluen, so saue me dry3tyn!"

Žus hym frayned žat fre, & fondet hym ofte,

Forto haf wonnen hym to wo3e, what-so scho žo3t elle3,

Thus Gawayne defends himself.

Bot he de fended hym so fayr, žat no faut semed,

1552

Ne non euel on nawžer halue, nawžer žay wysten,

bot blysse;

Žay la3ed & layked longe,

At že last scho con hym kysse,

The lady having kissed the knight, takes leave of him. 1556

Hir leue fayre con scho fonge,

& went hir waye Iwysse.

Gawayne rises, hears mass, and then dines.

Then ružes hym že renk, & ryses to že masse,

[Fol. 112.]

& sižen hor diner wat3 dy3t & derely serued.

Meanwhile the lord pursues the wild boar, 1560

Že lede with že ladye3 layked alle day,

Bot že lorde ouer že londe3 launced ful ofte,

Swe3 his vncely swyn, žat swynge3 bi že bonkke3,

that bit the backs of his hounds asunder,

& bote že best of his brache3 že bakke3 in sunder;

1564

Žer he bode in his bay, tel¹ bawe-men hit breken,

& made² hym, maw-gref his bed, forto mwe vtter;

and caused the stiffest of the hunters to start.

So felle flone3 per flete, when že folk gedered;

Bot 3et že styffest to start bi stounde3 he made,

1568

Til at že last he wat3 so mat, he my3t no more renne,

The boar runs into a hole in a rock by the side of a brook.

Bot in že hast žat he my3t, he to a hole wynne3,

Of a rasse, bi a rokk, žer renne3 že boerne,

He gete že bonk at his bak, bigyne3 to scrape,

The froth foams at his mouth. 1572

Že frože femed³ at his mouth vnfayre bi že wyke3,

Whette3 his whyte tusche3; with hym žen irked

Alle že burne3 so bolde, žat hym by stoden,

None durst approach him,

To nye hym on-ferum, bot ne3e hym non durst

1576

for wože;

He hade hurt so mony byforne,

Žat al žu3t⁴ ženne ful lože,

so many had he torn with his tusks.

Be more wyth his tusche3 torne,

1580

Žat breme wat3 [&] brayn-wod bothe.

The knight, seeing the boar at bay,

Til že kny3t com hym-self, kachande his blonk,

Sy3 hym byde at že bay, his burne3 bysyde,

alights from his horse,

He ly3tes luflych¹ adoun, leue3 his corsour,

1584

Brayde3 out a bry3t bront, & bigly forth stryde3,

Founde3 fast žur3 že forth, žer že felle byde3,

and seeks to attack him with his sword.

Že wylde wat3 war of že wy3e with weppen in honde,

Hef hy3ly že here, so hetterly he fnast,

1588

Žat fele ferde for že freke3,² lest felle hym že worre;

The "swine sets out" upon the man,

Že swyn sette3 hym out on že segge euen,

Žat že burne & že bor were bože vpon hepe3,

In že wy3t-est of že water, že worre hade žat ožer;

who, aiming well, 1592

For že mon merkke3 hym wel, as žay mette fyrst,

Set sadly že scharp in že slot euen,

wounds him in the pit of the stomach.

Hit hym vp to že hult, žat že hert schyndered,

& he 3arrande hym 3elde, & 3edoun³ že water,

1596

ful tyt;

[Fol. 112b.]

A hundreth hounde3 hym hent,

The boar is soon bitten to death by a hundred hounds.

Žat bremely con hym bite,

Burne3 him bro3t to bent,

1600

& dogge3 to dethe endite.

Then was there blowing of horns

There wat3 blawyng of prys in mony breme home,

He3e halowing on hi3e, with hažele3 žat my3t;

and baying of hounds.

Brachetes bayed žat best, as bidden že maystere3,

1604

Of žat chargeaunt chace žat were chef huntes.

One wise in woodcraft begins to unlace the boar.

Ženne a wy3e žat wat3 wys vpon wod crafte3,

To vnlace žis bor lufly bigynne3;

First he hews off the head, then rends him by the back.

Fyrst he hewes of his hed, & on hi3e sette3,

1608

& syžen rende3 him al roghe bi že rygge after,

He next removes the bowels, broils them on the ashes, and therewith rewards his hounds.

Brayde3 out že boweles, brenne3 hom on glede,

With bred blent žer-with his braches rewarde3;

Syžen he britne3 out že brawen in bry3t brode [s]chelde3,

Then the hastlets are removed. 1612

& hat3 out že hastlette3, as hi3tly biseme3;

The two halves are next bound together and hung upon a pole.

& 3et hem halche3 al hole že halue3 to-geder,

& syžen on a stif stange stoutly hem henges.

Now with žis ilk swyn žay swengen to home;

The boar's head is borne before the knight, who hastens home. 1616

Že bores hed wat3 borne bifore že burnes seluen,

Žat him for-ferde in že forže, žur3 forse of his honde,

so stronge;

Til he se3 sir Gawayne,

1620

In halle hym žo3t ful longe,

Gawayne is called to receive the spoil.

He calde, & he com gayn,

His fee3 žer for to fonge.

The lord of the land is well pleased when he sees Sir Gawayne,

Že lorde ful lowde with lote, & la3ed myry,

1624

When he se3e sir G: with solace he speke3;

Že goude ladye3 were geten, & gedered že meyny,

He shows him the shields of the wild boar, and tells him of its length and breadth.

He schewe3 hem že schelde3, & schapes hem že tale,

Of že largesse, & že lenže, že ližerne3 alse,

1628

Of že were of že wylde swyn, in wod žer he fled.

Žat ožer kny3t ful comly comended his dede3,

& praysed hit as gret prys, žat he proued hade;

Such a "brawn of a beast," Sir Gawayne says, he never has seen.

For suche a brawne of a best, že bolde burne sayde,

1632

Ne such sydes of a swyn, segh he neuer are.

Ženne hondeled žay že hoge hed, že hende mon hit praysed,

[Fol. 113.]

& let lodly žerat že lorde forte here:

Gawayne takes possession of it according to covenant,

"Now Gawayn," quod že god mon, "žis gomen is your awen,

1636

Bi fyn for-warde & faste, faythely 3e knowe."

"Hit is sothe," quod že segge, "& as siker trwe;

Alle my get I schal yow gif agayn, bi my trawže."

and in return kisses his host,

He [hent] že hažel aboute že halse, & hendely hym kysses,

1640

& efter-sones of že same he serued hym žere.

"Now ar we euen," quod že hažel, "in žis euen-tide,

Of alle že couenauntes žat we knyt, syžen I com hider,

bi lawe;"

who declares his guest to be the best he knows. 1644

Že lorde sayde, "bi saynt Gile,

3e ar že best žat I knowe,

3e ben ryche in a whyle,

Such chaffer & 3e drowe."

Tables are raised aloft, 1648

Ženne žay teldet table3 [on] trestes alofte,

cloths cast upon them,

Kesten clože3 vpon, clere ly3t ženne

and torches are lighted.

Wakned bi wo3e3, waxen torches

Segge3 sette, & serued in sale al aboute;

With much mirth and glee, 1652

Much glam & gle glent vp žer-inne,

Aboute že fyre vpon flet, & on fele wyse,

supper is served in the hall,

At že soper & after, mony ažel songe3,

As coundutes of kryst-masse, & carole3 newe,

1656

With alle že manerly merže žat mon may of telle.

and ever our lovely knight by the lady sits,

& euer oure luflych kny3t že lady bi-syde;

Such semblaunt to žat segge semly ho made,

who does all she can to please her companion.

Wyth stille stollen countenaunce, žat stalworth to plese,

1660

Žat al for-wondered wat3 že wy3e, & wroth with hym-seluen,

Bot he nolde not for his nurture nurne hir a-3ayne3,

Bot dalt with hir al in daynte, how-se-euer že dede turned

to wrast;

When they had long played in the hall, 1664

Quen žay hade played in halle,

As longe as hor wylle hom last,

they proceeded "to chamber."

To chambre he¹ con hym calle,

& to že chem-ne žay past.

There they drank and discoursed. 1668

Ande žer žay dronken, & dalten, & demed eft nwe,

To norne on že same note, on nwe3ere3 euen;

Gawayne begs leave to depart on the morrow.

Bot že kny3t craued leue, to kayre on že morn,

For hit wat3 ne3 at že terme, žat he to¹ schulde.

[Fol. 113b.] 1672

Že lorde hym letted of žat, to lenge hym resteyed,

His host swears to him,

& sayde, "as I am trwe segge, I siker my trawže,

that he shall come to the Green Chapel on New Year's morn long before prime.

Žou schal cheue to že grene chapel, žy charres to make,

Leude, on nw3ere3 ly3t, longe bifore pryme:

1676

For-žy žow lye in žy loft, & lach žyn ese,

& I schal hunt in žis holt, & halde že towche3,

Chaunge wyth že cheuisaunce, bi žat I charre hider;

For I haf fraysted že twys, & faythful I fynde že,

1680

Now žrid tyme žrowe best ženk on že morne,

Make we mery quyl we may, & mynne vpon Ioye,

For že lur may mon lach, when so mon lyke3."

Žis wat3 grayžely graunted, & Gawayn is lenged,

Our knight consents to remain for another night. 1684

Bliže bro3t wat3 hym drynk, & žay to bedde 3eden,

with li3t;

Full still and softly he sleeps all night.

Sir G: lis & slepes,

Ful stille & softe al ni3t;

Early in the morning the lord is up. 1688

Že lorde žat his crafte3 kepes,

Ful erly he wat3 di3t.

After mass, a morsel he take with his men.

After messe a morsel¹ he & his men token,

Miry wat3 že mornyng, his mounture he askes;

Then were all on their horses before the hall-gates. 1692

Alle že haželes žat on horse schulde helden hym after,

Were boun busked on hor blonkke3, bi-fore² že halle 3ate3;

It was a clear frosty morning.

Ferly fayre wat3 že folde, for že forst clenged,

In rede rudede vpon rak rises že sunne,

The hunters, dispersed by a wood's side, 1696

& ful clere coste3³ že clowdes of že welkyn.

Hunteres vnhardeled bi a holt syde,

Rocheres roungen bi rys, for rurde of her hornes;

come upon the track of a fox,

Summe fel in že fute, žer že fox bade,

1700

Trayle3 ofte a trayteres⁴, bi traunt of her wyles;

A kenet kryes žerof, že hunt on hym calles,

His fela3es fallen hym to, žat fnasted ful žike,

which is followed up by the hounds.

Runnen forth in a rabel, in his ry3t fare;

1704

& he fyske3 hem by-fore, žay founden hym sone,

They soon get sight of the game,

& quen žay seghe hym with sy3t, žay sued hym fast,

Wre3ande h[ym] ful [w]eterly with a wroth noyse;

and pursue him through many a rough grove.

& he trantes & tornayee3 žur3 mony tene greue;

1708

Hamloune3, & herkene3, bi hegge3 ful ofte;

[Fol. 114.]
The fox at last leaps over a spinny,

At že last bi a littel dich he lepe3 ouer a spenné,

Stele3 out ful stilly bi a strothe rande,

and by a rugged path seeks to get clear from the hounds.

Went haf wylt of že wode, with wyle3 fro že houndes,

1712

Ženne wat3 he went, er he wyst, to⁵ a wale tryster,

He comes upon one of the hunting stations, where he is attacked by the dogs.

Žer žre žro at a žrich žrat hym at ones,

al graye;

However, he slips them,

He blenched a3ayn bilyue,

1716

& stifly start onstray,

With alle že wo on lyue,

and makes again for the wood.

To že wod he went away.

Then was it fine sport to listen to the hounds,

Thenne wat3 hit lif vpon list to lyžen že hounde3,

1720

When alle že mute hade hym met, menged to-geder,

Suche a sor3e at žat sy3t žay sette on his hede,

As alle že clamberande clyffes hade clatered on hepes;

and the hallooing of the hunters.

Here he wat3 halawed, when hažele3 hym metten,

1724

Loude he wat3 3ayned, with 3arande speche;

There the fox was threatened and called a thief.

Žer he wat3 žreted, & ofte žef called,

& ay že titleres at his tayl, žat tary he ne my3t;

Ofte he wat3 runnen at, when he out rayked,

But Reynard was wily, 1728

& ofte reled in a3ayn, so reniarde wat3 wylé.

and led them astray over mounts.

& 3e he lad hem bi lag, mon, že lorde & his meyny;

On žis maner bi že mountes, quyle myd, ouer, vnder,

Meanwhile the knight at home soundly sleeps within his comely curtains.

Whyle že hende kny3t at home holsumly slepe3,

1732

With-inne že comly cortynes, on že colde morne.

Bot že lady for luf let not to slepe,

Ne že purpose to payre, žat py3t in hir hert,

Bot ros hir vp radly, rayked hir žeder,

The lady of the castle, clothed in a rich mantle, 1736

In a mery mantyle, mete to že erže,

Žat wat3 furred ful fyne with felle3, wel pured,

No hwe3 goud on hir hede, bot že ha3er stones

Trased aboute hir tressour, be twenty in clusteres;

her throat and bosom all bare, 1740

Hir žryuen face & hir žrote žrowen al naked,

Hir brest bare bifore, & bihinde eke.

comes to Gawayne's chamber,

Ho come3 with-inne že chambre dore, & closes hit hir after,

opens a window, and says,

Wayne3¹ vp a wyndow, & on že wy3e calle3,

1744

& radly žus re-hayted hym, with hir riche worde3,

with² chere;

"Ah! man, how canst thou sleep,

"A! mon, how may žou slepe,

[Fol. 114b.]
this morning is so clear?"

Žis morning is so clere?"

1748

He wat3 in drowping depe,

Bot ženne he con hir here.

The knight was then dreaming of his forthcoming adventure at the Green Chapel.

In dre3 droupyng of dreme draueled žat noble,

As mon žat wat3 in mornyng of mony žro žo3tes,

1752

How žat destiné schulde žat day [dy3t] his wyrde,

At že grene chapel, when he že gome metes,

& bi-houes his buffet abide, with-oute debate more;

He awakes and speaks to his fair visitor,

Bot quen žat comly he keuered his wyttes,

1756

Swenges out of že sweuenes, & sware3 with hast.

Že lady luflych com la3ande swete,

who sweetly kisses him.

Felle ouer his fayre face, & fetly him kyssed;

He welcume3 hir woržily, with a wale chere;

1760

He se3 hir so glorious, & gayly atyred,

So fautles of hir fetures, & of so fyne hewes,

Great joy warms the heart of Sir Gawayne,

Wi3t wallande Ioye warmed his hert;

With smože smylyng & smolt žay smeten in-to merže,

1764

Žat al wat3 blis & bonchef, žat breke hem bi-twene,

& wynne,

Žay lanced wordes gode,

Much wele žen wat3 žer-inne,

and "great peril between them stood." 1768

Gret perile bi-twene hem stod,

Nif mare of hir kny3t mynne.

The knight is sorely pressed.

For žat prynce of pris de-presed hym so žikke.

Nurned hym so ne3e že žred, žat nede hym bi-houed,

1772

Ožer lach žer hir luf, ožer lodly re-fuse;

He cared for his cortaysye, lest cražayn he were,

He fears lest he should become a traitor to his host.

& more for his meschef, 3if he schulde make synne,

& be traytor to žat tolke, žat žat telde a3t.

1776

"God schylde," quod že schalk, "žat schal not be-falle!"

With luf-la3yng a lyt, he layd hym by-syde

Alle že speche3 of specialté žat sprange of her mouthe.

Quod žat burde to že burne, "blame 3e disserue,

1780

3if 3e luf not žat lyf žat 3e lye nexte,

Bifore alle že wy3e3 in že worlde, wounded in hert,

The lady inquire whether he has a mistress that he loves better than her.

Bot if 3e haf a lemman, a leuer, žat yow lyke3 better,

& folden fayth to žat fre, festned so harde,

[Fol. 115.] 1784

Žat yow lausen ne lyst, & žat I leue nouže;

And žat 3e telle me žat, now trwly I pray yow,

For alle že lufe3 vpon lyue, layne not že sože,

for gile."

Sir Gawayne swears by St. John that he neither has nor desires one. 1788

Že kny3t sayde, "be sayn Ion,"

& smežely con he smyle,

"In fayth I welde ri3t non,

Ne non wil welde že quile."

1792

"Žat is a worde," quod žat wy3t, "žat worst is of alle,

Bot I am swared for sože, žat sore me žinkke3;

She then kisses him, sighing for sorrow.

Kysse me now coraly, & I schal cach hežen,

I may bot mourne vpon molde, as may žat much louyes."

1796

Sykande ho swe3e doun, & semly hym kyssed,

& sižen ho seueres hym fro, & says as ho stondes,

"Now, dere, at žis de-partyng, do me žis ese,

She desires some gift,

Gif me sumquat of žy gifte, ži gloue if¹ hit were,

by which to remember him. 1800

Žat I may mynne on že mon, my mournyng to lassen."

"Now Iwysse," quod žat wy3e, "I wolde I hade here

Že leuest žing for žy luf, žat I in londe welde,

Gawayne tells her that she is worthy of a better gift than he can bestow.

For 3e haf deserued, forsože, sellyly ofte

1804

More rewarde bi resoun, žen I reche my3t,

Bot to dele yow for drurye, žat dawed bot neked;

Hit is not your honour to haf at žis tyme

A gloue for a garysoun, of Gawayne3 gifte3,

1808

& I am here [on] an erande in erde3 vncouže,

He has no men with mails containing precious things.

& haue no men wyth no male3, with menskful žinge3;

Žat mislyke3 me, ladé, for luf at žis tyme,²

Iche tolke mon do as he is tan, tas to non ille,

1812

ne pine."

Then says that lovesome,

"Nay, hende of hy3e honours,"

Quod žat lufsum vnder lyne,

"Though I had nought of yours, yet should ye have of mine."

"Ža3 I hade o3t³ of youre3,

1816

3et schulde 3e haue of myne."

She offers him a gold ring,

Ho ra3t hym a riche rynk¹ of red golde werke3,

Wyth a starande ston, stondande alofte,

Žat bere blusschande beme3 as že bry3t sunne;

1820

Wyt 3e wel, hit wat3 worth wele ful hoge.

but he refuses to accept it,

Bot že renk hit renayed, & redyly he sayde,

[Fol. 115b.]

"I wil no gifte3 for gode, my gay, at žis tyme;

as he has none to give in return.

I haf none yow to norne, ne no3t wyl I take."

1824

Ho bede hit hym ful bysily, & he hir bode wernes,

& swere swyftel[y] his sothe, žat he hit sese nolde;

Very sorrowful was that fair one on account of his refusal.

& ho sore žat he forsoke, & sayde žer-after,

"If 3e renay my rynk, to ryche for hit seme3,

1828

3e wolde not so hy3ly halden be to me,

I schal gif yow my girdel, žat gaynes yow lasse."

Ho la3t a lace ly3tly, žat² leke vmbe hir syde3,

She takes off her "girdle,"

Knit vpon hir kyrtel, vnder že clere mantyle,

1832

Gered hit wat3 with grene sylke, & with golde schaped,

No3t bot arounde brayden, beten with fyngre3;

& žat ho bede to že burne, & blyžely bi-so3t

and beseeches him to take it.

Ža3 hit vn-worži were, žat he hit take wolde.

1836

& he nay žat he nolde neghe in no wyse,

Gawayne again refuses to accept anything,

Naužer golde ne garysoun, er God hym grace sende,

To acheue to že chaunce žat he hade chosen žere.

"& žerfore, I pray yow, displese yow no3t,

1840

& lette3 be your bisinesse, for I bayže hit yow neuer

to graunte;

I am derely to yow biholde,

Bi-cause of your sembelaunt,

but promises, "ever in hot and in cold, to be her true servant." 1844

& euer in hot & colde

To be your trwe seruaunt.

"Do you refuse it," says the lady, because it is simple?

"Now forsake 3e žis silke." sayde že burde ženne,

"For hit is symple in hit-self. & so hit wel seme3?

1848

Lo! so hit is littel, & lasse hit is woržy;

Whoso knew the virtues that it possesses, would highly prize it.

Bot who-so knew že costes žat knit ar žer-inne,

He wolde hit prayse at more prys, parauenture;

For he who is girded with this green lace,

For quat gome so is gorde with žis grene lace,

1852

While he hit hade hemely halched aboute,

Žer is no hažel vnder heuen to-hewe hym žat my3t;

cannot be wounded or slain."

For he my3t not he slayn, for sly3t vpon erže."

Žen kest že kny3t, & hit come to his hert,

The knight thinks of his adventure at the Green Chapel. 1856

Hit were a Iuel for že Iopardé, žat hym iugged were,

When he acheued to že chapel, his chek forto fech;

The lady presses him to accept the lace.

My3¹ he haf slypped to že vn-slayn, že sle3t were noble.

[Fol. 116.]

Ženne ho žulged with hir žrepe, & žoled hir to speke,

1860

& ho bere on hym že belt, & bede hit hym swyže,

He consents not only to take the girdle, but to keep the possession of it a secret.

& he granted, & [ho] hym gafe with a goud wylle,

& biso3t hym, for hir sake, disceuer hit neuer,

Bot to lelly layne for² hir lorde; že leude hym acorde3.

1864

Žat neuer wy3e schulde hit wyt, Iwysse, bot žay twayne,

for no3te;

He žonkked hir oft ful swyže,

Ful žro with hert & žo3t.

By that time the lady has kissed him thrice. 1868

Bi žat on žrynne syže,

He hat3 kyst že kny3t so to3t.

Then she takes her leave.

Thenne lachche3 ho hir leue, & leue3 hym žere,

For more myrže of žat mon mo3t ho not gete;

Gawayne then dresses himself, 1872

When ho¹ wat3 gon, sir G. gere3 hym sone,

Rises, & riches hym in araye noble,

and conceals the love-lace about his person.

Lays vp že luf-lace, že lady hym ra3t,

Hid hit ful holdely, žer he hit eft fonde;

1876

Syžen cheuely to že chapel choses he že waye,

He then hies to mass,

Preuely aproched to a prest, & prayed hym žere

Žat he wolde lyfte² his lyf, & lern hym better,

How his sawle schulde be saued, when he schuld seye hežen.

and shrives him of his misdeeds. 1880

Žere he schrof hym schyrly, & schewed his mysdede3,

Of že more & že mynne, & merci beseche3,

and prays for absolution.

& of absolucioun he on že segge calles;

& he asoyled hym surely, & sette hym so clene,

He returns to the hall, and makes himself so merry among the ladies, 1884

As dome3-day schulde haf ben di3t on že morn.

& syžen he mace hym as mery among že fre ladyes,

with comely carols,

With comlych caroles, & alle kynnes ioye,

As neuer he did bot žat daye, to že derk ny3t,

1888

with blys;

Vche mon hade daynte žare,

that they said,

Of hym, & sayde Iwysse,

"Thus merry was he never before since hither he came."

Žus myry he wat3 neuer are,

1892

Syn he com hider, er žis.

Gawayne's host is still in the field.

Now hym lenge in žat lee, žer luf hym bi-tyde;

3et is že lorde on že launde, ledande his gomnes,

He has destroyed the fox.

He hat3 forfaren žis fox, žat he fol3ed longe;

1896

As he sprent ouer a spenné, to spye že schrewe,

[Fol. 116b.]

Žer as he herd že howndes, žat hasted hym swyže,

He spied Reynard coming through a "rough grove,"

Renaud com richchande žur3 a ro3e greue,

& alle že rabel in a res, ry3t at his hele3.

and tried to hit him with his sword. 1900

Že wy3e wat3 war of že wylde, & warly abides,

& brayde3 out že bry3t bronde, & at že best caste3;

& he schunt for že scharp, & schulde haf arered,

The fox "shunts," and is seized by one of the dogs.

A rach rapes hym to, ry3t er he my3t,

1904

& ry3t bifore že hors fete žay fel on hym alle,

& woried me žis wyly wyth a wroth noyse.

The lord takes him out of the hound's mouth.

Že lorde ly3te3 bilyue, & cache3 by¹ sone,

Rased hym ful radly out of že rach moužes,

1908

Halde3 he3e ouer his hede, halowe3 faste,

& žer bayen hym mony bray² hounde3;

Hunters hasten thither with horns full many.

Huntes hy3ed hem žeder, with horne3 ful mony,

Ay re-chatande ary3t til žay že renk se3en;

1912

Bi žat wat3 comen his compeyny noble,

Alle žat euer ber bugle blowed at ones,

It was the merriest meet that ever was heard.

& alle žise ožer halowed, žat hade no hornes,

Hit wat3 že myriest mute žat euer men herde,

1916

Že rich rurd žat žer wat3 raysed for renaude saule,

with lote;

The hounds are rewarded,

Hor hounde3 žay žer rewarde,

Her³ hede3 žay fawne & frote,

and then they take Reynard and "turn off his coat." 1920

& syžen žay tan reynarde,

& tyrnen of his cote.

The hunters then hasten home.

& ženne žay helden to home, for hit wat3 nie3 ny3t,

Strakande ful stoutly in hor store horne3;

The lord at last alights at his dear home, 1924

Že lorde is ly3t at že laste at hys lef home,

Fynde3 fire vpon flet, že freke žer by-side,

Sir Gawayn že gode, žat glad wat3 with alle,

where he finds Gawayne amusing the ladies.

Among že ladies for luf he ladde much ioye,

1928

He were a bleaunt of blwe, žat bradde to že erže,

His surkot semed hym wel, žat softe wat3 forred,

& his hode of žat ilke henged on his schulder,

The knight comes forward and welcomes his host,

Blande al of blaunner were bože al aboute.

1932

He mete3 me žis god mon in mydde3 že flore,

& al with gomen he hym gret, & goudly he sayde,

"I schal fylle vpon fyrst oure forwarde3 nouže,

[Fol. 117.]

Žat we spedly han spoken, žer spared wat3 no drynk;"

and according to covenant kisses him thrice. 1936

Žen acoles he [že] kny3t, & kysses hym žryes,

(See l. 1868.)

As sauerly & sadly as he hem sette couže.

"By Christ," says the other, "ye have had much bliss!"

"Bi Kryst," quod žat ožer kny3t, "3e cach much sele,

In cheuisaunce of žis chaffer, 3if 3e hade goud chepe3."

1940

"3e of že chepe no charg," quod chefly žat ožer,

"As is pertly payed že chepe3 žat I a3te."

"Mary," quod žat ožer mon, "myn is bi-hynde,

I have hunted all day and have gotten nothing,

For I haf hunted al žis day, & no3t haf I geten,

but the skin of this foul fox, 1944

Bot žis foule fox felle, že fende haf že gode3,

a poor reward for three such kisses."

& žat is ful pore, for to pay for suche prys žinges,

As 3e haf žry3t me here, žro suche žre cosses,

so gode."

1948

"I-no3," quod sir Gawayn,

"I žonk yow, bi že rode;"

He then tells him how the fox was slain.

& how že fox wat3 slayn,

He tolde hym, as žay stode.

With much mirth and minstrelsy they made merry, 1952

With merže & mynstralsye, wyth mete3 at hor wylle,

Žay maden as mery as any men mo3ten,

With la3yng of ladies, with lote3 of bordes;

Gawayn & že gode mon so glad were žay bože,

1956

Bot if že douthe had doted, ožer dronken ben ožer,

Bože že mon & že meyny maden mony iape3,

until the time came for them to part.

Til že sesoun wat3 se3en, žat žay seuer moste;

Burne3 to hor bedde be-houed at že laste.

Gawayne takes leave of his host. 1960

Ženne lo3ly his leue at že lorde fyrst

Fochche3 žis fre mon, & fayre he hym žonkke3;

and thanks him for his happy "sojourn."

"Of such a sellyly¹ soiorne, as I haf hade here,

Your honour, at žis hy3e fest, že hy3e kyng yow 3elde!

1964

I 3ef yow me for on of youre3, if yowre-self lyke3,

For I mot nedes, as 3e wot, meue to morne;

He asks for a man to teach him the way to the Green Chapel.

& 3e me take sum tolke, to teche, as 3e hy3t,

Že gate to že grene chapel, as god wyl me suffer

1968

To dele, on nw3ere3 day, že dome of my wyrdes."

"In god fayže," quod že god mon. "wyth a goud wylle;

Al žat euer I yow hy3t, halde schal I rede."

A servant is assigned to him,

Žer asyngnes he a seruaunt, to sett hym in že waye,

[Fol. 117b.] 1972

& coundue hym by že downe3, žat he no drechch had,

For to f[e]rk žur3 že fryth, & fare at že gaynest,

bi greue.

Že lorde Gawayn con žonk,

1976

Such worchip he wolde hym weue;

and then he takes leave of the ladies,

Žen at žo ladye3 wlonk.

Že kny3t hat3 tan his leue.

kissing them sorrowfully.

With care & wyth kyssyng he carppe3 hem tille,

1980

& fele žryuande žonkke3 he žrat hom to haue,

& žay 3elden hym a3ay[n] 3eply žat ilk;

They commend him to Christ.

Žay bikende hym to Kryst, with ful colde sykynge3.

He then departs, thanking each one he meets "for his service and solace."

Syžen fro že meyny he menskly de-partes;

1984

Vche mon žat he mette, he made hem a žonke,

For his seruyse, & his solace, & his sere pyne,

Žat žay wyth busynes had ben, aboute hym to serue;

& vche segge as sore, to seuer with hym žere,

1988

As žay hade wonde woržyly with žat wlonk euer.

He retires to rest but sleeps but little,

Žen with ledes & ly3t he wat3 ladde to his chambre,

& blybely bro3t to his bedde, to be at his rest;

3if he ne slepe soundyly, say ne dar I,

for much has he to think of on the morrow. 1992

For he hade muche on že morn to mynne, 3if he wolde,

in žo3t;

Let him there lie still.

Let hym ly3e žere stille,

He hat3¹ nere žat he so3t,

Be still awhile, and I shall tell how they wrought. 1996

& 3e wyl a whyle be stylle,

I schal telle yow how žay wro3t.

New Year's Day approaches.

Now ne3e3 že nw3ere, & že ny3t passe3,

Že day dryue3 to že derk, as dry3tyn bidde3;

The weather is stormy. 2000

Bot wylde wedere3 of že worlde wakned žeroute,

Clowdes kesten kenly že colde to že erže,

Wyth ny3e¹ in-noghe of že norže, že naked to tene;

Snow falls.

Že snawe snitered ful snart, žat snayped že wylde;

2004

Že werbelande wynde wapped fro že hy3e,

The dales are full of drift.

& drof vche dale ful of dryftes ful grete.

Že leude lystened ful wel, žat le3 in his bedde,

Gawayne in his bed hears each cock that crows.

Ža3 he lowke3 his lidde3, ful lyttel he slepes;

2008

Bi vch kok žat crue, he knwe wel že steuen.

[Fol. 118.]

De-liuerly he dressed vp, er že day sprenged,

For žere wat3 ly3t of a lau[m]pe, žat lemed in his chambre;

He calls for his chamberlain, and bids him bring him his armour.

He called to his chamberlayn, žat cofly hym swared,

2012

& bede hym bryng hym his bruny, & his blonk sadel;

Žat ožer ferke3 hym vp, & feche3 hym his wede3,

& grayže3 me sir Gawayn vpon a grett wyse.

Fyrst he clad hym in his clože3, že colde for to were;

2016

& syžen his ožer harnays, žat holdely wat3 keped,

Bože his paunce, & his plate3, piked ful clene,

Men knock off the rust from his rich habergeon.

Že rynge3² rokked of že roust, of his riche bruny;

& al wat3 fresch as vpon fyrst, & he wat3 fayn ženne

2020

to žonk;

He hade vpon vche pece,

Wypped ful wel & wlonk;

The knight then calls for his steed.

Že gayest in to Grece,

2024

Že burne bede bryng his blonk.

While he clothed himself in his rich weeds,

Whyle že wlonkest wedes he warp on hym-seluen;

His cote, wyth be conysaunce of že clere werke3,

Ennurned vpon veluet vertuuus¹ stone3,

2028

Aboute beten, & bounden, enbrauded seme3,

& fayre furred with-inne wyth fayre pelures.

he forgot not the "lace," the lady's gift,

3et laft he not že lace, že ladie3 gifte,

Žat for-gat not Gawayn, for gode of hym-seluen;

2032

Bi he hade belted že bronde vpon his bal3e haunche3,

but with it doubly girded his loins.

Ženn dressed he his drurye double hym aboute;

Swyže swežled vmbe his swange swetely, žat kny3t,

Že gordel of že grene silke, žat gay wel bisemed,

2036

Vpon žat ryol red clože, žat ryche wat3 to schewe.

He wore it not for its rich ornaments,

Bot wered not žis ilk wy3e for wele žis gordel,

For pryde of že pendaunte3, ža3 polyst žay were,

& ža3 že glyterande golde glent vpon ende3,

"but to save himself when it behoved him to suffer." 2040

Bot forto sauen hym-self, when suffer hym by-houed,

To byde bale with-oute dabate, of bronde hym to were,

ožer knyffe;

Bi žat že bolde mon boun,

2044

Wynne3 žeroute bilyue,

All the renowned assembly he thanks full oft.

Alle že meyny of renoun,

He žonkke3 ofte ful ryue.

[Fol. 118b.]
Then was Gringolet arrayed,

Thenne wat3 Gryngolet grayže, žat gret wat3 & huge,

2048

& hade ben soiourned sauerly, & in a siker wyse,

full ready to prick on.

Hym lyst prik for poynt, žat proude hors ženne;

Že wy3e wynne3 hym to, & wyte3 on his lyre,

& sayde soberly hym-self, & by his soth swere3,

2052

"Here is a meyny in žis mote, žat on menske ženkke3,

Gawayne returns thanks for the honour and kindness shown to him by all.

Že mon hem maynteines, ioy mot žay haue;

Že leue lady, on lyue luf hir bityde;

3if žay for charyté cherysen a gest,

2056

& halden honour in her honde, že hažel hem 3elde,

Žat halde3 že heuen vpon hy3e, & also yow alle!

& 3if I my3t lyf vpon londe lede any quyle,

I schuld rech yow sum rewarde redyly, if I my3t."

He then steps into his saddle, 2060

Ženn steppe3 he in-to stirop, & stryde3 alofte;

His schalk schewed hym his schelde, on schulder he hit la3t,

Gorde3 to Gryngolet, with his gilt hele3,

and "starts on the stone" without more delay.

& he starte3 on že ston, stod he no lenger,

2064

to praunce;

His hažel on hors wat3 ženne,

Žat bere his spere & launce.

"This castle to Christ I commend; may he give it ever good chance!"

"Žis kastel to Kryst I kenne,

2068

He gef hit ay god chaunce!"

The gates are soon opened.

The brygge wat3 brayde doun, & že brode 3ate3

Vnbarred, & born open, vpon bože halue;

The knight passes thereout,

Že burne blessed hym bilyue, & že brede3 passed;

2072

Prayses že porter, bifore že prynce kneled,

Gef hym God & goud day, žat Gawayn he saue;

and goes on his way accompanied by his guide.

& went on his way, with his wy3e one,

Žat schulde teche hym to tourne to žat tene place,

2076

Žer že ruful race he schulde re-sayue.

Žay bo3en bi bonkke3, žer bo3e3 ar bare,

They climb by cliffs,

Žay clomben bi clyffe3, žer clenge3 že colde;

Že heuen wat3 vp halt, bot vgly žer vnder,

2080

Mist muged on že mor, malt on že mounte3,

where each "hill had a hat and a mist-cloak,"

Vch hille hade a hatte, a myst-hakel huge;

Broke3 byled, & breke, bi bonkke3 aboute,

Schyre schaterande on schore3, žer žay doun schowued.

[Fol. 119.] 2084

Welawylle wat3 že way, žer žay bi wod schulden,

until daylight.

Til hit wat3 sone sesoun, žat že sunne ryses,

žat tyde;

They were then on a "hill full high."

Žay were on a hille ful hy3e,

2088

Že quyte snaw lay bisyde;

The servant bade his master abide, saying,

Že burne žat rod hym by

Bede his mayster abide.

"I have brought you hither,

"For I haf wonnen yow hider, wy3e, at žis tyme,

2092

& now nar 3e not fer fro žat note place,

ye are not now far from the noted place.

Žat 3e han spied & spuryed so specially after;

Bot I schal say yow for sože, syžen I yow knowe,

& 3e ar a lede vpon lyue, žat I wel louy,

2096

Wolde 3e worch bi my wytte, 3e woržed že better.

Full perilous is it esteemed.

Že place žat 3e prece to, ful perelous is halden;

The lord of that 'waste' is stiff and stern.

Žer wone3 a wy3e in žat waste, že worst vpon erže;

For he is stiffe, & sturne, & to strike louies,

2100

& more he is žen any mon vpon myddelerde,

His body is bigger 'than the best four in Arthur's house.'

& his body bigger žen že best fowre.

Žat ar in Aržure3 hous, Hestor¹ ožer ožer.

He cheue3 žat chaunce at že chapel grene;

None passes by the Green Chapel, 'that he does not ding to death with dint of his hand.' 2104

Žer passes non bi žat place, so proude in his armes,

Žat he ne dynne3 hym to deže, with dynt of his honde;

For he is a mon methles, & mercy non vses,

For be it churl or chaplain, monk, mass-priest, 'or any man else,' he kills them all.

For be hit chorle, ožer chaplayn, žat bi že chapel rydes,

2108

Monk, ožer masse-prest, ožer any mon elles,

Hym žynk as queme hym to quelle, as quyk go hym seluen.

For-žy I say že as sože as 3e in sadel sitte,

Com 3e žere, 3e be kylled, [I] may že kny3t rede,

2112

Trawe 3e me žat trwely, ža3 3e had twenty lyues

to spende;

He has lived there full long.

He hat3 wonyd here ful 3ore,

On bent much baret bende,

Against his dints sore ye may not defend you. 2116

A3ayn his dynte3 sore,

3e may not yow defende."

Wherefore, good Sir Gawayne, let this man alone.

"For-žy, goude sir Gawayn, let že gome one,

& got3 a-way sum ožer gate; vpon Godde3 halue;

Go by some other region, 2120

Cayre3 bi sum ožer kyth, žer Kryst mot yow spede;

& I schal hy3 me hom a3ayn, & hete yow fyrre,

[Fol. 119b.]
I swear by God and all His saints, that I will never say that ever ye attempted to flee from any man."

Žat I schal swere bi God, & alle his gode hal3e3,

As help me God & že halydam, & ože3 in-noghe,

2124

Žat I schal lelly yow layne, & lance neuer tale,

Žat euer 3e fondet to fle, for freke žat I wyst."

"Grant merci;" quod Gawayn, & gruchyng he sayde,

"Wel worth že wy3e, žat wolde3 my gode,

2128

& žat lelly me layne, I leue wel žou wolde3!

Gawayne replies that to shun this danger would mark him as a "coward knight."

Bot helde žou hit neuer so holde, & I here passed,

Founded for ferde for to fle, in fourme žat žou telle3,

I were a kny3t kowarde, I my3t not¹ be excused.

To the Chapel, therefore, he will go, 2132

Bot I wy1 to že chape1, for chaunce žat may falle,

& talk wyth žat ilk tulk že tale žat me lyste,

Worže hit wele, ožer wo, as že wyrde lyke3

hit hafe;

though the owner thereof were a stern knave. 2136

Ža3e he be a sturn knape,

To sti3tel, &² stad with staue,

"Full well can God devise his servants for to save."

Ful wel con dry3tyn schape,

His seruaunte3 forto saue."

"Mary!" quoth the other, "since it pleases thee to lose thy life, 2140

"Mary!" quod žat ožer mon, "now žou so much spelle3,

Žat žou wylt žyn awen nye nyme to žy-seluen,

& že lyst lese žy lyf, že lette I ne kepe;

take thy helmet on thy head, and thy spear in thy hand, and ride down this path by yon rock-side,

Haf here ži helme on žy hede, ži spere in ži honde,

2144

& ryde me doun žis ilk rake, bi 3on rokke syde,

till thou come to the bottom of the valley;

Til žou be bro3t to že božem of že brem valay;

look a little to the left,

Ženne loke a littel on že launde, on ži lyfte honde,

and thou shalt see the Chapel itself and the man that guards it."

& žou schal se in žat slade že self chapel,

2148

& že borelych burne on bent, žat hit kepe3.

Now fare3 wel on Gode3 half, Gawayn že noble,

For alle že golde vpon grounde I nolde go with že,

Ne bere že fela3schip žur3 žis fryth on fote fyrre."

Having thus spoken the guide takes leave of the knight. 2152

Bi žat že wy3e in že wod wende3 his brydel,

Hit že hors with že hele3, as harde as he my3t,

Lepe3 hym ouer že launde, & leue3 že kny3t žere,

al one.

"By God's self," says Sir Gawayne, "I will neither weep nor groan. 2156

"Bi Godde3 self," quod Gawayn,

"I wyl naužer grete ne grone,

To God's will I am full ready."

To Godde3 wylle I am ful bayn,

& to hym I haf me tone."

[Fol. 120.]
Then he pursues his journey, 2160

Thenne gyrde3 he to Gryngolet, & gedere3 že rake,

Schowue3 in bi a schore, at a scha3e syde,

rides through the dale, and looks about.

Ride3 žur3 že ro3e bonk, ry3t to že dale;

& ženne he wayted hym aboute, & wylde hit hym žo3t,

He sees no sign of a resting-place, but only high and steep banks. 2164

& se3e no syngne of resette, bisyde3 nowhere,

Bot hy3e bonkke3 & brent, vpon bože halue,

& ru3e knokled knarre3, with knorned stone3;

Že skwe3 of že scowtes skayued¹ hym žo3t.

2168

Ženne he houed, & wyth-hylde his hors at žat tyde,

& ofte chaunged his cher, že chapel to seche;

No chapel could he discern.

He se3 non suche in no syde, & selly hym žo3t,

Sone a lyttel on a launde, a lawe as hit we[re];

At last he sees a hill by the side of a stream; 2172

A bal3 ber3, bi a bonke, že brymme by-syde,

Bi a for3 of a flode, žat ferked žare;

Že borne blubred žer-inne, as hit boyled hade.

thither he goes,

Že kny3t kache3 his caple, & com to že lawe,

alights and fastens his horse to a branch of a tree. 2176

Li3te3 doun luflyly, & at a lynde tache3

Že rayne, & his riche, with a ro3e braunche;

He walks around the hill, debating with himself what it might be,

Žen[n]e he bo3e3 to že ber3e, aboute hit he walke,

D[e]batande with hym-self, quat hit be my3t.

2180

Hit hade a hole on že ende, & on ayžer syde,

& ouer-growen with gresse in glodes ay where,

& al wat3 hol3 in-with, nobot an olde caue,

and at last finds an old cave in the crag.

Or a creuisse of an olde cragge, he couže hit no3t deme

2184

with spelle,

"We,² lorde," quod že gentyle kny3t,

"Whežer žis be že grene chapelle;

He prays that about midnight he may tell his matins.

He my3t aboute myd-ny3t,

2188

[Ž]e dele his matynnes telle!"

"Truly," says Sir Gawayne, "a desert is here,

"Now i-wysse," quod Wowayn, "wysty is here;

Žis oritore is vgly, with erbe3 ouer-growen;

a fitting place for the man in green to 'deal here his devotions in devil fashion.'

Wel biseme3 že wy3e wruxled in grene

2192

Dele here his deuocioun, on že deuele3 wyse;

Now I fele hit is že fende, in my fyue wytte3,

Žat hat3 stoken me žis steuen, to strye me here;

It is most cursed kirk that ever I entered."

Žis is a chapel of meschaunce, žat chekke hit by-tyde,

2196

Hit is že corsedest kyrk, žat euer i com inne!"

[Fol. 120b.]

With he3e helme on his hede, his launce in his honde,

Roaming about he hears a loud noise,

He rome3 vp to že rokke of žo ro3 wone3;

Žene herde he of žat hy3e hil, in a harde roche,

from beyond the brook. 2200

Bi3onde že broke, in a bonk, a wonder breme noyse,

It clattered like the grinding of a scythe on a grindstone.

Quat! hit clatered in že clyff, as hit cleue schulde,

As one vpon a gryndelston hade grounden a syže;

It whirred like a mill-stream.

What! hit wharred, & whette, as water at a mulne,

2204

What! hit rusched, & ronge, rawže to here.

Ženne "bi Godde," quod Gawayn, "žat gere as¹ I trowe,

Is ryched at že reuerence, me renk to mete,

bi rote;

2208

Let God worche we loo,

"Though my life I forgo," says the knight, "no noise shall terrify me."

Hit helppe3 me not a mote,

My lif ža3 I for-goo,

Drede dot3 me no lote."

Then cried he aloud, 2212

Thenne že kny3t con calle ful hy3e,

"Who dwells here discourse with me to hold?"

"Who sti3tle3 in žis sted, me steuen to holde?

Now is the good Gawayne going aright

For now is gode Gawayn goande ry3t here,

If any wy3e o3t wyl wynne hider fast,

2216

Ožer now, ožer neuer, his nede3 to spede."

He hears a voice commanding him to abide where he is.

"Abyde," quod on on že bonke, abouen ouer his hede,

"& žou schal haf al in hast, žat I že hy3t ones."

3et he rusched on žat rurde, rapely a žrowe,

2220

& wyth quettyng a-wharf, er he wolde ly3t;

Soon there comes out of a hole, with a fell weapon,

& syžen he keuere3 bi a cragge, & come3 of a hole,

Whyrlande out of a wro, wyth a felle weppen,

a Danish axe, quite new,

A dene3 ax nwe dy3t, že dynt with [t]o 3elde

2224

With a borelych bytte, bende by že halme,

Fyled in a fylor, fowre fote large,

Hit wat3 no lasse, bi žat lace žat lemed ful bry3t.

the "knight in green," clothed as before.

& že gome in že erene gered as fyrst,

2228

Bože že lyre & že legge3, lokke3, & berde,

Saue žat fayre on his fote he founde3 on že erže,

Sette že stele to že stone, & stalked bysyde.

When he reaches the stream, he hops over and strides about.

When he wan to že watter, žer he wade nolde,

2232

He hypped ouer on hys ax, & orpedly stryde3,

Bremly brože on a bent, žat brode wat3 a-boute,

on snawe.

[Fol. 121.]
He meets Sir Gawayne without obeisance.

Sir Gawayn že kny3t con mete.

2236

He ne lutte hym no žyng lowe,

The other tells him that he is now ready for conversation

Žat ožer sayde, "now, sir swete,

Of steuen mon may že trowe."

"God preserve thee!" says the Green Knight,

"Gawayn," quod žat grene gome, "God že mot loke!

2240

I-wysse žou art welcom,¹ wy3e, to my place,

"as a true knight 'thou hast timed thy travel'

& žou hat3 tymed ži trauayl as true² mon schulde;

Thou knowest the covenant between us,

& žou knowe3 že couenaunte3 kest vus by-twene,

At žis tyme twelmonyth žou toke žat že falled,

that on New Year's day I should return thy blow 2244

& I schulde at žis nwe 3ere 3eply že quyte.

Here we are alone,

& we ar in žis valay, verayly oure one,

Here ar no renkes vs to rydde, rele as vus like3;

Have off thy helmet and take thy pay at once."

Haf žy³ helme of žy hede, & haf here žy pay;

2248

Busk no more debate žen I že bede ženne,

"When žou wypped of my hede at a wap one."

"By God," quoth Sir Gawayne, "I shall not begrudge thee thy will."

"Nay, bi God," quod Gawayn, "žat me gost lante,

I schal gruch že no grwe, for grem žat falle3;

2252

Botsty3tel že vpon on strok, & I schal stonde stylle,

& warp že no wernyng, to worch as že lyke3,

no whare."

Then he shows his bare neck,

He lened with že nek, & lutte,

2256

& schewed žat schyre al bare,

& lette as he no3t dutte,

and appears undaunted.

For drede he wolde not dare.

Then the man in green seizes his grim tool.

Then že gome in že grene grayžed hym swyže,

2260

Gedere3 yp hys grymme tole, Gawayn to smyte;

With all his force he raises it aloft.

With alle že bur in his body he ber hit on lofte,

Munt as ma3tyly, as marre hym he wolde;

Hade hit dryuen adoun, as dre3 as he atled,

2264

Žer hade ben ded of his dynt, žat do3ty wat3 euer.

Bot Gawayn on žat giserne glyfte hym bysyde,

As it came gliding down,

As hit com glydande adoun, on glode hym to schende,

Sir Gawayne shrank a little with his shoulders.

& schranke a lytel with že schulderes, for že scharp yrne.

2268

Žat ožer schalk wyth a schunt že schene wythhalde3,

The other reproved him, saying,

& ženne repreued he že prynce with mony prowde worde3:

"Thou art not Gawayne that is so good esteemed,

"Žou art not Gawayn," quod že gome, "žat is so goud halden,

Žat neuer ar3ed for no here, by hylle ne be vale,

[Fol. 121b.]
for thou fleest for fear before thou feelest harm. 2272

& now žou fles for ferde, er žou fele harme3;

Such cowardise of žat kny3t cowže I neuer here.

I never flinched when thou struckest.

Nawžer fyked I, ne fla3e, freke, quen žou myntest,

Ne kest no kauelacion, in kynge3 hous Arthor,

My head flew to my foot, yet I never fled, 2276

My hede fla3 to my fote, & 3et fla3 I neuer;

& žou, er any harme hent, ar3e3 in hert,

wherefore I ought to be called the better man."

Wherfore že better burne me burde be called

žer-fore."

"I shunted once," says Gawayne, "but will no more. 2280

Quod G:, "I schunt one3,

& so wyl I no more,

Bot pa3 my hede falle on že stone3,

I con not hit restore.

Bring me to the point; deal me my destiny at once." 2284

Bot busk, burne, bi ži fayth, & bryng me to že poynt,

Dele to me my destiné, & do hit out of honde,

For I schal stonde že a strok, & start no more,

Til žyn ax haue me hitte, haf here my trawže."

"Have at thee, then," says the other. 2288

"Haf at že ženne," quod žat ožer, & heue3 hit alofte,

& wayte3 as wrožely, as he wode were;

With that he aims at him a blow.

He mynte3 at hym ma3tyly, bot not že mon ryue3,¹

With-helde heterly h[i]s honde, er hit hurt my3t.

Gawayne never flinches, but stands as still as a stone. 2292

Gawayn grayžely hit byde3, & glent with no membre,

Bot stode stylle as že ston, ožer a stubbe aužer,

Žat raželed is in roche grounde, with rote3 a hundreth.

Žen muryly efte con he mele, že mon in že grene,

"Now," says the Green Knight, "I must hit thee, since thy heart is whole." 2296

"So now žou hat3 ži hert holle, hitte me bihou[e]s;

Halde že now že hy3e hode, žat Aržur že ra3t,

& kepe žy kanel at žis kest, 3if hit keuer may."

G: ful gryndelly with greme ženne sayde,

"Thrash on," says the other. 2300

"Wy žresch on, žou žro mon, žou žrete3 to longe,

I hope žat ži hert ar3e wyth žyn awen seluen."

"For sože," quod žat ožer freke, "so felly žou speke3,

I wyl no lenger on lyte lette žin ernde,

2304

ri3t nowe."

Then the Green Knight makes ready to strike.

Ženne tas he² hym stryže to stryke,

& frounses bože lyppe & browe,

No meruayle ža3 hym myslyke,

2308

Žat hoped of no rescowe.

He let fall his loom on the bare

He lyftes ly3tly his lome, & let hit doun fayre,

[Fol. 122.]
neck of Sir Gawayne.

With že barbe of že bitte bi že bare nek

Ža3 he homered heterly, hurt hym no more,

2312

Bot snyrt hym on žat on syde, žat seuered že hyde;

The sharp weapon pierced the flesh so that the blood flowed.

Že scharp schrank to že flesche žur3 že schyre grece,

Žat že schene blod over his schulderes schot to že erže.

When the knight saw the blood on the snow,

& quen že burne se3 že blode blenk on že snawe,

2316

He sprit forth spenne fote more žen a spere lenže,

Hent heterly his helme, & on his hed cast,

Schot with his schuldere3 his fayre schelde vnder,

he unsheathed his sword, and thus spake:

Brayde3 out a bry3t sworde, & bremely he speke3;

2320

Neuer syn žat he wat3 burne borne of his moder,

Wat3 he neuer in žis worlde, wy3e half so blyže:—

"Cease, man, of thy blow.

"Blynne, burne, of žy bur, bede me no mo;

I haf a stroke in žis sted with-oute stryf hent,

If thou givest me any more, readily shall I requite thee. 2324

& if žow reche3 me any mo, I redyly schal quyte,

& 3elde 3ederly a3ayn, & žer to 3e tryst,

& foo;

Our agreement stipulates only one stroke."

Bot on stroke here me falle3,

2328

Že couenaunt schop ry3t so,

[Sikered]¹ in Aržure3 halle3,

& žer-fore, hende, now hoo!"

The Green Knight rested on his axe,

The hažel heldet hym fro, & on his ax rested,

2332

Sette že schaft vpon schore, & to be scharp lened,

looked on Sir Gawayne, who appeared bold and fearless,

& loked to že leude, žat on že launde 3ede,

How žat do3ty dredles deruely žer stonde3,

Armed ful a3le3; in hert hit hym lyke3.

2336

ženn he mele3 muryly, wyth a much steuen,

and addressed him as follows: "Bold knight, be not so wroth,

& wyth a r[a]ykande rurde he to že renk sayde,

"Bolde burne, on žis bent be not so gryndel;

No mon here vn-manerly že mys-boden habbe,

2340

Ne kyd, bot as couenaunde, at kynge3 kort schaped;

I promised thee a stroke and thou hast it, be satisfied.

I hy3t že a strok, & žou hit hat3, halde že wel payed,

I relece že of že remnaunt, of ry3tes alle ožer;

3if¹ I deliuer had bene, a boffet, paraunter,

I could have dealt worse with thee. 2344

I couže wroželoker haf waret, [&] to že haf wro3t anger.²

Fyrst I mansed že muryly, with a mynt one,

I menaced thee with one blow for the covenant

& roue že wyth no rof, sore with ry3t I že profered,

[Fol. 122b.]
between us on the first night.

For že forwarde that we fest in že fyrst ny3t,

2348

& žou trystyly že trawže & trwly me halde3,

Al že gayne žow me gef, as god mon shulde;

Another I aimed at thee because thou kissedst my wife.

Žat ožer munt for že morne, mon, I že profered,

Žou kyssedes my clere wyf, že cosse3 me ra3te3,

2352

For bože two here I že bede bot two bare myntes,

boute scaže;

A true man should restore truly, and then he need fear no harm.

Trwe mon trwe restore,

Ženne žar mon drede no waže;

Thou failedst at the third time, and therefore take thee that tap. (See l. 1861.) 2356

At že žrid žou fayled žore,

& žer-for žat tappe ta že.

For my weed (woven by my wife) thou wearest.

For hit is my wede žat žou were3, žat ilke wouen girdel,

Myn owen wyf hit že weued, I wot wel forsože;

I know thy kisses and my wife's wooing. 2360

Now know I wel žy cosses, & žy costes als,

& že wowyng of my wyf, I wro3t hit myseluen;

I sent her to try thee, and faultless I found thee.

I sende hir to asay že, & sothly me žynkke3,

On že fautlest freke, žat euer on fote 3ede;

2364

As perle bi že quite pese is of prys more,

So is Gawayn, in god fayth, bi ožer gay kny3te3.

But yet thou sinnedst a little,

Bot here you lakked a lyttel, sir, & lewte yow wonted,

Bot žat wat3 for no wylyde werke, ne wowyng naužer,

for love of thy life." 2368

Bot for 3e lufed your lyf, že lasse I yow blame."

Žat ožer stif mon in study stod a gret whyle;

So agreued for greme he gryed with-inne,

Gawayne stands confounded.

Alle že blode of his brest blende in his face,

2372

Žat al he schrank for schome, žat že schalk talked.

Že forme worde vpon folde, žat že freke meled,—

"Cursed," he says, "be cowardice and covetousness both!"

"Corsed worth cowarddyse & couetyse bože!

In yow is vylany & vyse, žat vertue disstrye3."

Then he takes off the girdle and throws it to the knight. 2376

Ženne he ka3t to že knot, & že kest lawse3,

Brayde brožely že belt to že burne seluen:

"Lo! žer že falssyng, foule mot hit falle!

He curses his cowardice,

For care of žy knokke cowardyse me ta3t

2380

To a-corde me with couetyse, my kynde to for-sake,

Žat is larges & lewte, žat longe3 to kny3te3.

and confesses himself to have been guilty of untruth.

Now am I fawty, & falce, & ferde haf ben euer;

Of trecherye & vn-trawže bože bityde sor3e

2384

& care!

[Fol. 123.]

I bi-knowe yow, kny3t, here stylle,

Al fawty is my fare,

Lete3 me ouer-take your wylle,

2388

& efle I schal be ware."

Then the other, laughing, thus spoke:

Thenne lo3e žat ožer leude, & luflyly sayde,

"I halde hit hardily¹ hole, že harme žat I hade;

"Thou art confessed so clean,

Žou art confessed so clene, be-knowen of žy mysses,

2392

& hat3 že penaunce apert, of že poynt of myn egge,

that I hold thee as pure as if thou hadst never been guilty.

I halde že polysed of žat ply3t, & pured as clene,

As žou hade3 neuer forfeted, syžen žou wat3 fyrst borne.

I give thee, sir, the gold-hemmed girdle,

& I gif že, sir, že gurdel žat is golde hemmed;

2396

For hit is grene as my goune, sir G:, 3e maye

Ženk vpon žis ilke žrepe, žer žou forth žrynge3

Among prynces of prys, & žis a pure token

as a token of thy adventure at the Green Chapel.

Of že chaunce of že grene chapel, at cheualrous kny3te3;

Come again to my abode, and abide there for the remainder of the festival." 2400

& 3e schal in žis nwe 3er a3ayn to my wone3,

& we schyn reuel že remnaunt of žis ryche fest,

ful bene."

Žer lažed hym fast že lorde,

2404

& sayde, "with my wyf, I wene,

We schal yow wel acorde,

Žat wat3 your enmy kene."

"Nay, forsooth," says Gawayne,

"Nay, for sože," quod že segge, & sesed hys helme,

2408

& hat3 hit of hendely, & že hažel žonkke3,

"I have sojourned sadly, but bliss betide thee!

"I haf soiorned sadly, sele yow bytyde,

& he 3elde hit yow 3are, žat 3arkke3 al menskes!

Commend me to your comely wife and that other lady who have beguiled me.

& comaunde3 me to žat cortays, your comlych fere,

2412

Bože žat on & žat ožer, myn honoured ladye3.

Žat žus hor kny3t wyth hor kest han koyntly bigyled.

But it is no marvel for a man to be brought to grief through a woman's wiles.

Bot hit is no ferly, ža3 a fole madde,

& žur3 wyles of wymmen be wonen to sor3e;

Adam, Solomon, Samson, and David were beguiled by women. 2416

For so wat3 Adam in erde with one bygyled,

& Salamon with fele sere, & Samson eft sone3,

Dalyda dalt hym hys wyrde, & Dauyth žer-after

Wat3 blended with Barsabe, žat much bale žoled.

How could a man love them and believe them not? 2420

Now žese were wrathed wyth her wyles, hit were a wynne huge,

To luf hom wel, & leue hem not, a leude žat couže,

[Fol. 123b.]

For žes wer forne¹ že freest žat fol3ed alle že sele,

Ex-ellently of alle žyse ožer, vnder heuen-ryche,

2424

žat mused;

& alle žay were bi-wyled,

With² wymmen žat žay vsed,

Though I be now beguiled, methinks I should be excused.

Ža3 I be now bigyled,

2428

Me žink me burde be excused."

But God reward you for your girdle.

"Bot your gordel," quod G: "God yow for-3elde!

Žat wyl I welde wyth good wylle, not for že wynne golde,

Ne že saynt, ne že sylk, ne že syde pendaundes,

2432

For wele, ne for worchyp, ne for že wlonk werkke3,

I will wear it in remembrance of my fault.

Bot in syngne of my surfet I schal se hit ofte;

When I ride in renoun, remorde to myseluen

Že faut & že fayntyse of že flesche crabbed,

2436

How tender hit is to entyse teches of fylže;

And when pride shall prick me,

& žus, quen pryde schal me pryk, for prowes of armes,

a look to this lace shall abate it.

Že loke to žis luf lace schal leže my hert.

Bot on I wolde yow pray, displeses yow neuer;

2440

Syn 3e be lorde of že 3onde[r] londe, žer I haf lent inne,

Wyth yow wyth worschyp,—že wy3e hit yow 3elde

Žat vp-halde3 že heuen, & on hy3 sitte3,—

But tell me your right name and I shall have done."

How norne 3e yowre ry3t nome, & ženne no more?"

2444

"Žat schal I telle že trwly," quod žat ožer ženne,

The Green Knight replies, "I am called Bernlak de Hautdesert, through might of Morgain la Fey, the pupil of Merlin.

"Bernlak de Hautdesert I hat in žis londe,

Žur3 my3t of Morgne la Faye, žat in my hous lenges,

&¹ koyntyse of clergye, bi craftes wel lerned,

2448

Že maystres of Merlyn, mony ho² taken;

For ho hat3 dalt drwry ful dere sum tyme,

With žat conable klerk, žat knowes alle your kny3te3

at hame;

2452

Morgne že goddes,

Žer-fore hit is hir name;

She can tame even the haughtiest.

Welde3 non so hy3e hawtesse,

Žat ho ne con make ful tame.

It was she who caused me to test the renown of the Round Table, 2456

Ho wayned me vpon žis wyse to your wynne halle,

For to assay že surquidre, 3if hit soth were,

Žat rennes of že grete renoun of že Rounde Table;

Ho wayned me žis wonder, your wytte3 to reue,

[Fol. 124.]
hoping to grieve Guenever and cause her death through fear. 2460

For to haf greued Gaynour, & gart hir to dy3e.

With gopnyng¹ of žat ilke gomen, žat gostlych speked,

With his hede in his honde, bifore že hy3e table.

Žat is ho žat is at home, že auncian lady;

She is even thine aunt. 2464

Ho is euen žyn aunt, Aržure3 half suster,

Že duches do3ter of Tyntagelle, žat dere Vter after

Therefore come to her and make merry in my house."

Hade Aržur vpon, žat ažel is nowže.

Žerfore I eže že, hažel, to com to žy naunt,

2468

Make myry in my hous, my meny že louies,

& I wol že as wel, wy3e, bi my faythe,

As any gome vnder God, for žy grete trauže."

Gawayne refuses to return with the Green Knight.

& he nikked hym naye, he nolde bi no wayes;

2472

Žay acolen & kyssen, [bikennen] ayžer ožer

To že prynce of paradise, & parten ry3t žere,

on coolde;

On horse full fair he bends to Arthur's hall.

Gawayn on blonk ful bene,

2476

To že kynge3 bur3 buske3 bolde,

& že kny3t in že enker grene,

Whider-warde so euer he wolde.

Wild ways now Gawayne rides.

Wylde waye3 in že worlde Wowen now ryde3,

2480

On Gryngolet, žat že grace hade geten of his lyue;

Oft he harboured in house and oft thereout.

Ofte he herbered in house, & ofte al žeroute,

& mony a-venture in vale, & venquyst ofte,

Žat I ne ty3t, at žis tyme, in tale to remene.

The wound in his neck became whole. 2484

Že hurt wat3 hole, žat he hade hent in his nek,

He still carried about him the belt,

& že blykkande belt he bere žeraboute,

A belef as a bauderyk, bounden bi his syde,

Loken vnder his lyfte arme, že lace, with a knot,

in token of his fault. 2488

In tokenyng he wat3 tane in tech of a faute;

Thus he comes to the Court of King Arthur.

& žus he commes to že court, kny3t al in sounde.

Great then was the joy of all.

Žer wakned wele in žat wone, when wyst že grete,

Žat gode G: wat3 commen, gayn hit hym žo3t;

The king and his knights ask him concerning his journey. 2492

Že kyng kysse3 že kny3t, & že whene alce,

& syžen mony syker kny3t, žat so3t hym to haylce,

Gawayne tells them of his adventures,

Of his fare žat hym frayned, & ferlyly he telles;

Biknowo3 alle že costes of care žat he hade,—

2496

Že chaunce of že chapel, že chere of že kny3t,

[Fol. 124b.]
the love of the lady, and lastly of the lace.

Že luf of že ladi, že lace at že last.

Že nirt in že nek he naked hem schewed,

He showed them the cut in his neck.

Žat he la3t for his vnleute at že leudes hondes,

2500

for blame;

He tened quen he schulde telle,

He groaned for grief and shame, and the blood rushed into his face.

He groned for gref & grame;

Že blod in his face con melle,

2504

When he hit schulde schewe, for schame.

"Lo!" says he, handling the lace, "this is the band of blame,

"Lo! lorde," quod že leude, & že lace hondeled,

"Žis is že bende of žis blame I bere [in] my nek,

Žis is že laže & že losse, žat I la3t haue,

a token of my cowardice and covetousness, 2508

Of couardise & couetyse, žat I haf ca3t žare,

Žis is že token of vn-trawže, žat I am tan inne,

I must needs wear it as long as I live."

& I mot nede3 hit were, wyle I may last;

For non may hyden his harme, bot vnhap ne may hit,

2512

For žer hit one3 is tachched, twynne wil hit neuer."

The king comforts the knight, and all the court too.

Že kyng comforte3 že kny3t, & alle že court als,

La3en loude žer-at, & luflyly acorden,

Žat lordes & ladis, žat longed to že Table,

Each knight of the brotherhood agrees to wear a bright green belt, 2516

Vche burne of že brožer-hede a bauderyk schulde haue,

A bende, a belef hym aboute, of a bry3t grene,

for Gawayne's sake,

& žat, for sake of žat segge, in swete to were.

For žat wat3 acorded že renoun of že Rounde Table,

who ever more honoured it. 2520

& he honoured žat hit hade, euer-more after,

As hit is breued in že best boke of romaunce.

Thus in Arthur's day this adventure befell.

Žus in Arthurus day žis aunter bitidde,

Že Brutus bokees žer-of beres wyttenesse;

2524

Syžen Brutus, že bolde burne, bo3ed hider fyrst,

After že segge & že asaute wat3 sesed at Troye,

I-wysse;

Mony auntere3 here bi-forne,

2528

Haf fallen suche er žis:

He that bore the crown of thorns bring us to His bliss!

Now žat bere že croun of žorne,

He bryng vus to his blysse! AMEN.

LONDON,

December 22, 1864.

"Each two had dishes twelve,

Good beer and bright wine both."

"Not all from fear, but some for courtesy" (ll. 221-249).

And yet give I him respite,

A twelvemonth and a day;

Now haste and let see tite (soon)

Dare any here-in ought say.'"

"The king and Gawayne there

At that green (one) they laugh and grin."

"Very much was the warm water that poured from eyes that day."

"Though I had nought of yours,

Yet should ye have of mine.