e
welcomest
wy3e of ?
Gawaine and the Green Knight
er hi3ed in-noghe
For to hent hit at his honde, ? e hende to seruen,
828 His bronde & his blasoun bo? e ? ay token.
? en haylsed he ful hendly ? o ha? ele3 vch one,
& mony proud mon ? er presed, ? at prynce to honour;
Alle hasped in his he3 wede to halle ? ay hym wonnen,
832 ? er fayre fyre vpon flet fersly brenned.
[H] ? enne ? e lorde of ? e lede loute3 fro his chambre,
For to mete wyth menske ? e mon on ? e flor;
He sayde, "3e ar welcum to welde as yow lyke3,
836 ? at here is, al is yowre awen, to haue at yowre wylle
& welde. "
"Graunt mercy," quod Gawayn,
"? er Kryst hit yow for-3elde,"
840 [I] As freke3 ? at semed fayn,
Ay? er o? er in arme3 con felde.
[Sidenote A: "Good sir," says Gawayne, "ask the high lord of this house to
grant me a lodging. "]
[Sidenote B: "You are welcome to dwell here as long as you like," replied
the porter. ]
[Sidenote C: The draw-bridge is let down,]
[Sidenote D: and the gate is opened wide to receive him. ]
[Sidenote E: His horse is well stabled. ]
[Sidenote F: Knights and squires bring Gawayne into the hall. ]
[Sidenote G: Many a one hastens to take his helmet and sword. ]
[Sidenote H: The lord of the country bids him welcome,]
[Sidenote I: and they embrace each other. ]
[Footnote 1: trowoe, MS. ]
[Footnote 2: quyle (? ) or quen (? ). ]
[Footnote 3: buurne, MS. ]
XV.
[A] Gawayn gly3t on ? e gome ? at godly hym gret,
[B] & ? u3t hit a bolde burne ? at ? e bur3 a3te,
844 A hoge ha? el for ? e none3, & of hyghe elde;[1]
[C] Brode bry3t wat3 his berde, & al beuer hwed,
Sturne stif on ? e stry? ? e on stal-worth schonke3,
[D] Felle face as ? e fyre, & fre of hys speche;
848 & wel hym semed for so? e, as ? e segge ? u3t,
To lede a lortschyp in lee of leude3 ful gode.
[E] ? e lorde hym charred to a chambre, & chefly cumaunde3[2] [Fol. ]
To delyuer hym a leude, hym lo3ly to serue; [102b. ]
852 & ? ere were boun at his bode burne3 in-no3e,
[F] ? at bro3t hym to a bry3t boure, ? er beddyng wat3 noble,
Of cortynes of clene sylk, wyth cler golde hemme3,
[G] & couertore3 ful curious, with comlych pane3,
856 Of bry3t blaunnier a-boue enbrawded bisyde3,
Rudele3 rennande on rope3, red golde rynge3,
[H] Tapyte3 ty3t to ? e wo3e, of tuly & tars,
& vnder fete, on ? e flet, of fol3ande sute.
860 [I] ? er he wat3 dispoyled, wyth speche3 of myer? e,
? e burn of his bruny, & of his bry3t wede3;
[J] Ryche robes ful rad renkke3 hem[3] bro3ten,
For to charge, & to chaunge, & chose of ? e best.
864 Sone as he on hent, & happed ? er-inne,
? at sete on hym[4] semly, wyth saylande skyrte3,
[K] ? e ver by his uisage verayly hit semed
Wel ne3 to vche ha? el alle on hwes,
868 Lowande & lufly, alle his lymme3 vnder,
[L] ? at a comloker kny3t neuer Kryst made,
hem ? o3t;
Whe? en in worlde he were,
872 Hit semed as he my3t
Be prynce with-outen pere,
In felde ? er felle men fy3t.
[Sidenote A: Gawayne looks on his host;]
[Sidenote B: a big bold one he seemed. ]
[Sidenote C: Beaver-hued was his broad beard,]
[Sidenote D: and his face as "fell as the fire. "]
[Sidenote E: The lord leads Gawayne to a chamber, and assigns him a page to
wait upon him. ]
[Sidenote F: In this bright bower was noble bedding;]
[Sidenote G: the curtains were of pure silk with golden hems;]
[Sidenote H: Tarsic tapestries covered the walls and the floor. ]
[Sidenote I: Here the knight doffed his armour,]
[Sidenote J: and put on rich robes,]
[Sidenote K: which well became him. ]
[Sidenote L: A more comely knight Christ never made. ]
[Footnote 1: eldee, MS. ]
[Footnote 2: clesly, MS. ]
[Footnote 3: hym (? ). ]
[Footnote 4: MS. hyn. ]
XVI.
[A] A cheyer by-fore ? e chemne, ? er charcole brenned,
876 Wat3 gray? ed for sir Gawan, gray? ely with clo? e3,
Whyssynes vpon queldepoyntes, ? a[t] koynt wer bo? e;
[B] & ? enne a mere mantyle wat3 on ? at mon cast,
Of a broun bleeaunt, enbrauded ful ryche,
880 & fayre furred wyth-inne with felle3 of ? e best,
Alle of ermyn in erde, his hode of ? e same;
& he sete in ? at settel semlych ryche,
& achaufed hym chefly,[1] & ? enne his cher mended.
884 [C] Sone wat3 telded vp a tapit, on treste3 ful fayre,
[D] Clad wyth a clene clo? e, ? at cler quyt schewed,
Sanap, & salure, & syluer-in spone3;
? e wy3e wesche at his wylle, & went to his mete [Fol. 103. ]
888 Segge3 hym serued semly in-no3e,
[E] Wyth sere sewes & sete,[2] sesounde of ? e best,
Double felde, as hit falle3, & fele kyn fische3;
[F] Summe baken in bred, summe brad on ? e glede3,
892 [G] Summe so? en, summe in sewe, sauered with spyces,
& ay sawes[3] so sle3e3, ? at ? e segge lyked.
? e freke calde hit a fest ful frely & ofte,
[H] Ful hendely, quen alle ? e ha? eles re-hayted hym at one3
896 as hende;
"? is penaunce now 3e take,
& eft hit schal amende;"
[I] ? at mon much mer? e con make.
900 For wyn in his hed ? at wende.
[Sidenote A: A chair is placed for Sir Gawayne before the fireplace. ]
[Sidenote B: A mantle of fine linen, richly embroidered, is thrown over
him. ]
[Sidenote C: A table is soon raised,]
[Sidenote D: and the knight, having washed, proceeded to meat. ]
[Sidenote E: He is served with numerous dishes;]
[Sidenote F: with fish baked and broiled,]
[Sidenote G: or boiled and seasoned with spices. ]
[Sidenote H: He calls it a full noble feast,]
[Sidenote I: and much mirth he makes, for the wine is in his head. ]
[Footnote 1: MS. cefly. ]
[Footnote 2: swete (? ). ]
[Footnote 3: sewes (? ). ]
XVII.
[A] ? enne wat3 spyed & spured vpon spare wyse.
Bi preue poynte3 of ? at prynce, put to hym-seluen,
? at he be-knew cortaysly of ? e court ? at he were,
904 [B] ? at a? el Arthure ? e hende halde3 hym one,
? at is ? e ryche ryal kyng of ? e rounde table;
& hit wat3 Wawen hym-self ? at in ? at won sytte3,
Comen to ? at krystmasse, as case hym ? en lymped.
908 [C] When ? e lorde hade lerned ? at he ? e leude hade,
Loude la3ed he ? erat, so lef hit hym ? o3t,
[D] & alle ? e men in ? at mote maden much joye,
To apere in his presense prestly ? at tyme,
912 ? at alle prys, & prowes, & pured ? ewes
Apendes to hys persoun, & praysed is euer,
By-fore alle men vpon molde, his mensk is ? e most.
[E] Vch segge ful softly sayde to his fere,
916 [F] "Now schal we semlych se sle3te3 of ? ewe3,
& ? e teccheles termes of talkyng noble,
Wich spede is in speche, vnspurd may we lerne,
[G] Syn we haf fonged ? at fyne fader of nurture;
920 God hat3 geuen vus his grace godly for so? e,
? at such a gest as Gawan graunte3 vus to haue,
When burne3 bly? e of his bur? e schal sitte
& synge.
924 In menyng of manere3 mere,
? is burne now schal vus bryng, [Fol. 103b. ]
[H] I hope ? at may hym here,
Schal lerne of luf-talkyng. "
[Sidenote A: Sir Gawayne, in answer to questions put to him,]
[Sidenote B: tells the prince that he is of Arthur's court. ]
[Sidenote C: When this was made known,]
[Sidenote D: great was the joy in the hall. ]
[Sidenote E: Each one said softly to his mate,]
[Sidenote F: "Now we shall see courteous manners and hear noble speech,]
[Sidenote G: for we have amongst us the 'father of nurture. ']
[Sidenote H: He that may him hear shall learn of love-talking. "]
XVIII.
928 [A] Bi ? at ? e diner wat3 done, & ? e dere vp,
Hit wat3 ne3 at ? e niy3t ne3ed ? e tyme;
Chaplayne3[1] to ? e chapeles chosen ? e gate,
Rungen ful rychely, ry3t as ? ay schulden,
932 [B] To ? e hersum euensong of ? e hy3e tyde.
? e lorde loutes ? erto, & ? e lady als,
In-to a comly closet coyntly ho entre3;
Gawan glyde3 ful gay, & gos ? eder sone;
936 ? e lorde laches hym by ? e lappe, & lede3 hym to sytte,
& cou? ly hym knowe3, & calle3 hym his nome,
& sayde he wat3 ?
e welcomest wy3e of ? e worlde;
[C] & he hym ? onkked ? roly, & ay? er halched o? er.
940 & seten soberly samen ? e seruise-quyle;
? enne lyst ? e lady to loke on ? e kny3t.
[D] ? enne com ho of hir closet, with mony cler burde3,
Ho wat3 ? e fayrest in felle, of flesche & of lyre,
944 & of compas, & colour, & costes of alle o? er,
[E] & wener ? en Wenore, as ? e wy3e ? o3t.
He ches ? ur3 ? e chaunsel, to cheryche ? at hende;
[F] An o? er lady hir lad bi ? e lyft honde,
948 ? at wat3 alder ? en ho, an auncian hit semed,
& he3ly honowred with ha? ele3 aboute.
[G] Bot yn-lyke on to loke ? o ladyes were,
[H] For if ? e 3onge wat3 3ep, 3ol3e wat3 ? at o? er;
952 Riche red on ? at on rayled ay quere,
[I] Rugh ronkled cheke3 ? at o? er on rolled;
Kerchofes of ? at on wyth mony cler perle3
[J] Hir brest & hir bry3t ? rote bare displayed,
956 Schon schyrer ? en snawe, ? at scheder[2] on hille3;
? at o? er wyth a gorger wat3 gered ouer ? e swyre,
Chymbled ouer hir blake chyn with mylk-quyte vayles,
[K] Hir frount folden in sylk, enfoubled ay quere,
960 Toret & treieted with tryfle3 aboute,
[L] ? at no3t wat3 bare of ? at burde bot ? e blake bro3es. [Fol. 104. ]
? e tweyne y3en, & ? e nase, ? e naked lyppe3,
& ? ose were soure to se, & sellyly blered;
964 A mensk lady on molde mon may hir calle,
for gode;
[M] Hir body wat3 schort & ? ik.
[N] Hir buttoke3 bay & brode,
968 More lykker-wys on to lyk,
Wat3 ? at scho hade on lode.
[Sidenote A: After dinner the company go to the chapel,]
[Sidenote B: to hear the evensong of the great season. ]
[Sidenote C: The lord of the castle and Sir Gawayne sit together during
service. ]
[Sidenote D: His wife, accompanied by her maids, leaves her seat. ]
[Sidenote E: She appeared even fairer than Guenever. ]
[Sidenote F: An older lady (an ancient one she seemed) led her by the
hand. ]
[Sidenote G: Very unlike were these two. ]
[Sidenote H: if the young one was fair the other was yellow,]
[Sidenote I: and had rough and wrinkled cheeks. ]
[Sidenote J: The younger had breast and throat "bare displayed. "]
[Sidenote K: The ancient one exposed only her "black brows," her two eyes,]
[Sidenote L: nose, and naked lips, all sour and bleared. ]
[Sidenote M: Her body was short and thick;]
[Sidenote N: her buttocks broad and round. ]
[Footnote 1: MS. [claplayne3. ]]
[Footnote 2: schedes (? ). ]
XIX.
[A] When Gawayn gly3t on ? at gay, ? at graciously loked,
Wyth leue la3t of ? e lorde he went hem a3aynes;
972 [B] ? e alder he haylses, heldande ful lowe,
? e loueloker he lappe3 a lyttel in arme3,
[C] He kysses hir comlyly, & kny3tly he mele3;
? ay kallen hym of a quoyntaunce, & he hit quyk aske3
976 [D] To be her seruaunt sothly, if hem-self lyked.
? ay tan hym bytwene hem, wyth talkyng hym leden
[E] To chambre, to chemne, & chefly ? ay asken
[F] Spyce3, ? at vn-sparely men speded hom to bryng,
980 & ? e wynne-lych wyne ? er-with vche tyme.
? e lorde luflych aloft lepe3 ful ofte,
Mynned merthe to be made vpon mony sy? e3.
[G] Hent he3ly of his hode, & on a spere henged,
984 & wayned hom to wynne ? e worchip ? er-of,
[H] ? at most myr? e my3t mene[1] ? at crystenmas whyle;
"& i schal fonde, bi my fayth, to fylter wyth ? e best,
Er me wont ? e wede3, with help of my frende3. "
988 ? us wyth la3ande lote3 ? e lorde hit tayt[2] make3,
[I] For to glade sir Gawayn with gomne3 in halle
? at ny3t;
Til ? at hit wat3 tyme,
992 ? e kyng comaundet ly3t,
[J] Sir Gawen his leue con nyme,
& to his bed hym di3t.
[Sidenote A: With permission of the lord,]
[Sidenote B: Sir Gawayne salutes the elder,]
[Sidenote C: but the younger he kisses,]
[Sidenote D: and begs to be her servant. ]
[Sidenote E: To chamber all go,]
[Sidenote F: where spices and wine are served. ]
[Sidenote G: The lord takes off his hood and places it on a spear. ]
[Sidenote H: He who makes most mirth is to win it. ]
[Sidenote I: Night approaches, and then]
[Sidenote J: Sir Gawayne takes his leave and retires to rest. ]
[Footnote 1: meue (? ). ]
[Footnote 2: layt (? ). ]
XX.
[A] On ? e morne, as vch mon myne3 ? at tyme,
996 [B] [? ]at dry3tyn for oure destyne to de3e wat3 borne,
Wele waxe3 in vche a won in worlde, for his sake;
[C] So did hit ? ere on ? at day, ? ur3 dayntes mony;
Bo? e at mes & at mele, messes ful quaynt [Fol. 104b. ]
1000 Derf men vpon dece drest of ? e best.
[D] ? e olde auncian wyf he3est ho sytte3;
? e lorde lufly her by lent, as I trowe;
[E] Gawan & ? e gay burde to-geder ? ay seten,
1004 Euen in-mydde3, as ? e messe metely come;
& sy? en ? ur3 al ? e sale, as hem best semed,
[F] Bi vche grome at his degre gray? ely wat3 serued.
? er wat3 mete, ? er wat3 myr? e, ? er wat3 much ioye,
1008 ? at for to telle ? erof hit me tene were,
& to poynte hit 3et I pyned me parauenture;
[G] Bot 3et I wot ? at Wawen & ? e wale burde
Such comfort of her compaynye ca3ten to-geder,
1012 ? ur3 her dere dalyaunce of her derne worde3,
Wyth clene cortays carp, closed fro fyl? e;
& hor play wat3 passande vche prynce gomen,
in vayres;
1016 [H] Trumpe3 & nakerys,
Much pypyng ? er repayres,
Vche mon tented hys,
& ? ay two tented ? ayres.
[Sidenote A: On Christmas morn,]
[Sidenote B: joy reigns in every dwelling in the world. ]
[Sidenote C: So did it in the castle where our knight abode. ]
[Sidenote D: The lord and "the old ancient wife" sit together. ]
[Sidenote E: Gawayne sits by the wife of his host. ]
[Sidenote F: It were too tedious to tell of the meat, the mirth, and the
joy that abounded everywhere. ]
[Sidenote G: Gawayne and his beautiful companion derive much comfort from
each other's conversation. ]
[Sidenote H: Trumpets and nakers give forth their sounds. ]
XXI.
1020 [A] Much dut wat3 ? er dryuen ? at day & ? at o? er,
& ? e ? ryd as ? ro ? ronge in ? erafter;
[B] ? e ioye of sayn Ione3 day wat3 gentyle to here,
& wat3 ? e last of ? e layk, leude3 ? er ? o3ten.
1024 ? er wer gestes to go vpon ? e gray morne,
For-? y wonderly ? ay woke, & ? e wyn dronken,
Daunsed ful dre3ly wyth dere carole3;
[C] At ? e last, when hit wat3 late, ? ay lachen her leue,
1028 Vchon to wende on his way, ? at wat3 wy3e stronge.
Gawan gef hym god-day, ? e god mon hym lachche3,
Ledes hym to his awen chambre, ? [e] chymne bysyde,
[D] & ? ere he dra3e3 hym on-dry3e, & derely hym ? onkke3,
1032 Of ? e wynne worschip &[1] he hym wayned hade,
As to honour his hous on ? at hy3e tyde,
& enbelyse his bur3 with his bele chere.
"I-wysse sir, quyl I leue, me wor? e3 ? e better,
1036 ? at Gawayn hat3 ben my gest, at Godde3 awen fest. " [Fol. 105. ]
"Grant merci[2] sir," quod Gawayn, "in god fayth hit is yowre3,
Al ? e honour is your awen, ? e he3e kyng yow 3elde;
& I am wy3e at your wylle, to worch youre hest,
1040 As I am halden ? er-to, in hy3e & in lo3e,
bi ri3t. "
[E] ? e lorde fast can hym payne,
To holde lenger ? e kny3t,
1044 To hym answre3 Gawayn,
Bi non way ? at he my3t.
[Sidenote A: Great was the joy for three days. ]
[Sidenote B: St. John's-day was the last of the Christmas festival.
For to hent hit at his honde, ? e hende to seruen,
828 His bronde & his blasoun bo? e ? ay token.
? en haylsed he ful hendly ? o ha? ele3 vch one,
& mony proud mon ? er presed, ? at prynce to honour;
Alle hasped in his he3 wede to halle ? ay hym wonnen,
832 ? er fayre fyre vpon flet fersly brenned.
[H] ? enne ? e lorde of ? e lede loute3 fro his chambre,
For to mete wyth menske ? e mon on ? e flor;
He sayde, "3e ar welcum to welde as yow lyke3,
836 ? at here is, al is yowre awen, to haue at yowre wylle
& welde. "
"Graunt mercy," quod Gawayn,
"? er Kryst hit yow for-3elde,"
840 [I] As freke3 ? at semed fayn,
Ay? er o? er in arme3 con felde.
[Sidenote A: "Good sir," says Gawayne, "ask the high lord of this house to
grant me a lodging. "]
[Sidenote B: "You are welcome to dwell here as long as you like," replied
the porter. ]
[Sidenote C: The draw-bridge is let down,]
[Sidenote D: and the gate is opened wide to receive him. ]
[Sidenote E: His horse is well stabled. ]
[Sidenote F: Knights and squires bring Gawayne into the hall. ]
[Sidenote G: Many a one hastens to take his helmet and sword. ]
[Sidenote H: The lord of the country bids him welcome,]
[Sidenote I: and they embrace each other. ]
[Footnote 1: trowoe, MS. ]
[Footnote 2: quyle (? ) or quen (? ). ]
[Footnote 3: buurne, MS. ]
XV.
[A] Gawayn gly3t on ? e gome ? at godly hym gret,
[B] & ? u3t hit a bolde burne ? at ? e bur3 a3te,
844 A hoge ha? el for ? e none3, & of hyghe elde;[1]
[C] Brode bry3t wat3 his berde, & al beuer hwed,
Sturne stif on ? e stry? ? e on stal-worth schonke3,
[D] Felle face as ? e fyre, & fre of hys speche;
848 & wel hym semed for so? e, as ? e segge ? u3t,
To lede a lortschyp in lee of leude3 ful gode.
[E] ? e lorde hym charred to a chambre, & chefly cumaunde3[2] [Fol. ]
To delyuer hym a leude, hym lo3ly to serue; [102b. ]
852 & ? ere were boun at his bode burne3 in-no3e,
[F] ? at bro3t hym to a bry3t boure, ? er beddyng wat3 noble,
Of cortynes of clene sylk, wyth cler golde hemme3,
[G] & couertore3 ful curious, with comlych pane3,
856 Of bry3t blaunnier a-boue enbrawded bisyde3,
Rudele3 rennande on rope3, red golde rynge3,
[H] Tapyte3 ty3t to ? e wo3e, of tuly & tars,
& vnder fete, on ? e flet, of fol3ande sute.
860 [I] ? er he wat3 dispoyled, wyth speche3 of myer? e,
? e burn of his bruny, & of his bry3t wede3;
[J] Ryche robes ful rad renkke3 hem[3] bro3ten,
For to charge, & to chaunge, & chose of ? e best.
864 Sone as he on hent, & happed ? er-inne,
? at sete on hym[4] semly, wyth saylande skyrte3,
[K] ? e ver by his uisage verayly hit semed
Wel ne3 to vche ha? el alle on hwes,
868 Lowande & lufly, alle his lymme3 vnder,
[L] ? at a comloker kny3t neuer Kryst made,
hem ? o3t;
Whe? en in worlde he were,
872 Hit semed as he my3t
Be prynce with-outen pere,
In felde ? er felle men fy3t.
[Sidenote A: Gawayne looks on his host;]
[Sidenote B: a big bold one he seemed. ]
[Sidenote C: Beaver-hued was his broad beard,]
[Sidenote D: and his face as "fell as the fire. "]
[Sidenote E: The lord leads Gawayne to a chamber, and assigns him a page to
wait upon him. ]
[Sidenote F: In this bright bower was noble bedding;]
[Sidenote G: the curtains were of pure silk with golden hems;]
[Sidenote H: Tarsic tapestries covered the walls and the floor. ]
[Sidenote I: Here the knight doffed his armour,]
[Sidenote J: and put on rich robes,]
[Sidenote K: which well became him. ]
[Sidenote L: A more comely knight Christ never made. ]
[Footnote 1: eldee, MS. ]
[Footnote 2: clesly, MS. ]
[Footnote 3: hym (? ). ]
[Footnote 4: MS. hyn. ]
XVI.
[A] A cheyer by-fore ? e chemne, ? er charcole brenned,
876 Wat3 gray? ed for sir Gawan, gray? ely with clo? e3,
Whyssynes vpon queldepoyntes, ? a[t] koynt wer bo? e;
[B] & ? enne a mere mantyle wat3 on ? at mon cast,
Of a broun bleeaunt, enbrauded ful ryche,
880 & fayre furred wyth-inne with felle3 of ? e best,
Alle of ermyn in erde, his hode of ? e same;
& he sete in ? at settel semlych ryche,
& achaufed hym chefly,[1] & ? enne his cher mended.
884 [C] Sone wat3 telded vp a tapit, on treste3 ful fayre,
[D] Clad wyth a clene clo? e, ? at cler quyt schewed,
Sanap, & salure, & syluer-in spone3;
? e wy3e wesche at his wylle, & went to his mete [Fol. 103. ]
888 Segge3 hym serued semly in-no3e,
[E] Wyth sere sewes & sete,[2] sesounde of ? e best,
Double felde, as hit falle3, & fele kyn fische3;
[F] Summe baken in bred, summe brad on ? e glede3,
892 [G] Summe so? en, summe in sewe, sauered with spyces,
& ay sawes[3] so sle3e3, ? at ? e segge lyked.
? e freke calde hit a fest ful frely & ofte,
[H] Ful hendely, quen alle ? e ha? eles re-hayted hym at one3
896 as hende;
"? is penaunce now 3e take,
& eft hit schal amende;"
[I] ? at mon much mer? e con make.
900 For wyn in his hed ? at wende.
[Sidenote A: A chair is placed for Sir Gawayne before the fireplace. ]
[Sidenote B: A mantle of fine linen, richly embroidered, is thrown over
him. ]
[Sidenote C: A table is soon raised,]
[Sidenote D: and the knight, having washed, proceeded to meat. ]
[Sidenote E: He is served with numerous dishes;]
[Sidenote F: with fish baked and broiled,]
[Sidenote G: or boiled and seasoned with spices. ]
[Sidenote H: He calls it a full noble feast,]
[Sidenote I: and much mirth he makes, for the wine is in his head. ]
[Footnote 1: MS. cefly. ]
[Footnote 2: swete (? ). ]
[Footnote 3: sewes (? ). ]
XVII.
[A] ? enne wat3 spyed & spured vpon spare wyse.
Bi preue poynte3 of ? at prynce, put to hym-seluen,
? at he be-knew cortaysly of ? e court ? at he were,
904 [B] ? at a? el Arthure ? e hende halde3 hym one,
? at is ? e ryche ryal kyng of ? e rounde table;
& hit wat3 Wawen hym-self ? at in ? at won sytte3,
Comen to ? at krystmasse, as case hym ? en lymped.
908 [C] When ? e lorde hade lerned ? at he ? e leude hade,
Loude la3ed he ? erat, so lef hit hym ? o3t,
[D] & alle ? e men in ? at mote maden much joye,
To apere in his presense prestly ? at tyme,
912 ? at alle prys, & prowes, & pured ? ewes
Apendes to hys persoun, & praysed is euer,
By-fore alle men vpon molde, his mensk is ? e most.
[E] Vch segge ful softly sayde to his fere,
916 [F] "Now schal we semlych se sle3te3 of ? ewe3,
& ? e teccheles termes of talkyng noble,
Wich spede is in speche, vnspurd may we lerne,
[G] Syn we haf fonged ? at fyne fader of nurture;
920 God hat3 geuen vus his grace godly for so? e,
? at such a gest as Gawan graunte3 vus to haue,
When burne3 bly? e of his bur? e schal sitte
& synge.
924 In menyng of manere3 mere,
? is burne now schal vus bryng, [Fol. 103b. ]
[H] I hope ? at may hym here,
Schal lerne of luf-talkyng. "
[Sidenote A: Sir Gawayne, in answer to questions put to him,]
[Sidenote B: tells the prince that he is of Arthur's court. ]
[Sidenote C: When this was made known,]
[Sidenote D: great was the joy in the hall. ]
[Sidenote E: Each one said softly to his mate,]
[Sidenote F: "Now we shall see courteous manners and hear noble speech,]
[Sidenote G: for we have amongst us the 'father of nurture. ']
[Sidenote H: He that may him hear shall learn of love-talking. "]
XVIII.
928 [A] Bi ? at ? e diner wat3 done, & ? e dere vp,
Hit wat3 ne3 at ? e niy3t ne3ed ? e tyme;
Chaplayne3[1] to ? e chapeles chosen ? e gate,
Rungen ful rychely, ry3t as ? ay schulden,
932 [B] To ? e hersum euensong of ? e hy3e tyde.
? e lorde loutes ? erto, & ? e lady als,
In-to a comly closet coyntly ho entre3;
Gawan glyde3 ful gay, & gos ? eder sone;
936 ? e lorde laches hym by ? e lappe, & lede3 hym to sytte,
& cou? ly hym knowe3, & calle3 hym his nome,
& sayde he wat3 ?
e welcomest wy3e of ? e worlde;
[C] & he hym ? onkked ? roly, & ay? er halched o? er.
940 & seten soberly samen ? e seruise-quyle;
? enne lyst ? e lady to loke on ? e kny3t.
[D] ? enne com ho of hir closet, with mony cler burde3,
Ho wat3 ? e fayrest in felle, of flesche & of lyre,
944 & of compas, & colour, & costes of alle o? er,
[E] & wener ? en Wenore, as ? e wy3e ? o3t.
He ches ? ur3 ? e chaunsel, to cheryche ? at hende;
[F] An o? er lady hir lad bi ? e lyft honde,
948 ? at wat3 alder ? en ho, an auncian hit semed,
& he3ly honowred with ha? ele3 aboute.
[G] Bot yn-lyke on to loke ? o ladyes were,
[H] For if ? e 3onge wat3 3ep, 3ol3e wat3 ? at o? er;
952 Riche red on ? at on rayled ay quere,
[I] Rugh ronkled cheke3 ? at o? er on rolled;
Kerchofes of ? at on wyth mony cler perle3
[J] Hir brest & hir bry3t ? rote bare displayed,
956 Schon schyrer ? en snawe, ? at scheder[2] on hille3;
? at o? er wyth a gorger wat3 gered ouer ? e swyre,
Chymbled ouer hir blake chyn with mylk-quyte vayles,
[K] Hir frount folden in sylk, enfoubled ay quere,
960 Toret & treieted with tryfle3 aboute,
[L] ? at no3t wat3 bare of ? at burde bot ? e blake bro3es. [Fol. 104. ]
? e tweyne y3en, & ? e nase, ? e naked lyppe3,
& ? ose were soure to se, & sellyly blered;
964 A mensk lady on molde mon may hir calle,
for gode;
[M] Hir body wat3 schort & ? ik.
[N] Hir buttoke3 bay & brode,
968 More lykker-wys on to lyk,
Wat3 ? at scho hade on lode.
[Sidenote A: After dinner the company go to the chapel,]
[Sidenote B: to hear the evensong of the great season. ]
[Sidenote C: The lord of the castle and Sir Gawayne sit together during
service. ]
[Sidenote D: His wife, accompanied by her maids, leaves her seat. ]
[Sidenote E: She appeared even fairer than Guenever. ]
[Sidenote F: An older lady (an ancient one she seemed) led her by the
hand. ]
[Sidenote G: Very unlike were these two. ]
[Sidenote H: if the young one was fair the other was yellow,]
[Sidenote I: and had rough and wrinkled cheeks. ]
[Sidenote J: The younger had breast and throat "bare displayed. "]
[Sidenote K: The ancient one exposed only her "black brows," her two eyes,]
[Sidenote L: nose, and naked lips, all sour and bleared. ]
[Sidenote M: Her body was short and thick;]
[Sidenote N: her buttocks broad and round. ]
[Footnote 1: MS. [claplayne3. ]]
[Footnote 2: schedes (? ). ]
XIX.
[A] When Gawayn gly3t on ? at gay, ? at graciously loked,
Wyth leue la3t of ? e lorde he went hem a3aynes;
972 [B] ? e alder he haylses, heldande ful lowe,
? e loueloker he lappe3 a lyttel in arme3,
[C] He kysses hir comlyly, & kny3tly he mele3;
? ay kallen hym of a quoyntaunce, & he hit quyk aske3
976 [D] To be her seruaunt sothly, if hem-self lyked.
? ay tan hym bytwene hem, wyth talkyng hym leden
[E] To chambre, to chemne, & chefly ? ay asken
[F] Spyce3, ? at vn-sparely men speded hom to bryng,
980 & ? e wynne-lych wyne ? er-with vche tyme.
? e lorde luflych aloft lepe3 ful ofte,
Mynned merthe to be made vpon mony sy? e3.
[G] Hent he3ly of his hode, & on a spere henged,
984 & wayned hom to wynne ? e worchip ? er-of,
[H] ? at most myr? e my3t mene[1] ? at crystenmas whyle;
"& i schal fonde, bi my fayth, to fylter wyth ? e best,
Er me wont ? e wede3, with help of my frende3. "
988 ? us wyth la3ande lote3 ? e lorde hit tayt[2] make3,
[I] For to glade sir Gawayn with gomne3 in halle
? at ny3t;
Til ? at hit wat3 tyme,
992 ? e kyng comaundet ly3t,
[J] Sir Gawen his leue con nyme,
& to his bed hym di3t.
[Sidenote A: With permission of the lord,]
[Sidenote B: Sir Gawayne salutes the elder,]
[Sidenote C: but the younger he kisses,]
[Sidenote D: and begs to be her servant. ]
[Sidenote E: To chamber all go,]
[Sidenote F: where spices and wine are served. ]
[Sidenote G: The lord takes off his hood and places it on a spear. ]
[Sidenote H: He who makes most mirth is to win it. ]
[Sidenote I: Night approaches, and then]
[Sidenote J: Sir Gawayne takes his leave and retires to rest. ]
[Footnote 1: meue (? ). ]
[Footnote 2: layt (? ). ]
XX.
[A] On ? e morne, as vch mon myne3 ? at tyme,
996 [B] [? ]at dry3tyn for oure destyne to de3e wat3 borne,
Wele waxe3 in vche a won in worlde, for his sake;
[C] So did hit ? ere on ? at day, ? ur3 dayntes mony;
Bo? e at mes & at mele, messes ful quaynt [Fol. 104b. ]
1000 Derf men vpon dece drest of ? e best.
[D] ? e olde auncian wyf he3est ho sytte3;
? e lorde lufly her by lent, as I trowe;
[E] Gawan & ? e gay burde to-geder ? ay seten,
1004 Euen in-mydde3, as ? e messe metely come;
& sy? en ? ur3 al ? e sale, as hem best semed,
[F] Bi vche grome at his degre gray? ely wat3 serued.
? er wat3 mete, ? er wat3 myr? e, ? er wat3 much ioye,
1008 ? at for to telle ? erof hit me tene were,
& to poynte hit 3et I pyned me parauenture;
[G] Bot 3et I wot ? at Wawen & ? e wale burde
Such comfort of her compaynye ca3ten to-geder,
1012 ? ur3 her dere dalyaunce of her derne worde3,
Wyth clene cortays carp, closed fro fyl? e;
& hor play wat3 passande vche prynce gomen,
in vayres;
1016 [H] Trumpe3 & nakerys,
Much pypyng ? er repayres,
Vche mon tented hys,
& ? ay two tented ? ayres.
[Sidenote A: On Christmas morn,]
[Sidenote B: joy reigns in every dwelling in the world. ]
[Sidenote C: So did it in the castle where our knight abode. ]
[Sidenote D: The lord and "the old ancient wife" sit together. ]
[Sidenote E: Gawayne sits by the wife of his host. ]
[Sidenote F: It were too tedious to tell of the meat, the mirth, and the
joy that abounded everywhere. ]
[Sidenote G: Gawayne and his beautiful companion derive much comfort from
each other's conversation. ]
[Sidenote H: Trumpets and nakers give forth their sounds. ]
XXI.
1020 [A] Much dut wat3 ? er dryuen ? at day & ? at o? er,
& ? e ? ryd as ? ro ? ronge in ? erafter;
[B] ? e ioye of sayn Ione3 day wat3 gentyle to here,
& wat3 ? e last of ? e layk, leude3 ? er ? o3ten.
1024 ? er wer gestes to go vpon ? e gray morne,
For-? y wonderly ? ay woke, & ? e wyn dronken,
Daunsed ful dre3ly wyth dere carole3;
[C] At ? e last, when hit wat3 late, ? ay lachen her leue,
1028 Vchon to wende on his way, ? at wat3 wy3e stronge.
Gawan gef hym god-day, ? e god mon hym lachche3,
Ledes hym to his awen chambre, ? [e] chymne bysyde,
[D] & ? ere he dra3e3 hym on-dry3e, & derely hym ? onkke3,
1032 Of ? e wynne worschip &[1] he hym wayned hade,
As to honour his hous on ? at hy3e tyde,
& enbelyse his bur3 with his bele chere.
"I-wysse sir, quyl I leue, me wor? e3 ? e better,
1036 ? at Gawayn hat3 ben my gest, at Godde3 awen fest. " [Fol. 105. ]
"Grant merci[2] sir," quod Gawayn, "in god fayth hit is yowre3,
Al ? e honour is your awen, ? e he3e kyng yow 3elde;
& I am wy3e at your wylle, to worch youre hest,
1040 As I am halden ? er-to, in hy3e & in lo3e,
bi ri3t. "
[E] ? e lorde fast can hym payne,
To holde lenger ? e kny3t,
1044 To hym answre3 Gawayn,
Bi non way ? at he my3t.
[Sidenote A: Great was the joy for three days. ]
[Sidenote B: St. John's-day was the last of the Christmas festival.
