]
[Sidenote D: Through many a mire he goes, that he may celebrate the birth
of Christ.
[Sidenote D: Through many a mire he goes, that he may celebrate the birth
of Christ.
Gawaine and the Green Knight
at quen he blusched ?
erto, his belde neuer payred.
? e fyrst[1] fyue ? at I finde ? at ? e frek vsed,
652 Wat3 fraunchyse, & fela3schyp for-be[2] al ? yng;
[D] His clannes & his cortaysye croked were neuer,
& pite, ? at passe3 alle poynte3, ? yse pure fyue
Were harder happed on ? at ha? el ? en on any o? er.
656 Now alle ? ese fyue sy? e3, forso? e, were fetled on ? is kny3t,
& vchone halched in o? er, ? at non ende hade,
& fyched vpon fyue poynte3, ? at fayld neuer,
Ne samned neuer in no syde, ne sundred nou? [er],
660 With-outen ende at any noke [a]i quere fynde,
Where-euer ? e gomen bygan, or glod to an ende.
[E] ? er-fore on his schene schelde schapen wat3 ? e knot,
? us alle wyth red golde vpon rede gowle3,
664 ? at is ? e pure pentaungel wyth ? e peple called, [Fol. 100]
with lore.
Now gray? ed is Gawan gay,
[F] & la3t his launce ry3t ? ore,
668 & gef hem alle goud day,
He wende for euer more.
[Sidenote A: He was found faultless in his five wits. ]
[Sidenote B: His trust was in the five wounds. ]
[Sidenote C: The image of the Virgin was depicted upon his shield. ]
[Sidenote D: In cleanness and courtesy he was never found wanting,]
[Sidenote E: therefore was the endless knot fastened on his shield. ]
[Sidenote F: Sir Gawayne seizes his lance and bids all "good day. "]
[Footnote 1: MS fyft. ]
[Footnote 2: for-bi (? ). ]
VIII.
[A] He sperred ? e sted with ? e spure3, & sprong on his way,
So stif ? at ? e ston fyr stroke out ? er-after;
672 [B] Al ? at se3 ? at semly syked in hert,
& sayde so? ly al same segges til o? er,
Carande for ? at comly, "bi Kryst, hit is sca? e,
? at ? ou, leude, schal be lost, ? at art of lyf noble!
676 [C] To fynde hys fere vpon folde, in fayth is not e? e;
Warloker to haf wro3t had more wyt bene,
& haf dy3t 3onder dere a duk to haue wor? ed;
[D] A lowande leder of lede3 in londe hym wel seme3,
680 & so had better haf ben ? en britned to no3t,
[E] Hadet wyth an aluisch mon, for angarde3 pryde.
Who knew euer any kyng such counsel to take,
As kny3te3 in caueloun3 on cryst-masse gomne3! "
684 [F] Wel much wat3 ? e warme water ? at waltered of y3en,
When ? at semly syre so3t fro ? o wone3
? at[1] daye;
He made non abode,
688 Bot wy3tly went hys way,
[G] Mony wylsum way he rode,
? e bok as I herde say.
[Sidenote A: He spurs his horse and goes on his way. ]
[Sidenote B: All that saw that seemly one mourned in their hearts. ]
[Sidenote C: They declared that his equal was not to be found upon earth. ]
[Sidenote D: It would have been better for him to have been a leader of
men,]
[Sidenote E: than to die by the hands of "an elvish man. "]
[Sidenote F: Much was the warm water that poured from eyes that day. ]
[Sidenote G: Meanwhile many a weary way goes Sir Gawayne. ]
[Footnote 1: MS. ? ad. ]
IX.
[A] Now ride3 ? is renk ? ur3 ? e ryalme of Logres,
692 Sir Gauan on Gode3 halue, ? a3 hym no gomen ? o3t;
Oft, leudle3 alone, he lenge3 on ny3te3,
? er he fonde no3t hym byfore ? e fare ? at he lyked;
[B] Hade he no fere bot his fole, bi frythe3 & doune3,
696 Ne no gome bot God, bi gate wyth to karp,
[C] Til ? at he ne3ed ful noghe[1] in to ? e Nor? e Wale3;
Alle ? e iles of Anglesay on lyft half he halde3,
& fare3 ouer ? e forde3 by ? e for-londe3,
700 [D] Ouer at ? e Holy-Hede, til he hade eft bonk
In ? e wyldrenesse of Wyrale; wonde ? er bot lyte
[E] ? at au? er God o? er gome wyth goud hert louied. [Fol. 100b]
& ay he frayned, as he ferde, at freke3 ? at he met,
704 [F] If ? ay hade herde any karp of a kny3t grene,
In any grounde ? er-aboute, of ? e grene chapel;[2]
& al nykked hym wyth nay, ? at neuer in her lyue
[G] ? ay se3e neuer no segge ? at wat3 of suche hwe3
708 of grene.
? e kny3t tok gates straunge,
In mony a bonk vnbene,
[H] His cher ful oft con chaunge,
712 ? at chapel er he my3t sene.
[Sidenote A: Now rides the knight through the realms of England. ]
[Sidenote B: He has no companion but his horse. ]
[Sidenote C: No men does he see till he approaches North Wales. ]
[Sidenote D: From Holyhead he passes into Wirral. ]
[Sidenote E: There he finds but few that loved God or man. ]
[Sidenote F: He enquires after the Green Knight of the Green Chapel,]
[Sidenote G: but can gain no tidings of him. ]
[Sidenote H: His cheer oft changed before he found the Chapel. ]
[Footnote 1: nyghe (? ). ]
[Footnote 2: MS. clapel. ]
X.
[A] Mony klyf he ouer-clambe in contraye3 straunge,
Fer floten fro his frende3 fremedly he ryde3;
[B] At vche war? e o? er water ? er ? e wy3e passed,
716 He fonde a foo hym byfore, bot ferly hit were,
& ? at so foule & so felle, ? at fe3t hym by-hode;
[C] So mony meruayl hi mount ? er ? e mon fynde3,
Hit were to tore for to telle of ? e ten? e dole.
720 [D] Sumwhyle wyth worme3 he werre3, & with wolues als,
Sumwhyle wyth wodwos, ? at woned in ? e knarre3,
[E] Bo? e wyth bulle3 & bere3, & bore3 o? er-quyle,
& etayne3, ? at hym a-nelede, of ? e he3e felle;
724 [F] Nade he ben du3ty & dry3e, & dry3tyn had serued,
Douteles he hade ben ded, & dreped ful ofte.
[G] For werre wrathed hym not so much, ? at wynter was wors,
When ? e colde cler water fro ? e cloude3 schadden,
728 & fres er hit falle my3t to ? e fale er? e;
Ner slayn wyth ? e slete he sleped in his yrnes,
Mo ny3te3 ? en in-noghe in naked rokke3,
? er as claterande fro ? e crest ? e colde borne renne3,
732 & henged he3e ouer his hede in hard ysse-ikkles.
[H] ? us in peryl, & payne, & plytes ful harde,
Bi contray carye3 ? is kny3t, tyl kryst-masse euen,
al one;
736 ? e kny3t wel ? at tyde,
[I] To Mary made his mone.
? at ho hym red to ryde,
& wysse hym to sum wone. [Fol. 101. ]
[Sidenote A: Many a cliff he climbed over;]
[Sidenote B: many a ford and stream he crossed, and everywhere he found a
foe. ]
[Sidenote C: It were too tedious to tell the tenth part of his adventures]
[Sidenote D: with serpents, wolves, and wild men;]
[Sidenote E: with bulls, bears, and boars. ]
[Sidenote F: Had he not been both brave and good, doubtless he had been
dead. ]
[Sidenote G: The sharp winter was far worse than any war that ever troubled
him. ]
[Sidenote H: Thus in peril he travels till Christmas-eve. ]
[Sidenote I: To the Virgin Mary he prays to guide him to some abode. ]
XI.
740 [A] Bi a mounte on ? e morne meryly he rydes,
Into a forest ful dep, ? at ferly wat3 wylde,
Hi3e hille3 on vche a halue, & holt wode3 vnder,
[B] Of hore oke3 fill hoge a hundreth to-geder;
744 ? e hasel & ? e ha3-? orne were harled al samen,
With ro3e raged mosse rayled ay-where,
[C] With mony brydde3 vnbly? e vpon bare twyges,
? at pitosly ? er piped for pyne of ? e colde.
748 ? e gome vpon Gryngolet glyde3 hem vnder,
[D] ? ur3 mony misy & myre, mon al hym one,
Carande for his costes, lest he ne keuer schulde,
To se ? e seruy[1] of ? at syre, ? at on ? at self ny3t
752 Of a burde wat3 borne, oure baret to quelle;
[E] & ? erfore sykyng he sayde, "I be-seche ? e, lorde,
& Mary, ? at is myldest moder so dere.
Of sum herber, ? er he3ly I my3t here masse.
756 Ande ? y matyne3 to-morne, mekely I ask,
& ? er-to prestly I pray my pater & aue,
& crede. "
He rode in his prayere,
760 & cryed for his mysdede,
[F] He sayned hym in sy? es sere,
& sayde "cros Kryst me spede! "
[Sidenote A: On the morn Sir Gawayne finds himself in a deep forest,]
[Sidenote B: where were old oaks many a hundred. ]
[Sidenote C: Many sad birds upon bare twigs piped piteously for the cold.
]
[Sidenote D: Through many a mire he goes, that he may celebrate the birth
of Christ. ]
[Sidenote E: He beseeches the Virgin Mary to direct him to some lodging
where he may hear mass. ]
[Sidenote F: Blessing himself, he says, "Cross of Christ, speed me! "]
[Footnote 1: seruyce (? ). ]
XII.
[A] Nade he sayned hym-self, segge, bot ? rye,
764 Er he wat3 war in ? e wod of a won in a mote.
[B] Abof a launde, on a lawe, loken vnder bo3e3,
Of mony borelych bole, aboute bi ? e diches;
[C] A castel ? e comlokest ? at euer kny3t a3te,
768 Pyched on a prayere, a park al aboute,
With a pyked palays, pyned ful ? ik,
? at vmbe-te3e mony tre mo ? en two myle.
? at holde on ? at on syde ? e ha? el auysed,
772 [D] As hit schemered & schon ? ur3 ? e schyre oke3;
? enne hat3 he hendly of his helme, & he3ly he ? onke3
Iesus & say[nt] Gilyan, ? at gentyle ar bo? e,
? at cortaysly hade hym kydde, & his cry herkened. [Fol. 101b. ]
776 "Now bone hostel," co? e ? e burne, "I be-seche yow 3ette! "
? enne gedere3 he to Gryngolet with ? e gilt hele3,
[E] & he ful chauncely hat3 chosen to ? e chef gate,
? at bro3t bremly ? e burne to ? e bryge ende,
780 in haste;
[F] ? e bryge wat3 breme vp-brayde,
? e 3ate3 wer stoken faste,
? e walle3 were wel arayed,
784 Hit dut no wynde3 blaste.
[Sidenote A: Scarcely had he blessed himself thrice]
[Sidenote B: when he saw a dwelling in the wood, set on a hill,]
[Sidenote C: the comeliest castle that knight ever owned. ]
[Sidenote D: It shone as the sun through the bright oaks. ]
[Sidenote E: Sir Gawayne goes to the chief gate,]
[Sidenote F: and finds the draw-bridge raised, and the gates shut fast. ]
XIII.
[A] ? e burne bode on bonk, ? at on blonk houed,
Of ? e depe double dich ? at drof to ? e place,
? e walle wod in ? e water wonderly depe,
788 [B] Ande eft a ful huge he3t hit haled vpon lofte,
Of harde hewen ston vp to ? e table3,
[C] Enbaned vnder ? e abataylment, in ? e best lawe;
& sy? en garyte3 ful gaye gered bi-twene,
792 Wyth mony luflych loupe, ? at louked ful clene;
A better barbican ? at burne blusched vpon neuer;
& innermore he be-helde ? at halle ful hy3e,
[D] Towre telded bytwene trochet ful ? ik,
796 Fayre fylyole3 ? at fy3ed, & ferlyly long,
[E] With coruon coprounes, craftyly sle3e;
Chalk whyt chymnees ? er ches he in-no3e,
Vpon bastel roue3, ? at blenked ful quyte;
800 So mony pynakle payntet wat3 poudred ay quere,
Among ? e castel carnele3, clambred so ? ik,
? at pared out of papure purely hit semed.
[F] ? e fre freke on ? e fole hit fayr in-n[o]ghe ? o3t,
804 If he my3t keuer to com ? e cloyster wyth-inne,
To herber in ? at hostel, whyl halyday lested
auinant;
[G] He calde, & sone ? er com
808 A porter pure plesaunt,
On ? e wal his ernd he nome,
& haylsed ? e kny3t erraunt.
[Sidenote A: The knight abides on the bank,]
[Sidenote B: and observes the "huge height,"]
[Sidenote C: with its battlements and watch towers. ]
[Sidenote D: Bright and long were its round towers,]
[Sidenote E: with their well-made capitals. ]
[Sidenote F: He thinks it fair enough if he might only come within the
cloister. ]
[Sidenote G: He calls, and soon there comes a porter to know the knight's
errand. ]
XIV.
[A] "Gode sir," quod Gawan, "wolde3 ? ou go myn ernde,
812 To ? e he3 lorde of ? is hous, herber to craue? "
"3e, Peter," quod ? e porter, "& purely I trowe,[1] [Fol. 102. ]
[B] ? at 3e be, wy3e, welcum to won quyle yow lyke3. "
? en 3ede ? at wy3e a3ayn awy? e,
816 & folke frely hym wyth, to fonge ? e kny3t;
[C] ? ay let doun ? e grete dra3t, & derely out 3eden,
& kneled doun on her knes vpon ? e colde er? e,
To welcum ? is ilk wy3, as wor? y hom ? o3t;
820 [D] ? ay 3olden hym ? e brode 3ate, 3arked vp wyde,
& he hem raysed rekenly, & rod ouer ? e brygge;
Sere segge3 hym sesed by sadel, quel[2] he ly3t,
[E] & sy? en stabeled his stede stif men in-no3e.
824 [F] Kny3te3 & swyere3 comen doun ? enne,
For to bryng ? is burne[3] wyth blys in-to halle;
[G] Quen he hef vp his helme, ? 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, ?
? e fyrst[1] fyue ? at I finde ? at ? e frek vsed,
652 Wat3 fraunchyse, & fela3schyp for-be[2] al ? yng;
[D] His clannes & his cortaysye croked were neuer,
& pite, ? at passe3 alle poynte3, ? yse pure fyue
Were harder happed on ? at ha? el ? en on any o? er.
656 Now alle ? ese fyue sy? e3, forso? e, were fetled on ? is kny3t,
& vchone halched in o? er, ? at non ende hade,
& fyched vpon fyue poynte3, ? at fayld neuer,
Ne samned neuer in no syde, ne sundred nou? [er],
660 With-outen ende at any noke [a]i quere fynde,
Where-euer ? e gomen bygan, or glod to an ende.
[E] ? er-fore on his schene schelde schapen wat3 ? e knot,
? us alle wyth red golde vpon rede gowle3,
664 ? at is ? e pure pentaungel wyth ? e peple called, [Fol. 100]
with lore.
Now gray? ed is Gawan gay,
[F] & la3t his launce ry3t ? ore,
668 & gef hem alle goud day,
He wende for euer more.
[Sidenote A: He was found faultless in his five wits. ]
[Sidenote B: His trust was in the five wounds. ]
[Sidenote C: The image of the Virgin was depicted upon his shield. ]
[Sidenote D: In cleanness and courtesy he was never found wanting,]
[Sidenote E: therefore was the endless knot fastened on his shield. ]
[Sidenote F: Sir Gawayne seizes his lance and bids all "good day. "]
[Footnote 1: MS fyft. ]
[Footnote 2: for-bi (? ). ]
VIII.
[A] He sperred ? e sted with ? e spure3, & sprong on his way,
So stif ? at ? e ston fyr stroke out ? er-after;
672 [B] Al ? at se3 ? at semly syked in hert,
& sayde so? ly al same segges til o? er,
Carande for ? at comly, "bi Kryst, hit is sca? e,
? at ? ou, leude, schal be lost, ? at art of lyf noble!
676 [C] To fynde hys fere vpon folde, in fayth is not e? e;
Warloker to haf wro3t had more wyt bene,
& haf dy3t 3onder dere a duk to haue wor? ed;
[D] A lowande leder of lede3 in londe hym wel seme3,
680 & so had better haf ben ? en britned to no3t,
[E] Hadet wyth an aluisch mon, for angarde3 pryde.
Who knew euer any kyng such counsel to take,
As kny3te3 in caueloun3 on cryst-masse gomne3! "
684 [F] Wel much wat3 ? e warme water ? at waltered of y3en,
When ? at semly syre so3t fro ? o wone3
? at[1] daye;
He made non abode,
688 Bot wy3tly went hys way,
[G] Mony wylsum way he rode,
? e bok as I herde say.
[Sidenote A: He spurs his horse and goes on his way. ]
[Sidenote B: All that saw that seemly one mourned in their hearts. ]
[Sidenote C: They declared that his equal was not to be found upon earth. ]
[Sidenote D: It would have been better for him to have been a leader of
men,]
[Sidenote E: than to die by the hands of "an elvish man. "]
[Sidenote F: Much was the warm water that poured from eyes that day. ]
[Sidenote G: Meanwhile many a weary way goes Sir Gawayne. ]
[Footnote 1: MS. ? ad. ]
IX.
[A] Now ride3 ? is renk ? ur3 ? e ryalme of Logres,
692 Sir Gauan on Gode3 halue, ? a3 hym no gomen ? o3t;
Oft, leudle3 alone, he lenge3 on ny3te3,
? er he fonde no3t hym byfore ? e fare ? at he lyked;
[B] Hade he no fere bot his fole, bi frythe3 & doune3,
696 Ne no gome bot God, bi gate wyth to karp,
[C] Til ? at he ne3ed ful noghe[1] in to ? e Nor? e Wale3;
Alle ? e iles of Anglesay on lyft half he halde3,
& fare3 ouer ? e forde3 by ? e for-londe3,
700 [D] Ouer at ? e Holy-Hede, til he hade eft bonk
In ? e wyldrenesse of Wyrale; wonde ? er bot lyte
[E] ? at au? er God o? er gome wyth goud hert louied. [Fol. 100b]
& ay he frayned, as he ferde, at freke3 ? at he met,
704 [F] If ? ay hade herde any karp of a kny3t grene,
In any grounde ? er-aboute, of ? e grene chapel;[2]
& al nykked hym wyth nay, ? at neuer in her lyue
[G] ? ay se3e neuer no segge ? at wat3 of suche hwe3
708 of grene.
? e kny3t tok gates straunge,
In mony a bonk vnbene,
[H] His cher ful oft con chaunge,
712 ? at chapel er he my3t sene.
[Sidenote A: Now rides the knight through the realms of England. ]
[Sidenote B: He has no companion but his horse. ]
[Sidenote C: No men does he see till he approaches North Wales. ]
[Sidenote D: From Holyhead he passes into Wirral. ]
[Sidenote E: There he finds but few that loved God or man. ]
[Sidenote F: He enquires after the Green Knight of the Green Chapel,]
[Sidenote G: but can gain no tidings of him. ]
[Sidenote H: His cheer oft changed before he found the Chapel. ]
[Footnote 1: nyghe (? ). ]
[Footnote 2: MS. clapel. ]
X.
[A] Mony klyf he ouer-clambe in contraye3 straunge,
Fer floten fro his frende3 fremedly he ryde3;
[B] At vche war? e o? er water ? er ? e wy3e passed,
716 He fonde a foo hym byfore, bot ferly hit were,
& ? at so foule & so felle, ? at fe3t hym by-hode;
[C] So mony meruayl hi mount ? er ? e mon fynde3,
Hit were to tore for to telle of ? e ten? e dole.
720 [D] Sumwhyle wyth worme3 he werre3, & with wolues als,
Sumwhyle wyth wodwos, ? at woned in ? e knarre3,
[E] Bo? e wyth bulle3 & bere3, & bore3 o? er-quyle,
& etayne3, ? at hym a-nelede, of ? e he3e felle;
724 [F] Nade he ben du3ty & dry3e, & dry3tyn had serued,
Douteles he hade ben ded, & dreped ful ofte.
[G] For werre wrathed hym not so much, ? at wynter was wors,
When ? e colde cler water fro ? e cloude3 schadden,
728 & fres er hit falle my3t to ? e fale er? e;
Ner slayn wyth ? e slete he sleped in his yrnes,
Mo ny3te3 ? en in-noghe in naked rokke3,
? er as claterande fro ? e crest ? e colde borne renne3,
732 & henged he3e ouer his hede in hard ysse-ikkles.
[H] ? us in peryl, & payne, & plytes ful harde,
Bi contray carye3 ? is kny3t, tyl kryst-masse euen,
al one;
736 ? e kny3t wel ? at tyde,
[I] To Mary made his mone.
? at ho hym red to ryde,
& wysse hym to sum wone. [Fol. 101. ]
[Sidenote A: Many a cliff he climbed over;]
[Sidenote B: many a ford and stream he crossed, and everywhere he found a
foe. ]
[Sidenote C: It were too tedious to tell the tenth part of his adventures]
[Sidenote D: with serpents, wolves, and wild men;]
[Sidenote E: with bulls, bears, and boars. ]
[Sidenote F: Had he not been both brave and good, doubtless he had been
dead. ]
[Sidenote G: The sharp winter was far worse than any war that ever troubled
him. ]
[Sidenote H: Thus in peril he travels till Christmas-eve. ]
[Sidenote I: To the Virgin Mary he prays to guide him to some abode. ]
XI.
740 [A] Bi a mounte on ? e morne meryly he rydes,
Into a forest ful dep, ? at ferly wat3 wylde,
Hi3e hille3 on vche a halue, & holt wode3 vnder,
[B] Of hore oke3 fill hoge a hundreth to-geder;
744 ? e hasel & ? e ha3-? orne were harled al samen,
With ro3e raged mosse rayled ay-where,
[C] With mony brydde3 vnbly? e vpon bare twyges,
? at pitosly ? er piped for pyne of ? e colde.
748 ? e gome vpon Gryngolet glyde3 hem vnder,
[D] ? ur3 mony misy & myre, mon al hym one,
Carande for his costes, lest he ne keuer schulde,
To se ? e seruy[1] of ? at syre, ? at on ? at self ny3t
752 Of a burde wat3 borne, oure baret to quelle;
[E] & ? erfore sykyng he sayde, "I be-seche ? e, lorde,
& Mary, ? at is myldest moder so dere.
Of sum herber, ? er he3ly I my3t here masse.
756 Ande ? y matyne3 to-morne, mekely I ask,
& ? er-to prestly I pray my pater & aue,
& crede. "
He rode in his prayere,
760 & cryed for his mysdede,
[F] He sayned hym in sy? es sere,
& sayde "cros Kryst me spede! "
[Sidenote A: On the morn Sir Gawayne finds himself in a deep forest,]
[Sidenote B: where were old oaks many a hundred. ]
[Sidenote C: Many sad birds upon bare twigs piped piteously for the cold.
]
[Sidenote D: Through many a mire he goes, that he may celebrate the birth
of Christ. ]
[Sidenote E: He beseeches the Virgin Mary to direct him to some lodging
where he may hear mass. ]
[Sidenote F: Blessing himself, he says, "Cross of Christ, speed me! "]
[Footnote 1: seruyce (? ). ]
XII.
[A] Nade he sayned hym-self, segge, bot ? rye,
764 Er he wat3 war in ? e wod of a won in a mote.
[B] Abof a launde, on a lawe, loken vnder bo3e3,
Of mony borelych bole, aboute bi ? e diches;
[C] A castel ? e comlokest ? at euer kny3t a3te,
768 Pyched on a prayere, a park al aboute,
With a pyked palays, pyned ful ? ik,
? at vmbe-te3e mony tre mo ? en two myle.
? at holde on ? at on syde ? e ha? el auysed,
772 [D] As hit schemered & schon ? ur3 ? e schyre oke3;
? enne hat3 he hendly of his helme, & he3ly he ? onke3
Iesus & say[nt] Gilyan, ? at gentyle ar bo? e,
? at cortaysly hade hym kydde, & his cry herkened. [Fol. 101b. ]
776 "Now bone hostel," co? e ? e burne, "I be-seche yow 3ette! "
? enne gedere3 he to Gryngolet with ? e gilt hele3,
[E] & he ful chauncely hat3 chosen to ? e chef gate,
? at bro3t bremly ? e burne to ? e bryge ende,
780 in haste;
[F] ? e bryge wat3 breme vp-brayde,
? e 3ate3 wer stoken faste,
? e walle3 were wel arayed,
784 Hit dut no wynde3 blaste.
[Sidenote A: Scarcely had he blessed himself thrice]
[Sidenote B: when he saw a dwelling in the wood, set on a hill,]
[Sidenote C: the comeliest castle that knight ever owned. ]
[Sidenote D: It shone as the sun through the bright oaks. ]
[Sidenote E: Sir Gawayne goes to the chief gate,]
[Sidenote F: and finds the draw-bridge raised, and the gates shut fast. ]
XIII.
[A] ? e burne bode on bonk, ? at on blonk houed,
Of ? e depe double dich ? at drof to ? e place,
? e walle wod in ? e water wonderly depe,
788 [B] Ande eft a ful huge he3t hit haled vpon lofte,
Of harde hewen ston vp to ? e table3,
[C] Enbaned vnder ? e abataylment, in ? e best lawe;
& sy? en garyte3 ful gaye gered bi-twene,
792 Wyth mony luflych loupe, ? at louked ful clene;
A better barbican ? at burne blusched vpon neuer;
& innermore he be-helde ? at halle ful hy3e,
[D] Towre telded bytwene trochet ful ? ik,
796 Fayre fylyole3 ? at fy3ed, & ferlyly long,
[E] With coruon coprounes, craftyly sle3e;
Chalk whyt chymnees ? er ches he in-no3e,
Vpon bastel roue3, ? at blenked ful quyte;
800 So mony pynakle payntet wat3 poudred ay quere,
Among ? e castel carnele3, clambred so ? ik,
? at pared out of papure purely hit semed.
[F] ? e fre freke on ? e fole hit fayr in-n[o]ghe ? o3t,
804 If he my3t keuer to com ? e cloyster wyth-inne,
To herber in ? at hostel, whyl halyday lested
auinant;
[G] He calde, & sone ? er com
808 A porter pure plesaunt,
On ? e wal his ernd he nome,
& haylsed ? e kny3t erraunt.
[Sidenote A: The knight abides on the bank,]
[Sidenote B: and observes the "huge height,"]
[Sidenote C: with its battlements and watch towers. ]
[Sidenote D: Bright and long were its round towers,]
[Sidenote E: with their well-made capitals. ]
[Sidenote F: He thinks it fair enough if he might only come within the
cloister. ]
[Sidenote G: He calls, and soon there comes a porter to know the knight's
errand. ]
XIV.
[A] "Gode sir," quod Gawan, "wolde3 ? ou go myn ernde,
812 To ? e he3 lorde of ? is hous, herber to craue? "
"3e, Peter," quod ? e porter, "& purely I trowe,[1] [Fol. 102. ]
[B] ? at 3e be, wy3e, welcum to won quyle yow lyke3. "
? en 3ede ? at wy3e a3ayn awy? e,
816 & folke frely hym wyth, to fonge ? e kny3t;
[C] ? ay let doun ? e grete dra3t, & derely out 3eden,
& kneled doun on her knes vpon ? e colde er? e,
To welcum ? is ilk wy3, as wor? y hom ? o3t;
820 [D] ? ay 3olden hym ? e brode 3ate, 3arked vp wyde,
& he hem raysed rekenly, & rod ouer ? e brygge;
Sere segge3 hym sesed by sadel, quel[2] he ly3t,
[E] & sy? en stabeled his stede stif men in-no3e.
824 [F] Kny3te3 & swyere3 comen doun ? enne,
For to bryng ? is burne[3] wyth blys in-to halle;
[G] Quen he hef vp his helme, ? 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, ?
