Sir Gawayne and The Green Knight: AN ALLITERATIVE ROMANCE-POEM, (AB. 1360 A.D.) BY THE AUTHOR OF "EARLY ENGLISH ALLITERATIVE POEMS." RE-EDITED FROM COTTON. MS. NERO, A.x., IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM, BY RICHARD MORRIS, EDITOR OF HAMPOLE'S "PRICKE OF CONSCIENCE," "EARLY ENGLISH ALLITERATIVE POEMS," ETC.; MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF THE PHILOLOGICAL SOCIETY. SECOND EDITION, REVISED, 1869. LONDON MDCCCLXIV. JOHN CHILDS AND SON, PRINTERS. * * * * * PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. In re-editing the present romance-poem I have been saved all labour of transcription by using the very accurate text contained in Sir F. Madden's "Syr Gawayne." I have not only read his copy with the manuscript, but also the proof-sheets as they came to hand, hoping by this means to give the reader a text free from any errors of transcription. The present edition differs from that of the earlier one in having the contractions of the manuscript expanded and side-notes added to the text to enable the reader to follow with some degree of ease the author's pleasant narrative of Sir Gawayne's adventures. The Glossary is taken from Sir F. Madden's "Syr Gawayne,"[1] to which, for the better interpretation of the text, I have made several additions, and have, moreover, glossed nearly all the words previously left unexplained. For a description of the Manuscript, and particulars relating to the authorship and dialect of the present work, the reader is referred to the preface to Early English Alliterative Poems. R.M. LONDON, December 22, 1864. [Footnote 1: Sir F. Madden has most generously placed at the disposal of the Early English Text Society any of his works which it may determine to re-edit.] * * * * * INTRODUCTION. No Knight of the Round Table has been so highly honoured by the old Romance-writers as Sir Gawayne, the son of Loth, and nephew to the renowned Arthur. They delighted to describe him as Gawayne the good, a man matchless on mould, the most gracious that under God lived, the hardiest of hand, the most fortunate in arms, and the most polite in hall, whose knowledge, knighthood, kindly works, doings, doughtiness, and deeds of arms were known in all lands. When Arthur beheld the dead body of his kinsman lying on the ground bathed in blood, he is said to have exclaimed, "O righteous God, this blood were worthy to be preserved and enshrined in gold!" Our author, too, loves to speak of his hero in similar terms of praise, calling him the knight faultless in his five wits, void of every offence, and adorned with every earthly virtue. He represents him as one whose trust was in the five wounds, and in whom the five virtues which distinguished the true knight were more firmly established than in any other on earth. The author of the present story, who, as we know from his religious poems, had an utter horror of moral impurity, could have chosen no better subject for a romance in which amusement and moral instruction were to be combined. In the following tale he shows how the true knight, though tempted sorely not once alone, but twice, nay thrice, breaks not his vow of chastity, but turns aside the tempter's shafts with the shield of purity and arm of faith, and so passes scatheless through the perilous defile of trial and opportunity seeming safe. But while our author has borrowed many of the details of his story from the "Roman de Perceval" by Chrestien de Troyes, he has made the narrative more attractive by the introduction of several original and highly interesting passages which throw light on the manners and amusements of our ancestors. The following elaborate descriptions are well deserving of especial notice:-- I. The mode of completely arming a knight (ll. 568-589). II. The hunting and breaking the deer (ll. 1126-1359). III. The hunting and unlacing the wild boar (ll. 1412-1614). IV. A fox hunt (ll. 1675-1921). The following is an outline of the story of Gawayne's adventures, more or less in the words of the writer himself:-- Arthur, the greatest of Britain's kings, holds the Christmas festival at Camelot, surrounded by the celebrated knights of the Round Table, noble lords, the most renowned under heaven, and ladies the loveliest that ever had life (ll. 37-57). This noble company celebrate the New Year by a religious service, by the bestowal of gifts, and the most joyous mirth. Lords and ladies take their seats at the table--Queen Guenever, the grey-eyed, gaily dressed, sits at the daļs, the high table, or table of state, where too sat Gawayne and Ywain together with other worthies of the Round Table (ll. 58-84, 107-115). Arthur, in mood as joyful as a child, his blood young and his brain wild, declares that he will not eat nor sit long at the table until some adventurous thing, some uncouth tale, some great marvel, or some encounter of arms has occurred to mark the return of the New Year (ll. 85-106). The first course was announced with cracking of trumpets, with the noise of nakers and noble pipes. "Each two had dishes twelve, Good beer and bright wine both." Scarcely was the first course served when another noise than that of music was heard. There rushes in at the hall-door a knight of gigantic stature--the greatest on earth--in measure high. He was clothed entirely in green, and rode upon a green foal (ll. 116-178). Fair wavy hair fell about the shoulders of the Green Knight, and a great beard like a bush hung upon his breast (ll. 179-202). The knight carried no helmet, shield, or spear, but in one hand a holly bough, and in the other an axe "huge and unmeet," the edge of which was as keen as a sharp razor (ll. 203-220). Thus arrayed, the Green Knight enters the hall without saluting any one. The first word that he uttered was, "Where is the govenour of this gang? gladly would I see him and with himself speak reason." To the knights he cast his eye, looking for the most renowned. Much did the noble assembly marvel to see a man and a horse of such a hue, green as the grass. Even greener they seemed than green enamel on bright gold. Many marvels had they seen, but none such as this. They were afraid to answer, but sat stone-still in a dead silence, as if overpowered by sleep; "Not all from fear, but some for courtesy" (ll. 221-249). Then Arthur before the high daļs salutes the Green Knight, bids him welcome, and entreats him to stay awhile at his Court. The knight says that his errand is not to abide in any dwelling, but to seek the most valiant of the heroes of the Round Table that he may put his courage to the proof, and thus satisfy himself as to the fame of Arthur's court. "I come," he says, "in peace, as ye may see by this branch that I bear here. Had I come with hostile intentions, I should not have left my hauberk, helmet, shield, sharp spear, and other weapons behind me. But because I desire no war, 'my weeds are softer.' If thou be so bold as all men say, thou wilt grant me the request I am about to make." "Sir courteous knight," replies Arthur, "if thou cravest battle only, here failest thou not to fight." "Nay," says the Green Knight, "I seek no fighting. Here about on this bench are only beardless children. Were I arrayed in arms on a high steed no man here would be a match for me (ll. 250-282). But it is now Christmas time, and this is the New Year, and I see around me many brave ones;--if any be so bold in his blood that dare strike a stroke for another, I shall give him this rich axe to do with it whatever he pleases. I shall abide the first blow just as I sit, and will stand him a stroke, stiff on this floor, provided that I deal him another in return. And yet give I him respite, A twelvemonth and a day; Now haste and let see tite (soon) Dare any here-in ought say.'" If he astounded them at first, much more so did he after this speech, and fear held them all silent. The knight, righting himself in his saddle, rolls fiercely his red eyes about, bends his bristly green brows, and strokes his beard awaiting a reply. But finding none that would carp with him, he exclaims, "What! is this Arthur's house, the fame of which has spread through so many realms? Forsooth, the renown of the Round Table is overturned by the word of one man's speech, for all tremble for dread without a blow being struck!" (ll. 283-313). With this he laughed so loud that Arthur blushed for very shame, and waxed as wroth as the wind. "I know no man," he says, "that is aghast at thy great words. Give me now thy axe and I will grant thee thy request!" Arthur seizes the axe, grasps the handle, and sternly brandishes it about, while the Green Knight, with a stern cheer and a dry countenance, stroking his beard and drawing down his coat, awaits the blow (ll. 314-335). Sir Gawayne, the nephew of the king, beseeches his uncle to let him undertake the encounter; and, at the earnest entreaty of his nobles, Arthur consents "to give Gawayne the game" (ll. 336-365). Sir Gawayne then takes possession of the axe, but, before the blow is dealt, the Green Knight asks the name of his opponent. "In good faith," answers the good knight, "Gawayne I am called, that bids thee to this buffet, whatever may befall after, and at this time twelvemonth will take from thee another, with whatever weapon thou wilt, and with no wight else alive." "By Gog," quoth the Green Knight, "it pleases me well that I shall receive at thy fist that which I have sought here--moreover thou hast truly rehearsed the terms of the covenant,--but thou shalt first pledge me thy word that thou wilt seek me thyself, wheresoever on earth thou believest I may be found, and fetch thee such wages as thou dealest me to-day before this company of doughty ones." "Where should I seek thee?" replies Gawayne, "where is thy place? I know not thee, thy court, or thy name. I wot not where thou dwellest, but teach me thereto, tell me how thou art called, and I shall endeavour to find thee,--and that I swear thee for truth and by my sure troth." "That is enough in New Year," says the groom in green, "if I tell thee when I have received the tap. When thou hast smitten me, then smartly I will teach thee of my house, my home, and my own name, so that thou mayest follow my track and fulfil the covenant between us. If I spend no speech, then speedest thou the better, for then mayest thou remain in thy own land and seek no further; but cease thy talking[1] (ll. 366-412). Take now thy grim tool to thee and let us see how thou knockest." "Gladly, sir, for sooth," quoth Gawayne, and his axe he brandishes. [Footnote 1: This, I think, is the true explanation of slokes.] The Green Knight adjusts himself on the ground, bends slightly his head, lays his long lovely locks over his crown, and lays bare his neck for the blow. Gawayne then gripped the axe, and, raising it on high, let it fall quickly upon the knight's neck and severed the head from the body. The fair head fell from the neck to the earth, and many turned it aside with their feet as it rolled forth. The blood burst from the body, yet the knight never faltered nor fell; but boldly he started forth on stiff shanks and fiercely rushed forward, seized his head, and lifted it up quickly. Then he runs to his horse, the bridle he catches, steps into his stirrups and strides aloft. His head by the hair he holds in his hands, and sits as firmly in his saddle as if no mishap had ailed him, though headless he was (ll. 413-439). He turned his ugly trunk about--that ugly body that bled,--and holding the head in his hand, he directed the face toward the "dearest on the dais." The head lifted up its eyelids and looked abroad, and thus much spoke with its mouth as ye may now hear: "Loke, Gawayne, thou be prompt to go as thou hast promised, and seek till thou find me according to thy promise made in the hearing of these knights. Get thee to the Green Chapel, I charge thee, to fetch such a dint as thou hast dealt, to be returned on New Year's morn. As the Knight of the Green Chapel I am known to many, wherefore if thou seekest thou canst not fail to find me. Therefore come, or recreant be called." With a fierce start the reins he turns, rushes out of the hall-door, his head in his hand, so that the fire of the flint flew from the hoofs of his foal. To what kingdom he belonged knew none there, nor knew they from whence he had come. What then? "The king and Gawayne there At that green (one) they laugh and grin." Though Arthur wondered much at the marvel, he let no one see that he was at all troubled about it, but full loudly thus spake to his comely queen with courteous speech: "Dear dame, to-day be never dismayed, well happens such craft at Christmas time. I may now proceed to meat, for I cannot deny that I have witnessed a wondrous adventure this day" (ll. 440-475). He looked upon Sir Gawayne and said, "Now, sir, hang up thine axe, for enough has it hewn." So the weapon was hung up on high that all might look upon it, and "by true title thereof tell the wonder." Then all the knights hastened to their seats at the table, so did the king and our good knight, and they were there served with all dainties, "with all manner of meat and minstrelsy." Though words were wanting when they first to seat went, now are their hands full of stern work, and the marvel affords them good subject for conversation. But a year passes full quickly and never returns,--the beginning is seldom like the end; wherefore this Christmas passed away and the year after, and each season in turn followed after another (ll. 476-520). Thus winter winds round again, and then Gawayne thinks of his wearisome journey (ll. 521-535). On All-hallows day Arthur entertains right nobly the lords and ladies of his court in honour of his nephew, for whom all courteous knights and lovely ladies were in great grief. Nevertheless they spoke only of mirth, and, though joyless themselves, made many a joke to cheer the good Sir Gawayne (ll. 536-565). Early on the morrow Sir Gawayne, with great ceremony, is arrayed in his armour (ll. 566-589), and thus completely equipped for his adventure he first hears mass, and afterwards takes leave of Arthur, the knights of the Round Table, and the lords and ladies of the court, who kiss him and commend him to Christ. He bids them all good day, as he thought, for evermore (ll. 590-669); "Very much was the warm water that poured from eyes that day." Now rides our knight through the realms of England with no companion but his foal, and no one to hold converse with save God alone. From Camelot, in Somersetshire, he proceeds through Gloucestershire and the adjoining counties into Montgomeryshire, and thence through North Wales to Holyhead, adjoining the Isle of Anglesea (ll. 670-700), from which he passes into the very narrow peninsula of Wirral, in Cheshire, where dwelt but few that loved God or man. Gawayne enquires after the Green Knight of the Green Chapel, but all the inhabitants declare that they have never seen "any man of such hues of green." The knight thence pursues his journey by strange paths, over hill and moor, encountering on his way not only serpents, wolves, bulls, bears, and boars, but wood satyrs and giants. But worse than all those, however, was the sharp winter, "when the cold clear water shed from the clouds, and froze ere it might fall to the earth. Nearly slain with the sleet he slept in his armour, more nights than enough, in naked rocks" (ll. 701-729). Thus in peril and plight the knight travels on until Christmas-eve, and to Mary he makes his moan that she may direct him to some abode. On the morn he arrives at an immense forest, wondrously wild, surrounded by high hills on every side, where he found hoary oaks full huge, a hundred together. The hazel and the hawthorn intermingled were all overgrown with moss, and upon their boughs sat many sad birds that piteously piped for pain of the cold. Gawayne besought the Lord and Mary to guide him to some habitation where he might hear mass (ll. 730-762). Scarcely had he crossed himself thrice, when he perceived a dwelling in the wood set upon a hill. It was the loveliest castle he had ever beheld. It was pitched on a prairie, with a park all about it, enclosing many a tree for more than two miles. It shone as the sun through the bright oaks (ll. 763-772). Gawayne urges on his steed Gringolet, and finds himself at the "chief gate." He called aloud, and soon there appeared a "porter" on the wall, who demanded his errand. "Good sir," quoth Gawayne, "wouldst thou go to the high lord of this house, and crave a lodging for me?" "Yea, by Peter!" replied the porter, "well I know that thou art welcome to dwell here as long as thou likest." The drawbridge is soon let down, and the gates opened wide to receive the knight. Many noble ones hasten to bid him welcome (ll. 773-825). They take away his helmet, sword, and shield, and many a proud one presses forward to do him honour. They bring him into the hall, where a fire was brightly burning upon the hearth. Then the lord of the land[1] comes from his chamber and welcomes Sir Gawayne, telling him that he is to consider the place as his own. Our knight is next conducted to a bright bower, where was noble bedding--curtains of pure silk, with golden hems, and Tarsic tapestries upon the walls and the floors (ll. 826-859). Here the knight doffed his armour and put on rich robes, which so well became him, that all declared that a more comely knight Christ had never made (ll. 860-883). [Footnote 1: Gawayne is now in the castle of the Green Knight, who, divested of his elvish or supernatural character, appears to our knight merely as a bold one with a beaver-hued beard.] A table is soon raised, and Gawayne, having washed, proceeds to meat. Many dishes are set before him--"sews" of various kinds, fish of all kinds, some baked in bread, others broiled on the embers, some boiled, and others seasoned with spices. The knight expresses himself well pleased, and calls it a most noble and princely feast. After dinner, in reply to numerous questions, he tells his host that he is Gawayne, one of the Knights of the Round Table. When this was made known great was the joy in the hall. Each one said softly to his companion, "Now we shall see courteous behaviour and learn the terms of noble discourse, since we have amongst us 'that fine father of nurture.' Truly God has highly favoured us in sending us such a noble guest as Sir Gawayne" (ll. 884-927). At the end of the Christmas festival Gawayne desires to take his departure from the castle, but his host persuades him to stay, promising to direct him to the Green Chapel (about two miles from the castle), that he may be there by the appointed time (ll. 1029-1082). A covenant is made between them, the terms of which were that the lord of the castle should go out early to the chase, that Gawayne meanwhile should lie in his loft at his ease, then rise at his usual hour, and afterwards sit at table with his hostess, and that at the end of the day they should make an exchange of whatever they might obtain in the interim. "Whatever I win in the wood," says the lord, "shall be yours, and what thou gettest shall be mine" (ll. 1083-1125). Full early before daybreak the folk uprise, saddle their horses, and truss their mails. The noble lord of the land, arrayed for riding, eats hastily a sop, and having heard mass, proceeds with a hundred hunters to hunt the wild deer (ll. 1126-1177). All this time Gawayne lies in his gay bed. His nap is disturbed by a little noise at the door, which is softly opened. He heaves up his head out of the clothes, and, peeping through the curtains, beholds a most lovely lady (the wife of his host). She came towards the bed, and the knight laid himself down quickly, pretending to be asleep. The lady stole to the bed, cast up the curtains, crept within, sat her softly on the bed-side, and waited some time till the knight should awake. After lurking awhile under the clothes considering what it all meant, Gawayne unlocked his eyelids, and put on a look of surprise, at the same time making the sign of the cross, as if afraid of some hidden danger (ll. 1178-1207). "Good morrow, sir," said that fair lady, "ye are a careless sleeper to let one enter thus. I shall bind you in your bed, of that be ye sure." "Good morrow," quoth Gawayne, "I shall act according to your will with great pleasure, but permit me to rise that I may the more comfortably converse with you." "Nay, beau sir," said that sweet one, "ye shall not rise from your bed, for since I have caught my knight I shall hold talk with him. I ween well that ye are Sir Gawayne that all the world worships, whose honour and courtesy are so greatly praised. Now ye are here, and we are alone (my lord and his men being afar off, other men, too, are in bed, so are my maidens), and the door is safely closed, I shall use my time well while it lasts. Ye are welcome to my person to do with it as ye please, and I will be your servant" (ll. 1208-1240). Gawayne behaves most discreetly, for the remembrance of his forthcoming adventure at the Green Chapel prevents him from thinking of love (ll. 1205-1289). At last the lady takes leave of the knight by catching him in her arms and kissing him (ll. 1290-1307). The day passes away merrily, and at dusk the Lord of the castle returns from the chase. He presents the venison to Gawayne according to the previous covenant between them. Our knight gives his host a kiss as the only piece of good fortune that had fallen to him during the day. "It is good," says the other, "and would be much better if ye would tell me where ye won such bliss" (ll. 1308-1394). "That was not in our covenant," replies Gawayne, "so try me no more." After much laughing on both sides they proceed to supper, and afterwards, while the choice wine is being carried round, Gawayne and his host renew their agreement. Late at night they take leave of each other and hasten to their beds. "By the time that the cock had crowed and cackled thrice" the lord was up, and after "meat and mass" were over the hunters make for the woods, where they give chase to a wild boar who had grown old and mischievous (ll. 1395-1467). While the sportsmen are hunting this "wild swine" our lovely knight lies in his bed. He is not forgotten by the lady, who pays him an early visit, seeking to make further trial of his virtues. She sits softly by his side and tells him that he has forgotten what she taught him the day before (ll. 1468-1486). "I taught you of kissing," says she; "that becomes every courteous knight." Gawayne says that he must not take that which is forbidden him. The lady replies that he is strong enough to enforce his own wishes. Our knight answers that every gift not given with a good will is worthless. His fair visitor then enquires how it is that he who is so skilled in the true sport of love and so renowned a knight, has never talked to her of love (ll. 1487-1524). "You ought," she says, "to show and teach a young thing like me some tokens of true-love's crafts; I come hither and sit here alone to learn of you some game; do teach me of your wit while my lord is from home." Gawayne replies that he cannot undertake the task of expounding true-love and tales of arms to one who has far more wisdom than he possesses. Thus did our knight avoid all appearance of evil, though sorely pressed to do what was wrong (ll. 1525-1552). The lady, having bestowed two kisses upon Sir Gawayne, takes her leave of him (ll. 1553-1557). At the end of the day the lord of the castle returns home with the shields and head of the wild boar. He shows them to his guest, who declares that "such a brawn of a beast, nor such sides of a swine," he never before has seen. Gawayne takes possession of the spoil according to covenant, and in return he bestows two kisses upon his host, who declares that his guest has indeed been rich with "such chaffer" (ll. 1558-1647). After much persuasion, Gawayne consents to stop at the castle another day (ll. 1648-1685). Early on the morrow the lord and his men hasten to the woods, and come upon the track of a fox, the hunting of which affords them plenty of employment and sport (ll. 1686-1730). Meanwhile our good knight sleeps soundly within his comely curtains. He is again visited by the lady of the castle. So gaily was she attired, and so "faultless of her features," that great joy warmed the heart of Sir Gawayne. With soft and pleasant smiles "they smite into mirth," and are soon engaged in conversation. Had not Mary thought of her knight, he would have been in great peril (ll. 1731-1769). So sorely does the fair one press him with her love, that he fears lest he should become a traitor to his host. The lady enquires whether he has a mistress to whom he has plighted his troth. The knight swears by St John that he neither has nor desires one. This answer causes the dame to sigh for sorrow, and telling him that she must depart, she asks for some gift, if it were only a glove, by which she might "think on the knight and lessen her grief" (ll. 1770-1800). Gawayne assures her that he has nothing worthy of her acceptance; that he is on an "uncouth errand," and therefore has "no men with no mails containing precious things," for which he is truly sorry. Quoth that lovesome (one)-- "Though I had nought of yours, Yet should ye have of mine. Thus saying, she offers him a rich ring of red gold "with a shining stone standing aloft," that shone like the beams of the bright sun. The knight refused the gift, as he had nothing to give in return. "Since ye refuse my ring," says the lady, "because it seems too rich, and ye would not be beholden to me, I shall give you my girdle that is less valuable" (ll. 1801-1835). But Gawayne replies that he will not accept gold or reward of any kind, though "ever in hot and in cold" he will be her true servant. "Do ye refuse it," asks the lady, "because it seems simple and of little value? Whoso knew the virtues that are knit therein would estimate it more highly. For he who is girded with this green lace cannot be wounded or slain by any man under heaven." The knight thinks awhile, and it strikes him that this would be a "jewel for the jeopardy" that he had to undergo at the Green Chapel. So he not only accepts the lace, but promises to keep the possession of it a secret (ll. 1836-1865). By that time the lady had kissed him thrice, and she then takes "her leave and leaves him there." Gawayne rises, dresses himself in noble array, and conceals the "love lace" where he might find it again. He then hies to mass, shrives him of his misdeeds, and obtains absolution. On his return to the hall he solaces the ladies with comely carols and all kinds of joy (ll. 1866-1892). The dark night came, and then the lord of the castle, having slain the fox, returns to his "dear home," where he finds a fire brightly turning and his guest amusing the ladies (ll. 1893-1927). Gawayne, in fulfilment of his agreement, kisses his host thrice.[1] "By Christ," quoth the other knight, "ye have caught much bliss. I have hunted all this day and nought have I got but the skin of this foul fox (the devil have the goods!), and that is full poor for to pay for such precious things" (ll. 1928-1951). After the usual evening's entertainment, Gawayne retires to rest. The next morning, being New Year's day, is cold and stormy. Snow falls, and the dales are full of drift. Our knight in his bed locks his eyelids, but full little he sleeps. By each cock that crows he knows the hour, and before day-break he calls for his chamberlain, who quickly brings him his armour (ll. 1952-2014). While Gawayne clothed himself in his rich weeds he forgot not the "lace, the lady's gift," but with it doubly girded his loins. He wore it not for its rich ornaments, "but to save himself when it behoved him to suffer," and as a safeguard against sword or knife (ll. 2015-2046). Having thanked his host and all the renowned assembly for the great kindness he had experienced at their hands, "he steps into stirrups and strides aloft" (ll. 2047-2068). The drawbridge is let down, and the broad gates unbarred and borne open upon both sides, and the knight, after commending the castle to Christ, passes thereout and goes on his way accompanied by his guide, that should teach him to turn to that place where he should receive the much-dreaded blow. They climb over cliffs, where each hill had a hat and a mist-cloak, until the next morn, when they find themselves on a full high hill covered with snow. The servant bids his master remain awhile, saying, "I have brought you hither at this time, and now ye are not far from that noted place that ye have so often enquired after. The place that ye press to is esteemed full perilous, and there dwells a man in that waste the worst upon earth, for he is stiff and stern and loves to strike, and greater is he than any man upon middle-earth, and his body is bigger than the best four in Arthur's house. He keeps the Green Chapel; there passes none by that place, however proud in arms, that he does not 'ding him to death with dint of his hand.' He is a man immoderate and 'no mercy uses,' for be it churl or chaplain that by the chapel rides, monk or mass-priest, or any man else, it is as pleasant to him to kill them as to go alive himself. Wherefore I tell thee truly, 'come ye there, ye be killed, though ye had twenty lives to spend. He has dwelt there long of yore, and on field much sorrow has wrought. Against his sore dints ye may not defend you' (ll. 2069-2117). Therefore, good Sir Gawayne, let the man alone, and for God's sake go by some other path, and then I shall hie me home again. I swear to you by [Footnote 1: He only in part keeps to his covenant, as he holds back the love-lace.] God and all His saints that I will never say that ever ye attempted to flee from any man." Gawayne thanks his guide for his well-meant kindness, but declares that to the Green Chapel he will go, though the owner thereof be "a stern knave," for God can devise means to save his servants. "Mary!" quoth the other, "since it pleases thee to lose thy life I will not hinder thee. Have thy helmet on thy head, thy spear in thy hand, and ride down this path by yon rock-side, till thou be brought to the bottom of the valley. Then look a little on the plain, on thy left hand, and thou shalt see in that slade the chapel itself, and the burly knight that guards it (ll. 2118-2148). Now, farewell Gawayne the noble! for all the gold upon ground I would not go with thee nor bear thee fellowship through this wood 'on foot farther.'" Thus having spoken, he gallops away and leaves the knight alone. Gawayne now pursues his journey, rides through the dale, and looks about. He sees no signs of a resting-place, but only high and steep banks, and the very shadows of the high woods seemed wild and distorted. No chapel, however, could he discover. After a while he sees a round hill by the side of a stream; thither he goes, alights, and fastens his horse to the branch of a tree. He walks about the hill, debating with himself what it might be. It had a hole in the one end and on each side, and everywhere overgrown with grass, but whether it was only an old cave or a crevice of an old crag he could not tell (ll. 2149-2188). "Now, indeed," quoth Gawayne, "a desert is here; this oratory is ugly with herbs overgrown. It is a fitting place for the man in green to 'deal here his devotions after the devil's manner.' Now I feel it is the fiend (the devil) in my five wits that has covenanted with me that he may destroy me. This is a chapel of misfortune--evil betide it! It is the most cursed kirk that ever I came in." With his helmet on his head, and spear in his hand, he roams up to the rock, and then he hears from that high hill beyond the brook a wondrous wild noise. Lo! it clattered in the cliff as if one upon a grindstone were grinding a scythe. It whirred like the water at a mill, and rushed and re-echoed, terrible to hear. "Though my life I forgo," says Gawayne, "no noise shall cause me to fear." Then he cried aloud, "Who dwells in this place, discourse with me to hold? For now is good Gawayne going right here if any brave wight will hie him hither, either now or never" (ll. 2189-2216). "Abide," quoth one on the bank above, over his head. "and thou shalt have all in haste that I promised thee once." Soon there comes out of a hole in the crag, with a fell weapon a Danish axe quite new, the "man in the green," clothed as at first as his legs, locks and beard. But now he is on foot and walks on the earth. When he reaches the stream, he hops over and boldly strides about. He meets Sir Gawayne, who tells him that he is quite ready to fulfil his part of the compact. "Gawayne," quoth that 'green gome' (man), "may God preserve thee! Truly thou art welcome to my place, 'and thou hast timed thy travel' as a true man should. Thou knowest the covenants made between us, at this time twelve-month, that on New Year's day I should return thee thy blow. We are now in this valley by ourselves, and can do as we please (ll. 2217-2246). Have, therefore, thy helmet off thy head, and 'have here thy pay.' Let us have no more talk than when thou didst strike off my head with a single blow." "Nay, by God!" quoth Gawayne, "I shall not begrudge thee thy will for any harm that may happen, but will stand still while thou strikest." Then he stoops a little and shows his bare neck, unmoved by any fear. The Green Knight takes up his "grim tool," and with all his force raises it aloft, as if he meant utterly to destroy him. As the axe came gliding down Gawayne "shrank a little with the shoulders from the sharp iron." The other withheld his weapon, and then reproved the prince with many proud words. "Thou art not Gawayne that is so good esteemed, that never feared for no host by hill nor by vale, for now thou fleest for fear before thou feelest harm (ll. 2247-2272). Such cowardice of that knight did I never hear. I never flinched nor fled when thou didst aim at me in King Arthur's house. My head flew to my feet and yet I never fled, wherefore I deserve to be called the better man." Quoth Gawayne, "I shunted once, but will do so no more, though my head fall on the stones. But hasten and bring me to the point; deal me my destiny, and do it out of hand, for I shall stand thee a stroke and start no more until thine axe has hit me--have here my troth." "Have at thee, then," said the other, and heaves the axe aloft, and looks as savagely as if he were mad. He aims at the other mightily, but withholds his hand ere it might hurt. Gawayne readily abides the blow without flinching with any member, and stood still as a stone or a tree fixed in rocky ground with a hundred roots. Then merrily the other did speak, "Since now thou hast thy heart whole it behoves me to strike, so take care of thy neck." Gawayne answers with great wroth, "Thrash on, thou fierce man, thou threatenest too long; I believe thy own heart fails thee." "Forsooth," quoth the other, "since thou speakest so boldly, I will no longer delay" (ll. 2273-2304). Then, contracting "both lips and brow," he made ready to strike, and let fall his axe on the bare neck of Sir Gawayne. "Though he hammered" fiercely, he only "severed the hide," causing the blood to flow. When Gawayne saw his blood on the snow, he quickly seized his helmet and placed it on his head. Then he drew out his bright sword, and thus angrily spoke: "Cease, man, of thy blow, bid me no more. I have received a stroke in this place without opposition, but if thou givest me any more readily shall I requite thee, of that be thou sure. Our covenant stipulates one stroke, and therefore now cease." The Green Knight, resting on his axe, looks on Sir Gawayne, as bold and fearless he there stood, and then with a loud voice thus addresses the knight: "Bold knight, be not so wroth, no man here has wronged thee (ll. 2305-2339); I promised thee a stroke, and thou hast it, so hold thee well pleased. I could have dealt much worse with thee, and caused thee much sorrow. Two blows I aimed at thee, for twice thou kissedst my fair wife; but I struck thee not, because thou restoredst them to me according to agreement. At the third time thou failedst, and therefore I have given thee that tap. That woven girdle, given thee by my own wife, belongs to me. I know well thy kisses, thy conduct also, and the wooing of my wife, for I wrought it myself. I sent her to try thee, and truly methinks thou art the most faultless man that ever on foot went. Still, sir, thou wert wanting in good faith; but as it proceeded from no immorality, thou being only desirous of saving thy life, the less I blame thee." Gawayne stood confounded, the blood rushed into his face, and he shrank within himself for very shame. "Cursed," he cried, "be cowardice and covetousness both; in you are villany and vice, that virtue destroy." Then he takes off the girdle and throws it to the knight in green, cursing his cowardice and covetousness. The Green Knight, laughing, thus spoke: "Thou hast confessed so clean, and acknowledged thy faults, that I hold thee as pure as thou hadst never forfeited since thou wast first born. I give thee, sir, the gold-hemmed girdle as a token of thy adventure at the Green Chapel. Come now to my castle, and we shall enjoy together the festivities of the New Year" (ll. 2340-2406). "Nay, forsooth," quoth the knight, "but for your kindness may God requite you. Commend me to that courteous one your comely wife, who with her crafts has beguiled me. But it is no uncommon thing for a man to come to sorrow through women's wiles; for so was Adam beguiled with one, and Solomon with many. Samson was destroyed by Delilah, and David suffered much through Bathsheba. 'It were indeed great bliss for a man to love them well and believe them not.' Since the greatest upon earth were so beguiled, methinks I should be excused. But God reward you for your girdle, which I will ever wear in remembrance of my fault, and when pride shall exalt me, a look to this love-lace shall lessen it (ll. 2407-2438). But since ye are the lord of yonder land, from whom I have received so much honour, tell me truly your right name, and I shall ask no more questions." Quoth the other, "I am called Bernlak de Hautdesert, through might of Morgain la Fay, who dwells in my house. Much has she learnt of Merlin, who knows all your knights at home. She brought me to your hall for to essay the prowess of the Round Table. She wrought this wonder to bereave you of your wits, hoping to have grieved Guenever and affrighted her to death by means of the man that spoke with his head in his hand before the high table. She is even thine aunt, Arthur's half sister; wherefore come to thine aunt, for all my household love thee." Gawayne refuses to accompany the Green Knight, and so, with many embraces and kind wishes, they separate--the one to his castle, the other to Arthur's court. After passing through many wild ways, our knight recovers from the wound in his neck, and at last comes safe and sound to the court of King Arthur. Great then was the joy of all; the king and queen kiss their brave knight, and make many enquiries about his journey. He tells them of his adventures, hiding nothing--"the chance of the chapel, the cheer of the knight, the love of the lady, and lastly of the lace." Groaning for grief and shame he shows them the cut in his neck, which he had received for his unfaithfulness (ll. 2439-2504). The king and his courtiers comfort the knight--they laugh loudly at his adventures, and unanimously agree that those lords and ladies that belonged to the Round Table, and each knight of the brotherhood should ever after wear a bright green belt for Gawayne's sake. And he upon whom it was conferred honoured it evermore after. Thus in Arthur's time this adventure befell, whereof the "Brutus Books" bear witness (ll. 2505-2530). I need not say that the Brutus Books we possess do not contain the legend here set forth, though it is not much more improbable than some of the statements contained in them. If the reader desires to know the relation in which this and the like stories stand to the original Arthur legends, he will find it discussed in Sir F. Madden's Preface to his edition of "Syr Gawayne," which also contains a sketch of the very different views taken of Sir Gawayne by the different Romance writers. Into this and other literary questions I do not enter here, as I have nothing to add to Sir F. Madden's statements; but in the text of the Poem I have differed from him in some few readings, which will be found noticed in the Notes and Glossary. As the manuscript is fast fading, I am glad that the existence of the Early English Text Society has enabled us to secure a wider diffusion of its contents before the original shall be no longer legible. We want nothing but an increased supply of members to enable us to give to a large circle of readers many an equally interesting record of Early English minds. * * * * * SYR GAWAYN AND THE GRENE KNY#T. [FYTTE THE FIRST.] I. [A] Sižen že sege & že assaut wat$ sesed at Troye, [Fol. 91a.] Že bor$ brittened & brent to bronde$ & aske$, Že tulk žat že trammes of tresoun žer wro$t, 4 Wat$ tried for his tricherie, že trewest on erthe; Hit wat$ Ennias že athel, & his highe kynde, Žat sižen depreced prouinces, & patrounes bicome Welne$e of al že wele in že west iles, 8 [B] Fro riche Romulus to Rome ricchis hym swyže, With gret bobbaunce žat bur$e he biges vpon fyrst, & neuenes hit his aune nome, as hit now hat; Ticius to Tuskan [turnes,] & teldes bigynnes; 12 Langaberde in Lumbardie lyftes vp homes; [C] & fer ouer že French flod Felix Brutus On mony bonkkes ful brode Bretayn he sette$, wyth wynne; 16 [D] Where werre, & wrake, & wonder, Bi syže$ hat$ wont žer-inne, [E] & oft bože blysse & blunder Ful skete hat$ skyfted synne. [Sidenote A: After the siege of Troy] [Sidenote B: Romulus built Rome,] [Sidenote C: and Felix Brutus founded Britain,] [Sidenote D: a land of war and wonder,] [Sidenote E: and oft of bliss and blunder.] II. 20 Ande quen žis Bretayn wat$ bigged bi žis burn rych, [A] Bolde bredden žer-inne, baret žat lofden, In mony turned tyme tene žat wro$ten; Mo ferlyes on žis folde han fallen here oft 24 [B] Žen in any ožer žat I wot, syn žat ilk tyme. [C] Bot of alle žat here bult of Bretaygne kynges Ay wat$ Arthur že hendest; as I haf herde telle; For-ži an aunter in erde I attle to schawe, [Fol. 91b.] 28 Žat a selly in si$t summe men hit holden, & an outtrage awenture of Arthure$ wondere$; [D] If $e wyl lysten žis laye bot on littel quile, I schal telle hit, as-tit, as I in toun herde, 32 with tonge; As hit is stad & stoken, In stori stif & stronge, With lel letteres loken, 36 In londe so hat$ ben longe. [Sidenote A: Bold men increased in the Land,] [Sidenote B: and many marvels happened.] [Sidenote C: Of all Britain's kings Arthur was the noblest.] [Sidenote D: Listen a while and ye shall hear the story of an "outrageous adventure."] III. [A] Žis kyng lay at Camylot vpon kryst-masse, With mony luflych lorde, lede$ of že best, [B] Rekenly of že rounde table alle žo rich brežer, 40 With rych reuel ory$t, & rechles meržes; Žer tournayed tulkes bi-tyme$ ful mony, Iusted ful Iolilé žise gentyle kni$tes, Syžen kayred to že court, caroles to make. 44 [C] For žer že fest wat$ 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 ny$tes, 48 [D] Al wat$ hap vpon he$e in halle$ & chambre$, With lorde$ & ladies, as leuest him žo$t; With all že wele of že worlde žay woned žer samen, [E] Že most kyd kny$te$ vnder kryste seluen, 52 & že louelokkest ladies žat euer lif haden, & he že comlokest kyng žat že court haldes; For al wat$ žis fayre folk in her first age, on sille; 56 [F] Že hapnest vnder heuen, Kyng hy$est mon of wylle, Hit were[1] now gret nye to neuen So hardy a here on hille. [Sidenote A: Arthur held at Camelot his Christmas feast,] [Sidenote B: with all the knights of the Round Table,] [Sidenote C: full fifteen days.] [Sidenote D: All was joy in hall and chamber,] [Sidenote E: among brave knights and lovely ladies,] [Sidenote F: the happiest under heaven.] [Footnote 1: MS. werere.] IV. 60 [A] Wyle nw $er wat$ so $ep žat hit wat$ nwe cummen, Žat day doubble on že dece wat$ že douth serued, Fro že kyng wat$ cummen with kny$tes in to že halle, Že chauntre of že chapel cheued to an ende; 64 Loude crye wat$ žer kest of clerke$ & ožer, Nowel nayted o-newe, neuened ful ofte; [Fol. 92] & syžen riche forth runnen to reche honde-selle, [B] #e$ed $eres $iftes on hi$, $elde hem bi hond, 68 Debated busyly aboute žo giftes; Ladies la$ed ful loude, žo$ žay lost haden, & he žat wan wat$ not wrothe, žat may $e wel trawe. [C] Alle žis mirže žay maden to že mete tyme; 72 When žay had waschen, woržyly žay wenten to sete, Že best burne ay abof, as hit best semed; [D] Whene Guenore ful gay, grayžed in že myddes. Dressed on že dere des, dubbed al aboute, 76 Smal sendal bisides, a selure hir ouer Of tryed Tolouse, of Tars tapites in-noghe, Žat were enbrawded & beten wyth že best gemmes, Žat my$t be preued of prys wyth penyes to bye, 80 in daye; [E] Že comlokest to discrye, Žer glent with y$en gray, A semloker žat euer he sy$e, 84 Soth mo$t no mon say. [Sidenote A: They celebrate the New Year with great joy.] [Sidenote B: Gifts are demanded and bestowed.] [Sidenote C: Lords and ladies take their seats at the table.] [Sidenote D: Queen Guenever appears gaily dressed.] [Sidenote E: A lady fairer of form might no one say he had ever before seen.] V. [A] Bot Arthure wolde not ete til al were serued, He wat$ so Ioly of his Ioyfnes, & sum-quat child gered, His lif liked hym ly$t, he louied že lasse 88 [B] Aužer to lenge lye, or to longe sitte, So bi-sied him his $onge blod & his brayn wylde; & also anožer maner meued him eke, Žat he žur$ nobelay had nomen, ho wolde neuer ete 92 Vpon such a dere day, er hym deuised were [C] Of sum auenturus žyng an vncouže tale, Of sum mayn meruayle, žat he my$t trawe, Of[1] alderes, of armes, of ožer auenturus, 96 Ožer sum segg hym bi-so$t of sum siker kny$t, To Ioyne wyth hym in iustyng in Iopardé to lay, Lede lif for lyf, leue vchon ožer, As fortune wolde fulsun hom že fayrer to haue. 100 Žis wat$ [že] kynges countenaunce where he in court were, At vch farand fest among his fre meny, in halle; [Fol. 92b.] [D] Žer-fore of face so fere. 104 He sti$tle$ stif in stalle, Ful $ep in žat nw $ere, Much mirthe he mas with alle. [Sidenote A: Arthur would not eat,] [Sidenote B: nor would he long sit] [Sidenote C: until he had witnessed a "wondrous adventure" of some kind.] [Sidenote D: He of face so bold makes much mirth with all.] [Footnote 1: Of of, in MS.] VI. [A] Thus žer stondes in stale že stif kyng his-seluen, 108 Talkkande bifore že hy$e table of trifles ful hende [B] There gode Gawan wat$ grayžed, Gwenore bisyde [C] & Agrauayn a la dure mayn on žat ožer syde sittes Bože že kynges sister sunes, & ful siker kni$tes; 112 [D] Bischop Bawdewyn abof bi-gine$ že table, [E] & Ywan, Vryn son, ette wit hym-seluen; Žise were di$t on že des, & derworžly serued, & sižen mony siker segge at že sidborde$. 116 [F] Žen že first cors come with crakkyng of trumpes, Wyth mony baner ful bry$t, žat žer-bi henged, Nwe nakryn noyse with že noble pipes, Wylde werbles & wy$t wakned lote, 120 Žat mony hert ful hi$e hef at her towches; [G] Dayntes dryuen žer-wyth of ful dere metes, Foysoun of že fresche, & on so fele disches, Žat pine to fynde že place že peple bi-forne 124 For to sette že syluener,[1] žat sere sewes halden, on clothe; Iche lede as he loued hym-selue Žer laght with-outen lože, 128 [H] Ay two had disches twelue, [I] Good ber, & bry$t wyn bože. [Sidenote A: The king talks with his knights.] [Sidenote B: Gawayne,] [Sidenote C: Agravayn,] [Sidenote D: Bishop Bawdewyn,] [Sidenote E: and Ywain sit on the dais.] [Sidenote F: The first course is served with cracking of trumpets.] [Sidenote G: It consisted of all dainties in season.] [Sidenote H: Each two had dishes twelve,] [Sidenote I: good beer and bright wine both.] [Footnote 1: svlueren (?) (dishes).] VII. [A] Now wyl I of hor seruise say yow no more, For veh wy$e may wel wit no wont žat žer were; 132 [B] An ožer noyse ful newe ne$ed biliue, Žat že lude my$t haf leue lif-lode to cach. For vneže wat$ že noyce not a whyle sesed, & že fyrst cource in že court kyndely serued, 136 [C] Žer hales in at že halle dor an aghlich mayster, On že most on že molde on mesure hyghe; Fro že swyre to že swange so sware & so žik, [D] & his lyndes & his lymes so longe & so grete, 140 Half etayn in erde I hope žat he were. [Fol. 93.] [E] Bot mon most I algate mynn hym to bene, & žat že myriest in his muckel žat my$t ride; [F] For of bak & of brest al were his bodi sturne, 144 [G] Bot his wombe & his wast were worthily smale, & alle his fetures fol$ande, in forme žat he hade, ful clene; For wonder of his hwe men hade, 148 Set in his semblaunt sene; He ferde as freke were fade, & ouer-al enker grene. [Sidenote A: There was no want of anything.] [Sidenote B: Scarcely had the first course commenced,] [Sidenote C: when there rushes in at the hall-door a knight;] [Sidenote D: the tallest on earth] [Sidenote E: he must have been.] [Sidenote F: His back and breast were great,] [Sidenote G: but his belly and waist were small.] VIII. [A] Ande al grayžed in grene žis gome & his wedes, 152 A strayt cote ful stre$t, žat stek on his sides, A mere mantile abof, mensked with-inne, With pelure pured apert že pane ful clene, With blyže blaunner ful bry$t, & his hod bože, 156 Žat wat$ la$t fro his lokke$, & layde on his schulderes Heme wel haled, hose of žat same grene, [B] Žat spenet on his sparlyr, & clene spures vnder, Of bry$t golde, vpon silk bordes, barred ful ryche 160 & scholes vnder schankes, žere že schalk rides; & alle his vesture uerayly wat$ clene verdure, Bože že barres of his belt & ožer blyže stones, Žat were richely rayled in his aray clene, 164 [C] Aboutte hym-self & his sadel, vpon silk werke$, Žat were to tor for to telle of tryfles že halue, Žat were enbrauded abof, wyth bryddes & fly$es, 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 arsoun$ al after, & his ažel sturtes, 172 Žat euer glemered[1] & glent al of grene stones. [D] Že fole žat he ferkkes on, fyn of žat ilke, sertayn; A grene hors gret & žikke, 176 [E] A stede ful stif to strayne, In brawden brydel quik, To že gome he wat$ ful gayn. [Fol. 93b.] [Sidenote A: He was clothed entirely in green.] [Sidenote B: His spurs were of bright gold.] [Sidenote C: His saddle was embroidered with birds and flies.] [Sidenote D: The foal that he rode upon was green;] [Sidenote E: it was a steed full stiff to guide.] [Footnote 1: glemed (?).] IX. [A] Wel gay wat$ žis gome gered in grene, 180 & že here of his hed of his hors swete; Fayre fannand fax vmbe-foldes his schulderes; [B] A much berd as[1] a busk ouer his brest henges, Žat wyth his hi$lich here, žat of his hed reches, 184 Wat$ euesed al vmbe-torne, a-bof his elbowes, Žat half his armes žer vnder were halched in že wyse Of a kynge$ capados, žat closes his swyre. [C] Že mane of žat mayn hors much to hit lyke, 188 Wel cresped & cemmed wyth knottes ful mony, Folden in wyth fildore aboute že fayre grene, Ay a herle of že here, an ožer of golde; [D] Že tayl & his toppyng twynnen of a sute, 192 & bounden bože wyth a bande of a bry$t grene, Dubbed wyth ful dere stone$, as že dok lasted, Syžen žrawen wyth a žwong a žwarle knot alofte, Žer mony belle$ ful bry$t of brende golde rungen. 196 [E] Such a fole vpon folde, ne freke žat hym rydes, Wat$ neuer sene in žat sale wyth sy$t er žat tyme, with y$e; He loked as layt so ly$t, 200 So sayd al žat hym sy$e, [F] Hit semed as no mon my$t, Vnder his dyntte$ dry$e. [Sidenote A: Gaily was the knight attired.] [Sidenote B: His great beard, like a bush, hung on his breast.] [Sidenote C: The horse's mane was decked with golden threads.] [Sidenote D: Its tail was bound with a green band.] [Sidenote E: Such a foal nor a knight were never before seen.] [Sidenote F: It seemed that no man might endure his dints.] [Footnote 1: as as, in MS.] X. [A] Whežer hade he no helme ne hawb[e]rgh naužer, 204 Ne no pysan, ne no plate žat pented to armes, Ne no schafte, ne no schelde, to schwne ne to smyte, [B] Bot in his on honde he hade a holyn bobbe, Žat is grattest in grene, when greue$ ar bare, 208 [C] & an ax in his ožer, a hoge & vn-mete, A spetos sparže to expoun in spelle quo-so my$t; Že hede of an eln$erde že large lenkže hade, Že grayn al of grene stele & of golde hewen, 212 [D] Že bit burnyst bry$t, with a brod egge, As wel schapen to schere as scharp rasores; Že stele of a stif staf že sturne hit bi-grypte, Žat wat$ wounden wyth yrn to že wande$ ende, [Fol. 94.] 216 [E] & al bigrauen with grene, in gracios[1] werkes; A lace lapped aboute, žat louked at že hede, & so after že halme halched ful ofte, Wyth tryed tassele$ žerto tacched in-noghe, 220 [F] On botoun$ of že bry$t grene brayden ful ryche. Žis hažel helde$ hym in, & že halle entres, Driuande to že he$e dece, dut he no wože, [G] Haylsed he neuer one, bot he$e he ouer loked. 224 Že fyrst word žat he warp, "wher is," he sayd, [H] "Že gouernour of žis gyng? gladly I wolde Se žat segg in sy$t, & with hym self speke raysoun." 228 To kny$te$ he kest his y$e, & reled hym vp & doun, [I] He stemmed & con studie, Quo walt žer most renoun. [Sidenote A: The knight carried neither spear nor shield,] [Sidenote B: In one hand was a holly bough,] [Sidenote C: in the other an axe,] [Sidenote D: the edge of which was as keen as a sharp razor,] [Sidenote E: and the handle was encased in iron, curiously "graven with green, in gracious works."] [Sidenote F: Thus arrayed the Green Knight enters the hall,] [Sidenote G: without saluting any one.] [Sidenote H: He asks for the "governor" of the company,] [Sidenote I: and looks for the most renowned.] [Footnote 1: looks like gracons in MS.] XI. 232 [A] Ther wat$ lokyng on lenže, že lude to be-holde, For vch mon had meruayle quat hit mene my$t, Žat a hažel & a horse my$t such a hwe lach, [B] As growe grene as že gres & grener hit semed, 236 Žen grene aumayl on golde lowande bry$ter; Al studied žat žer stod, & stalked hym nerre, [C] Wyth al že wonder of že worlde, what he worch schulde. For fele sellye$ had žay sen, bot such neuer are, 240 For-ži for fantoum & fayry$e že folk žere hit demed; [D] Žer-fore to answare wat$ ar$e mony ažel freke, & al stouned at his steuen, & stonstil seten, [E] In a swoghe sylence žur$ že sale riche 244 As al were slypped vpon slepe so slaked hor lote$ in hy$e; I deme hit not al for doute, [F] Bot sum for cortaysye, 248 Bot let hym žat al schulde loute, Cast vnto žat wy$e. [Sidenote A: Much they marvel to see a man and a horse] [Sidenote B: as green as grass.] [Sidenote C: Never before had they seen such a sight as this.] [Sidenote D: They were afraid to answer,] [Sidenote E: and were as silent as if sleep had taken possession of them;] [Sidenote F: some from fear and others from courtesy.] XII. [A] Ženn Aržour bifore že hi$ dece žat auenture byholde$, & rekenly hym reuerenced, for rad was he neuer, 252 & sayde, "wy$e, welcum iwys to žis place, [B] Že hede of žis ostel Arthour I hat, [Fol. 94b.] Li$t luflych adoun, & lenge, I že praye, & quat so žy wylle is, we schal wyt after." 256 [C] "Nay, as help me," quod že hažel, "he žat on hy$e syttes, To wone any quyle in žis won, hit wat$ not myn ernde; Bot for že los of že lede is lyft vp so hy$e, & žy bur$ & žy burnes best ar holden, 260 Stifest vnder stel-gere on stedes to ryde, [D] Že wy$test & že woržyest of že worldes kynde, Preue for to play wyth in ožer pure layke$; & here is kydde cortaysye, as I haf herd carp, 264 & žat hat$ wayned me hider, I-wyis, at žis tyme. #e may be seker bi žis braunch žat I bere here, [E] Žat I passe as in pes, & no ply$t seche; For had I founded in fere, in fe$tyng wyse, 268 [F] I haue a hauberghe at home & a helme bože, A schelde, & a scharp spere, schinande bry$t, Ande ožer weppenes to welde, I wene wel als, Bot for I wolde no were, my wede$ ar softer. 272 Bot if žou be so bold as alle burne$ tellen, Žou wyl grant me godly že gomen žat I ask, bi ry$t." [G] Arthour con onsware, 276 & sayd, "sir cortays kny$t, If žou craue batayl bare, Here fayle$ žou not to fy$t." [Sidenote A: Arthur salutes the Green Knight.] [Sidenote B: bids him welcome, and invites him to stay awhile.] [Sidenote C: The knight says that he will not tarry.] [Sidenote D: He seeks the most valiant that he may prove him.] [Sidenote E: He comes in peace.] [Sidenote F: At home, however, he has both shield and spear.] [Sidenote G: Arthur assures him that he shall not fail to find an opponent worthy of him.] XIII. [A] "Nay, frayst I no fy$t, in fayth I že telle, 280 [B] Hit arn aboute on žis bench bot berdle$ chylder; If I were hasped in armes on a he$e stede, [C] Here is no mon me to mach, for my$te$ so[1] wayke. For-žy I craue in žis court a crystmas gomen, 284 [D] For hit is $ol & nwe $er, & here ar $ep mony; If any so hardy in žis hous holde$ hym-seluen, [E] Be so bolde in his blod, brayn in hys hede, Žat dar stifly strike a strok for an ožer, 288 I schal gif hym of my gyft žys giserne ryche, [F] Žis ax, žat is heué in-nogh, to hondele as hym lykes, & I schal bide že fyrst bur, as bare as I sitte. [Fol. 95.] If any freke be so felle to fonde žat I telle, 292 Lepe ly$tly me to, & lach žis weppen, I quit clayme hit for euer, kepe hit as his auen, [G] & I schal stonde hym a strok, stif on žis flet, Elle$ žou wyl di$t me že dom to dele hym an ožer, 296 barlay; & $et gif hym respite, [H] A twelmonyth & a day;-- Now hy$e, & let se tite 300 Dar any her-inne o$t say." [Sidenote A: "I seek no fight," says the knight.] [Sidenote B: "'Here are only beardless children.'] [Sidenote C: Here is no man to match me.] [Sidenote D: Here are brave ones many,] [Sidenote E: if any be bold enough to 'strike a stroke for another,'] [Sidenote F: this axe shall be his;] [Sidenote G: but I shall give him a 'stroke' in return] [Sidenote H: within a twelvemonth and a day."] [Footnote 1: MS. fo.] XIV. [A] If he hem stowned vpon fyrst, stiller were žanne Alle že hered-men in halle, že hy$ & že lo$e; [B] Že renk on his rounce hym ruched in his sadel, 304 & runisch-ly his rede y$en he reled aboute, [C] Bende his bresed bro$e$, bly-cande grene, [D] Wayued his berde for to wayte quo-so wolde ryse. When non wolde kepe hym with carp he co$ed ful hy$e, 308 Ande rimed hym ful richley, & ry$t hym to speke: [E] "What, is žis Aržures hous," quod že hažel ženne, "Žat al že rous rennes of, žur$ ryalmes so mony? Where is now your sourquydrye & your conquestes, 312 Your gry[n]del-layk, & your greme, & your grete wordes? [F] Now is že reuel & že renoun of že rounde table Ouer-walt wyth a worde of on wy$es speche; For al dares for drede, with-oute dynt schewed!" 316 Wyth žis he la$es so loude, žat že lorde greued; [G] Že blod schot for scham in-to his schyre face & lere; [H] He wex as wroth as wynde, 320 So did alle žat žer were Že kyng as kene bi kynde, Žen stod žat stif mon nere. [Sidenote A: Fear kept all silent.] [Sidenote B: The knight rolled his red eyes about,] [Sidenote C: and bent his bristly green brows.] [Sidenote D: Waving his beard awhile, he exclaimed:] [Sidenote E: "What! is this Arthur's court?] [Sidenote F: Forsooth the renown of the Round Table is overturned 'with a word of one man's speech.'"] [Sidenote G: Arthur blushes for shame.] [Sidenote H: He waxes as wroth as the wind.] XV. [A] Ande sayde, "hažel, by heuen žyn askyng is nys, 324 & as žou foly hat$ frayst, fynde že be-houes; I know no gome žat is gast of žy grete wordes. Gif me now žy geserne, vpon gode$ halue, & I schal bayžen žy bone, žat žou boden habbes." 328 Ly$tly lepe$ he hym to, & la$t at his honde; [Fol. 95b.] Žen feersly žat ožer freke vpon fote ly$tis. [B] Now hat$ Arthure his axe, & že halme grype$, & sturnely sture$ hit aboute, žat stryke wyth hit žo$t. 332 Že stif mon hym bifore stod vpon hy$t, Herre žen ani in že hous by že hede & more; [C] Wyth sturne schere[1] žer he stod, he stroked his berde, & wyth a countenaunce dry$e he dro$ doun his cote, 336 No more mate ne dismayd for hys mayn dinte$, Žen any burne vpon bench hade bro$t hym to drynk of wyne, [D] Gawan, žat sate bi že quene, 340 To že kyng he can enclyne, "I be-seche now with sa$e$ sene, Žis melly mot be myne." [Sidenote A: He assures the knight that no one is afraid of his great words.] [Sidenote B: Arthur seizes his axe.] [Sidenote C: The knight, stroking his beard, awaits the blow, and with a "dry countenance" draws down his coat.] [Sidenote D: Sir Gawayne beseeches the king to let him undertake the blow.] [Footnote 1: chere (?).] XVI. "Wolde $e, woržilych lorde," quod Gawan to že kyng, 344 [A] "Bid me bo$e fro žis benche, & stonde by yow žere, Žat I wyth-oute vylanye my$t voyde žis table, & žat my legge lady lyked not ille, I wolde com to your counseyl, bifore your cort ryche. 348 [B] For me žink hit not semly, as hit is sož knawen, Žer such an askyng is heuened so hy$e in your sale, Ža$$e $our-self be talenttyf to take hit to your-seluen, [C] Whil mony so bolde yow aboute vpon bench sytten, 352 Žat vnder heuen, I hope, non ha$er er of wylle, Ne better bodyes on bent, žer baret is rered; [D] I am že wakkest, I wot, and of wyt feblest, & lest lur of my lyf, quo laytes že sože, 356 Bot for as much as $e ar myn em, I am only to prayse, No bounté bot your blod I in my bodé knowe; & syžen žis note is so nys, žat no$t hit yow falles, & I haue frayned hit at yow fyrst, folde$ hit to me, 360 & if I carp not comlyly, let alle žis cort rych, bout blame." [E] Ryche to-geder con roun, & syžen žay redden alle same, 364 To ryd že kyng wyth croun, & gif Gawan že game. [Sidenote A: He asks permission to leave the table; he says,] [Sidenote B: it is not meet that Arthur should be active in the matter,] [Sidenote C: while so many bold ones sit upon bench.] [Sidenote D: Although the weakest, he is quite ready to meet the Green Knight.] [Sidenote E: The nobles entreat Arthur to "give Gawayne the game."] XVII. Žen comaunded že kyng že kny$t for to ryse; [Fol. 96.] & he ful radly vp ros, & ruchched hym fayre, 368 [A] Kneled doun bifore že kyng, & cache$ žat weppen; & he luflyly hit hym laft, & lyfte vp his honde, & gef hym godde$ blessyng, & gladly hym biddes [B] Žat his hert & his honde schulde hardi be bože. 372 "Kepe že cosyn," quod že kyng, "žat žou on kyrf sette, & if žou rede$ hym ry$t, redly I trowe, Žat žou schal byden že bur žat he schal bede after. Gawan got$ to že gome, with giserne in honde, 376 & he baldly hym byde$, he bayst neuer že helder [C] Žen carppe$ to sir Gawan že kny$t in že grene, "Refourme we oure for-wardes, er we fyrre passe. Fyrst I eže že, hažel, how žat žou hattes, 380 Žat žou me telle truly, as I tryst may?" [D] "In god fayth," quod že goode kny$t, "Gawan I hatte, Žat bede že žis buffet, quat-so bi-falle$ after, & at žis tyme twelmonyth take at že anožer, 384 Wyth what weppen so[1] žou wylt, & wyth no wy$ elle$, on lyue." Žat ožer on-sware$ agayn, "Sir Gawan, so mot I žryue, 388 [E] As I am ferly fayn. Žis dint žat žou schal dryue." [Sidenote A: The king gives his nephew his weapon,] [Sidenote B: and tells him to keep heart and hand steady.] [Sidenote C: The Green Knight enquires the name of his opponent.] [Sidenote D: Sir Gawayne tells him his name, and declares that he is willing to give and receive a blow.] [Sidenote E: The other thereof is glad.] [Footnote 1: MS. fo.] XVIII. [A] "Bigog," quod že grene kny$t, "sir Gawan, melykes, Žat I schal fange at žy fust žat I haf frayst here; 392 & žou hat$ redily rehersed, bi resoun ful trwe, Clanly al že couenaunt žat I že kynge asked, Saf žat žou schal siker me, segge, bi ži trawže, Žat žou schal seche me ži-self, where-so žou hopes 396 I may be funde vpon folde, & foch že such wages [B] As žou deles me to day, bifore žis douže ryche." [C] "Where schulde I wale že," quod Gauan, "where is žy place? I wot neuer where žou wonyes, bi hym žat me wro$t, 400 Ne I know not že, kny$t, žy cort, ne ži name. [D] Bot teche me truly žer-to, & telle me howe žou hattes, & I schal ware alle my wyt to wynne me žeder, & žat I swere že for sože, & by my seker trawež." [Fol. 96b.] 404 "Žat is in-nogh in nwe $er, hit nedes no more," Quod že gome in že grene to Gawan že hende, [E] "$if I že telle trwly, quen I že tape haue, & žou me smožely hat$ smyten, smartly I že teche 408 Of my hous, & my home, & myn owen nome, Žen may žou frayst my fare, & forwarde$ holde, [F] & if I spende no speche, ženne spede$ žou že better, For žou may leng in žy londe, & layt no fyrre, 412 bot slokes; [G] Ta now žy grymme tole to že, & let se how žou cnoke$." "Gladly sir, for sože," 416 Quod Gawan; his ax he strokes. [Sidenote A: "It pleases me well, Sir Gawayne," says the Green Knight, "that I shall receive a blow from thy fist; but thou must swear that thou wilt seek me,] [Sidenote B: to receive the blow in return."] [Sidenote C: "Where shall I seek thee?" says Sir Gawayne;] [Sidenote D: "tell me thy name and abode and I will find thee."] [Sidenote E: "When thou hast smitten me," says the knight, "then tell I thee of my home and name;] [Sidenote F: if I speak not at all, so much the better for thee.] [Sidenote G: Take now thy grim tool, and let us see how thou knockest."] XIX. [A] The grene kny$t vpon grounde grayžely hym dresses, A littel lut with že hede, že lere he discouere$, [B] His longe louelych lokke$ he layd ouer his croun. 420 Let že naked nec to že note schewe. Gauan gripped to his ax, & gederes hit on hy$t, Že kay fot on že folde he be-fore sette, [C] Let hit doun ly$tly ly$t on že naked, 424 Žat že scharp of že schalk schyndered že bones, [D] & schrank žur$ že schyire grece, & scade hit in twynne, Žat že bit of že broun stel bot on že grounde. [E] Že fayre hede fro že halce hit [felle] to že erže, 428 [F] Žat fele hit foyned wyth her fete, žere hit forth roled; Že blod brayd fro že body, žat blykked on že grene; [G] & nawžer faltered ne fel že freke neuer že helder, Bot styžly he start forth vpon styf schonkes, 432 [H] & ru[n]yschly he ra$t out, žere as renkke$ stoden, La$t to his lufly hed, & lyft hit vp sone; & syžen bo$e$ to his blonk, že brydel he cachche$, [I] Steppe$ in to stel bawe & stryde$ alofte, 436 [J] & his hede by že here in his honde halde$; & as sadly že segge hym in his sadel sette, As non vnhap had hym ayled, ža$ hedle$ he[1] we[re], in stedde; 440 [K] He brayde his bluk[2] aboute, Žat vgly bodi žat bledde, [Fol. 97.] Moni on of hym had doute, Bi žat his resoun$ were redde. [Sidenote A: The Green Knight] [Sidenote B: puts his long lovely locks aside and lays bare his neck.] [Sidenote C: Sir Gawayne lets fall his axe] [Sidenote D: and severs the head from the body.] [Sidenote E: The head falls to the earth.] [Sidenote F: Many kick it aside with their feet.] [Sidenote G: The knight never falters;] [Sidenote H: he rushes forth, seizes his head,] [Sidenote I: steps into the saddle,] [Sidenote J: holding the while the head in his hand by the hair,] [Sidenote K: and turns his horse about.] [Footnote 1: MS. ho.] [Footnote 2: blunk (?).] XX. 444 For že hede in his honde he halde$ vp euen, [A] To-ward že derrest on že dece he dresse$ že face, & hit lyfte vp že y$e-lydde$, & loked ful brode, [B] & meled žus much with his muthe, as $e may now here. 448 "Loke, Gawan, žou be grayže to go as žou hette$, & layte as lelly til žou me, lude, fynde, [C] As žou hat$ hette in žis halle, herande žise kny$tes; [D] To že grene chapel žou chose, I charge že to fotte, 452 Such a dunt as žou hat$ dalt disserued žou habbe$, [E] To be $ederly $olden on nw $eres morn; Že kny$t of že grene chapel men knowen me mony; [F] For-ži me forto fynde if žou frayste$, fayle$ žou neuer, 456 [G] Žer-fore com, ožer recreaunt be calde že be-houeus." With a runisch rout že rayne$ he torne$, [H] Halled out at že hal-dor, his hed in his hande, Žat že fyr of že flynt fla$e fro fole houes. 460 To quat kyth he be-com, knwe non žere, Neuermore žen žay wyste fram quežen. he wat$ wonnen; what ženne? Že kyng & Gawen žare, 464 [I] At žat grene žay la$e & grenne, $et breued wat$ hit ful bare, A meruayl among žo menne. [Sidenote A: The head lifts up its eyelids,] [Sidenote B: and addresses Sir Gawayne; "Look thou, be ready to go as thou hast promised,] [Sidenote C: and seek till thou findest me.] [Sidenote D: Get thee to the Green Chapel,] [Sidenote E: there to receive a blow on New Year's morn.] [Sidenote F: Fail thou never;] [Sidenote G: come, or recreant be called."] [Sidenote H: The Green Knight then rushes out of the hall, his head in his hand.] [Sidenote I: At that green one Arthur and Gawayne "laugh and grin."] XXI. [A] Ža$ Aržer že hende kyng at hert hade wonder, 468 He let no semblaunt be sene, bot sayde ful hy$e To že comlych quene, wyth cortays speche, [B] "Dere dame, to day demay yow neuer; Wel by-commes such craft vpon cristmasse, 472 Laykyng of enterlude$, to la$e & to syng. Among žise, kynde caroles of kny$te$ & ladye$; [C] Neuer-že-lece to my mete I may me wel dres, For I haf sen a selly, I may not for-sake." 476 He glent vpon sir Gawen, & gaynly he sayde, [D] "Now sir, heng vp žyn ax, žat hat$ in-nogh hewen." & hit wat$ don abof že dece, on doser to henge, [Fol. 97b.] Žer alle men for meruayl my$t on hit loke, 480 & bi trwe tytel žer-of to telle že wonder. [E] Ženne žay bo$ed to a borde žise burnes to-geder, Že kyng & že gode kny$t, & kene men hem serued Of alle dayntye$ double, as derrest my$t falle, 484 Wyth alle maner of mete & mynstralcie bože; Wyth wele walt žay žat day, til woržed an ende, in londe. [F] Now ženk wel, sir Gawan, 488 For wože žat žou ne wonde, Žis auenture forto frayn, Žat žou hat$ tan on honde. [Sidenote A: Arthur addresses the queen:] [Sidenote B: "Dear dame, be not dismayed; such marvels well become the Christmas festival;] [Sidenote C: I may now go to meat.] [Sidenote D: Sir Gawayne, hang up thine axe.] [Sidenote E: The king and his knights sit feasting at the board till day is ended.] [Sidenote F: Now beware, Sir Gawayne, lest thou fail to seek the adventure that thou hast taken in hand.] [FYTTE THE SECOND.] I. [A] This hanselle hat$ Arthur of auenturus on fyrst, 492 In $onge $er, for he $erned $elpyng to here, Tha$ hym worde$ were wane, when žay to sete wenten; Now ar žay stoken of sturne werk staf-ful her hond. Gawan wat$ glad to be-gynne žose gomne$ in halle, 496 Bot ža$ že ende be heuy, haf $e no wonder; For ža$ men ben mery in mynde, quen žay han mayn drynk, [B] A $ere $ernes ful $erne, & $elde$ neuer lyke, Že forme to že fynisment folde$ ful selden. 500 For-ži žis $ol ouer-$ede, & že $ere after, & vche sesoun serlepes sued after ožer; [C] After crysten-masse com že crabbed lentoun, Žat frayste$ flesch wyth že fysche & fode more symple 504 Bot ženne že weder of že worlde wyth wynter hit žrepe$, [D] Colde clenge$ adoun, cloude$ vp-lyften, Schyre schede$ že rayn in schowre$ ful warme, Falle$ vpon fayre flat, flowre$ žere schewen, 508 [E] Bože grounde$ & že greue$ grene ar her wede$, [F] Brydde$ busken to bylde, & bremlych syngen, [G] For solace of že softe somer žat sues žer after, bi bonk; 512 [H] & blossume$ bolne to blowe, Bi rawe$ rych & ronk, [I] Žen note$ noble in-no$e, Ar herde in wod so wlonk. [Fol. 98] [Sidenote A: This marvel serves to keep up a brisk conversation in Court.] [Sidenote B: The year passes full quickly and never returns.] [Sidenote C: After Christmas comes the "crabbed Lenten."] [Sidenote D: Spring sets in and warm showers descend;] [Sidenote E: the groves become green,] [Sidenote F: birds build and sing,] [Sidenote G: for joy of the summer that follows;] [Sidenote H: blossoms begin to bloom,] [Sidenote I: and noble notes are heard in the woods] II. 516 [A] After že sesoun of somer wyth že soft wynde$, Quen $eferus syfle$ hym-self on sede$ & erbe$, [B] Wela-wynne is že wort žat woxes žer-oute. When že donkande dewe drope$ of že leue$, 520 To bide a blysful blusch of že bry$t sunne. [C] Bot žen hy$es heruest, & hardenes hym sone. Warne$ hym for že wynter to wax ful rype; [D] He dryues wyth dro$t že dust for to ryse. 524 Fro že face of že folde to fly$e ful hy$e; Wrože wynde of že welkyn wrastele$ with že sunne, [E] Že leue$ lancen fro že lynde, & ly$ten on že grounde, [F] & al grayes že gres, žat grene wat$ ere; 528 Ženne al rype$ & rote$ žat ros vpon fyrst, & žus $irne$ že $ere in $isterdaye$ mony, [G] & wynter wynde$ a$ayn, as že worlde aske$ no sage. 532 Til me$el-mas mone, Wat$ cumen wyth wynter wage; [H] Žen ženkke$ Gawan ful sone, Of his anious uyage. [Sidenote A: Then the soft winds of summer,] [Sidenote B: beautiful are the flowers wet with dew-drops.] [Sidenote C: But harvest approaches soon,] [Sidenote D: and drives the dust about.] [Sidenote E: The leaves drop off the trees,] [Sidenote F: the grass becomes gray, and all ripens and rots.] [Sidenote G: Winter winds round again,] [Sidenote H: and then Sir Gawayne thinks of his dread journey.] III. 536 [A] #et quyl al-hal-day with Aržer he lenges, & he made a fare on žat fest, for že freke$ sake, With much reuel & ryche of že rounde table; Kny$te$ 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 ioyle$ for žat ientyle iape$ žer maden. [B] For aftter mete, with mournyng he mele$ to his eme, 544 & speke$ of his passage, & pertly he sayde, [C] "Now, lege lorde of my lyf, leue I yow ask; $e knowe že cost of žis cace, kepe I no more To telle yow tene$ žer-of neuer bot trifel; 548 [D] Bot I am boun to že bur barely to morne, To sech že gome of že grene, as god wyl me wysse." Ženne že best of že bur$ bo$ed to-geder, Aywan, & Errik, & ožer ful mony, 552 Sir Doddinaual de Sauage, že duk of Clarence, [Fol. 98b.] Launcelot, & Lyonel, & Lucan že gode, Sir Boos, & sir Byduer, big men bože, [E] & mony ožer menskful, with Mador de la Port. 556 Alle žis compayny of court com že kyng nerre, For to counseyl že kny$t, with care at her hert; [F] Žere wat$ much derue[1] doel driuen in že sale, Žat so worthe as Wawan schulde wende on žat ernde, 560 To dry$e a delful dynt, & dele no more wyth bronde. Že kny$t mad ay god chere, & sayde, "quat schuld I wonde, 564 [G] Of destines derf & dere, What may mon do bot fonde?" [Sidenote A: On All-hallows day Arthur makes a feast for his nephew's sake.] [Sidenote B: After meat, Sir Gawayne thus speaks to his uncle:] [Sidenote C: "Now, liege lord, I ask leave of you,] [Sidenote D: for I am bound on the morn to seek the Green Knight."] [Sidenote E: Many nobles, the best of the court, counsel and comfort him.] [Sidenote F: Much sorrow prevails in the hall.] [Sidenote G: Gawayne declares that he has nothing to fear.] [Footnote 1: derne (?).] IV. [A] He dowelle$ žer al žat day, and dresse$ on že morn, Aske$ erly hys arme$, & alle were žay bro$t 568 [B] Fyrst a tule tapit, ty$t ouer že flet, & miche wat$ že gyld gere žat glent žer alofte; [C] Že stif mon steppe$ žeron, & že stel hondole$, [D] Dubbed in a dublet of a dere tars, 572 & syžen a crafty capados, closed aloft, Žat wyth a bry$t blaunner was bounden with-inne; [E] Ženne set žay že sabatoun$ vpon že segge fote$, His lege$ lapped in stel with luflych greue$, 576 With polayne$ piched žer-to, policed ful clene, Aboute his kne$ knaged wyth knote$ of golde; [F] Queme quyssewes žen, žat coyntlych closed His thik žrawen žy$e$ with žwonges to-tachched; 580 [G] & syžen že brawden bryne of bry$t stel rynge$, Vmbe-weued žat wy$, vpon wlonk stuffe; [H] & wel bornyst brace vpon his bože armes, With gode cowters & gay, & gloue$ of plate, 584 & alle že godlych gere žat hym gayn schulde Žat tyde; [I] Wyth ryche cote armure, [J] His gold spore$ spend with pryde, 588 [K] Gurde wyth a bront ful sure, With silk sayn vmbe his syde. [Sidenote A: On the morn he asks for his arms.] [Sidenote B: A carpet is spread on the floor,] [Sidenote C: and he steps thereon.] [Sidenote D: He is dubbed in a doublet of Tarsic silk, and a well-made hood.] [Sidenote E: They set steel slices on his feet, and lap his legs in steel greaves.] [Sidenote F: Fair cuisses enclose his thighs,] [Sidenote G: and afterwards they put on the steel habergeon,] [Sidenote H: well-burnished braces, elbow pieces, and gloves of plate.] [Sidenote I: Over all this is placed the coat armour.] [Sidenote J: His spurs are then fixed,] [Sidenote K: and his sword is attached to his side by a silken girdle.] V. [A] When he wat$ hasped in armes, his harnays wat$ ryche, [Fol. 99a.] Že lest lachet ou[ž]er loupe lemed of golde; 592 So harnayst as he wat$ he herkne$ his masse, Offred & honoured at že he$e auter; [B] Syžen he come$ to že kyng & to his cort fere$, Lache$ lufly his leue at lorde$ & ladye$; 596 & žay hym kyst & conueyed, bikende hym to kryst. [C] Bi žat wat$ 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 bry$t golde bounden; [D] Že apparayl of že payttrure, & of že proude skyrte$, Že cropore, & že couertor, acorded wyth že arsoune$; & al wat$ rayled on red ryche golde nayle$, 604 Žat al glytered & glent as glem of že sunne. [E] Ženne hentes he že holme, & hastily hit kysses, Žat wat$ stapled stifly, & stoffed wyth-inne: Hit wat$ hy$e on his hede, hasped bihynde, 608 [F] Wyth a ly$tli vrysoun ouer že auentayle, [G] Enbrawden & bounden wyth že best gemme$, On brode sylkyn borde, & brydde$ on seme$, As papiaye$ paynted pernyng bitwene, 612 Tortors & trulofe$ entayled so žyk, As mony burde žer aboute had ben seuen wynter in toune; [H] Že cercle wat$ more o prys, 616 Žat vmbe-clypped hys croun, Of diamaunte$ a deuys, Žat bože were bry$t & broun. [Sidenote A: Thus arrayed the knight hears mass,] [Sidenote B: and afterwards takes leave of Arthur and his court.] [Sidenote C: By that time his horse Gringolet was ready,] [Sidenote D: the harness of which glittered like the "gleam of the sun."] [Sidenote E: Then Sir Gawayne sets his helmet upon his head,] [Sidenote F: fastened behind with a "urisoun,"] [Sidenote G: richly embroidered with gems.] [Sidenote H: The circle around the helmet was decked with diamonds.] VI. [A] Then žay schewed hym že schelde, žat was of schyr goule$, 620 Wyth že pentangel de-paynt of pure golde hwe$; He brayde$ hit by že baude-ryk, aboute že hals kestes, Žat bisemed že segge semlyly fayre. [B] & quy že pentangel apende$ 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 habbe$, For hit is a figure žat halde$ fyue poynte$, [Fol. 99b] 628 & vche lyne vmbe-lappe$ & louke$ in ožer, [C] & ay quere hit is endele$,[1] & Englych hit callen Ouer-al, as I here, že endeles knot. For-žy hit acorde$ to žis kny$t, & to his cler arme$, 632 For ay faythful in fyue & sere fyue syže$, [D] Gawan wat$ for gode knawen, & as golde pured, Voyded of vche vylany, wyth vertue$[2] ennourned in mote; 636 For-žy že pen-tangel nwe He ber in schelde & cote, [E] As tulk of tale most trwe, & gentylest kny$t of lote. [Sidenote A: Then they show him his shield with the "pentangle" of pure gold.] [Sidenote B: The "pentangle" was devised by Solomon as a token of truth.] [Sidenote C: It is called the endless knot] [Sidenote D: It well becomes the good Sir Gawayne,] [Sidenote E: a knight the truest of speech and the fairest of form.] [Footnote 1: MS emdele$.] [Footnote 2: MS verertue$] VII. 640 [A] Fyrst he wat$ funden fautle$ in his fyue wytte$, & efte fayled neuer že freke in his fyue fyngres, [B] & alle his afyaunce vpon folde wat$ in že fyue wounde$ Žat Cryst ka$t on že croys, as že crede telle$; 644 & quere-so-euer žys mon in melly wat$ stad, His žro žo$t wat$ in žat, žur$ alle ožer žynge$, Žat alle his forsnes he fong at že fyue ioye$, Žat že hende heuen quene had of hir chylde; 648 At žis cause že kny$t comlyche hade [C] In že more half of his schelde hir ymage depaynted, Žat quen he blusched žerto, his belde neuer payred. Že fyrst[1] fyue žat I finde žat že frek vsed, 652 Wat$ fraunchyse, & fela$schyp for-be[2] al žyng; [D] His clannes & his cortaysye croked were neuer, & pite, žat passe$ alle poynte$, žyse pure fyue Were harder happed on žat hažel žen on any ožer. 656 Now alle žese fyue syže$, forsože, were fetled on žis kny$t, & vchone halched in ožer, žat non ende hade, & fyched vpon fyue poynte$, žat fayld neuer, Ne samned neuer in no syde, ne sundred nouž[er], 660 With-outen ende at any noke [a]i quere fynde, Where-euer že gomen bygan, or glod to an ende. [E] Žer-fore on his schene schelde schapen wat$ že knot, Žus alle wyth red golde vpon rede gowle$, 664 Žat is že pure pentaungel wyth že peple called, [Fol. 100] with lore. Now grayžed is Gawan gay, [F] & la$t his launce ry$t žore, 668 & gef hem alle goud day, He wende for euer more. [Sidenote A: He was found faultless in his five wits.] [Sidenote B: His trust was in the five wounds.] [Sidenote C: The image of the Virgin was depicted upon his shield.] [Sidenote D: In cleanness and courtesy he was never found wanting,] [Sidenote E: therefore was the endless knot fastened on his shield.] [Sidenote F: Sir Gawayne seizes his lance and bids all "good day."] [Footnote 1: MS fyft.] [Footnote 2: for-bi (?).] VIII. [A] He sperred že sted with že spure$, & sprong on his way, So stif žat že ston fyr stroke out žer-after; 672 [B] Al žat se$ žat semly syked in hert, & sayde sožly al same segges til ožer, Carande for žat comly, "bi Kryst, hit is scaže, Žat žou, leude, schal be lost, žat art of lyf noble! 676 [C] To fynde hys fere vpon folde, in fayth is not eže; Warloker to haf wro$t had more wyt bene, & haf dy$t $onder dere a duk to haue woržed; [D] A lowande leder of lede$ in londe hym wel seme$, 680 & so had better haf ben žen britned to no$t, [E] Hadet wyth an aluisch mon, for angarde$ pryde. Who knew euer any kyng such counsel to take, As kny$te$ in caueloun$ on cryst-masse gomne$!" 684 [F] Wel much wat$ že warme water žat waltered of y$en, When žat semly syre so$t fro žo wone$ žat[1] daye; He made non abode, 688 Bot wy$tly went hys way, [G] Mony wylsum way he rode, Že bok as I herde say. [Sidenote A: He spurs his horse and goes on his way.] [Sidenote B: All that saw that seemly one mourned in their hearts.] [Sidenote C: They declared that his equal was not to be found upon earth.] [Sidenote D: It would have been better for him to have been a leader of men,] [Sidenote E: than to die by the hands of "an elvish man."] [Sidenote F: Much was the warm water that poured from eyes that day.] [Sidenote G: Meanwhile many a weary way goes Sir Gawayne.] [Footnote 1: MS. žad.] IX. [A] Now ride$ žis renk žur$ že ryalme of Logres, 692 Sir Gauan on Gode$ halue, ža$ hym no gomen žo$t; Oft, leudle$ alone, he lenge$ on ny$te$, Žer he fonde no$t hym byfore že fare žat he lyked; [B] Hade he no fere bot his fole, bi frythe$ & doune$, 696 Ne no gome bot God, bi gate wyth to karp, [C] Til žat he ne$ed ful noghe[1] in to že Norže Wale$; Alle že iles of Anglesay on lyft half he halde$, & fare$ ouer že forde$ by že for-londe$, 700 [D] Ouer at že Holy-Hede, til he hade eft bonk In že wyldrenesse of Wyrale; wonde žer bot lyte [E] Žat aužer God ožer gome wyth goud hert louied. [Fol. 100b] & ay he frayned, as he ferde, at freke$ žat he met, 704 [F] If žay hade herde any karp of a kny$t grene, In any grounde žer-aboute, of že grene chapel;[2] & al nykked hym wyth nay, žat neuer in her lyue [G] Žay se$e neuer no segge žat wat$ of suche hwe$ 708 of grene. Že kny$t tok gates straunge, In mony a bonk vnbene, [H] His cher ful oft con chaunge, 712 Žat chapel er he my$t 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 contraye$ straunge, Fer floten fro his frende$ fremedly he ryde$; [B] At vche warže ožer water žer že wy$e passed, 716 He fonde a foo hym byfore, bot ferly hit were, & žat so foule & so felle, žat fe$t hym by-hode; [C] So mony meruayl hi mount žer že mon fynde$, Hit were to tore for to telle of že tenže dole. 720 [D] Sumwhyle wyth worme$ he werre$, & with wolues als, Sumwhyle wyth wodwos, žat woned in že knarre$, [E] Bože wyth bulle$ & bere$, & bore$ ožer-quyle, & etayne$, žat hym a-nelede, of že he$e felle; 724 [F] Nade he ben du$ty & dry$e, & dry$tyn had serued, Douteles he hade ben ded, & dreped ful ofte. [G] For werre wrathed hym not so much, žat wynter was wors, When že colde cler water fro že cloude$ schadden, 728 & fres er hit falle my$t to že fale erže; Ner slayn wyth že slete he sleped in his yrnes, Mo ny$te$ žen in-noghe in naked rokke$, Žer as claterande fro že crest že colde borne renne$, 732 & henged he$e ouer his hede in hard ’sse-ikkles. [H] Žus in peryl, & payne, & plytes ful harde, Bi contray carye$ žis kny$t, tyl kryst-masse euen, al one; 736 Že kny$t wel žat tyde, [I] To Mary made his mone. Žat ho hym red to ryde, & wysse hym to sum wone. [Fol. 101.] [Sidenote A: Many a cliff he climbed over;] [Sidenote B: many a ford and stream he crossed, and everywhere he found a foe.] [Sidenote C: It were too tedious to tell the tenth part of his adventures] [Sidenote D: with serpents, wolves, and wild men;] [Sidenote E: with bulls, bears, and boars.] [Sidenote F: Had he not been both brave and good, doubtless he had been dead.] [Sidenote G: The sharp winter was far worse than any war that ever troubled him.] [Sidenote H: Thus in peril he travels till Christmas-eve.] [Sidenote I: To the Virgin Mary he prays to guide him to some abode.] XI. 740 [A] Bi a mounte on že morne meryly he rydes, Into a forest ful dep, žat ferly wat$ wylde, Hi$e hille$ on vche a halue, & holt wode$ vnder, [B] Of hore oke$ fill hoge a hundreth to-geder; 744 Že hasel & že ha$-žorne were harled al samen, With ro$e raged mosse rayled ay-where, [C] With mony brydde$ vnblyže vpon bare twyges, Žat pitosly žer piped for pyne of že colde. 748 Že gome vpon Gryngolet glyde$ hem vnder, [D] Žur$ mony misy & myre, mon al hym one, Carande for his costes, lest he ne keuer schulde, To se že seruy[1] of žat syre, žat on žat self ny$t 752 Of a burde wat$ borne, oure baret to quelle; [E] & žerfore sykyng he sayde, "I be-seche že, lorde, & Mary, žat is myldest moder so dere. Of sum herber, žer he$ly I my$t here masse. 756 Ande žy matyne$ to-morne, mekely I ask, & žer-to prestly I pray my pater & aue, & crede." He rode in his prayere, 760 & cryed for his mysdede, [F] He sayned hym in syžes sere, & sayde "cros Kryst me spede!" [Sidenote A: On the morn Sir Gawayne finds himself in a deep forest,] [Sidenote B: where were old oaks many a hundred.] [Sidenote C: Many sad birds upon bare twigs piped piteously for the cold.] [Sidenote D: Through many a mire he goes, that he may celebrate the birth of Christ.] [Sidenote E: He beseeches the Virgin Mary to direct him to some lodging where he may hear mass.] [Sidenote F: Blessing himself, he says, "Cross of Christ, speed me!"] [Footnote 1: seruyce (?).] XII. [A] Nade he sayned hym-self, segge, bot žrye, 764 Er he wat$ war in že wod of a won in a mote. [B] Abof a launde, on a lawe, loken vnder bo$e$, Of mony borelych bole, aboute bi že diches; [C] A castel že comlokest žat euer kny$t a$te, 768 Pyched on a prayere, a park al aboute, With a pyked palays, pyned ful žik, Žat vmbe-te$e mony tre mo žen two myle. Žat holde on žat on syde že hažel auysed, 772 [D] As hit schemered & schon žur$ že schyre oke$; Ženne hat$ he hendly of his helme, & he$ly he žonke$ Iesus & say[nt] Gilyan, žat gentyle ar bože, Žat cortaysly hade hym kydde, & his cry herkened. [Fol. 101b.] 776 "Now bone hostel," cože že burne, "I be-seche yow $ette!" Ženne gedere$ he to Gryngolet with že gilt hele$, [E] & he ful chauncely hat$ chosen to že chef gate, Žat bro$t bremly že burne to že bryge ende, 780 in haste; [F] Že bryge wat$ breme vp-brayde, Že $ate$ wer stoken faste, Že walle$ were wel arayed, 784 Hit dut no wynde$ blaste. [Sidenote A: Scarcely had he blessed himself thrice] [Sidenote B: when he saw a dwelling in the wood, set on a hill,] [Sidenote C: the comeliest castle that knight ever owned.] [Sidenote D: It shone as the sun through the bright oaks.] [Sidenote E: Sir Gawayne goes to the chief gate,] [Sidenote F: and finds the draw-bridge raised, and the gates shut fast.] XIII. [A] Že burne bode on bonk, žat on blonk houed, Of že depe double dich žat drof to že place, Že walle wod in že water wonderly depe, 788 [B] Ande eft a ful huge he$t hit haled vpon lofte, Of harde hewen ston vp to že table$, [C] Enbaned vnder že abataylment, in že best lawe; & syžen garyte$ 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 hy$e, [D] Towre telded bytwene trochet ful žik, 796 Fayre fylyole$ žat fy$ed, & ferlyly long, [E] With coruon coprounes, craftyly sle$e; Chalk whyt chymnees žer ches he in-no$e, Vpon bastel roue$, žat blenked ful quyte; 800 So mony pynakle payntet wat$ poudred ay quere, Among že castel carnele$, clambred so žik, Žat pared out of papure purely hit semed. [F] Že fre freke on že fole hit fayr in-n[o]ghe žo$t, 804 If he my$t keuer to com že cloyster wyth-inne, To herber in žat hostel, whyl halyday lested auinant; [G] He calde, & sone žer com 808 A porter pure plesaunt, On že wal his ernd he nome, & haylsed že kny$t 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, "wolde$ žou go myn ernde, 812 To že he$ lorde of žis hous, herber to craue?" "$e, Peter," quod že porter, "& purely I trowe,[1] [Fol. 102.] [B] Žat $e be, wy$e, welcum to won quyle yow lyke$." Žen $ede žat wy$e a$ayn awyže, 816 & folke frely hym wyth, to fonge že kny$t; [C] Žay let doun že grete dra$t, & derely out $eden, & kneled doun on her knes vpon že colde erže, To welcum žis ilk wy$, as woržy hom žo$t; 820 [D] Žay $olden hym že brode $ate, $arked vp wyde, & he hem raysed rekenly, & rod ouer že brygge; Sere segge$ hym sesed by sadel, quel[2] he ly$t, [E] & syžen stabeled his stede stif men in-no$e. 824 [F] Kny$te$ & swyere$ comen doun ženne, For to bryng žis burne[3] wyth blys in-to halle; [G] Quen he hef vp his helme, žer hi$ed in-noghe For to hent hit at his honde, že hende to seruen, 828 His bronde & his blasoun bože žay token. Žen haylsed he ful hendly žo hažele$ vch one, & mony proud mon žer presed, žat prynce to honour; Alle hasped in his he$ wede to halle žay hym wonnen, 832 Žer fayre fyre vpon flet fersly brenned. [H] Ženne že lorde of že lede loute$ fro his chambre, For to mete wyth menske že mon on že flor; He sayde, "$e ar welcum to welde as yow lyke$, 836 Žat here is, al is yowre awen, to haue at yowre wylle & welde." "Graunt mercy," quod Gawayn, "Žer Kryst hit yow for-$elde," 840 [I] As freke$ žat semed fayn, Ayžer ožer in arme$ 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 gly$t on že gome žat godly hym gret, [B] & žu$t hit a bolde burne žat že bur$ a$te, 844 A hoge hažel for že none$, & of hyghe elde;[1] [C] Brode bry$t wat$ his berde, & al beuer hwed, Sturne stif on že stryžže on stal-worth schonke$, [D] Felle face as že fyre, & fre of hys speche; 848 & wel hym semed for sože, as že segge žu$t, To lede a lortschyp in lee of leude$ ful gode. [E] Že lorde hym charred to a chambre, & chefly cumaunde$[2] [Fol. 102b.] To delyuer hym a leude, hym lo$ly to serue; 852 & žere were boun at his bode burne$ in-no$e, [F] Žat bro$t hym to a bry$t boure, žer beddyng wat$ noble, Of cortynes of clene sylk, wyth cler golde hemme$, [G] & couertore$ ful curious, with comlych pane$, 856 Of bry$t blaunnier a-boue enbrawded bisyde$, Rudele$ rennande on rope$, red golde rynge$, [H] Tapyte$ ty$t to že wo$e, of tuly & tars, & vnder fete, on že flet, of fol$ande sute. 860 [I] Žer he wat$ dispoyled, wyth speche$ of myerže, Že burn of his bruny, & of his bry$t wede$; [J] Ryche robes ful rad renkke$ hem[3] bro$ten, For to charge, & to chaunge, & chose of že best. 864 Sone as he on hent, & happed žer-inne, Žat sete on hym[4] semly, wyth saylande skyrte$, [K] Že ver by his uisage verayly hit semed Wel ne$ to vche hažel alle on hwes, 868 Lowande & lufly, alle his lymme$ vnder, [L] Žat a comloker kny$t neuer Kryst made, hem žo$t; Whežen in worlde he were, 872 Hit semed as he my$t Be prynce with-outen pere, In felde žer felle men fy$t. [Sidenote A: Gawayne looks on his host;] [Sidenote B: a big bold one he seemed.] [Sidenote C: Beaver-hued was his broad beard,] [Sidenote D: and his face as "fell as the fire."] [Sidenote E: The lord leads Gawayne to a chamber, and assigns him a page to wait upon him.] [Sidenote F: In this bright bower was noble bedding;] [Sidenote G: the curtains were of pure silk with golden hems;] [Sidenote H: Tarsic tapestries covered the walls and the floor.] [Sidenote I: Here the knight doffed his armour,] [Sidenote J: and put on rich robes,] [Sidenote K: which well became him.] [Sidenote L: A more comely knight Christ never made.] [Footnote 1: eldee, MS.] [Footnote 2: clesly, MS.] [Footnote 3: hym (?).] [Footnote 4: MS. hyn.] XVI. [A] A cheyer by-fore že chemné, žer charcole brenned, 876 Wat$ grayžed for sir Gawan, grayžely with clože$, Whyssynes vpon queldepoyntes, ža[t] koynt wer bože; [B] & ženne a mere mantyle wat$ on žat mon cast, Of a broun bleeaunt, enbrauded ful ryche, 880 & fayre furred wyth-inne with felle$ of že best, Alle of ermyn in erde, his hode of že same; & he sete in žat settel semlych ryche, & achaufed hym chefly,[1] & ženne his cher mended. 884 [C] Sone wat$ telded vp a tapit, on treste$ ful fayre, [D] Clad wyth a clene clože, žat cler quyt schewed, Sanap, & salure, & syluer-in spone$; Že wy$e wesche at his wylle, & went to his mete [Fol. 103.] 888 Segge$ hym serued semly in-no$e, [E] Wyth sere sewes & sete,[2] sesounde of že best, Double felde, as hit falle$, & fele kyn fische$; [F] Summe baken in bred, summe brad on že glede$, 892 [G] Summe sožen, summe in sewe, sauered with spyces, & ay sawes[3] so sle$e$, žat že segge lyked. Že freke calde hit a fest ful frely & ofte, [H] Ful hendely, quen alle že haželes re-hayted hym at one$ 896 as hende; "Žis penaunce now $e take, & eft hit schal amende;" [I] Žat mon much merže con make. 900 For wyn in his hed žat wende. [Sidenote A: A chair is placed for Sir Gawayne before the fireplace.] [Sidenote B: A mantle of fine linen, richly embroidered, is thrown over him.] [Sidenote C: A table is soon raised,] [Sidenote D: and the knight, having washed, proceeded to meat.] [Sidenote E: He is served with numerous dishes;] [Sidenote F: with fish baked and broiled,] [Sidenote G: or boiled and seasoned with spices.] [Sidenote H: He calls it a full noble feast,] [Sidenote I: and much mirth he makes, for the wine is in his head.] [Footnote 1: MS. cefly.] [Footnote 2: swete (?).] [Footnote 3: sewes (?).] XVII. [A] Ženne wat$ spyed & spured vpon spare wyse. Bi preue poynte$ of žat prynce, put to hym-seluen, Žat he be-knew cortaysly of že court žat he were, 904 [B] Žat ažel Arthure že hende halde$ hym one, Žat is že ryche ryal kyng of že rounde table; & hit wat$ Wawen hym-self žat in žat won sytte$, Comen to žat krystmasse, as case hym žen lymped. 908 [C] When že lorde hade lerned žat he že leude hade, Loude la$ed he žerat, so lef hit hym žo$t, [D] & alle že men in žat mote maden much joye, To apere in his presense prestly žat tyme, 912 Žat alle prys, & prowes, & pured žewes Apendes to hys persoun, & praysed is euer, By-fore alle men vpon molde, his mensk is že most. [E] Vch segge ful softly sayde to his fere, 916 [F] "Now schal we semlych se sle$te$ of žewe$, & že teccheles termes of talkyng noble, Wich spede is in speche, vnspurd may we lerne, [G] Syn we haf fonged žat fyne fader of nurture; 920 God hat$ geuen vus his grace godly for sože, Žat such a gest as Gawan graunte$ vus to haue, When burne$ blyže of his burže schal sitte & synge. 924 In menyng of manere$ mere, Žis burne now schal vus bryng, [Fol. 103b.] [H] I hope žat may hym here, Schal lerne of luf-talkyng." [Sidenote A: Sir Gawayne, in answer to questions put to him,] [Sidenote B: tells the prince that he is of Arthur's court.] [Sidenote C: When this was made known,] [Sidenote D: great was the joy in the hall.] [Sidenote E: Each one said softly to his mate,] [Sidenote F: "Now we shall see courteous manners and hear noble speech,] [Sidenote G: for we have amongst us the 'father of nurture.'] [Sidenote H: He that may him hear shall learn of love-talking."] XVIII. 928 [A] Bi žat že diner wat$ done, & že dere vp, Hit wat$ ne$ at že niy$t ne$ed že tyme; Chaplayne$[1] to že chapeles chosen že gate, Rungen ful rychely, ry$t as žay schulden, 932 [B] To že hersum euensong of že hy$e tyde. Že lorde loutes žerto, & že lady als, In-to a comly closet coyntly ho entre$; Gawan glyde$ ful gay, & gos žeder sone; 936 Že lorde laches hym by že lappe, & lede$ hym to sytte, & coužly hym knowe$, & calle$ hym his nome, & sayde he wat$ že welcomest wy$e of že worlde; [C] & he hym žonkked žroly, & ayžer halched ožer. 940 & seten soberly samen že seruise-quyle; Ženne lyst že lady to loke on že kny$t. [D] Ženne com ho of hir closet, with mony cler burde$, Ho wat$ že fayrest in felle, of flesche & of lyre, 944 & of compas, & colour, & costes of alle ožer, [E] & wener žen Wenore, as že wy$e žo$t. He ches žur$ že chaunsel, to cheryche žat hende; [F] An ožer lady hir lad bi že lyft honde, 948 Žat wat$ alder žen ho, an auncian hit semed, & he$ly honowred with hažele$ aboute. [G] Bot yn-lyke on to loke žo ladyes were, [H] For if že $onge wat$ $ep, $ol$e wat$ žat ožer; 952 Riche red on žat on rayled ay quere, [I] Rugh ronkled cheke$ žat ožer on rolled; Kerchofes of žat on wyth mony cler perle$ [J] Hir brest & hir bry$t žrote bare displayed, 956 Schon schyrer žen snawe, žat scheder[2] on hille$; Žat ožer wyth a gorger wat$ gered ouer že swyre, Chymbled ouer hir blake chyn with mylk-quyte vayles, [K] Hir frount folden in sylk, enfoubled ay quere, 960 Toret & treieted with tryfle$ aboute, [L] Žat no$t wat$ bare of žat burde bot že blake bro$es. [Fol. 104.] Že tweyne y$en, & že nase, že naked lyppe$, & žose were soure to se, & sellyly blered; 964 A mensk lady on molde mon may hir calle, for gode; [M] Hir body wat$ schort & žik. [N] Hir buttoke$ bay & brode, 968 More lykker-wys on to lyk, Wat$ žat scho hade on lode. [Sidenote A: After dinner the company go to the chapel,] [Sidenote B: to hear the evensong of the great season.] [Sidenote C: The lord of the castle and Sir Gawayne sit together during service.] [Sidenote D: His wife, accompanied by her maids, leaves her seat.] [Sidenote E: She appeared even fairer than Guenever.] [Sidenote F: An older lady (an ancient one she seemed) led her by the hand.] [Sidenote G: Very unlike were these two.] [Sidenote H: if the young one was fair the other was yellow,] [Sidenote I: and had rough and wrinkled cheeks.] [Sidenote J: The younger had breast and throat "bare displayed."] [Sidenote K: The ancient one exposed only her "black brows," her two eyes,] [Sidenote L: nose, and naked lips, all sour and bleared.] [Sidenote M: Her body was short and thick;] [Sidenote N: her buttocks broad and round.] [Footnote 1: MS. [claplayne$.]] [Footnote 2: schedes (?).] XIX. [A] When Gawayn gly$t on žat gay, žat graciously loked, Wyth leue la$t of že lorde he went hem a$aynes; 972 [B] Že alder he haylses, heldande ful lowe, Že loueloker he lappe$ a lyttel in arme$, [C] He kysses hir comlyly, & kny$tly he mele$; Žay kallen hym of a quoyntaunce, & he hit quyk aske$ 976 [D] To be her seruaunt sothly, if hem-self lyked. Žay tan hym bytwene hem, wyth talkyng hym leden [E] To chambre, to chemné, & chefly žay asken [F] Spyce$, žat vn-sparely men speded hom to bryng, 980 & že wynne-lych wyne žer-with vche tyme. Že lorde luflych aloft lepe$ ful ofte, Mynned merthe to be made vpon mony syže$. [G] Hent he$ly of his hode, & on a spere henged, 984 & wayned hom to wynne že worchip žer-of, [H] Žat most myrže my$t mene[1] žat crystenmas whyle; "& i schal fonde, bi my fayth, to fylter wyth že best, Er me wont že wede$, with help of my frende$." 988 Žus wyth la$ande lote$ že lorde hit tayt[2] make$, [I] For to glade sir Gawayn with gomne$ in halle žat ny$t; Til žat hit wat$ tyme, 992 Že kyng comaundet ly$t, [J] Sir Gawen his leue con nyme, &, to his bed hym di$t. [Sidenote A: With permission of the lord,] [Sidenote B: Sir Gawayne salutes the elder,] [Sidenote C: but the younger he kisses,] [Sidenote D: and begs to be her servant.] [Sidenote E: To chamber all go,] [Sidenote F: where spices and wine are served.] [Sidenote G: The lord takes off his hood and places it on a spear.] [Sidenote H: He who makes most mirth is to win it.] [Sidenote I: Night approaches, and then] [Sidenote J: Sir Gawayne takes his leave and retires to rest.] [Footnote 1: meue (?).] [Footnote 2: layt (?).] XX. [A] On že morne, as vch mon myne$ žat tyme, 996 [B] [Ž]at dry$tyn for oure destyné to de$e wat$ borne, Wele waxe$ in vche a won in worlde, for his sake; [C] So did hit žere on žat day, žur$ dayntes mony; Bože at mes & at mele, messes ful quaynt [Fol. 104b.] 1000 Derf men vpon dece drest of že best. [D] Že olde auncian wyf he$est ho sytte$; Že lorde lufly her by lent, as I trowe; [E] Gawan & že gay burde to-geder žay seten, 1004 Euen in-mydde$, as že messe metely come; & syžen žur$ al že sale, as hem best semed, [F] Bi vche grome at his degre grayžely wat$ serued. Žer wat$ mete, žer wat$ myrže, žer wat$ much ioye, 1008 Žat for to telle žerof hit me tene were, & to poynte hit $et I pyned me parauenture; [G] Bot $et I wot žat Wawen & že wale burde Such comfort of her compaynye ca$ten to-geder, 1012 Žur$ her dere dalyaunce of her derne worde$, Wyth clene cortays carp, closed fro fylže; & hor play wat$ passande vche prynce gomen, in vayres; 1016 [H] Trumpe$ & nakerys, Much pypyng žer repayres, Vche mon tented hys, & žay two tented žayres. [Sidenote A: On Christmas morn,] [Sidenote B: joy reigns in every dwelling in the world.] [Sidenote C: So did it in the castle where our knight abode.] [Sidenote D: The lord and "the old ancient wife" sit together.] [Sidenote E: Gawayne sits by the wife of his host.] [Sidenote F: It were too tedious to tell of the meat, the mirth, and the joy that abounded everywhere.] [Sidenote G: Gawayne and his beautiful companion derive much comfort from each other's conversation.] [Sidenote H: Trumpets and nakers give forth their sounds.] XXI. 1020 [A] Much dut wat$ žer dryuen žat day & žat ožer, & že žryd as žro žronge in žerafter; [B] Že ioye of sayn Ione$ day wat$ gentyle to here, & wat$ že last of že layk, leude$ žer žo$ten. 1024 Žer wer gestes to go vpon že gray morne, For-žy wonderly žay woke, & že wyn dronken, Daunsed ful dre$ly wyth dere carole$; [C] At že last, when hit wat$ late, žay lachen her leue, 1028 Vchon to wende on his way, žat wat$ wy$e stronge. Gawan gef hym god-day, že god mon hym lachche$, Ledes hym to his awen chambre, ž[e] chymné bysyde, [D] & žere he dra$e$ hym on-dry$e, & derely hym žonkke$, 1032 Of že wynne worschip &[1] he hym wayned hade, As to honour his hous on žat hy$e tyde, & enbelyse his bur$ with his bele chere. "I-wysse sir, quyl I leue, me worže$ že better, 1036 Žat Gawayn hat$ ben my gest, at Godde$ awen fest." [Fol. 105.] "Grant merci[2] sir," quod Gawayn, "in god fayth hit is yowre$, Al že honour is your awen, že he$e kyng yow $elde; & I am wy$e at your wylle, to worch youre hest, 1040 As I am halden žer-to, in hy$e & in lo$e, bi ri$t." [E] Že lorde fast can hym payne, To holde lenger že kny$t, 1044 To hym answre$ Gawayn, Bi non way žat he my$t. [Sidenote A: Great was the joy for three days.] [Sidenote B: St. John's-day was the last of the Christmas festival.] [Sidenote C: On the morrow many of the guests took their departure from the castle.] [Sidenote D: Sir Gawayne is thanked by his host for the honour and pleasure of his visit.] [Sidenote E: He endeavours to keep the knight at his court.] [Footnote 1: žat (?).] [Footnote 2: nerci, in MS.] XXII. [A] Then frayned že freke ful fayre at him-seluen, Quat derne[1] dede had hym dryuen, at žat dere tyme, 1048 So kenly fro že kynge$ kourt to kayre al his one, Er že halidaye$ holly were halet out of toun? [B] "For sože sir," quod že segge, "$e sayn bot že trawže A he$e ernde & a hasty me hade fro žo wone$, 1052 For I am sumned my selfe to sech to a place, I wot[2] in worlde wheder warde to wende, hit to fynde; I nolde, bot if I hit negh my$t on nw$eres morne, For alle že londe in-wyth Logres, so me oure lorde help! 1056 For-žy, sir, žis enquest I require yow here, [C] Žat $e me telle with trawže, if euer $e tale herde Of že grene chapel, quere hit on grounde stonde$, & of že kny$t žat hit kepes, of colour of grene? 1060 Žer wat$ stabled bi statut a steuen vus by-twene, [D] To mete žat mon at žat mere, $if I my$t last; & of žat ilk nw$ere hot neked now wonte$, & I wolde loke on žat lede, if God me let wolde, 1064 Gladloker, bi Godde$ sun, žen any god welde! For-ži, I-wysse, bi $owre wylle, wende me bi-houes, [E] Naf I now to busy bot bare žre daye$, & me als fayn to falle feye as fayly of myyn ernde." 1068 [F] Ženne la$ande quod že lorde, "now leng že by-houes, For I schal teche yow to ža[t] terme bi že tyme$ ende, Že grene chapayle vpon grounde, greue yow no more; Bot $e schal be in yowre bed, burne, at žyn ese, 1072 Quyle forth dayej, & ferk on pe fyrst of pe $ere, & cum to žat merk at mydmorn, to make quat yow like$ [Fol. 105b] in spenne; Dowelle$ whyle new $eres daye, 1076 & rys, & rayke$ ženne, [G] Mon schal yow sette in waye, Hit is not two myle henne." [Sidenote A: He desires to know what had driven Sir Gawayne from Arthur's court before the end of the Christmas holidays.] [Sidenote B: The knight replies that "a high errand and a hasty one" had forced him to leave the court.] [Sidenote C: He asks his host whether he has ever heard of the Green Chapel,] [Sidenote D: for he has to be there on New Year's-day.] [Sidenote E: He wonld as lief die as fail in his errand.] [Sidenote F: The prince tells Sir Gawayne that he will teach him the way.] [Sidenote G: The Green chapel is not more than two miles from the castle.] [Footnote 1: derue (?).] [Footnote 2: not (?).] XXIII. [A] Ženne wat$ Gawan ful glad, & gomenly he la$ed,-- 1080 "Now I žonk yow žryuandely žur$ alle ožer žynge, [B] Now acheued is my chaunce, I schal at your wylle Dowelle, & elle$ do quat $e demen." Ženne sesed hym že syre, & set hym bysyde, 1084 [C] Let že ladie$ be fette, to lyke hem že better; Žer wat$ seme solace by hem-self stille; Že lorde let for luf lote$ so myry, As wy$ žat wolde of his wyte, ne wyst quat he my$t. 1088 Ženne he carped to že kny$t, criande loude, [D] "#e han demed to do že dede žat I bidde; Wyl $e halde žis hes here at žys one$?" "#e sir, for-sože," sayd že segge trwe, 1092 "Whyl I byde in yowre bor$e, be bayn to $ow[r]e hest." "For $e haf trauayled," quod že tulk, "towen fro ferre, & syžen waked me wyth, $e arn not wel waryst, [E] Naužer of sostnaunce ne of slepe, sožly I knowe; 1096 #e schal lenge in your lofte, & ly$e in your ese, [F] To morn quyle že messe-quyle, & to mete wende, When $e wyl, wyth my wyf, žat wyth yow schal sitte, & comfort yow with compayny, til I to cort torne, 1100 $e lende; & I schal erly ryse, On huntyng wyl I wende." [G] Gauayn grante$ alle žyse, 1104 Hym heldande, as že hende. [Sidenote A: Then was Gawayne glad,] [Sidenote B: and consents to tarry awhile at the castle.] [Sidenote C: The ladies are brought in to solace him.] [Sidenote D: The lord of the castle asks the knight to grant him one request;] [Sidenote E: That he will stay in his chamber during mass time,] [Sidenote F: and then go to meat with his hostess.] [Sidenote G: Gawayne accedes to his request.] XXIV. [A] "#et firre," quod že freke, "a forwarde we make; Quat-so-euer I wynne in že wod, hit worže$ to youre$, [B] & quat chek so $e acheue, chaunge me žer-forne; 1108 Swete, swap we so, sware with trawže, Quežer, leude, so lymp lere ožer better." "Bi God," quod Gawayn že gode, "I grant žer-tylle, & žat yow lyst forto layke, lef hit me žynkes. [Fol. 106.] 1112 [C] "Who bringe$ vus žis beuerage, žis bargayn is maked:" So sayde že lorde of žat lede; žay la$ed vchone, Žay dronken, & daylyeden, & dalten vnty$tel,[1] Žise lorde$ & ladye$, quyle žat hem lyked; 1116 & syžen with frenkysch fare & fele fayre lote$ Žay stoden, & stemed, & stylly speken, Kysten ful comlyly, & ka$ten her leue. [D] With mony leude ful ly$t, & lemande torches, 1120 Vche burne to his bed wat$ bro$t at že laste, ful softe; To bed $et er žay $ede, Recorded couenaunte$ ofte; 1124 Že olde lorde of žat leude,[2] Cowže wel halde layk a-lofte. [Sidenote A: "Whatsoever," says the host, "I win in the wood shall be yours,] [Sidenote B: and what check you achieve shall be mine."] [Sidenote C: A bargain is made between them.] [Sidenote D: Night approaches and each "to his bed was brought at the last."] [Footnote 1: vntyl ny$te (?).] [Footnote 2: lede (?).] [FYTTE THE THIRD.] I. [A] Ful erly bifore že day že folk vp-rysen, Gestes žat go wolde, hor grome$ žay calden, 1128 [B] & žay busken vp bilyue, blonkke$ to sadel, Tyffen he[r] takles, trussen her males, Richen hem že rychest, to ryde alle arayde, Lepen vp ly$tly, lachen her brydeles, 1132 [C] Vche wy$e on his way, žer hym wel lyked. [D] Že leue lorde of že londe wat$ not že last, A-rayed for že rydyng, with renkke$ ful mony; [E] Ete a sop hastyly, when he hade herde masse, 1136 With bugle to bent felde he buske$ by-lyue; [F] By žat žat any day-ly$t lemed vpon erže, He with his haželes on hy$e horsses weren. [G] Ženne žise cacheres žat couže, cowpled hor hounde$, 1140 Vnclosed že kenel dore, & calde hem žer-oute, [H] Blwe bygly in bugle$ žre bare mote; Braches bayed žerfore, & breme noyse maked, [I] & žay chastysed, & charred, on chasyng žat went; 1144 A hundreth of hunteres, as I haf herde telle, of že best; [J] To trystors vewters $od, Couples huntes of kest, 1148 Žer ros for blaste$ gode, [Fol. 106b.] [K] Gret rurd in žat forest. [Sidenote A: Before day-break folks uprise,] [Sidenote B: saddle their horses, and truss their mails.] [Sidenote C: Each goes where it pleases him best.] [Sidenote D: The noble lord of the land arrays himself for riding.] [Sidenote E: He eats a sop hastily and goes to mass.] [Sidenote F: Before day-light he and his men are on their horses.] [Sidenote G: Then the hounds are called out and coupled.] [Sidenote H: Three short notes are blown by the bugles.] [Sidenote I: A hundred hunters join in the chase.] [Sidenote J: To the stations the "fewters" go,] [Sidenote K: and the dogs are cast off.] II. [A] At že fyrst quethe of že quest quaked že wylde; Der drof in že dale, doted for drede, 1152 Hi$ed to že hy$e, bot heterly žay were [B] Restayed with že stablye, žat stoutly ascryed; [C] Žay let že hertte$ haf že gate, with že hy$e hedes, Že breme bukke$ also, with hor brode paume$; 1156 For že fre lorde hade de-fende in fermysoun tyme, Žat žer schulde no mon mene[1] to že male dere. [D] Že hinde$ were halden in, with hay & war, Že does dryuen with gret dyn to že depe slade$; 1160 Žer my$t mon se, as žay slypte, slentyng of arwes, [E] At vche [žat] wende vnder wande wapped a flone, Žat bigly bote on že broun, with ful brode hede$, [F] What! žay brayen, & bleden, bi bonkke$ žay de$en. 1164 & ay rachches in a res radly hem fol$es, Huntere$ wyth hy$e horne hasted hem after, [G] Wyth such a crakkande kry, as klyffes haden brusten; What wylde so at-waped wy$es žat schotten, 1168 Wat$ al to-raced & rent, at že resayt. Bi žay were tened at že hy$e, & taysed to že wattre$, Že lede$ were so lerned at že lo$e trysteres, & že gre-hounde$ so grete, žat geten hem bylyue, 1172 & hem to fylched, as fast as freke$ my$t loke, žer ry$t. [H] Že lorde for blys abloy Ful oft con launce & ly$t, 1176 [I] & drof žat day wyth Ioy Thus to že derk ny$t. [Sidenote A: Roused by the clamour the deer rush to the heights,] [Sidenote B: but are soon driven back.] [Sidenote C: The harts and bucks are allowed to pass,] [Sidenote D: but the hinds and does are driven back to the shades.] [Sidenote E: As they fly they are shot by the bowmen.] [Sidenote F: The hounds and the hunters, with a loud cry, follow in pursuit.] [Sidenote G: Those that escaped the arrows are killed by the hounds.] [Sidenote H: The lord waxes joyful in the chase,] [Sidenote I: which lasted till the approach of night.] [Footnote 1: meue (?).] III. [A] Žus layke$ žis lorde by lynde wode$ eue$, & G. že god mon, in gay bed lyge$, 1180 [B] Lurkke$ quyl že day-ly$t lemed on že wowes, Vnder couertour ful clere, cortyned aboute; & as in slomeryng he slode, sle$ly he herde [C] A littel dyn at his dor, & derfly vpon; 1184 & he heue$ vp his hed out of že cložes, A corner of že cortyn he ca$t vp a lyttel, [Fol. 107.] & wayte$ warly žider-warde, quat hit be my$t. [D] Hit wat$ že ladi, loflyest to be-holde, 1188 Žat dro$ že dor after hir ful dernly[1] & stylle, [E] & bo$ed to-warde že bed; & že burne schamed. & layde hym doun lystyly, & let as he slepte. [F] & ho stepped stilly. & stel to his bedde, 1192 [G] Kest vp že cortyn, & creped with-inne, & set hir ful softly on že bed-syde, & lenged žere selly longe, to loke quen he wakened. Že lede lay lurked a ful longe quyle, 1196 [H] Compast in his concience to quat žat cace my$t Mene ožer amount, to meruayle hym žo$t; Bot $et he sayde in hym-self, "more semly hit were To aspye wyth my spelle [in] space quat ho wolde." 1200 [I] žen he wakenede, & wroth, & to hir warde torned, [J] & vn-louked his y$e-lydde$, & let as hym wondered, & sayned hym, as bi his sa$e že sauer to worthe, with hande; 1204 Wyth chynne & cheke