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.
[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.]
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 talking1 (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.
[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 land1 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).
[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
[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.
Sižen že sege & že assaut watȝ sesed at Troye,
Že borȝ brittened & brent to brondeȝ & askeȝ,
Že tulk žat že trammes of tresoun žer wroȝt,
4Watȝ tried for his tricherie, že trewest on erthe;
Hit watȝ Ennias že athel, & his highe kynde,
Žat sižen depreced prouinces, & patrounes bicome
Welneȝe of al že wele in že west iles,
Romulus built Rome, 8Fro riche Romulus to Rome ricchis hym swyže,
With gret bobbaunce žat burȝe he biges vpon fyrst,
& neuenes hit his aune nome, as hit now hat;
Ticius to Tuskan [turnes,] & teldes bigynnes;
12Langaberde in Lumbardie lyftes vp homes;
and Felix Brutus founded Britain,& fer ouer že French flod Felix Brutus
On mony bonkkes ful brode Bretayn he setteȝ,
wyth wynne;
a land of war and wonder, 16Where werre, & wrake, & wonder,
Bi syžeȝ hatȝ wont žer-inne,
and oft of bliss and blunder.& oft bože blysse & blunder
Ful skete hatȝ skyfted synne.
Ande quen žis Bretayn watȝ bigged bi žis burn rych,
Bold men increased in the Land,Bolde bredden žer-inne, baret žat lofden,
In mony turned tyme tene žat wroȝten;
Mo ferlyes on žis folde han fallen here oft
and many marvels happened. 24Žen in any ožer žat I wot, syn žat ilk tyme.
Of all Britain's kings Arthur was the noblest.Bot of alle žat here bult of Bretaygne kynges
Ay watȝ Arthur že hendest; as I haf herde telle;
[Fol. 91b.]For-ži an aunter in erde I attle to schawe,
28Žat a selly in siȝt summe men hit holden,
& an outtrage awenture of Arthureȝ wondereȝ;
Listen a while and ye shall hear the story of an "outrageous adventure."If ȝe wyl lysten žis laye bot on littel quile,
I schal telle hit, as-tit, as I in toun herde,
32with tonge;
As hit is stad & stoken,
In stori stif & stronge,
With lel letteres loken,
36In londe so hatȝ ben longe.
Žis kyng lay at Camylot vpon kryst-masse,
With mony luflych lorde, ledeȝ of že best,
with all the knights of the Round Table,Rekenly of že rounde table alle žo rich brežer,
40With rych reuel oryȝt, & rechles meržes;
Žer tournayed tulkes bi-tymeȝ ful mony,
Iusted ful Iolilé žise gentyle kniȝtes,
Syžen kayred to že court, caroles to make.
full fifteen days. 44For žer že fest watȝ 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 nyȝtes,
All was joy in hall and chamber, 48Al watȝ hap vpon heȝe in halleȝ & chambreȝ,
With lordeȝ & ladies, as leuest him žoȝt;
With all že wele of že worlde žay woned žer samen,
among brave knights and lovely ladies,Že most kyd knyȝteȝ vnder kryste seluen,
52& že louelokkest ladies žat euer lif haden,
& he že comlokest kyng žat že court haldes;
For al watȝ žis fayre folk in her first age,
on sille;
the happiest under heaven. 56Že hapnest vnder heuen,
Kyng hyȝest mon of wylle,
Hit were1 now gret nye to neuen
So hardy a here on hille.
1 MS. werere.
Wyle nw ȝer watȝ so ȝep žat hit watȝ nwe cummen,
Žat day doubble on že dece watȝ že douth serued,
Fro že kyng watȝ cummen with knyȝtes in to že halle,
Že chauntre of že chapel cheued to an ende;
64Loude crye watȝ žer kest of clerkeȝ & ožer,
[Fol. 92]Nowel nayted o-newe, neuened ful ofte;
& syžen riche forth runnen to reche honde-selle,
Gifts are demanded and bestowed.Ȝeȝed ȝeres ȝiftes on hiȝ, ȝelde hem bi hond,
68Debated busyly aboute žo giftes;
Ladies laȝed ful loude, žoȝ žay lost haden,
& he žat wan watȝ not wrothe, žat may ȝe wel trawe.
Lords and ladies take their seats at the table.Alle žis mirže žay maden to že mete tyme;
72When žay had waschen, woržyly žay wenten to sete,
Že best burne ay abof, as hit best semed;
Queen Guenever appears gaily dressed.Whene Guenore ful gay, grayžed in že myddes.
Dressed on že dere des, dubbed al aboute,
76Smal sendal bisides, a selure hir ouer
Of tryed Tolouse, of Tars tapites in-noghe,
Žat were enbrawded & beten wyth že best gemmes,
Žat myȝt be preued of prys wyth penyes to bye,
80in daye;
A lady fairer of form might no one say he had ever before seen.Že comlokest to discrye,
Žer glent with yȝen gray,
A semloker žat euer he syȝe,
84Soth moȝt no mon say.
Bot Arthure wolde not ete til al were serued,
He watȝ so Ioly of his Ioyfnes, & sum-quat child gered,
His lif liked hym lyȝt, he louied že lasse
nor would he long sit 88Aužer to lenge lye, or to longe sitte,
So bi-sied him his ȝonge blod & his brayn wylde;
& also anožer maner meued him eke,
Žat he žurȝ nobelay had nomen, ho wolde neuer ete
92Vpon such a dere day, er hym deuised were
until he had witnessed a "wondrous adventure" of some kind.Of sum auenturus žyng an vncouže tale,
Of sum mayn meruayle, žat he myȝt trawe,
Of1 alderes, of armes, of ožer auenturus,
96Ožer sum segg hym bi-soȝt of sum siker knyȝt,
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.
100Žis watȝ [že] kynges countenaunce where he in court were,
At vch farand fest among his fre meny,
[Fol. 92b.]in halle;
He of face so bold makes much mirth with all.Žer-fore of face so fere.
104He stiȝtleȝ stif in stalle,
Ful ȝep in žat nw ȝere,
Much mirthe he mas with alle.
1 Of of, in MS.
Thus žer stondes in stale že stif kyng his-seluen,
108Talkkande bifore že hyȝe table of trifles ful hende
Gawayne,There gode Gawan watȝ grayžed, Gwenore bisyde
Agravayn,& Agrauayn a la dure mayn on žat ožer syde sittes
Bože že kynges sister sunes, & ful siker kniȝtes;
Bishop Bawdewyn, 112Bischop Bawdewyn abof bi-gineȝ že table,
and Ywain sit on the dais.& Ywan, Vryn son, ette wit hym-seluen;
Žise were diȝt on že des, & derworžly serued,
& sižen mony siker segge at že sidbordeȝ.
The first course is served with cracking of trumpets. 116Žen že first cors come with crakkyng of trumpes,
Wyth mony baner ful bryȝt, žat žer-bi henged,
Nwe nakryn noyse with že noble pipes,
Wylde werbles & wyȝt wakned lote,
120Žat mony hert ful hiȝe hef at her towches;
It consisted of all dainties in season.Dayntes dryuen žer-wyth of ful dere metes,
Foysoun of že fresche, & on so fele disches,
Žat pine to fynde že place že peple bi-forne
124For to sette že syluener,1 žat sere sewes halden,
on clothe;
Iche lede as he loued hym-selue
Žer laght with-outen lože,
Each two had dishes twelve, 128Ay two had disches twelue,
good beer and bright wine both.Good ber, & bryȝt wyn bože.
1 svlueren (?) (dishes).
Now wyl I of hor seruise say yow no more,
For veh wyȝe may wel wit no wont žat žer were;
Scarcely had the first course commenced, 132An ožer noyse ful newe neȝed biliue,
Žat že lude myȝt haf leue lif-lode to cach.
For vneže watȝ že noyce not a whyle sesed,
& že fyrst cource in že court kyndely serued,
when there rushes in at the hall-door a knight; 136Žer hales in at že halle dor an aghlich mayster,
On že most on že molde on mesure hyghe;
Fro že swyre to že swange so sware & so žik,
the tallest on earth& his lyndes & his lymes so longe & so grete,
[Fol. 93.] 140Half etayn in erde I hope žat he were.
he must have been.Bot mon most I algate mynn hym to bene,
& žat že myriest in his muckel žat myȝt ride;
His back and breast were great,For of bak & of brest al were his bodi sturne,
but his belly and waist were small. 144Bot his wombe & his wast were worthily smale,
& alle his fetures folȝande, in forme žat he hade,
ful clene;
For wonder of his hwe men hade,
148Set in his semblaunt sene;
He ferde as freke were fade,
& ouer-al enker grene.
Ande al grayžed in grene žis gome & his wedes,
152A strayt cote ful streȝt, žat stek on his sides,
A mere mantile abof, mensked with-inne,
With pelure pured apert že pane ful clene,
With blyže blaunner ful bryȝt, & his hod bože,
156Žat watȝ laȝt fro his lokkeȝ, & layde on his schulderes
Heme wel haled, hose of žat same grene,
His spurs were of bright gold.Žat spenet on his sparlyr, & clene spures vnder,
Of bryȝt golde, vpon silk bordes, barred ful ryche
160& scholes vnder schankes, žere že schalk rides;
& alle his vesture uerayly watȝ clene verdure,
Bože že barres of his belt & ožer blyže stones,
Žat were richely rayled in his aray clene,
His saddle was embroidered with birds and flies. 164Aboutte hym-self & his sadel, vpon silk werkeȝ,
Žat were to tor for to telle of tryfles že halue,
Žat were enbrauded abof, wyth bryddes & flyȝes,
With gay gaudi of grene, že golde ay in myddes;
168Že 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 arsounȝ al after, & his ažel sturtes,
172Žat euer glemered1 & glent al of grene stones.
The foal that he rode upon was green;Že fole žat he ferkkes on, fyn of žat ilke,
sertayn;
A grene hors gret & žikke,
it was a steed full stiff to guide. 176A stede ful stif to strayne,
In brawden brydel quik,
[Fol. 93b.]To že gome he watȝ ful gayn.
1 glemed (?).
Wel gay watȝ žis gome gered in grene,
180& že here of his hed of his hors swete;
Fayre fannand fax vmbe-foldes his schulderes;
His great beard, like a bush, hung on his breast.A much berd as1 a busk ouer his brest henges,
Žat wyth his hiȝlich here, žat of his hed reches,
184Watȝ euesed al vmbe-torne, a-bof his elbowes,
Žat half his armes žer vnder were halched in že wyse
Of a kyngeȝ capados, žat closes his swyre.
The horse's mane was decked with golden threads.Že mane of žat mayn hors much to hit lyke,
188Wel cresped & cemmed wyth knottes ful mony,
Folden in wyth fildore aboute že fayre grene,
Ay a herle of že here, an ožer of golde;
Its tail was bound with a green band.Že tayl & his toppyng twynnen of a sute,
192& bounden bože wyth a bande of a bryȝt grene,
Dubbed wyth ful dere stoneȝ, as že dok lasted,
Syžen žrawen wyth a žwong a žwarle knot alofte,
Žer mony belleȝ ful bryȝt of brende golde rungen.
Such a foal nor a knight were never before seen. 196Such a fole vpon folde, ne freke žat hym rydes,
Watȝ neuer sene in žat sale wyth syȝt er žat tyme,
with yȝe;
He loked as layt so lyȝt,
200So sayd al žat hym syȝe,
It seemed that no man might endure his dints.Hit semed as no mon myȝt,
Vnder his dyntteȝ dryȝe.
1 as as, in MS.
Whežer hade he no helme ne hawb[e]rgh naužer,
204Ne no pysan, ne no plate žat pented to armes,
Ne no schafte, ne no schelde, to schwne ne to smyte,
In one hand was a holly bough,Bot in his on honde he hade a holyn bobbe,
Žat is grattest in grene, when greueȝ ar bare,
in the other an axe, 208& an ax in his ožer, a hoge & vn-mete,
A spetos sparže to expoun in spelle quo-so myȝt;
Že hede of an elnȝerde že large lenkže hade,
Že grayn al of grene stele & of golde hewen,
the edge of which was as keen as a sharp razor, 212Že bit burnyst bryȝt, with a brod egge,
As wel schapen to schere as scharp rasores;
Že stele of a stif staf že sturne hit bi-grypte,
[Fol. 94.]Žat watȝ wounden wyth yrn to že wandeȝ ende,
and the handle was encased in iron, curiously "graven with green, in gracious works." 216& al bigrauen with grene, in gracios1 werkes;
A lace lapped aboute, žat louked at že hede,
& so after že halme halched ful ofte,
Wyth tryed tasseleȝ žerto tacched in-noghe,
Thus arrayed the Green Knight enters the hall, 220On botounȝ of že bryȝt grene brayden ful ryche.
Žis hažel heldeȝ hym in, & že halle entres,
Driuande to že heȝe dece, dut he no wože,
without saluting any one.Haylsed he neuer one, bot heȝe he ouer loked.
224Že fyrst word žat he warp, "wher is," he sayd,
He asks for the "governor" of the company,"Že gouernour of žis gyng? gladly I wolde
Se žat segg in syȝt, & with hym self speke
raysoun."
228To knyȝteȝ he kest his yȝe,
& reled hym vp & doun,
and looks for the most renowned.He stemmed & con studie,
Quo walt žer most renoun.
1 looks like gracons in MS.
Ther watȝ lokyng on lenže, že lude to be-holde,
For vch mon had meruayle quat hit mene myȝt,
Žat a hažel & a horse myȝt such a hwe lach,
as green as grass.As growe grene as že gres & grener hit semed,
236Žen grene aumayl on golde lowande bryȝter;
Al studied žat žer stod, & stalked hym nerre,
Never before had they seen such a sight as this.Wyth al že wonder of že worlde, what he worch schulde.
For fele sellyeȝ had žay sen, bot such neuer are,
240For-ži for fantoum & fayryȝe že folk žere hit demed;
They were afraid to answer,Žer-fore to answare watȝ arȝe mony ažel freke,
& al stouned at his steuen, & stonstil seten,
and were as silent as if sleep had taken possession of them;In a swoghe sylence žurȝ že sale riche
244As al were slypped vpon slepe so slaked hor loteȝ
in hyȝe;
I deme hit not al for doute,
some from fear and others from courtesy.Bot sum for cortaysye,
248Bot let hym žat al schulde loute,
Cast vnto žat wyȝe.
Ženn Aržour bifore že hiȝ dece žat auenture byholdeȝ,
& rekenly hym reuerenced, for rad was he neuer,
252& sayde, "wyȝe, welcum iwys to žis place,
[Fol. 94b.]Že hede of žis ostel Arthour I hat,
Liȝt luflych adoun, & lenge, I že praye,
& quat so žy wylle is, we schal wyt after."
The knight says that he will not tarry. 256"Nay, as help me," quod že hažel, "he žat on hyȝe syttes,
To wone any quyle in žis won, hit watȝ not myn ernde;
Bot for že los of že lede is lyft vp so hyȝe,
& žy burȝ & žy burnes best ar holden,
260Stifest vnder stel-gere on stedes to ryde,
He seeks the most valiant that he may prove him.Že wyȝtest & že woržyest of že worldes kynde,
Preue for to play wyth in ožer pure laykeȝ;
& here is kydde cortaysye, as I haf herd carp,
264& žat hatȝ wayned me hider, I-wyis, at žis tyme.
Ȝe may be seker bi žis braunch žat I bere here,
He comes in peace.Žat I passe as in pes, & no plyȝt seche;
For had I founded in fere, in feȝtyng wyse,
At home, however, he has both shield and spear. 268I haue a hauberghe at home & a helme bože,
A schelde, & a scharp spere, schinande bryȝt,
Ande ožer weppenes to welde, I wene wel als,
Bot for I wolde no were, my wedeȝ ar softer.
272Bot if žou be so bold as alle burneȝ tellen,
Žou wyl grant me godly že gomen žat I ask,
bi ryȝt."
Arthur assures him that he shall not fail to find an opponent worthy of him.Arthour con onsware,
276& sayd, "sir cortays knyȝt,
If žou craue batayl bare,
Here fayleȝ žou not to fyȝt."
"Nay, frayst I no fyȝt, in fayth I že telle,
"'Here are only beardless children.' 280Hit arn aboute on žis bench bot berdleȝ chylder;
If I were hasped in armes on a heȝe stede,
Here is no man to match me.Here is no mon me to mach, for myȝteȝ so1 wayke.
For-žy I craue in žis court a crystmas gomen,
Here are brave ones many, 284For hit is ȝol & nwe ȝer, & here ar ȝep mony;
If any so hardy in žis hous holdeȝ hym-seluen,
if any be bold enough to 'strike a stroke for another,'Be so bolde in his blod, brayn in hys hede,
Žat dar stifly strike a strok for an ožer,
288I schal gif hym of my gyft žys giserne ryche,
this axe shall be his;Žis ax, žat is heué in-nogh, to hondele as hym lykes,
[Fol. 95.]& I schal bide že fyrst bur, as bare as I sitte.
If any freke be so felle to fonde žat I telle,
292Lepe lyȝtly me to, & lach žis weppen,
I quit clayme hit for euer, kepe hit as his auen,
but I shall give him a 'stroke' in return& I schal stonde hym a strok, stif on žis flet,
Elleȝ žou wyl diȝt me že dom to dele hym an ožer,
296barlay;
& ȝet gif hym respite,
within a twelvemonth and a day."A twelmonyth & a day;—
Now hyȝe, & let se tite
300Dar any her-inne oȝt say."
1 MS. fo.
If he hem stowned vpon fyrst, stiller were žanne
Alle že hered-men in halle, že hyȝ & že loȝe;
The knight rolled his red eyes about,Že renk on his rounce hym ruched in his sadel,
304& runisch-ly his rede yȝen he reled aboute,
and bent his bristly green brows.Bende his bresed broȝeȝ, bly-cande grene,
Waving his beard awhile, he exclaimed:Wayued his berde for to wayte quo-so wolde ryse.
When non wolde kepe hym with carp he coȝed ful hyȝe,
308Ande rimed hym ful richley, & ryȝt hym to speke:
"What! is this Arthur's court?"What, is žis Aržures hous," quod že hažel ženne,
"Žat al že rous rennes of, žurȝ ryalmes so mony?
Where is now your sourquydrye & your conquestes,
312Your gry[n]del-layk, & your greme, & your grete wordes?
Forsooth the renown of the Round Table is overturned 'with a word of one man's speech.'"Now is že reuel & že renoun of že rounde table
Ouer-walt wyth a worde of on wyȝes speche;
For al dares for drede, with-oute dynt schewed!"
316Wyth žis he laȝes so loude, žat že lorde greued;
Arthur blushes for shame.Že blod schot for scham in-to his schyre face
& lere;
He waxes as wroth as the wind.He wex as wroth as wynde,
320So did alle žat žer were
Že kyng as kene bi kynde,
Žen stod žat stif mon nere.
Ande sayde, "hažel, by heuen žyn askyng is nys,
324& as žou foly hatȝ frayst, fynde že be-houes;
I know no gome žat is gast of žy grete wordes.
Gif me now žy geserne, vpon godeȝ halue,
& I schal bayžen žy bone, žat žou boden habbes."
[Fol. 95b.] 328Lyȝtly lepeȝ he hym to, & laȝt at his honde;
Žen feersly žat ožer freke vpon fote lyȝtis.
Arthur seizes his axe.Now hatȝ Arthure his axe, & že halme grypeȝ,
& sturnely stureȝ hit aboute, žat stryke wyth hit žoȝt.
332Že stif mon hym bifore stod vpon hyȝt,
Herre žen ani in že hous by že hede & more;
The knight, stroking his beard, awaits the blow, and with a "dry countenance" draws down his coat.Wyth sturne schere1 žer he stod, he stroked his berde,
& wyth a countenaunce dryȝe he droȝ doun his cote,
336No more mate ne dismayd for hys mayn dinteȝ,
Žen any burne vpon bench hade broȝt hym to drynk
of wyne,
Sir Gawayne beseeches the king to let him undertake the blow.Gawan, žat sate bi že quene,
340To že kyng he can enclyne,
"I be-seche now with saȝeȝ sene,
Žis melly mot be myne."
1 chere (?).
"Wolde ȝe, woržilych lorde," quod Gawan to že kyng,
He asks permission to leave the table; he says, 344"Bid me boȝe fro žis benche, & stonde by yow žere,
Žat I wyth-oute vylanye myȝt voyde žis table,
& žat my legge lady lyked not ille,
I wolde com to your counseyl, bifore your cort ryche.
it is not meet that Arthur should be active in the matter, 348For me žink hit not semly, as hit is sož knawen,
Žer such an askyng is heuened so hyȝe in your sale,
Žaȝȝe ȝour-self be talenttyf to take hit to your-seluen,
while so many bold ones sit upon bench.Whil mony so bolde yow aboute vpon bench sytten,
352Žat vnder heuen, I hope, non haȝer er of wylle,
Ne better bodyes on bent, žer baret is rered;
Although the weakest, he is quite ready to meet the Green Knight.I am že wakkest, I wot, and of wyt feblest,
& lest lur of my lyf, quo laytes že sože,
356Bot for as much as ȝe 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 noȝt hit yow falles,
& I haue frayned hit at yow fyrst, foldeȝ hit to me,
360& if I carp not comlyly, let alle žis cort rych,
bout blame."
The nobles entreat Arthur to "give Gawayne the game."Ryche to-geder con roun,
& syžen žay redden alle same,
364To ryd že kyng wyth croun,
& gif Gawan že game.
Žen comaunded že kyng že knyȝt for to ryse;
& he ful radly vp ros, & ruchched hym fayre,
The king gives his nephew his weapon, 368Kneled doun bifore že kyng, & cacheȝ žat weppen;
& he luflyly hit hym laft, & lyfte vp his honde,
& gef hym goddeȝ blessyng, & gladly hym biddes
and tells him to keep heart and hand steady.Žat his hert & his honde schulde hardi be bože.
372"Kepe že cosyn," quod že kyng, "žat žou on kyrf sette,
& if žou redeȝ hym ryȝt, redly I trowe,
Žat žou schal byden že bur žat he schal bede after.
Gawan gotȝ to že gome, with giserne in honde,
376& he baldly hym bydeȝ, he bayst neuer že helder
The Green Knight enquires the name of his opponent.Žen carppeȝ to sir Gawan že knyȝt in že grene,
"Refourme we oure for-wardes, er we fyrre passe.
Fyrst I eže že, hažel, how žat žou hattes,
380Žat žou me telle truly, as I tryst may?"
Sir Gawayne tells him his name, and declares that he is willing to give and receive a blow."In god fayth," quod že goode knyȝt, "Gawan I hatte,
Žat bede že žis buffet, quat-so bi-falleȝ after,
& at žis tyme twelmonyth take at že anožer,
384Wyth what weppen so1 žou wylt, & wyth no wyȝ elleȝ,
on lyue."
Žat ožer on-swareȝ agayn,
"Sir Gawan, so mot I žryue,
The other thereof is glad. 388As I am ferly fayn.
Žis dint žat žou schal dryue."
1 MS. fo.
"Bigog," quod že grene knyȝt, "sir Gawan, melykes,
Žat I schal fange at žy fust žat I haf frayst here;
392& žou hatȝ 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
396I may be funde vpon folde, & foch že such wages
to receive the blow in return."As žou deles me to day, bifore žis douže ryche."
"Where shall I seek thee?" says Sir Gawayne;"Where schulde I wale že," quod Gauan, "where is žy place?
I wot neuer where žou wonyes, bi hym žat me wroȝt,
400Ne I know not že, knyȝt, žy cort, ne ži name.
"tell me thy name and abode and I will find thee."Bot teche me truly žer-to, & telle me howe žou hattes,
& I schal ware alle my wyt to wynne me žeder,
[Fol. 96b.]& žat I swere že for sože, & by my seker trawež."
404"Žat is in-nogh in nwe ȝer, hit nedes no more,"
Quod že gome in že grene to Gawan že hende,
"When thou hast smitten me," says the knight, "then tell I thee of my home and name;"ȝif I že telle trwly, quen I že tape haue,
& žou me smožely hatȝ smyten, smartly I že teche
408Of my hous, & my home, & myn owen nome,
Žen may žou frayst my fare, & forwardeȝ holde,
if I speak not at all, so much the better for thee.& if I spende no speche, ženne spedeȝ žou že better,
For žou may leng in žy londe, & layt no fyrre,
412bot slokes;
Take now thy grim tool, and let us see how thou knockest."Ta now žy grymme tole to že,
& let se how žou cnokeȝ."
"Gladly sir, for sože,"
416Quod Gawan; his ax he strokes.
The grene knyȝt vpon grounde grayžely hym dresses,
A littel lut with že hede, že lere he discouereȝ,
puts his long lovely locks aside and lays bare his neck.His longe louelych lokkeȝ he layd ouer his croun.
420Let že naked nec to že note schewe.
Gauan gripped to his ax, & gederes hit on hyȝt,
Že kay fot on že folde he be-fore sette,
Sir Gawayne lets fall his axeLet hit doun lyȝtly lyȝt on že naked,
424Žat že scharp of že schalk schyndered že bones,
and severs the head from the body.& schrank žurȝ že schyire grece, & scade hit in twynne,
Žat že bit of že broun stel bot on že grounde.
The head falls to the earth.Že fayre hede fro že halce hit [felle] to že erže,
Many kick it aside with their feet. 428Žat fele hit foyned wyth her fete, žere hit forth roled;
Že blod brayd fro že body, žat blykked on že grene;
The knight never falters;& nawžer faltered ne fel že freke neuer že helder,
Bot styžly he start forth vpon styf schonkes,
he rushes forth, seizes his head, 432& ru[n]yschly he raȝt out, žere as renkkeȝ stoden,
Laȝt to his lufly hed, & lyft hit vp sone;
& syžen boȝeȝ to his blonk, že brydel he cachcheȝ,
steps into the saddle,Steppeȝ in to stel bawe & strydeȝ alofte,
holding the while the head in his hand by the hair, 436& his hede by že here in his honde haldeȝ;
& as sadly že segge hym in his sadel sette,
As non vnhap had hym ayled, žaȝ hedleȝ he1 we[re],
in stedde;
and turns his horse about. 440He brayde his bluk2 aboute,
[Fol. 97.]Žat vgly bodi žat bledde,
Moni on of hym had doute,
Bi žat his resounȝ were redde.
1 MS. ho. 2 blunk (?).
For že hede in his honde he haldeȝ vp euen,
The head lifts up its eyelids,To-ward že derrest on že dece he dresseȝ že face,
& hit lyfte vp že yȝe-lyddeȝ, & loked ful brode,
and addresses Sir Gawayne; "Look thou, be ready to go as thou hast promised,& meled žus much with his muthe, as ȝe may now here.
448"Loke, Gawan, žou be grayže to go as žou hetteȝ,
& layte as lelly til žou me, lude, fynde,
and seek till thou findest me.As žou hatȝ hette in žis halle, herande žise knyȝtes;
Get thee to the Green Chapel,To že grene chapel žou chose, I charge že to fotte,
452Such a dunt as žou hatȝ dalt disserued žou habbeȝ,
there to receive a blow on New Year's morn.To be ȝederly ȝolden on nw ȝeres morn;
Že knyȝt of že grene chapel men knowen me mony;
Fail thou never;For-ži me forto fynde if žou fraysteȝ, fayleȝ žou neuer,
come, or recreant be called." 456Žer-fore com, ožer recreaunt be calde že be-houeus."
With a runisch rout že rayneȝ he torneȝ,
The Green Knight then rushes out of the hall, his head in his hand.Halled out at že hal-dor, his hed in his hande,
Žat že fyr of že flynt flaȝe fro fole houes.
460To quat kyth he be-com, knwe non žere,
Neuermore žen žay wyste fram quežen he watȝ wonnen;
what ženne?
Že kyng & Gawen žare,
At that green one Arthur and Gawayne "laugh and grin." 464At žat grene žay laȝe & grenne,
ȝet breued watȝ hit ful bare,
A meruayl among žo menne.
Žaȝ Aržer že hende kyng at hert hade wonder,
468He let no semblaunt be sene, bot sayde ful hyȝe
To že comlych quene, wyth cortays speche,
"Dear dame, be not dismayed; such marvels well become the Christmas festival;"Dere dame, to day demay yow neuer;
Wel by-commes such craft vpon cristmasse,
472Laykyng of enterludeȝ, to laȝe & to syng.
Among žise, kynde caroles of knyȝteȝ & ladyeȝ;
I may now go to meat.Neuer-že-lece to my mete I may me wel dres,
For I haf sen a selly, I may not for-sake."
476He glent vpon sir Gawen, & gaynly he sayde,
Sir Gawayne, hang up thine axe."Now sir, heng vp žyn ax, žat hatȝ in-nogh hewen."
[Fol. 97b.]& hit watȝ don abof že dece, on doser to henge,
Žer alle men for meruayl myȝt on hit loke,
480& bi trwe tytel žer-of to telle že wonder.
The king and his knights sit feasting at the board till day is ended.Ženne žay boȝed to a borde žise burnes to-geder,
Že kyng & že gode knyȝt, & kene men hem serued
Of alle dayntyeȝ double, as derrest myȝt falle,
484Wyth alle maner of mete & mynstralcie bože;
Wyth wele walt žay žat day, til woržed an ende,
in londe.
Now beware, Sir Gawayne, lest thou fail to seek the adventure that thou hast taken in hand.Now ženk wel, sir Gawan,
488For wože žat žou ne wonde,
Žis auenture forto frayn,
Žat žou hatȝ tan on honde.
This hanselle hatȝ Arthur of auenturus on fyrst,
492In ȝonge ȝer, for he ȝerned ȝelpyng to here,
Thaȝ hym wordeȝ were wane, when žay to sete wenten;
Now ar žay stoken of sturne werk staf-ful her hond.
Gawan watȝ glad to be-gynne žose gomneȝ in halle,
496Bot žaȝ že ende be heuy, haf ȝe no wonder;
For žaȝ men ben mery in mynde, quen žay han mayn drynk,
The year passes full quickly and never returns.A ȝere ȝernes ful ȝerne, & ȝeldeȝ neuer lyke,
Že forme to že fynisment foldeȝ ful selden.
500For-ži žis ȝol ouer-ȝede, & že ȝere after,
& vche sesoun serlepes sued after ožer;
After Christmas comes the "crabbed Lenten."After crysten-masse com že crabbed lentoun,
Žat fraysteȝ flesch wyth že fysche & fode more symple
504Bot ženne že weder of že worlde wyth wynter hit žrepeȝ,
Spring sets in and warm showers descend;Colde clengeȝ adoun, cloudeȝ vp-lyften,
Schyre schedeȝ že rayn in schowreȝ ful warme,
Falleȝ vpon fayre flat, flowreȝ žere schewen,
the groves become green, 508Bože groundeȝ & že greueȝ grene ar her wedeȝ,
birds build and sing,Bryddeȝ busken to bylde, & bremlych syngen,
for joy of the summer that follows;For solace of že softe somer žat sues žer after,
bi bonk;
blossoms begin to bloom, 512& blossumeȝ bolne to blowe,
Bi raweȝ rych & ronk,
and noble notes are heard in the woodsŽen noteȝ noble in-noȝe,
[Fol. 98]Ar herde in wod so wlonk.
After že sesoun of somer wyth že soft wyndeȝ,
Quen ȝeferus syfleȝ hym-self on sedeȝ & erbeȝ,
beautiful are the flowers wet with dew-drops.Wela-wynne is že wort žat woxes žer-oute.
When že donkande dewe dropeȝ of že leueȝ,
520To bide a blysful blusch of že bryȝt sunne.
But harvest approaches soon,Bot žen hyȝes heruest, & hardenes hym sone.
Warneȝ hym for že wynter to wax ful rype;
and drives the dust about.He dryues wyth droȝt že dust for to ryse.
524Fro že face of že folde to flyȝe ful hyȝe;
Wrože wynde of že welkyn wrasteleȝ with že sunne,
The leaves drop off the trees,Že leueȝ lancen fro že lynde, & lyȝten on že grounde,
the grass becomes gray, and all ripens and rots.& al grayes že gres, žat grene watȝ ere;
528Ženne al rypeȝ & roteȝ žat ros vpon fyrst,
& žus ȝirneȝ že ȝere in ȝisterdayeȝ mony,
Winter winds round again,& wynter wyndeȝ aȝayn, as že worlde askeȝ
no sage.
532Til meȝel-mas mone,
Watȝ cumen wyth wynter wage;
and then Sir Gawayne thinks of his dread journey.Žen ženkkeȝ Gawan ful sone,
Of his anious uyage.
Ȝet quyl al-hal-day with Aržer he lenges,
& he made a fare on žat fest, for že frekeȝ sake,
With much reuel & ryche of že rounde table;
Knyȝteȝ ful cortays & comlych ladies,
540Al for luf of žat lede in longynge žay were,
Bot neuer-že-lece ne že later žay neuened bot merže,
Mony ioyleȝ for žat ientyle iapeȝ žer maden.
After meat, Sir Gawayne thus speaks to his uncle:For aftter mete, with mournyng he meleȝ to his eme,
544& spekeȝ of his passage, & pertly he sayde,
"Now, liege lord, I ask leave of you,"Now, lege lorde of my lyf, leue I yow ask;
ȝe knowe že cost of žis cace, kepe I no more
To telle yow teneȝ žer-of neuer bot trifel;
for I am bound on the morn to seek the Green Knight." 548Bot 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 burȝ boȝed to-geder,
Aywan, & Errik, & ožer ful mony,
[Fol. 98b.] 552Sir Doddinaual de Sauage, že duk of Clarence,
Launcelot, & Lyonel, & Lucan že gode,
Sir Boos, & sir Byduer, big men bože,
Many nobles, the best of the court, counsel and comfort him.& mony ožer menskful, with Mador de la Port.
556Alle žis compayny of court com že kyng nerre,
For to counseyl že knyȝt, with care at her hert;
Much sorrow prevails in the hall.Žere watȝ much derue1 doel driuen in že sale,
Žat so worthe as Wawan schulde wende on žat ernde,
560To dryȝe a delful dynt, & dele no more
wyth bronde.
Že knyȝt mad ay god chere,
& sayde, "quat schuld I wonde,
Gawayne declares that he has nothing to fear. 564Of destines derf & dere,
What may mon do bot fonde?"
1 derne (?).
He dowelleȝ žer al žat day, and dresseȝ on že morn,
Askeȝ erly hys armeȝ, & alle were žay broȝt
A carpet is spread on the floor, 568Fyrst a tule tapit, tyȝt ouer že flet,
& miche watȝ že gyld gere žat glent žer alofte;
and he steps thereon.Že stif mon steppeȝ žeron, & že stel hondoleȝ,
He is dubbed in a doublet of Tarsic silk, and a well-made hood.Dubbed in a dublet of a dere tars,
572& syžen a crafty capados, closed aloft,
Žat wyth a bryȝt blaunner was bounden with-inne;
They set steel slices on his feet, and lap his legs in steel greaves.Ženne set žay že sabatounȝ vpon že segge foteȝ,
His legeȝ lapped in stel with luflych greueȝ,
576With polayneȝ piched žer-to, policed ful clene,
Aboute his kneȝ knaged wyth knoteȝ of golde;
Fair cuisses enclose his thighs,Queme quyssewes žen, žat coyntlych closed
His thik žrawen žyȝeȝ with žwonges to-tachched;
and afterwards they put on the steel habergeon, 580& syžen že brawden bryne of bryȝt stel ryngeȝ,
Vmbe-weued žat wyȝ, vpon wlonk stuffe;
well-burnished braces, elbow pieces, and gloves of plate.& wel bornyst brace vpon his bože armes,
With gode cowters & gay, & gloueȝ of plate,
584& alle že godlych gere žat hym gayn schulde
Žat tyde;
Over all this is placed the coat armour.Wyth ryche cote armure,
His spurs are then fixed,His gold sporeȝ spend with pryde,
and his sword is attached to his side by a silken girdle. 588Gurde wyth a bront ful sure,
With silk sayn vmbe his syde.
When he watȝ hasped in armes, his harnays watȝ ryche,
Že lest lachet ou[ž]er loupe lemed of golde;
592So harnayst as he watȝ he herkneȝ his masse,
Offred & honoured at že heȝe auter;
and afterwards takes leave of Arthur and his court.Syžen he comeȝ to že kyng & to his cort fereȝ,
Lacheȝ lufly his leue at lordeȝ & ladyeȝ;
596& žay hym kyst & conueyed, bikende hym to kryst.
By that time his horse Gringolet was ready,Bi žat watȝ Gryngolet grayth, & gurde with a sadel,
Žat glemed ful gayly with mony golde frenges,
Ay quere naylet ful nwe for žat note ryched;
600Že brydel barred aboute, with bryȝt golde bounden;
the harness of which glittered like the "gleam of the sun."Že apparayl of že payttrure, & of že proude skyrteȝ,
Že cropore, & že couertor, acorded wyth že arsouneȝ;
& al watȝ rayled on red ryche golde nayleȝ,
604Žat al glytered & glent as glem of že sunne.
Then Sir Gawayne sets his helmet upon his head,Ženne hentes he že holme, & hastily hit kysses,
Žat watȝ stapled stifly, & stoffed wyth-inne:
Hit watȝ hyȝe on his hede, hasped bihynde,
fastened behind with a "urisoun," 608Wyth a lyȝtli vrysoun ouer že auentayle,
richly embroidered with gems.Enbrawden & bounden wyth že best gemmeȝ,
On brode sylkyn borde, & bryddeȝ on semeȝ,
As papiayeȝ paynted pernyng bitwene,
612Tortors & trulofeȝ entayled so žyk,
As mony burde žer aboute had ben seuen wynter
in toune;
The circle around the helmet was decked with diamonds.Že cercle watȝ more o prys,
616Žat vmbe-clypped hys croun,
Of diamaunteȝ a deuys,
Žat bože were bryȝt & broun.
Then žay schewed hym že schelde, žat was of schyr gouleȝ,
620Wyth že pentangel de-paynt of pure golde hweȝ;
He braydeȝ hit by že baude-ryk, aboute že hals kestes,
Žat bisemed že segge semlyly fayre.
The "pentangle" was devised by Solomon as a token of truth.& quy že pentangel apendeȝ to žat prynce noble,
624I 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 habbeȝ,
[Fol. 99b]For hit is a figure žat haldeȝ fyue poynteȝ,
628& vche lyne vmbe-lappeȝ & loukeȝ in ožer,
It is called the endless knot& ay quere hit is endeleȝ,1 & Englych hit callen
Ouer-al, as I here, že endeles knot.
For-žy hit acordeȝ to žis knyȝt, & to his cler armeȝ,
632For ay faythful in fyue & sere fyue syžeȝ,
It well becomes the good Sir Gawayne,Gawan watȝ for gode knawen, & as golde pured,
Voyded of vche vylany, wyth vertueȝ2 ennourned
in mote;
636For-žy že pen-tangel nwe
He ber in schelde & cote,
a knight the truest of speech and the fairest of form.As tulk of tale most trwe,
& gentylest knyȝt of lote.
1 MS emdeleȝ. 2 MS verertueȝ
Fyrst he watȝ funden fautleȝ in his fyue wytteȝ,
& efte fayled neuer že freke in his fyue fyngres,
His trust was in the five wounds.& alle his afyaunce vpon folde watȝ in že fyue woundeȝ
Žat Cryst kaȝt on že croys, as že crede telleȝ;
644& quere-so-euer žys mon in melly watȝ stad,
His žro žoȝt watȝ in žat, žurȝ alle ožer žyngeȝ,
Žat alle his forsnes he fong at že fyue ioyeȝ,
Žat že hende heuen quene had of hir chylde;
648At žis cause že knyȝt comlyche hade
The image of the Virgin was depicted upon his shield.In že more half of his schelde hir ymage depaynted,
Žat quen he blusched žerto, his belde neuer payred.
Že fyrst1 fyue žat I finde žat že frek vsed,
652Watȝ fraunchyse, & felaȝschyp for-be2 al žyng;
In cleanness and courtesy he was never found wanting,His clannes & his cortaysye croked were neuer,
& pite, žat passeȝ alle poynteȝ, žyse pure fyue
Were harder happed on žat hažel žen on any ožer.
656Now alle žese fyue syžeȝ, forsože, were fetled on žis knyȝt,
& vchone halched in ožer, žat non ende hade,
& fyched vpon fyue poynteȝ, žat fayld neuer,
Ne samned neuer in no syde, ne sundred nouž[er],
660With-outen ende at any noke [a]i quere fynde,
Where-euer že gomen bygan, or glod to an ende.
therefore was the endless knot fastened on his shield.Žer-fore on his schene schelde schapen watȝ že knot,
Žus alle wyth red golde vpon rede gowleȝ,
[Fol. 100] 664Žat is že pure pentaungel wyth že peple called,
with lore.
Now grayžed is Gawan gay,
Sir Gawayne seizes his lance and bids all "good day."& laȝt his launce ryȝt žore,
668& gef hem alle goud day,
He wende for euer more.
1 MS fyft. 2 for-bi (?).
He sperred že sted with že spureȝ, & sprong on his way,
So stif žat že ston fyr stroke out žer-after;
All that saw that seemly one mourned in their hearts. 672Al žat seȝ žat semly syked in hert,
& sayde sožly al same segges til ožer,
Carande for žat comly, "bi Kryst, hit is scaže,
Žat žou, leude, schal be lost, žat art of lyf noble!
They declared that his equal was not to be found upon earth. 676To fynde hys fere vpon folde, in fayth is not eže;
Warloker to haf wroȝt had more wyt bene,
& haf dyȝt ȝonder dere a duk to haue woržed;
It would have been better for him to have been a leader of men,A lowande leder of ledeȝ in londe hym wel semeȝ,
680& so had better haf ben žen britned to noȝt,
than to die by the hands of "an elvish man."Hadet wyth an aluisch mon, for angardeȝ pryde.
Who knew euer any kyng such counsel to take,
As knyȝteȝ in cauelounȝ on cryst-masse gomneȝ!"
Much was the warm water that poured from eyes that day. 684Wel much watȝ že warme water žat waltered of yȝen,
When žat semly syre soȝt fro žo woneȝ
žat1 daye;
He made non abode,
688Bot wyȝtly went hys way,
Meanwhile many a weary way goes Sir Gawayne.Mony wylsum way he rode,
Že bok as I herde say.
1 MS. žad.
Now rideȝ žis renk žurȝ že ryalme of Logres,
692Sir Gauan on Godeȝ halue, žaȝ hym no gomen žoȝt;
Oft, leudleȝ alone, he lengeȝ on nyȝteȝ,
Žer he fonde noȝt hym byfore že fare žat he lyked;
He has no companion but his horse.Hade he no fere bot his fole, bi frytheȝ & douneȝ,
696Ne no gome bot God, bi gate wyth to karp,
No men does he see till he approaches North Wales.Til žat he neȝed ful noghe1 in to že Norže Waleȝ;
Alle že iles of Anglesay on lyft half he haldeȝ,
& fareȝ ouer že fordeȝ by že for-londeȝ,
From Holyhead he passes into Wirral. 700Ouer at že Holy-Hede, til he hade eft bonk
In že wyldrenesse of Wyrale; wonde žer bot lyte
[Fol. 100b]Žat aužer God ožer gome wyth goud hert louied.
& ay he frayned, as he ferde, at frekeȝ žat he met,
He enquires after the Green Knight of the Green Chapel, 704If žay hade herde any karp of a knyȝt grene,
In any grounde žer-aboute, of že grene chapel;2
& al nykked hym wyth nay, žat neuer in her lyue
but can gain no tidings of him.Žay seȝe neuer no segge žat watȝ of suche hweȝ
708of grene.
Že knyȝt tok gates straunge,
In mony a bonk vnbene,
His cheer oft changed before he found the Chapel.His cher ful oft con chaunge,
712Žat chapel er he myȝt sene.
1 nyghe (?). 2 MS. clapel.
Mony klyf he ouer-clambe in contrayeȝ straunge,
Fer floten fro his frendeȝ fremedly he rydeȝ;
many a ford and stream he crossed, and everywhere he found a foe.At vche warže ožer water žer že wyȝe passed,
716He fonde a foo hym byfore, bot ferly hit were,
& žat so foule & so felle, žat feȝt hym by-hode;
It were too tedious to tell the tenth part of his adventuresSo mony meruayl hi mount žer že mon fyndeȝ,
Hit were to tore for to telle of že tenže dole.
with serpents, wolves, and wild men; 720Sumwhyle wyth wormeȝ he werreȝ, & with wolues als,
Sumwhyle wyth wodwos, žat woned in že knarreȝ,
with bulls, bears, and boars.Bože wyth bulleȝ & bereȝ, & boreȝ ožer-quyle,
& etayneȝ, žat hym a-nelede, of že heȝe felle;
Had he not been both brave and good, doubtless he had been dead. 724Nade he ben duȝty & dryȝe, & dryȝtyn had serued,
Douteles he hade ben ded, & dreped ful ofte.
The sharp winter was far worse than any war that ever troubled him.For werre wrathed hym not so much, žat wynter was wors,
When že colde cler water fro že cloudeȝ schadden,
728& fres er hit falle myȝt to že fale erže;
Ner slayn wyth že slete he sleped in his yrnes,
Mo nyȝteȝ žen in-noghe in naked rokkeȝ,
Žer as claterande fro že crest že colde borne renneȝ,
732& henged heȝe ouer his hede in hard ’sse-ikkles.
Thus in peril he travels till Christmas-eve.Žus in peryl, & payne, & plytes ful harde,
Bi contray caryeȝ žis knyȝt, tyl kryst-masse euen,
al one;
736Že knyȝt wel žat tyde,
To the Virgin Mary he prays to guide him to some abode.To Mary made his mone.
Žat ho hym red to ryde,
[Fol. 101.]& wysse hym to sum wone.
Bi a mounte on že morne meryly he rydes,
Into a forest ful dep, žat ferly watȝ wylde,
Hiȝe hilleȝ on vche a halue, & holt wodeȝ vnder,
where were old oaks many a hundred.Of hore okeȝ fill hoge a hundreth to-geder;
744Že hasel & že haȝ-žorne were harled al samen,
With roȝe raged mosse rayled ay-where,
Many sad birds upon bare twigs piped piteously for the cold.With mony bryddeȝ vnblyže vpon bare twyges,
Žat pitosly žer piped for pyne of že colde.
748Že gome vpon Gryngolet glydeȝ hem vnder,
Through many a mire he goes, that he may celebrate the birth of Christ.Žurȝ mony misy & myre, mon al hym one,
Carande for his costes, lest he ne keuer schulde,
To se že seruy1 of žat syre, žat on žat self nyȝt
752Of a burde watȝ borne, oure baret to quelle;
He beseeches the Virgin Mary to direct him to some lodging where he may hear mass.& žerfore sykyng he sayde, "I be-seche že, lorde,
& Mary, žat is myldest moder so dere.
Of sum herber, žer heȝly I myȝt here masse.
756Ande žy matyneȝ to-morne, mekely I ask,
& žer-to prestly I pray my pater & aue,
& crede."
He rode in his prayere,
760& cryed for his mysdede,
Blessing himself, he says, "Cross of Christ, speed me!"He sayned hym in syžes sere,
& sayde "cros Kryst me spede!"
1 seruyce (?).
Nade he sayned hym-self, segge, bot žrye,
764Er he watȝ war in že wod of a won in a mote.
when he saw a dwelling in the wood, set on a hill,Abof a launde, on a lawe, loken vnder boȝeȝ,
Of mony borelych bole, aboute bi že diches;
the comeliest castle that knight ever owned.A castel že comlokest žat euer knyȝt aȝte,
768Pyched on a prayere, a park al aboute,
With a pyked palays, pyned ful žik,
Žat vmbe-teȝe mony tre mo žen two myle.
Žat holde on žat on syde že hažel auysed,
It shone as the sun through the bright oaks. 772As hit schemered & schon žurȝ že schyre okeȝ;
Ženne hatȝ he hendly of his helme, & heȝly he žonkeȝ
Iesus & say[nt] Gilyan, žat gentyle ar bože,
[Fol. 101b.]Žat cortaysly hade hym kydde, & his cry herkened.
776"Now bone hostel," cože že burne, "I be-seche yow ȝette!"
Ženne gedereȝ he to Gryngolet with že gilt heleȝ,
Sir Gawayne goes to the chief gate,& he ful chauncely hatȝ chosen to že chef gate,
Žat broȝt bremly že burne to že bryge ende,
780in haste;
and finds the draw-bridge raised, and the gates shut fast.Že bryge watȝ breme vp-brayde,
Že ȝateȝ wer stoken faste,
Že walleȝ were wel arayed,
784Hit dut no wyndeȝ blaste.
Že burne bode on bonk, žat on blonk houed,
Of že depe double dich žat drof to že place,
Že walle wod in že water wonderly depe,
and observes the "huge height," 788Ande eft a ful huge heȝt hit haled vpon lofte,
Of harde hewen ston vp to že tableȝ,
with its battlements and watch towers.Enbaned vnder že abataylment, in že best lawe;
& syžen garyteȝ ful gaye gered bi-twene,
792Wyth mony luflych loupe, žat louked ful clene;
A better barbican žat burne blusched vpon neuer;
& innermore he be-helde žat halle ful hyȝe,
Bright and long were its round towers,Towre telded bytwene trochet ful žik,
796Fayre fylyoleȝ žat fyȝed, & ferlyly long,
with their well-made capitals.With coruon coprounes, craftyly sleȝe;
Chalk whyt chymnees žer ches he in-noȝe,
Vpon bastel roueȝ, žat blenked ful quyte;
800So mony pynakle payntet watȝ poudred ay quere,
Among že castel carneleȝ, clambred so žik,
Žat pared out of papure purely hit semed.
He thinks it fair enough if he might only come within the cloister.Že fre freke on že fole hit fayr in-n[o]ghe žoȝt,
804If he myȝt keuer to com že cloyster wyth-inne,
To herber in žat hostel, whyl halyday lested
auinant;
He calls, and soon there comes a porter to know the knight's errand.He calde, & sone žer com
808A porter pure plesaunt,
On že wal his ernd he nome,
& haylsed že knyȝt erraunt.
"Gode sir," quod Gawan, "woldeȝ žou go myn ernde,
812To že heȝ lorde of žis hous, herber to craue?"
[Fol. 102.]"ȝe, Peter," quod že porter, "& purely I trowe,1
"You are welcome to dwell here as long as you like," replied the porter.Žat ȝe be, wyȝe, welcum to won quyle yow lykeȝ."
Žen ȝede žat wyȝe aȝayn awyže,
816& folke frely hym wyth, to fonge že knyȝt;
The draw-bridge is let down,Žay let doun že grete draȝt, & derely out ȝeden,
& kneled doun on her knes vpon že colde erže,
To welcum žis ilk wyȝ, as woržy hom žoȝt;
and the gate is opened wide to receive him. 820Žay ȝolden hym že brode ȝate, ȝarked vp wyde,
& he hem raysed rekenly, & rod ouer že brygge;
Sere seggeȝ hym sesed by sadel, quel2 he lyȝt,
His horse is well stabled.& syžen stabeled his stede stif men in-noȝe.
Knights and squires bring Gawayne into the hall. 824Knyȝteȝ & swyereȝ comen doun ženne,
For to bryng žis burne3 wyth blys in-to halle;
Many a one hastens to take his helmet and sword.Quen he hef vp his helme, žer hiȝed in-noghe
For to hent hit at his honde, že hende to seruen,
828His bronde & his blasoun bože žay token.
Žen haylsed he ful hendly žo haželeȝ vch one,
& mony proud mon žer presed, žat prynce to honour;
Alle hasped in his heȝ wede to halle žay hym wonnen,
832Žer fayre fyre vpon flet fersly brenned.
The lord of the country bids him welcome,Ženne že lorde of že lede louteȝ fro his chambre,
For to mete wyth menske že mon on že flor;
He sayde, "ȝe ar welcum to welde as yow lykeȝ,
836Žat here is, al is yowre awen, to haue at yowre wylle
& welde."
"Graunt mercy," quod Gawayn,
"Žer Kryst hit yow for-ȝelde,"
and they embrace each other. 840As frekeȝ žat semed fayn,
Ayžer ožer in armeȝ con felde.
1 trowoe, MS. 2 quyle (?) or quen (?). 3 buurne, MS.
Gawayn glyȝt on že gome žat godly hym gret,
a big bold one he seemed.& žuȝt hit a bolde burne žat že burȝ aȝte,
844A hoge hažel for že noneȝ, & of hyghe elde;1
Beaver-hued was his broad beard,Brode bryȝt watȝ his berde, & al beuer hwed,
Sturne stif on že stryžže on stal-worth schonkeȝ,
and his face as "fell as the fire."Felle face as že fyre, & fre of hys speche;
848& wel hym semed for sože, as že segge žuȝt,
To lede a lortschyp in lee of leudeȝ ful gode.
[Fol. 102b.]Že lorde hym charred to a chambre, & chefly cumaundeȝ2
To delyuer hym a leude, hym loȝly to serue;
852& žere were boun at his bode burneȝ in-noȝe,
In this bright bower was noble bedding;Žat broȝt hym to a bryȝt boure, žer beddyng watȝ noble,
Of cortynes of clene sylk, wyth cler golde hemmeȝ,
the curtains were of pure silk with golden hems;& couertoreȝ ful curious, with comlych paneȝ,
856Of bryȝt blaunnier a-boue enbrawded bisydeȝ,
Rudeleȝ rennande on ropeȝ, red golde ryngeȝ,
Tarsic tapestries covered the walls and the floor.Tapyteȝ tyȝt to že woȝe, of tuly & tars,
& vnder fete, on že flet, of folȝande sute.
Here the knight doffed his armour, 860Žer he watȝ dispoyled, wyth specheȝ of myerže,
Že burn of his bruny, & of his bryȝt wedeȝ;
and put on rich robes,Ryche robes ful rad renkkeȝ hem3 broȝten,
For to charge, & to chaunge, & chose of že best.
864Sone as he on hent, & happed žer-inne,
Žat sete on hym4 semly, wyth saylande skyrteȝ,
which well became him.Že ver by his uisage verayly hit semed
Wel neȝ to vche hažel alle on hwes,
868Lowande & lufly, alle his lymmeȝ vnder,
A more comely knight Christ never made.Žat a comloker knyȝt neuer Kryst made,
hem žoȝt;
Whežen in worlde he were,
872Hit semed as he myȝt
Be prynce with-outen pere,
In felde žer felle men fyȝt.
1 eldee, MS. 2 clesly, MS. 3 hym (?). 4 MS. hyn.
A cheyer by-fore že chemné, žer charcole brenned,
876Watȝ grayžed for sir Gawan, grayžely with cložeȝ,
Whyssynes vpon queldepoyntes, ža[t] koynt wer bože;
A mantle of fine linen, richly embroidered, is thrown over him.& ženne a mere mantyle watȝ on žat mon cast,
Of a broun bleeaunt, enbrauded ful ryche,
880& fayre furred wyth-inne with felleȝ of že best,
Alle of ermyn in erde, his hode of že same;
& he sete in žat settel semlych ryche,
& achaufed hym chefly,1 & ženne his cher mended.
A table is soon raised, 884Sone watȝ telded vp a tapit, on tresteȝ ful fayre,
and the knight, having washed, proceeded to meat.Clad wyth a clene clože, žat cler quyt schewed,
Sanap, & salure, & syluer-in sponeȝ;
[Fol. 103.]Že wyȝe wesche at his wylle, & went to his mete
888Seggeȝ hym serued semly in-noȝe,
He is served with numerous dishes;Wyth sere sewes & sete,2 sesounde of že best,
Double felde, as hit falleȝ, & fele kyn fischeȝ;
with fish baked and broiled,Summe baken in bred, summe brad on že gledeȝ,
or boiled and seasoned with spices. 892Summe sožen, summe in sewe, sauered with spyces,
& ay sawes3 so sleȝeȝ, žat že segge lyked.
Že freke calde hit a fest ful frely & ofte,
He calls it a full noble feast,Ful hendely, quen alle že haželes re-hayted hym at oneȝ
896as hende;
"Žis penaunce now ȝe take,
& eft hit schal amende;"
and much mirth he makes, for the wine is in his head.Žat mon much merže con make.
900For wyn in his hed žat wende.
1 MS. cefly. 2 swete (?). 3 sewes (?).
Ženne watȝ spyed & spured vpon spare wyse.
Bi preue poynteȝ of žat prynce, put to hym-seluen,
Žat he be-knew cortaysly of že court žat he were,
tells the prince that he is of Arthur's court. 904Žat ažel Arthure že hende haldeȝ hym one,
Žat is že ryche ryal kyng of že rounde table;
& hit watȝ Wawen hym-self žat in žat won sytteȝ,
Comen to žat krystmasse, as case hym žen lymped.
When this was made known, 908When že lorde hade lerned žat he že leude hade,
Loude laȝed he žerat, so lef hit hym žoȝt,
great was the joy in the hall.& alle že men in žat mote maden much joye,
To apere in his presense prestly žat tyme,
912Žat alle prys, & prowes, & pured žewes
Apendes to hys persoun, & praysed is euer,
By-fore alle men vpon molde, his mensk is že most.
Each one said softly to his mate,Vch segge ful softly sayde to his fere,
"Now we shall see courteous manners and hear noble speech, 916"Now schal we semlych se sleȝteȝ of žeweȝ,
& že teccheles termes of talkyng noble,
Wich spede is in speche, vnspurd may we lerne,
for we have amongst us the 'father of nurture.'Syn we haf fonged žat fyne fader of nurture;
920God hatȝ geuen vus his grace godly for sože,
Žat such a gest as Gawan graunteȝ vus to haue,
When burneȝ blyže of his burže schal sitte
& synge.
924In menyng of manereȝ mere,
[Fol. 103b.]Žis burne now schal vus bryng,
He that may him hear shall learn of love-talking."I hope žat may hym here,
Schal lerne of luf-talkyng."
Bi žat že diner watȝ done, & že dere vp,
Hit watȝ neȝ at že niyȝt neȝed že tyme;
Chaplayneȝ1 to že chapeles chosen že gate,
Rungen ful rychely, ryȝt as žay schulden,
to hear the evensong of the great season. 932To že hersum euensong of že hyȝe tyde.
Že lorde loutes žerto, & že lady als,
In-to a comly closet coyntly ho entreȝ;
Gawan glydeȝ ful gay, & gos žeder sone;
936Že lorde laches hym by že lappe, & ledeȝ hym to sytte,
& coužly hym knoweȝ, & calleȝ hym his nome,
& sayde he watȝ že welcomest wyȝe of že worlde;
The lord of the castle and Sir Gawayne sit together during service.& he hym žonkked žroly, & ayžer halched ožer.
940& seten soberly samen že seruise-quyle;
Ženne lyst že lady to loke on že knyȝt.
His wife, accompanied by her maids, leaves her seat.Ženne com ho of hir closet, with mony cler burdeȝ,
Ho watȝ že fayrest in felle, of flesche & of lyre,
944& of compas, & colour, & costes of alle ožer,
She appeared even fairer than Guenever.& wener žen Wenore, as že wyȝe žoȝt.
He ches žurȝ že chaunsel, to cheryche žat hende;
An older lady (an ancient one she seemed) led her by the hand.An ožer lady hir lad bi že lyft honde,
948Žat watȝ alder žen ho, an auncian hit semed,
& heȝly honowred with haželeȝ aboute.
Very unlike were these two.Bot yn-lyke on to loke žo ladyes were,
if the young one was fair the other was yellow,For if že ȝonge watȝ ȝep, ȝolȝe watȝ žat ožer;
952Riche red on žat on rayled ay quere,
and had rough and wrinkled cheeks.Rugh ronkled chekeȝ žat ožer on rolled;
Kerchofes of žat on wyth mony cler perleȝ
The younger had breast and throat "bare displayed."Hir brest & hir bryȝt žrote bare displayed,
956Schon schyrer žen snawe, žat scheder2 on hilleȝ;
Žat ožer wyth a gorger watȝ gered ouer že swyre,
Chymbled ouer hir blake chyn with mylk-quyte vayles,
The ancient one exposed only her "black brows," her two eyes,Hir frount folden in sylk, enfoubled ay quere,
960Toret & treieted with tryfleȝ aboute,
[Fol. 104.]Žat noȝt watȝ bare of žat burde bot že blake broȝes.
Že tweyne yȝen, & že nase, že naked lyppeȝ,
& žose were soure to se, & sellyly blered;
964A mensk lady on molde mon may hir calle,
for gode;
Her body was short and thick;Hir body watȝ schort & žik.
her buttocks broad and round.Hir buttokeȝ bay & brode,
968More lykker-wys on to lyk,
Watȝ žat scho hade on lode.
1 MS. [claplayneȝ.] 2 schedes (?).
When Gawayn glyȝt on žat gay, žat graciously loked,
Wyth leue laȝt of že lorde he went hem aȝaynes;
Sir Gawayne salutes the elder, 972Že alder he haylses, heldande ful lowe,
Že loueloker he lappeȝ a lyttel in armeȝ,
but the younger he kisses,He kysses hir comlyly, & knyȝtly he meleȝ;
Žay kallen hym of a quoyntaunce, & he hit quyk askeȝ
and begs to be her servant. 976To be her seruaunt sothly, if hem-self lyked.
Žay tan hym bytwene hem, wyth talkyng hym leden
To chamber all go,To chambre, to chemné, & chefly žay asken
where spices and wine are served.Spyceȝ, žat vn-sparely men speded hom to bryng,
980& že wynne-lych wyne žer-with vche tyme.
Že lorde luflych aloft lepeȝ ful ofte,
Mynned merthe to be made vpon mony syžeȝ.
The lord takes off his hood and places it on a spear.Hent heȝly of his hode, & on a spere henged,
984& wayned hom to wynne že worchip žer-of,
He who makes most mirth is to win it.Žat most myrže myȝt mene1 žat crystenmas whyle;
"& i schal fonde, bi my fayth, to fylter wyth že best,
Er me wont že wedeȝ, with help of my frendeȝ."
988Žus wyth laȝande loteȝ že lorde hit tayt2 makeȝ,
Night approaches, and thenFor to glade sir Gawayn with gomneȝ in halle
žat nyȝt;
Til žat hit watȝ tyme,
992Že kyng comaundet lyȝt,
Sir Gawayne takes his leave and retires to rest.Sir Gawen his leue con nyme,
& to his bed hym diȝt.
1 meue (?). 2 layt (?).
On že morne, as vch mon myneȝ žat tyme,
joy reigns in every dwelling in the world. 996[Ž]at dryȝtyn for oure destyné to deȝe watȝ borne,
Wele waxeȝ in vche a won in worlde, for his sake;
So did it in the castle where our knight abode.So did hit žere on žat day, žurȝ dayntes mony;
[Fol. 104b.]Bože at mes & at mele, messes ful quaynt
1000Derf men vpon dece drest of že best.
The lord and "the old ancient wife" sit together.Že olde auncian wyf heȝest ho sytteȝ;
Že lorde lufly her by lent, as I trowe;
Gawayne sits by the wife of his host.Gawan & že gay burde to-geder žay seten,
1004Euen in-myddeȝ, as že messe metely come;
& syžen žurȝ al že sale, as hem best semed,
It were too tedious to tell of the meat, the mirth, and the joy that abounded everywhere.Bi vche grome at his degre grayžely watȝ serued.
Žer watȝ mete, žer watȝ myrže, žer watȝ much ioye,
1008Žat for to telle žerof hit me tene were,
& to poynte hit ȝet I pyned me parauenture;
Gawayne and his beautiful companion derive much comfort from each other's conversation.Bot ȝet I wot žat Wawen & že wale burde
Such comfort of her compaynye caȝten to-geder,
1012Žurȝ her dere dalyaunce of her derne wordeȝ,
Wyth clene cortays carp, closed fro fylže;
& hor play watȝ passande vche prynce gomen,
in vayres;
Trumpets and nakers give forth their sounds. 1016Trumpeȝ & nakerys,
Much pypyng žer repayres,
Vche mon tented hys,
& žay two tented žayres.
Much dut watȝ žer dryuen žat day & žat ožer,
& že žryd as žro žronge in žerafter;
St. John's-day was the last of the Christmas festival.Že ioye of sayn Ioneȝ day watȝ gentyle to here,
& watȝ že last of že layk, leudeȝ žer žoȝten.
1024Žer wer gestes to go vpon že gray morne,
For-žy wonderly žay woke, & že wyn dronken,
Daunsed ful dreȝly wyth dere caroleȝ;
On the morrow many of the guests took their departure from the castle.At že last, when hit watȝ late, žay lachen her leue,
1028Vchon to wende on his way, žat watȝ wyȝe stronge.
Gawan gef hym god-day, že god mon hym lachcheȝ,
Ledes hym to his awen chambre, ž[e] chymné bysyde,
Sir Gawayne is thanked by his host for the honour and pleasure of his visit.& žere he draȝeȝ hym on-dryȝe, & derely hym žonkkeȝ,
1032Of že wynne worschip &1 he hym wayned hade,
As to honour his hous on žat hyȝe tyde,
& enbelyse his burȝ with his bele chere.
"I-wysse sir, quyl I leue, me woržeȝ že better,
[Fol. 105.] 1036Žat Gawayn hatȝ ben my gest, at Goddeȝ awen fest."
"Grant merci2 sir," quod Gawayn, "in god fayth hit is yowreȝ,
Al že honour is your awen, že heȝe kyng yow ȝelde;
& I am wyȝe at your wylle, to worch youre hest,
1040As I am halden žer-to, in hyȝe & in loȝe,
bi riȝt."
He endeavours to keep the knight at his court.Že lorde fast can hym payne,
To holde lenger že knyȝt,
1044To hym answreȝ Gawayn,
Bi non way žat he myȝt.
1 žat (?). 2 nerci, in MS.
Then frayned že freke ful fayre at him-seluen,
Quat derne1 dede had hym dryuen, at žat dere tyme,
1048So kenly fro že kyngeȝ kourt to kayre al his one,
Er že halidayeȝ holly were halet out of toun?
The knight replies that "a high errand and a hasty one" had forced him to leave the court."For sože sir," quod že segge, "ȝe sayn bot že trawže
A heȝe ernde & a hasty me hade fro žo woneȝ,
1052For I am sumned my selfe to sech to a place,
I wot2 in worlde wheder warde to wende, hit to fynde;
I nolde, bot if I hit negh myȝt on nwȝeres morne,
For alle že londe in-wyth Logres, so me oure lorde help!
1056For-žy, sir, žis enquest I require yow here,
He asks his host whether he has ever heard of the Green Chapel,Žat ȝe me telle with trawže, if euer ȝe tale herde
Of že grene chapel, quere hit on grounde stondeȝ,
& of že knyȝt žat hit kepes, of colour of grene?
1060Žer watȝ stabled bi statut a steuen vus by-twene,
for he has to be there on New Year's-day.To mete žat mon at žat mere, ȝif I myȝt last;
& of žat ilk nwȝere hot neked now wonteȝ,
& I wolde loke on žat lede, if God me let wolde,
1064Gladloker, bi Goddeȝ sun, žen any god welde!
For-ži, I-wysse, bi ȝowre wylle, wende me bi-houes,
He wonld as lief die as fail in his errand.Naf I now to busy bot bare žre dayeȝ,
& me als fayn to falle feye as fayly of myyn ernde."
The prince tells Sir Gawayne that he will teach him the way. 1068Ženne laȝande quod že lorde, "now leng že by-houes,
For I schal teche yow to ža[t] terme bi že tymeȝ ende,
Že grene chapayle vpon grounde, greue yow no more;
Bot ȝe schal be in yowre bed, burne, at žyn ese,
1072Quyle forth dayej, & ferk on pe fyrst of pe ȝere,
[Fol. 105b]& cum to žat merk at mydmorn, to make quat yow likeȝ
in spenne;
Dowelleȝ whyle new ȝeres daye,
1076& rys, & raykeȝ ženne,
The Green chapel is not more than two miles from the castle.Mon schal yow sette in waye,
Hit is not two myle henne."
1 derue (?). 2 not (?).
Ženne watȝ Gawan ful glad, & gomenly he laȝed,—
1080"Now I žonk yow žryuandely žurȝ alle ožer žynge,
and consents to tarry awhile at the castle.Now acheued is my chaunce, I schal at your wylle
Dowelle, & elleȝ do quat ȝe demen."
Ženne sesed hym že syre, & set hym bysyde,
The ladies are brought in to solace him. 1084Let že ladieȝ be fette, to lyke hem že better;
Žer watȝ seme solace by hem-self stille;
Že lorde let for luf loteȝ so myry,
As wyȝ žat wolde of his wyte, ne wyst quat he myȝt.
1088Ženne he carped to že knyȝt, criande loude,
The lord of the castle asks the knight to grant him one request;"Ȝe han demed to do že dede žat I bidde;
Wyl ȝe halde žis hes here at žys oneȝ?"
"Ȝe sir, for-sože," sayd že segge trwe,
1092"Whyl I byde in yowre borȝe, be bayn to ȝow[r]e hest."
"For ȝe haf trauayled," quod že tulk, "towen fro ferre,
& syžen waked me wyth, ȝe arn not wel waryst,
That he will stay in his chamber during mass time,Naužer of sostnaunce ne of slepe, sožly I knowe;
1096Ȝe schal lenge in your lofte, & lyȝe in your ese,
and then go to meat with his hostess.To morn quyle že messe-quyle, & to mete wende,
When ȝe wyl, wyth my wyf, žat wyth yow schal sitte,
& comfort yow with compayny, til I to cort torne,
1100ȝe lende;
& I schal erly ryse,
On huntyng wyl I wende."
Gawayne accedes to his request.Gauayn granteȝ alle žyse,
1104Hym heldande, as že hende.
"Ȝet firre," quod že freke, "a forwarde we make;
Quat-so-euer I wynne in že wod, hit woržeȝ to youreȝ,
and what check you achieve shall be mine."& quat chek so ȝe acheue, chaunge me žer-forne;
1108Swete, swap we so, sware with trawže,
Quežer, leude, so lymp lere ožer better."
"Bi God," quod Gawayn že gode, "I grant žer-tylle,
[Fol. 106.]& žat yow lyst forto layke, lef hit me žynkes.
A bargain is made between them. 1112"Who bringeȝ vus žis beuerage, žis bargayn is maked:"
So sayde že lorde of žat lede; žay laȝed vchone,
Žay dronken, & daylyeden, & dalten vntyȝtel,1
Žise lordeȝ & ladyeȝ, quyle žat hem lyked;
1116& syžen with frenkysch fare & fele fayre loteȝ
Žay stoden, & stemed, & stylly speken,
Kysten ful comlyly, & kaȝten her leue.
Night approaches and each "to his bed was brought at the last."With mony leude ful lyȝt, & lemande torches,
1120Vche burne to his bed watȝ broȝt at že laste,
ful softe;
To bed ȝet er žay ȝede,
Recorded couenaunteȝ ofte;
1124Že olde lorde of žat leude,2
Cowže wel halde layk a-lofte.
1 vntyl nyȝte (?). 2 lede (?).
Ful erly bifore že day že folk vp-rysen,
Gestes žat go wolde, hor gromeȝ žay calden,
saddle their horses, and truss their mails. 1128& žay busken vp bilyue, blonkkeȝ to sadel,
Tyffen he[r] takles, trussen her males,
Richen hem že rychest, to ryde alle arayde,
Lepen vp lyȝtly, lachen her brydeles,
Each goes where it pleases him best. 1132Vche wyȝe on his way, žer hym wel lyked.
The noble lord of the land arrays himself for riding.Že leue lorde of že londe watȝ not že last,
A-rayed for že rydyng, with renkkeȝ ful mony;
He eats a sop hastily and goes to mass.Ete a sop hastyly, when he hade herde masse,
1136With bugle to bent felde he buskeȝ by-lyue;
Before day-light he and his men are on their horses.By žat žat any day-lyȝt lemed vpon erže,
He with his haželes on hyȝe horsses weren.
Then the hounds are called out and coupled.Ženne žise cacheres žat couže, cowpled hor houndeȝ,
1140Vnclosed že kenel dore, & calde hem žer-oute,
Three short notes are blown by the bugles.Blwe bygly in bugleȝ žre bare mote;
Braches bayed žerfore, & breme noyse maked,
A hundred hunters join in the chase.& žay chastysed, & charred, on chasyng žat went;
1144A hundreth of hunteres, as I haf herde telle,
of že best;
To the stations the "fewters" go,To trystors vewters ȝod,
Couples huntes of kest,
[Fol. 106b.] 1148Žer ros for blasteȝ gode,
and the dogs are cast off.Gret rurd in žat forest.
At že fyrst quethe of že quest quaked že wylde;
Der drof in že dale, doted for drede,
1152Hiȝed to že hyȝe, bot heterly žay were
but are soon driven back.Restayed with že stablye, žat stoutly ascryed;
The harts and bucks are allowed to pass,Žay let že hertteȝ haf že gate, with že hyȝe hedes,
Že breme bukkeȝ also, with hor brode paumeȝ;
1156For že fre lorde hade de-fende in fermysoun tyme,
Žat žer schulde no mon mene1 to že male dere.
but the hinds and does are driven back to the shades.Že hindeȝ were halden in, with hay & war,
Že does dryuen with gret dyn to že depe sladeȝ;
1160Žer myȝt mon se, as žay slypte, slentyng of arwes,
As they fly they are shot by the bowmen.At vche [žat] wende vnder wande wapped a flone,
Žat bigly bote on že broun, with ful brode hedeȝ,
The hounds and the hunters, with a loud cry, follow in pursuit.What! žay brayen, & bleden, bi bonkkeȝ žay deȝen.
1164& ay rachches in a res radly hem folȝes,
Huntereȝ wyth hyȝe horne hasted hem after,
Those that escaped the arrows are killed by the hounds.Wyth such a crakkande kry, as klyffes haden brusten;
What wylde so at-waped wyȝes žat schotten,
1168Watȝ al to-raced & rent, at že resayt.
Bi žay were tened at že hyȝe, & taysed to že wattreȝ,
Že ledeȝ were so lerned at že loȝe trysteres,
& že gre-houndeȝ so grete, žat geten hem bylyue,
1172& hem to fylched, as fast as frekeȝ myȝt loke,
žer ryȝt.
The lord waxes joyful in the chase,Že lorde for blys abloy
Ful oft con launce & lyȝt,
which lasted till the approach of night. 1176& drof žat day wyth Ioy
Thus to že derk nyȝt.
1 meue (?).
Žus laykeȝ žis lorde by lynde wodeȝ eueȝ,
& G. že god mon, in gay bed lygeȝ,
under "coverture full clear". 1180Lurkkeȝ quyl že day-lyȝt lemed on že wowes,
Vnder couertour ful clere, cortyned aboute;
& as in slomeryng he slode, sleȝly he herde
He hears a noise at his door.A littel dyn at his dor, & derfly vpon;
1184& he heueȝ vp his hed out of že cložes,
[Fol. 107.]A corner of že cortyn he caȝt vp a lyttel,
& wayteȝ warly žider-warde, quat hit be myȝt.
A lady, the loveliest to behold, enters softly.Hit watȝ že ladi, loflyest to be-holde,
1188Žat droȝ že dor after hir ful dernly1 & stylle,
She approaches the bed.& boȝed to-warde že bed; & že burne schamed.
& layde hym doun lystyly, & let as he slepte.
Gawayne pretends to be asleep.& ho stepped stilly. & stel to his bedde,
The lady casts up the curtain and sits on the bedside. 1192Kest vp že cortyn, & creped with-inne,
& set hir ful softly on že bed-syde,
& lenged žere selly longe, to loke quen he wakened.
Že lede lay lurked a ful longe quyle,
Gawayne has much wonder thereat. 1196Compast in his concience to quat žat cace myȝt
Mene ožer amount, to meruayle hym žoȝt;
Bot ȝet he sayde in hym-self, "more semly hit were
To aspye wyth my spelle [in] space quat ho wolde."
He rouses himself up, 1200žen he wakenede, & wroth, & to hir warde torned,
unlocks his eyes, and looks as if he were astonished.& vn-louked his yȝe-lyddeȝ, & let as hym wondered,
& sayned hym, as bi his saȝe že sauer to worthe,
with hande;
1204Wyth chynne & cheke ful swete,
Bože quit & red in-blande,
Ful lufly con ho lete,
Wyth lyppeȝ smal laȝande.
1 deruly (?).
"God moroun, sir Gawayn," sayde žat fayr lady,
"Ȝe ar a sleper vn-slyȝe, žat mon may slyde hider;
Now ar ȝe tan astyt, bot true vus may schape,
I shall bind you in your bed, of that be ye sure."I schal bynde yow in your bedde, žat be ȝe trayst:"
1212Al laȝande že lady lanced žo bourdeȝ.
"Good morrow," says the knight, "I am well pleased to be at your service;"Goud moroun g[aye],"1 quod Gawayn že blyže,
"Me schal worže at your wille, & žat me wel lykeȝ,
For I ȝelde me ȝederly, & ȝeȝe after grace,
1216& žat is že best, be my dome, for me by-houeȝ nede;"
& žus he bourded a-ȝayn with mony a blyže laȝter.
but permit me to rise and dress myself.""Bot wolde ȝe, lady louely, žen leue me grante,
& de-prece your prysoun, & pray hym to ryse,
1220I wolde boȝe of žis bed, & busk me better,
I schulde keuer že more comfort to karp yow wyth."
[Fol. 107b]"Nay, for sože, beau sir," sayd žat swete,
"Ȝe schal not rise of your bedde, I rych yow better,
"I shall hold talk with you here. 1224I schal happe yow here žat ožer half als,
& syžen karp wyth my knyȝt žat I kaȝt haue;
I know well that you are Gawayne that all the woild worships.For I wene wel, Iwysse, sir Wawen ȝe are,
Žat alle že worlde worchipeȝ, quere-so ȝe ride;
1228Your honour, your hendelayk is hendely praysed
We are by ourselves;With lordeȝ, wyth ladyes, with alle žat lyf bere.
& now ȝe ar here, iwysse, & we bot oure one;
My lord and his men are far off."My lorde & his ledeȝ ar on lenže faren,
Other men are in their beds, so are my maidens. 1232Ožer burneȝ in her bedde, & my burdeȝ als,
The door is safely closed.Že dor drawen, & dit with a derf haspe;
Since I have him in house that every one likes, I shall use my time well while it lasts.& syžen I haue in žis hous hym žat al lykeȝ,
I schal ware my whyle wel, quyl hit lasteȝ,
1236with tale;
Ye are welcome to my body.Ȝe ar welcum to my cors,
Yowre awen won to wale,
Me be-houeȝ of fyne force,
I shall be your servant." 1240Your seruaunt be & schale."
1 This word is illegible in the MS.
"In god fayth," quod Gawayn, "gayn hit me žynkkeȝ,
"I am unworthy," says Sir Gawayne, "to reach to such reverence as ye rehearse.Žaȝ I be not now he žat ȝe of speken;
To reche to such reuerence as ȝe reherce here
1244I am wyȝe vn-woržy, I wot wel my-seluen;
Bi God, I were glad, & yow god žoȝt,
I shall be glad, however, to please you by word, or service."At saȝe ožer at seruyce žat I sette myȝt
To že plesaunce of your prys, hit were a pure ioye."
1248"In god fayth, sir Gawayn," quod že gay lady,
"Že prys & že prowes žat pleseȝ al ožer,
If I hit lakked, ožer set at lyȝt, hit were littel daynté;
"There are ladies," says his visitor, "who would prefer thy companyBot hit ar ladyes in-noȝe, žat leuer wer nowže
1252Haf že hende in hor holde, as I že habbe here,
To daly witt derely your daynté wordeȝ,
Keuer hem comfort, & colen her careȝ,
to much of the gold that they possess."Žen much of že garysourn ožer golde žat1 žay hauen;
1256Bot I louue2 žat ilk lorde žat že lyfte haldeȝ,
I haf hit holly in my honde žat al desyres,
žurȝe grace."
Scho made hym so gret chere,
[Fol. 108.] 1260Žat watȝ so fayr of face,
The knight answers the lady's questions.Že knyȝt with speches skere,
A[n]swared to vche a cace.
1 MS. žat žat. 2 louie or loune (?).
"Madame," quod že myry mon, "Mary yow ȝelde,
1264For I haf founden, in god fayth, yowre fraunchis nobele,
& ožer ful much of ožer folk fongen hor dedeȝ;
Bot že daynté žat žay delen for my disert nysen,
Hit is že worchyp of your-self, žat noȝt hot wel conneȝ."
The lady declares by Mary, 1268"Bi Mary," quod že menskful, "me žynk hit anožer;
For were I worth al že wone of wymmen alyue,
& al že wele of že worlde were in my honde,
that were she about to choose her a lord,& I schulde chepen & chose, to cheue me a lorde,
1272For že costes žat I haf knowen vpun že knyȝt here,
Of bewté, & debonerté, & blyže semblaunt,
she would select Gawayne before any man on earth.& žat I haf er herkkened, & halde hit here trwee,
Žer schulde no freke vpon folde bifore yow be chosen."
1276"I-wysse, woržy," quod že wyȝe, "ȝe haf waled wel better,
Gawayne tells her that he will become her own knight and faithful servant.Bot I am proude of že prys žat ȝe put on me,
& soberly your seruaunt my souerayn I holde yow,
& yowre knyȝt I be-com, & Kryst yow for-ȝelde."
1280Žus žay meled of much-quat, til myd-morn paste,
& ay že lady let lyk, a1 hym loued mych;
The remembrance of his adventure prevents him from thinking of love.Že freke ferde with defence, & feted ful fayre.
Žaȝ I were burde bryȝtest, že burde in mynde hade,
1284Že lasse luf in his lode, for lur žat he soȝt,
boute hone;
Že dunte žat schulde2 hym deue,
& nedeȝ hit most be done;
The lady takes leave of Sir Gawayne. 1288Že lady ženn spek of leue.
He granted hir ful sone.
1 and (?) 2 sclulde, in MS.
Ženne ho gef hym god-day, & wyth a glent laȝed.
& as ho stod, ho stonyed hym wyth ful stor wordeȝ:
"I am doubtful whether ye be Gawayne. 1292"Now he žat spedeȝ vche spech, žis disport ȝelde yow!
Bot žat ȝe be Gawan, hit gotȝ in mynde."
"Quer-fore?" quod že freke, & freschly he askeȝ,
Ferde lest he hade fayled in fourme of his castes;
1296Bot že burde hym blessed, & bi žis skyl sayde,
[Fol. 108b.]"So god as Gawayn gaynly is halden,
& cortaysye is closed so clene in hym-seluen,
Were it he, surely, ere this, he would have craved a kiss."Couth not lyȝtly haf lenged so long wyth a lady,
1300Bot he had craued a cosse, bi his courtaysye,
Bi sum towch of summe tryfle, at sum taleȝ ende."
"I shall kiss," says the knight, "at your commandment."Žen quod Wowen, "I-wysse, worže as yow lykeȝ,
I schal kysse at your comaundement, as a knyȝt falleȝ,
1304& fire1 lest he displese yow, so2 plede hit no more."
With that the lady catches him in her arms and kisses him.Ho comes nerre with žat, & cacheȝ hym in armeȝ,
Louteȝ luflych adoun, & že leude kysseȝ;
Žay comly bykennen to Kryst ayžer ožer;
1308Ho dos hir forth at že dore, with-outen dyn more.
& he ryches hym to ryse, & rapes hym sone,
Gawayne then rises and goes to mass.Clepes to his chamberlayn, choses his wede,
Boȝeȝ forth, quen he watȝ boun, blyžely to masse,
1312& ženne he meued to his mete, žat menskly hym keped,
He makes mirth all day till the moon rises,& made myry al day til že mone rysed,
with game;
With3 neuer freke fayrer fonge,
between the "two dames," the older and the younger. 1316Bitwene two so dyngne dame,
Že alder & že ȝonge,
Much solace set žay same.
1 fere (?). 2 fo, in MS. 3 Was (?) Nas (?).
And ay že lorde of že londe is lent on his gamneȝ,
1320To hunt in holteȝ & heže, at hyndeȝ barayne,
Such a sowme he žer slowe bi žat že sunne heldet,
Of dos & of ožer dere, to deme were wonder.
Ženne fersly žay flokked in folk at že laste,
Quickly of the killed a "quarry" they make. 1324& quykly of že quelled dere a querré žay maked;
Že best boȝed žerto, with burneȝ in-noghe,
Then they set about breaking the deer.Gedered že grattest of gres žat žer were,
& didden hem derely vndo, as že dede askeȝ;
They take away the assay or fat, 1328Serched hem at že asay, summe žat žer were,
Two fyngeres žay fonde of že fowlest of alle;
then they slit the slot and remove the erber.Syžen žay slyt že slot, sesed že erber,
They afterwards rip the four limbs and rend off the hide.Schaued wyth a scharp knyf, & že schyre knitten;
1332Syžen rytte žay že foure lymmes, & rent of že hyde,
They next open the bellyŽen brek žay že bale, že baleȝ out token,
[Fol. 109.]Lystily forlancyng, & bere of že knot;
Žay gryped to že gargulun, & grayžely departed
They then separate the weasand from the windhole and throw out the guts. 1336Že wesaunt fro že wynt-hole, & walt out že gutteȝ;
Žen scher žay out že schuldereȝ with her scharp knyueȝ,
The shoulders are cut out, and the breast divided into halves.Haled hem by a lyttel hole, to haue hole sydes;
Sižen britned žay že brest, & brayden hit in twynne,
1340& eft at že gargulun bigyneȝ on ženne,
The numbles are next removed.Ryueȝ hit vp radly, ryȝt to že byȝt,
Voydeȝ out že a-vanters, & verayly žerafter
Alle že rymeȝ by že rybbeȝ radly žay lance;
1344So ryde žay of by resoun bi že rygge boneȝ,
Euenden to že haunche, žat henged alle samen,
& heuen hit vp al hole, & hwen hit of žere,
& žat žayneme for že noumbles, bi nome as I trowe,
1348bi kynde;
By the fork of the thighs,Bi že byȝt al of že žyȝes,
Že lappeȝ žay lance bi-hynde,
the flaps are hewn in two by the backbone.To hewe hit in two žay hyȝes,
1352Bi že bak-bon to vnbynde.
Bože že hede & že hals žay hwen of ženne,
& syžen sunder žay že sydeȝ swyft fro že chyne,
& že corbeles fee žay kest in a greue;1
1356Ženn žurled žay ayžer žik side žurȝ, bi že rybbe,
& henged ženne a[y]žer bi hoȝes of že fourcheȝ,
Vche freke for his fee, as falleȝ forto haue.
Vpon a felle of že fayre best, fede žay žayr houndes,
With the liver, lights and paunches, they feed the hounds. 1360Wyth že lyuer & že lyȝteȝ, že ležer of že pauncheȝ,
& bred bažed in blod, blende žer amongeȝ;
Baldely žay blw prys, bayed žayr rachcheȝ,
Then they make for home.Syžen fonge žay her flesche folden to home,
1364Strakande ful stoutly mony stif moteȝ.
Bi žat že daylyȝt watȝ done, že douthe watȝ al wonen
In-to že comly castel, žer že knyȝt bideȝ
ful stille;
1368Wyth blys & bryȝt fyr bette,
Že lord is comen žer-tylle,
Gawayne goes out to meet his host.When Gawayn wyth hym mette,
Žer watȝ bot wele at wylle.
1 grene (?).
Thenne comaunded že lorde in žat sale to samen alle že meny,
Bože že ladyes on loghe to lyȝt with her burdes,
and the venison to be brought before him.Bi-fore alle že folk on že flette, frekeȝ he beddeȝ
Verayly his venysoun to fech hym byforne;
He calls Gawayne, 1376& al godly in gomen Gaway[n] he called,
Techeȝ hym to že tayles of ful tayt bestes,
Scheweȝ hym že schyree grece schorne vpon rybbes.
and asks him whether he does not deserve much praise for his success in the chase."How payeȝ yow žis play? haf I prys wonnen?
1380Haue I žryuandely žonk žurȝ my craft serued?"
"Ȝe I-wysse," quod žat ožer wyȝe, "here is wayth fayrest
On the knight expressing himself satisfied, he is told to take the whole according to a former agreement between them.Žat I seȝ žis seuen ȝere in sesoun of wynter."
"& al I gif yow, Gawayn," quod že gome ženne,
1384"For by a-corde of couenaunt ȝe craue hit as your awen."
"Žis is soth," quod že segge, "I say yow žatilke,
&1 I haf worthyly žis woneȝ wyth-inne,
Gawayne gives the knight a comely kiss in return.I-wysse with as god wylle hit woržeȝ to ȝoureȝ."
1388He hasppeȝ his fayre hals his armeȝ wyth-inne,
& kysses hym as comlyly as he2 couže awyse:
"Tas yow žere my cheuicaunce, I cheued no more,
I wowche hit saf fynly, žaȝ feler hit were."
1392"Hit is god," quod že god mon, "grant mercy žerfore,
His host desires to know where he has gotten such weal.Hit may be such, hit is že better, &1 ȝe me breue wolde
Where ȝe wan žis ilk wele, biwytte of hor3 seluen?"
As this does not enter into the covenant, he gets no answer to his question."Žat watȝ not forward," quod he, "frayst me no more,
1396For ȝe haftan žat yow tydeȝ, traweȝe non ožer
ȝe mowe."
Žay laȝed, & made hem blyže,
They then proceed to supper, where were dainties new and enough.Wyth loteȝ žat were to lowe,
1400To soper žay ȝede asswyže,
Wyth dayntes nwe in-nowe.
1 And = an. 2 ho, in MS. 3 your (?).
And syžen by že chymné in chamber žay seten.
Wine is carried round.Wyȝeȝ že walle wyn weȝed to hem oft,
1404& efte in her bourdyng žay bayžen in že morn,
To fylle že same forwardeȝ žat žay by-fore maden,
Again Sir Gawayne and his host renew their agreement.Žat chaunce so bytydeȝ hor cheuysaunce to chaunge,
What nweȝ so žay nome, at naȝt quen žay metten
1408Žay acorded of že couenaunteȝ byfore že court alle;
[Fol. 110.]Že beuerage watȝ broȝt forth in bourde at žat tyme;
Then they take leave of each other and hasten to bed.Ženne žay louelych leȝten leue at že last,
Vche burne to his bedde busked bylyue.
Scarce had the cock cackled thrice when the lord was up. 1412Bi žat že coke hade croweȝ1 & cakled bot žryse,
Že lorde watȝ lopen of his bedde, [&] že leudeȝ vch one,
So žat že mete & že masse watȝ metely delyuered;
Že douthe dressed to že wod, er any day sprenged,
1416to chace;
With his hunters and horns they pursue the chase.Heȝ with hunte & horneȝ,
Žurȝ playneȝ žay passe in space,
Vn-coupled among žo žorneȝ,
1420Racheȝ žat ran on race.
1 crowed (?).
Sone žay calle of a quest in aker syde,
Že hunt re-hayted že houndeȝ, žat hit fyrst mynged,
which fall to the scent forty at once.Wylde wordeȝ hym warp wyth a wrast noyce;
1424Že howndeȝ žat hit herde, hastid žider swyže,
& fellen as fast to že fuyt, fourty at ones;
Ženne such a glauerande glam of gedered rachcheȝ
Ros, žat že rochereȝ rungen aboute;
1428Huntereȝ hem hardened with horne & wyth muthe.
All come together by the side of a cliff.Žen al in a semblé sweyed to-geder,
Bitwene a flosche in žat fryth, & a foo cragge;
In a knot, bi a clyffe, at že kerre syde,
1432Žer as že rogh rocher vn-rydely watȝ fallen,
[Žay] ferden to že fyndyng, & frekeȝ hem after;
They look about on all sides,Žay vmbe-kesten že knarre & že knot bože.
Wyȝeȝ, whyl žay wysten wel wyt inne hem hit were,
1436Že best žat žer breued watȝ wyth že blod houndeȝ.
and beat on the bushes.Ženne žay beten on že buskeȝ, & bede hym vp ryse,
& he vnsoundyly out soȝt seggeȝ ouer-žwert,
Out there rushes a fierce wild boar,On že sellokest swyn swenged out žere,
1440Long sythen for1 že sounder žat wiȝt for-olde,
For he watȝ b[este &] bor alžer grattest,
[And eue]re quen he gronyed, ženne greued mony,
At the first thrust he fells three to the ground.For [žre a]t že fyrst žrast he žryȝt to že erže,
1444& [sped hym] forth good sped, boute spyt more,
[Ande žay] halowed hyghe ful hyȝe & hay! hay! cryed
[Fol. 110b.]Haden horneȝ to mouže heterly rechated;
Full quickly the hunters pursue him.Mony watȝ že myry mouthe of men & of houndeȝ,
1448Žat buskkeȝ after žis bor, with bost & wyth noyse,
To quelle;
Ful oft he bydeȝ že baye,
& maymeȝ že mute Inn-melle,
However, he attacks the hounds, causing them to yowl and yell. 1452He hurteȝ of že houndeȝ, & žay
Ful ȝomerly ȝaule & ȝelle.
1 fro (?).
Schalkeȝ to schote at hym schowen to ženne,
Haled to hym of her areweȝ, hitten hym oft;
1456Bot že poynteȝ payred at že pyth žat pyȝt in his scheldeȝ,
& že barbeȝ of his browe bite non wolde,
but they glide off shivered in pieces.Žaȝ že schauen schaft schyndered in peceȝ,
Že hede hypped aȝayn, were-so-euer hit hitte;
Enraged with the blows, 1460Bot quon že dynteȝ hym dered of her dryȝe strokeȝ,
Žen, brayn-wod for bate, on burneȝ he raseȝ,
he attacks the hunters.Hurteȝ hem ful heterly žer he forth hyȝeȝ,
& mony arȝed žerat, & on-lyte droȝen.
1464Bot že lorde on a lyȝt horce launces hym after,
The lord of the land blows his bugle,As burne bolde vpon bent his bugle he bloweȝ,
He rechated, & r[ode]1 žurȝ roneȝ ful žyk,
Suande žis wy[ld]e swyn til že sunne schafted.
and pursues the boar. 1468Žis day wyth žis ilk dede žay dryuen on žis wyse,
Whyle oure luflych lede lys in his bedde,
All this time Gawayne lies a-bed.Gawayn grayžely at home, in gereȝ ful ryche
of hewe;
1472Že lady noȝt forȝate,
Com to hym to salue,
Ful erly ho watȝ hym ate,
His mode forto remwe.
1 The MS. is here almost illegible.
Ho commes to že cortyn, & at že knyȝt totes,
Sir Wawen her welcumed woržy on fyrst,
& ho hym ȝeldeȝ aȝayn, ful ȝerne of hir wordeȝ,
Softly she sits by his side,Setteȝ hir sof[t]ly by his syde, & swyžely ho laȝeȝ,
1480& wyth a luflych loke ho layde1 hym žyse wordeȝ:
"Sir, ȝif ȝe be Wawen, wonder me žynkkeȝ,
Wyȝe žat is so wel wrast alway to god,
& conneȝ not of compaynye že costeȝ vnder-take,
[Fol. 111] 1484& if mon kennes yow hom to knowe, ȝe kest hom of your mynde;
and tells the knight that he has forgotten what she taught him the day before.Žou hatȝ for-ȝeten ȝederly žat ȝisterday I taȝtte
alder-truest token of talk žat I cowže."
"What is žat?" quod že wyghe, "I-wysse I wot neuer,
1488If hit be sothe žat ȝe breue, že blame is myn awen."
"I taught you of kissing," she says, "that becomes every knight.""Ȝet I kende yow of kyssyng," quod že clere ženne,
"Quere-so countenaunce is couže, quikly to clayme,
Žat bicumes vche a knyȝt, žat cortaysy vses."
1492"Do way," quod žat derf mon, "my dere, žat speche,
Gawayne says that he must not take that which is forbidden.For žat durst I not do, lest I denayed were,
If I were werned, I were wrang I-wysse, ȝif I profered."
"Ma fay," quod že mere wyf, "ȝe may not be werned,
He is told that he is strong enough to enforce it. 1496Ȝe ar stif in-noghe to constrayne wyth strenkže, ȝif yow lykeȝ,
Ȝif any were so vilanous žat yow denaye2 wolde."
"Ȝe, be God," quod Gawayn, "good is your speche,
Bot žrete is vn-žryuande in žede žer I lende,
The knight replies that every gift is worthless that is not given willingly. 1500& vche gift žat is geuen not with goud wylle;
I am at your comaundement, to kysse quen yow lykeȝ,
Ȝe may lach quen yow lyst, & leue quen yow žynkkeȝ,
in space."
The lady stoops down and kisses him. 1504Že lady louteȝ a-doun,
& comlyly kysses his face,
Much speche žay žer expoun,
Of druryes greme & grace.
1 sayde (?). 2 de vaye, in MS.
"I woled1 wyt at yow, wyȝe," žat woržy žer sayde,
"& yow wrathed not žer-wyth, what were že skylle,
Žat so ȝong & so ȝepe, as ȝe [ar] at žis tyme,
So cortayse, so knyȝtyly, as ȝe ar knowen oute,
so skilled in the true sport of love, 1512& of alle cheualry to chose, že chef žyng a-losed,
Is2 že lel layk of luf, že lettrure of armes;
F[or] to telle of žis tenelyng of žis trwe knyȝteȝ,
Hit is že tytelet, token, & tyxt of her werkkeȝ,
1516How le[des] for her lele luf hor lyueȝ han auntered,
Endured for her drury dulful stoundeȝ,
& after wenged with her walour & voyded her care,
and so renowned a knight,& broȝt blysse in-to boure, with bountees hor awen.
1520& ȝe ar knyȝt com-lokest kyd of your elde,
[Fol. 111b.]Your worde & your worchip walkeȝ ay quere,
& I haf seten by your-self here sere twyes,
have never talked to me of love.Ȝet herde I neuer of your hed helde no wordeȝ
1524Žat euer longed to luf, lasse ne more;
You ought to show a young thing like me some token of 'true-love's crafts.'& ȝe, žat ar so cortays & coynt of your hetes,
Oghe to a ȝonke žynk ȝern to schewe,
& teche sum tokeneȝ of trweluf craftes.
1528Why ar ȝe lewed, žat alle že los weldeȝ,
Ožer elles ȝe demen me to dille, your dalyaunce to herken?
for schame!
I com hider sengel, & sitte,
1532To lerne at yow sum game,
So teach me of your 'wit' while my lord is from home."Dos, techeȝ me of your wytte,
Whil my lorde is fro hame."
1 wolde (?). 2 In (?).
"In goud fayže," quod Gawayn, "God yow forȝelde,
1536Gret is že gode gle, & gomen to me huge,
Žat so woržy as ȝe wolde wynne hidere,
& pyne yow with so pouer a mon, as play wyth your knyȝt,
With any skynneȝ countenaunce, hit keuereȝ me ese;
but I cannot undertake the task to expound true-love and tales of arms. 1540Bot to take že toruayle1 to my-self, to trwluf expoun,
& towche že temeȝ of tyxt, & taleȝ of armeȝ,
To yow žat, I wot wel, weldeȝ more slyȝt
Of žat art, bi že half, or a hundreth of seche
1544As I am, ožer euer schal, in erde žer I leue,
Hit were a fole fele-folde, my fre, by my trawže.
I will, however, act according to your will,I wolde yowre wylnyng worche at my myȝt,
As I am hyȝly bihalden, & euer-more wylle
and ever be your servant." 1548Be seruaunt to your-seluen, so saue me dryȝtyn!"
Žus hym frayned žat fre, & fondet hym ofte,
Forto haf wonnen hym to woȝe, what-so scho žoȝt elleȝ,
Thus Gawayne defends himself.Bot he de fended hym so fayr, žat no faut semed,
1552Ne non euel on nawžer halue, nawžer žay wysten,
bot blysse;
Žay laȝed & layked longe,
At že last scho con hym kysse,
The lady having kissed the knight, takes leave of him. 1556Hir leue fayre con scho fonge,
& went hir waye Iwysse.
1 tornayle (?).
Then ružes hym že renk, & ryses to že masse,
[Fol. 112.]& sižen hor diner watȝ dyȝt & derely serued.
Meanwhile the lord pursues the wild boar, 1560Že lede with že ladyeȝ layked alle day,
Bot že lorde ouer že londeȝ launced ful ofte,
Sweȝ his vncely swyn, žat swyngeȝ bi že bonkkeȝ,
that bit the backs of his hounds asunder,& bote že best of his bracheȝ že bakkeȝ in sunder;
1564Žer he bode in his bay, tel1 bawe-men hit breken,
& made2 hym, maw-gref his bed, forto mwe vtter;
and caused the stiffest of the hunters to start.So felle floneȝ per flete, when že folk gedered;
Bot ȝet že styffest to start bi stoundeȝ he made,
1568Til at že last he watȝ so mat, he myȝt no more renne,
The boar runs into a hole in a rock by the side of a brook.Bot in že hast žat he myȝt, he to a hole wynneȝ,
Of a rasse, bi a rokk, žer renneȝ že boerne,
He gete že bonk at his bak, bigyneȝ to scrape,
The froth foams at his mouth. 1572Že frože femed3 at his mouth vnfayre bi že wykeȝ,
Whetteȝ his whyte tuscheȝ; with hym žen irked
Alle že burneȝ so bolde, žat hym by stoden,
None durst approach him,To nye hym on-ferum, bot neȝe hym non durst
1576for wože;
He hade hurt so mony byforne,
Žat al žuȝt4 ženne ful lože,
so many had he torn with his tusks.Be more wyth his tuscheȝ torne,
1580Žat breme watȝ [&] brayn-wod bothe.
1 til (?). 2 madee, in MS. 3 fomed (?). 4 žoȝt (?).
Til že knyȝt com hym-self, kachande his blonk,
Syȝ hym byde at že bay, his burneȝ bysyde,
alights from his horse,He lyȝtes luflych1 adoun, leueȝ his corsour,
1584Braydeȝ out a bryȝt bront, & bigly forth strydeȝ,
Foundeȝ fast žurȝ že forth, žer že felle bydeȝ,
and seeks to attack him with his sword.Že wylde watȝ war of že wyȝe with weppen in honde,
Hef hyȝly že here, so hetterly he fnast,
1588Žat fele ferde for že frekeȝ,2 lest felle hym že worre;
The "swine sets out" upon the man,Že swyn setteȝ hym out on že segge euen,
Žat že burne & že bor were bože vpon hepeȝ,
In že wyȝt-est of že water, že worre hade žat ožer;
who, aiming well, 1592For že mon merkkeȝ hym wel, as žay mette fyrst,
Set sadly že scharp in že slot euen,
wounds him in the pit of the stomach.Hit hym vp to že hult, žat že hert schyndered,
& he ȝarrande hym ȝelde, & ȝedoun3 že water,
1596ful tyt;
[Fol. 112b.]A hundreth houndeȝ hym hent,
The boar is soon bitten to death by a hundred hounds.Žat bremely con hym bite,
Burneȝ him broȝt to bent,
1600& doggeȝ to dethe endite.
1 MS. luslych. 2 freke (?). 3 ȝede doun (?).
There watȝ blawyng of prys in mony breme home,
Heȝe halowing on hiȝe, with haželeȝ žat myȝt;
and baying of hounds.Brachetes bayed žat best, as bidden že maystereȝ,
1604Of žat chargeaunt chace žat were chef huntes.
One wise in woodcraft begins to unlace the boar.Ženne a wyȝe žat watȝ wys vpon wod crafteȝ,
To vnlace žis bor lufly bigynneȝ;
First he hews off the head, then rends him by the back.Fyrst he hewes of his hed, & on hiȝe setteȝ,
1608& syžen rendeȝ him al roghe bi že rygge after,
He next removes the bowels, broils them on the ashes, and therewith rewards his hounds.Braydeȝ out že boweles, brenneȝ hom on glede,
With bred blent žer-with his braches rewardeȝ;
Syžen he britneȝ out že brawen in bryȝt brode [s]cheldeȝ,
Then the hastlets are removed. 1612& hatȝ out že hastletteȝ, as hiȝtly bisemeȝ;
The two halves are next bound together and hung upon a pole.& ȝet hem halcheȝ al hole že halueȝ to-geder,
& syžen on a stif stange stoutly hem henges.
Now with žis ilk swyn žay swengen to home;
The boar's head is borne before the knight, who hastens home. 1616Že bores hed watȝ borne bifore že burnes seluen,
Žat him for-ferde in že forže, žurȝ forse of his honde,
so stronge;
Til he seȝ sir Gawayne,
1620In halle hym žoȝt ful longe,
Gawayne is called to receive the spoil.He calde, & he com gayn,
His feeȝ žer for to fonge.
Že lorde ful lowde with lote, & laȝed myry,
1624When he seȝe sir G: with solace he spekeȝ;
Že goude ladyeȝ were geten, & gedered že meyny,
He shows him the shields of the wild boar, and tells him of its length and breadth.He scheweȝ hem že scheldeȝ, & schapes hem že tale,
Of že largesse, & že lenže, že ližerneȝ alse,
1628Of že were of že wylde swyn, in wod žer he fled.
Žat ožer knyȝt ful comly comended his dedeȝ,
& praysed hit as gret prys, žat he proued hade;
Such a "brawn of a beast," Sir Gawayne says, he never has seen.For suche a brawne of a best, že bolde burne sayde,
1632Ne such sydes of a swyn, segh he neuer are.
Ženne hondeled žay že hoge hed, že hende mon hit praysed,
[Fol. 113.]& let lodly žerat že lorde forte here:
Gawayne takes possession of it according to covenant,"Now Gawayn," quod že god mon, "žis gomen is your awen,
1636Bi fyn for-warde & faste, faythely ȝe knowe."
"Hit is sothe," quod že segge, "& as siker trwe;
Alle my get I schal yow gif agayn, bi my trawže."
and in return kisses his host,He [hent] že hažel aboute že halse, & hendely hym kysses,
1640& efter-sones of že same he serued hym žere.
"Now ar we euen," quod že hažel, "in žis euen-tide,
Of alle že couenauntes žat we knyt, syžen I com hider,
bi lawe;"
who declares his guest to be the best he knows. 1644Že lorde sayde, "bi saynt Gile,
ȝe ar že best žat I knowe,
Ȝe ben ryche in a whyle,
Such chaffer & ȝe drowe."
Ženne žay teldet tableȝ [on] trestes alofte,
cloths cast upon them,Kesten cložeȝ vpon, clere lyȝt ženne
and torches are lighted.Wakned bi woȝeȝ, waxen torches
Seggeȝ sette, & serued in sale al aboute;
With much mirth and glee, 1652Much glam & gle glent vp žer-inne,
Aboute že fyre vpon flet, & on fele wyse,
supper is served in the hall,At že soper & after, mony ažel songeȝ,
As coundutes of kryst-masse, & caroleȝ newe,
1656With alle že manerly merže žat mon may of telle.
and ever our lovely knight by the lady sits,& euer oure luflych knyȝt že lady bi-syde;
Such semblaunt to žat segge semly ho made,
who does all she can to please her companion.Wyth stille stollen countenaunce, žat stalworth to plese,
1660Žat al for-wondered watȝ že wyȝe, & wroth with hym-seluen,
Bot he nolde not for his nurture nurne hir a-ȝayneȝ,
Bot dalt with hir al in daynte, how-se-euer že dede turned
to wrast;
When they had long played in the hall, 1664Quen žay hade played in halle,
As longe as hor wylle hom last,
they proceeded "to chamber."To chambre he1 con hym calle,
& to že chem-ne žay past.
1 ho (?).
Ande žer žay dronken, & dalten, & demed eft nwe,
To norne on že same note, on nweȝereȝ euen;
Gawayne begs leave to depart on the morrow.Bot že knyȝt craued leue, to kayre on že morn,
For hit watȝ neȝ at že terme, žat he to1 schulde.
[Fol. 113b.] 1672Že lorde hym letted of žat, to lenge hym resteyed,
His host swears to him,& sayde, "as I am trwe segge, I siker my trawže,
that he shall come to the Green Chapel on New Year's morn long before prime.Žou schal cheue to že grene chapel, žy charres to make,
Leude, on nwȝereȝ lyȝt, longe bifore pryme:
1676For-žy žow lye in žy loft, & lach žyn ese,
& I schal hunt in žis holt, & halde že towcheȝ,
Chaunge wyth že cheuisaunce, bi žat I charre hider;
For I haf fraysted že twys, & faythful I fynde že,
1680Now žrid tyme žrowe best ženk on že morne,
Make we mery quyl we may, & mynne vpon Ioye,
For že lur may mon lach, when so mon lykeȝ."
Žis watȝ grayžely graunted, & Gawayn is lenged,
Our knight consents to remain for another night. 1684Bliže broȝt watȝ hym drynk, & žay to bedde ȝeden,
with liȝt;
Full still and softly he sleeps all night.Sir G: lis & slepes,
Ful stille & softe al niȝt;
Early in the morning the lord is up. 1688Že lorde žat his crafteȝ kepes,
Ful erly he watȝ diȝt.
1 te (?).
After messe a morsel1 he & his men token,
Miry watȝ že mornyng, his mounture he askes;
Then were all on their horses before the hall-gates. 1692Alle že haželes žat on horse schulde helden hym after,
Were boun busked on hor blonkkeȝ, bi-fore2 že halle ȝateȝ;
It was a clear frosty morning.Ferly fayre watȝ že folde, for že forst clenged,
In rede rudede vpon rak rises že sunne,
The hunters, dispersed by a wood's side, 1696& ful clere costeȝ3 že clowdes of že welkyn.
Hunteres vnhardeled bi a holt syde,
Rocheres roungen bi rys, for rurde of her hornes;
come upon the track of a fox,Summe fel in že fute, žer že fox bade,
1700Trayleȝ ofte a trayteres4, bi traunt of her wyles;
A kenet kryes žerof, že hunt on hym calles,
His felaȝes fallen hym to, žat fnasted ful žike,
which is followed up by the hounds.Runnen forth in a rabel, in his ryȝt fare;
1704& he fyskeȝ hem by-fore, žay founden hym sone,
They soon get sight of the game,& quen žay seghe hym with syȝt, žay sued hym fast,
Wreȝande h[ym] ful [w]eterly with a wroth noyse;
and pursue him through many a rough grove.& he trantes & tornayeeȝ žurȝ mony tene greue;
1708Hamlouneȝ, & herkeneȝ, bi heggeȝ ful ofte;
[Fol. 114.]At že last bi a littel dich he lepeȝ ouer a spenné,
Steleȝ out ful stilly bi a strothe rande,
and by a rugged path seeks to get clear from the hounds.Went haf wylt of že wode, with wyleȝ fro že houndes,
1712Ženne watȝ he went, er he wyst, to5 a wale tryster,
He comes upon one of the hunting stations, where he is attacked by the dogs.Žer žre žro at a žrich žrat hym at ones,
al graye;
However, he slips them,He blenched aȝayn bilyue,
1716& stifly start onstray,
With alle že wo on lyue,
and makes again for the wood.To že wod he went away.
1 MS. nnorsel. 2 bi-forere, in MS. 3 casteȝ (?). 4 trayveres (?). 5 to to, in MS.
Thenne watȝ hit lif vpon list to lyžen že houndeȝ,
1720When alle že mute hade hym met, menged to-geder,
Suche a sorȝe at žat syȝt žay sette on his hede,
As alle že clamberande clyffes hade clatered on hepes;
and the hallooing of the hunters.Here he watȝ halawed, when haželeȝ hym metten,
1724Loude he watȝ ȝayned, with ȝarande speche;
There the fox was threatened and called a thief.Žer he watȝ žreted, & ofte žef called,
& ay že titleres at his tayl, žat tary he ne myȝt;
Ofte he watȝ runnen at, when he out rayked,
But Reynard was wily, 1728& ofte reled in aȝayn, so reniarde watȝ wylé.
and led them astray over mounts.& ȝe he lad hem bi lag, mon, že lorde & his meyny;
On žis maner bi že mountes, quyle myd, ouer, vnder,
Meanwhile the knight at home soundly sleeps within his comely curtains.Whyle že hende knyȝt at home holsumly slepeȝ,
1732With-inne že comly cortynes, on že colde morne.
Bot že lady for luf let not to slepe,
Ne že purpose to payre, žat pyȝt in hir hert,
Bot ros hir vp radly, rayked hir žeder,
The lady of the castle, clothed in a rich mantle, 1736In a mery mantyle, mete to že erže,
Žat watȝ furred ful fyne with felleȝ, wel pured,
No hweȝ goud on hir hede, bot že haȝer stones
Trased aboute hir tressour, be twenty in clusteres;
her throat and bosom all bare, 1740Hir žryuen face & hir žrote žrowen al naked,
Hir brest bare bifore, & bihinde eke.
comes to Gawayne's chamber,Ho comeȝ with-inne že chambre dore, & closes hit hir after,
opens a window, and says,Wayneȝ1 vp a wyndow, & on že wyȝe calleȝ,
1744& radly žus re-hayted hym, with hir riche wordeȝ,
with2 chere;
"Ah! man, how canst thou sleep,"A! mon, how may žou slepe,
[Fol. 114b.]Žis morning is so clere?"
1748He watȝ in drowping depe,
Bot ženne he con hir here.
1 wayueȝ(?). 2 bi, ą sec. manu.
In dreȝ droupyng of dreme draueled žat noble,
As mon žat watȝ in mornyng of mony žro žoȝtes,
1752How žat destiné schulde žat day [dyȝt] his wyrde,
At že grene chapel, when he že gome metes,
& bi-houes his buffet abide, with-oute debate more;
He awakes and speaks to his fair visitor,Bot quen žat comly he keuered his wyttes,
1756Swenges out of že sweuenes, & swareȝ with hast.
Že lady luflych com laȝande swete,
who sweetly kisses him.Felle ouer his fayre face, & fetly him kyssed;
He welcumeȝ hir woržily, with a wale chere;
1760He seȝ hir so glorious, & gayly atyred,
So fautles of hir fetures, & of so fyne hewes,
Great joy warms the heart of Sir Gawayne,Wiȝt wallande Ioye warmed his hert;
With smože smylyng & smolt žay smeten in-to merže,
1764Žat al watȝ blis & bonchef, žat breke hem bi-twene,
& wynne,
Žay lanced wordes gode,
Much wele žen watȝ žer-inne,
and "great peril between them stood." 1768Gret perile bi-twene hem stod,
Nif mare of hir knyȝt mynne.
For žat prynce of pris de-presed hym so žikke.
Nurned hym so neȝe že žred, žat nede hym bi-houed,
1772Ožer lach žer hir luf, ožer lodly re-fuse;
He cared for his cortaysye, lest cražayn he were,
He fears lest he should become a traitor to his host.& more for his meschef, ȝif he schulde make synne,
& be traytor to žat tolke, žat žat telde aȝt.
1776"God schylde," quod že schalk, "žat schal not be-falle!"
With luf-laȝyng a lyt, he layd hym by-syde
Alle že specheȝ of specialté žat sprange of her mouthe.
Quod žat burde to že burne, "blame ȝe disserue,
1780Ȝif ȝe luf not žat lyf žat ȝe lye nexte,
Bifore alle že wyȝeȝ in že worlde, wounded in hert,
The lady inquire whether he has a mistress that he loves better than her.Bot if ȝe haf a lemman, a leuer, žat yow lykeȝ better,
& folden fayth to žat fre, festned so harde,
[Fol. 115.] 1784Žat yow lausen ne lyst, & žat I leue nouže;
And žat ȝe telle me žat, now trwly I pray yow,
For alle že lufeȝ vpon lyue, layne not že sože,
for gile."
Sir Gawayne swears by St. John that he neither has nor desires one. 1788Že knyȝt sayde, "be sayn Ion,"
& smežely con he smyle,
"In fayth I welde riȝt non,
Ne non wil welde že quile."
"Žat is a worde," quod žat wyȝt, "žat worst is of alle,
Bot I am swared for sože, žat sore me žinkkeȝ;
She then kisses him, sighing for sorrow.Kysse me now coraly, & I schal cach hežen,
I may bot mourne vpon molde, as may žat much louyes."
1796Sykande ho sweȝe doun, & semly hym kyssed,
& sižen ho seueres hym fro, & says as ho stondes,
"Now, dere, at žis de-partyng, do me žis ese,
She desires some gift,Gif me sumquat of žy gifte, ži gloue if1 hit were,
by which to remember him. 1800Žat I may mynne on že mon, my mournyng to lassen."
"Now Iwysse," quod žat wyȝe, "I wolde I hade here
Že leuest žing for žy luf, žat I in londe welde,
Gawayne tells her that she is worthy of a better gift than he can bestow.For ȝe haf deserued, forsože, sellyly ofte
1804More rewarde bi resoun, žen I reche myȝt,
Bot to dele yow for drurye, žat dawed bot neked;
Hit is not your honour to haf at žis tyme
A gloue for a garysoun, of Gawayneȝ gifteȝ,
1808& I am here [on] an erande in erdeȝ vncouže,
He has no men with mails containing precious things.& haue no men wyth no maleȝ, with menskful žingeȝ;
Žat mislykeȝ me, ladé, for luf at žis tyme,2
Iche tolke mon do as he is tan, tas to non ille,
1812ne pine."
Then says that lovesome,"Nay, hende of hyȝe honours,"
Quod žat lufsum vnder lyne,
"Though I had nought of yours, yet should ye have of mine.""Žaȝ I hade oȝt3 of youreȝ,
1816Ȝet schulde ȝe haue of myne."
1 of, in MS. 2 tyne, in MS. 3 noȝt (?).
Ho raȝt hym a riche rynk1 of red golde werkeȝ,
Wyth a starande ston, stondande alofte,
Žat bere blusschande bemeȝ as že bryȝt sunne;
1820Wyt ȝe wel, hit watȝ worth wele ful hoge.
but he refuses to accept it,Bot že renk hit renayed, & redyly he sayde,
[Fol. 115b.]"I wil no gifteȝ for gode, my gay, at žis tyme;
as he has none to give in return.I haf none yow to norne, ne noȝt wyl I take."
1824Ho bede hit hym ful bysily, & he hir bode wernes,
& swere swyftel[y] his sothe, žat he hit sese nolde;
Very sorrowful was that fair one on account of his refusal.& ho sore žat he forsoke, & sayde žer-after,
"If ȝe renay my rynk, to ryche for hit semeȝ,
1828Ȝe wolde not so hyȝly halden be to me,
I schal gif yow my girdel, žat gaynes yow lasse."
Ho laȝt a lace lyȝtly, žat2 leke vmbe hir sydeȝ,
She takes off her "girdle,"Knit vpon hir kyrtel, vnder že clere mantyle,
1832Gered hit watȝ with grene sylke, & with golde schaped,
Noȝt bot arounde brayden, beten with fyngreȝ;
& žat ho bede to že burne, & blyžely bi-soȝt
and beseeches him to take it.Žaȝ hit vn-worži were, žat he hit take wolde.
1836& he nay žat he nolde neghe in no wyse,
Gawayne again refuses to accept anything,Naužer golde ne garysoun, er God hym grace sende,
To acheue to že chaunce žat he hade chosen žere.
"& žerfore, I pray yow, displese yow noȝt,
1840& letteȝ be your bisinesse, for I bayže hit yow neuer
to graunte;
I am derely to yow biholde,
Bi-cause of your sembelaunt,
but promises, "ever in hot and in cold, to be her true servant." 1844& euer in hot & colde
To be your trwe seruaunt.
1 ryng (?). 2 žat žat, in MS.
"Now forsake ȝe žis silke." sayde že burde ženne,
"For hit is symple in hit-self. & so hit wel semeȝ?
1848Lo! so hit is littel, & lasse hit is woržy;
Whoso knew the virtues that it possesses, would highly prize it.Bot who-so knew že costes žat knit ar žer-inne,
He wolde hit prayse at more prys, parauenture;
For he who is girded with this green lace,For quat gome so is gorde with žis grene lace,
1852While he hit hade hemely halched aboute,
Žer is no hažel vnder heuen to-hewe hym žat myȝt;
cannot be wounded or slain."For he myȝt not he slayn, for slyȝt vpon erže."
Žen kest že knyȝt, & hit come to his hert,
The knight thinks of his adventure at the Green Chapel. 1856Hit were a Iuel for že Iopardé, žat hym iugged were,
When he acheued to že chapel, his chek forto fech;
The lady presses him to accept the lace.Myȝ1 he haf slypped to že vn-slayn, že sleȝt were noble.
[Fol. 116.]Ženne ho žulged with hir žrepe, & žoled hir to speke,
1860& ho bere on hym že belt, & bede hit hym swyže,
He consents not only to take the girdle, but to keep the possession of it a secret.& he granted, & [ho] hym gafe with a goud wylle,
& bisoȝt hym, for hir sake, disceuer hit neuer,
Bot to lelly layne for2 hir lorde; že leude hym acordeȝ.
1864Žat neuer wyȝe schulde hit wyt, Iwysse, bot žay twayne,
for noȝte;
He žonkked hir oft ful swyže,
Ful žro with hert & žoȝt.
By that time the lady has kissed him thrice. 1868Bi žat on žrynne syže,
He hatȝ kyst že knyȝt so toȝt.
1 myȝt (?). 2 fro (?).
Thenne lachcheȝ ho hir leue, & leueȝ hym žere,
For more myrže of žat mon moȝt ho not gete;
Gawayne then dresses himself, 1872When ho1 watȝ gon, sir G. gereȝ hym sone,
Rises, & riches hym in araye noble,
and conceals the love-lace about his person.Lays vp že luf-lace, že lady hym raȝt,
Hid hit ful holdely, žer he hit eft fonde;
1876Syžen cheuely to že chapel choses he že waye,
He then hies to mass,Preuely aproched to a prest, & prayed hym žere
Žat he wolde lyfte2 his lyf, & lern hym better,
How his sawle schulde be saued, when he schuld seye hežen.
and shrives him of his misdeeds. 1880Žere he schrof hym schyrly, & schewed his mysdedeȝ,
Of že more & že mynne, & merci besecheȝ,
and prays for absolution.& of absolucioun he on že segge calles;
& he asoyled hym surely, & sette hym so clene,
He returns to the hall, and makes himself so merry among the ladies, 1884As domeȝ-day schulde haf ben diȝt on že morn.
& syžen he mace hym as mery among že fre ladyes,
with comely carols,With comlych caroles, & alle kynnes ioye,
As neuer he did bot žat daye, to že derk nyȝt,
1888with blys;
Vche mon hade daynte žare,
that they said,Of hym, & sayde Iwysse,
"Thus merry was he never before since hither he came."Žus myry he watȝ neuer are,
1892Syn he com hider, er žis.
1 he, in MS. 2 lyste (?).
Now hym lenge in žat lee, žer luf hym bi-tyde;
Ȝet is že lorde on že launde, ledande his gomnes,
He has destroyed the fox.He hatȝ forfaren žis fox, žat he folȝed longe;
1896As he sprent ouer a spenné, to spye že schrewe,
[Fol. 116b.]Žer as he herd že howndes, žat hasted hym swyže,
He spied Reynard coming through a "rough grove,"Renaud com richchande žurȝ a roȝe greue,
& alle že rabel in a res, ryȝt at his heleȝ.
and tried to hit him with his sword. 1900Že wyȝe watȝ war of že wylde, & warly abides,
& braydeȝ out že bryȝt bronde, & at že best casteȝ;
& he schunt for že scharp, & schulde haf arered,
The fox "shunts," and is seized by one of the dogs.A rach rapes hym to, ryȝt er he myȝt,
1904& ryȝt bifore že hors fete žay fel on hym alle,
& woried me žis wyly wyth a wroth noyse.
The lord takes him out of the hound's mouth.Že lorde lyȝteȝ bilyue, & cacheȝ by1 sone,
Rased hym ful radly out of že rach moužes,
1908Haldeȝ heȝe ouer his hede, haloweȝ faste,
& žer bayen hym mony bray2 houndeȝ;
Hunters hasten thither with horns full many.Huntes hyȝed hem žeder, with horneȝ ful mony,
Ay re-chatande aryȝt til žay že renk seȝen;
1912Bi žat watȝ comen his compeyny noble,
Alle žat euer ber bugle blowed at ones,
It was the merriest meet that ever was heard.& alle žise ožer halowed, žat hade no hornes,
Hit watȝ že myriest mute žat euer men herde,
1916Že rich rurd žat žer watȝ raysed for renaude saule,
with lote;
The hounds are rewarded,Hor houndeȝ žay žer rewarde,
Her3 hedeȝ žay fawne & frote,
and then they take Reynard and "turn off his coat." 1920& syžen žay tan reynarde,
& tyrnen of his cote.
1 hym (?). 2 braž (?). 3 Her her, in MS.
& ženne žay helden to home, for hit watȝ nieȝ nyȝt,
Strakande ful stoutly in hor store horneȝ;
The lord at last alights at his dear home, 1924Že lorde is lyȝt at že laste at hys lef home,
Fyndeȝ fire vpon flet, že freke žer by-side,
Sir Gawayn že gode, žat glad watȝ with alle,
where he finds Gawayne amusing the ladies.Among že ladies for luf he ladde much ioye,
1928He were a bleaunt of blwe, žat bradde to že erže,
His surkot semed hym wel, žat softe watȝ forred,
& his hode of žat ilke henged on his schulder,
The knight comes forward and welcomes his host,Blande al of blaunner were bože al aboute.
1932He meteȝ me žis god mon in myddeȝ že flore,
& al with gomen he hym gret, & goudly he sayde,
"I schal fylle vpon fyrst oure forwardeȝ nouže,
[Fol. 117.]Žat we spedly han spoken, žer spared watȝ no drynk;"
and according to covenant kisses him thrice. 1936Žen acoles he [že] knyȝt, & kysses hym žryes,
(See l. 1868.)As sauerly & sadly as he hem sette couže.
"By Christ," says the other, "ye have had much bliss!""Bi Kryst," quod žat ožer knyȝt, "ȝe cach much sele,
In cheuisaunce of žis chaffer, ȝif ȝe hade goud chepeȝ."
1940"Ȝe of že chepe no charg," quod chefly žat ožer,
"As is pertly payed že chepeȝ žat I aȝte."
"Mary," quod žat ožer mon, "myn is bi-hynde,
I have hunted all day and have gotten nothing,For I haf hunted al žis day, & noȝt haf I geten,
but the skin of this foul fox, 1944Bot žis foule fox felle, že fende haf že godeȝ,
a poor reward for three such kisses."& žat is ful pore, for to pay for suche prys žinges,
As ȝe haf žryȝt me here, žro suche žre cosses,
so gode."
1948"I-noȝ," quod sir Gawayn,
"I žonk yow, bi že rode;"
He then tells him how the fox was slain.& how že fox watȝ slayn,
He tolde hym, as žay stode.
With merže & mynstralsye, wyth meteȝ at hor wylle,
Žay maden as mery as any men moȝten,
With laȝyng of ladies, with loteȝ of bordes;
Gawayn & že gode mon so glad were žay bože,
1956Bot if že douthe had doted, ožer dronken ben ožer,
Bože že mon & že meyny maden mony iapeȝ,
until the time came for them to part.Til že sesoun watȝ seȝen, žat žay seuer moste;
Burneȝ to hor bedde be-houed at že laste.
Gawayne takes leave of his host. 1960Ženne loȝly his leue at že lorde fyrst
Fochcheȝ žis fre mon, & fayre he hym žonkkeȝ;
and thanks him for his happy "sojourn.""Of such a sellyly1 soiorne, as I haf hade here,
Your honour, at žis hyȝe fest, že hyȝe kyng yow ȝelde!
1964I ȝef yow me for on of youreȝ, if yowre-self lykeȝ,
For I mot nedes, as ȝe wot, meue to morne;
He asks for a man to teach him the way to the Green Chapel.& ȝe me take sum tolke, to teche, as ȝe hyȝt,
Že gate to že grene chapel, as god wyl me suffer
1968To dele, on nwȝereȝ day, že dome of my wyrdes."
"In god fayže," quod že god mon. "wyth a goud wylle;
Al žat euer I yow hyȝt, halde schal I rede."
A servant is assigned to him,Žer asyngnes he a seruaunt, to sett hym in že waye,
[Fol. 117b.] 1972& coundue hym by že downeȝ, žat he no drechch had,
For to f[e]rk žurȝ že fryth, & fare at že gaynest,
bi greue.
Že lorde Gawayn con žonk,
1976Such worchip he wolde hym weue;
and then he takes leave of the ladies,Žen at žo ladyeȝ wlonk.
Že knyȝt hatȝ tan his leue.
1 selly (?).
With care & wyth kyssyng he carppeȝ hem tille,
1980& fele žryuande žonkkeȝ he žrat hom to haue,
& žay ȝelden hym aȝay[n] ȝeply žat ilk;
They commend him to Christ.Žay bikende hym to Kryst, with ful colde sykyngeȝ.
He then departs, thanking each one he meets "for his service and solace."Syžen fro že meyny he menskly de-partes;
1984Vche mon žat he mette, he made hem a žonke,
For his seruyse, & his solace, & his sere pyne,
Žat žay wyth busynes had ben, aboute hym to serue;
& vche segge as sore, to seuer with hym žere,
1988As žay hade wonde woržyly with žat wlonk euer.
He retires to rest but sleeps but little,Žen with ledes & lyȝt he watȝ ladde to his chambre,
& blybely broȝt to his bedde, to be at his rest;
ȝif he ne slepe soundyly, say ne dar I,
for much has he to think of on the morrow. 1992For he hade muche on že morn to mynne, ȝif he wolde,
in žoȝt;
Let him there lie still.Let hym lyȝe žere stille,
He hatȝ1 nere žat he soȝt,
Be still awhile, and I shall tell how they wrought. 1996& ȝe wyl a whyle be stylle,
I schal telle yow how žay wroȝt.
1 watȝ (?).
Now neȝeȝ že nwȝere, & že nyȝt passeȝ,
Že day dryueȝ to že derk, as dryȝtyn biddeȝ;
The weather is stormy. 2000Bot wylde wedereȝ of že worlde wakned žeroute,
Clowdes kesten kenly že colde to že erže,
Wyth nyȝe1 in-noghe of že norže, že naked to tene;
Snow falls.Že snawe snitered ful snart, žat snayped že wylde;
2004Že werbelande wynde wapped fro že hyȝe,
The dales are full of drift.& drof vche dale ful of dryftes ful grete.
Že leude lystened ful wel, žat leȝ in his bedde,
Gawayne in his bed hears each cock that crows.Žaȝ he lowkeȝ his liddeȝ, ful lyttel he slepes;
2008Bi vch kok žat crue, he knwe wel že steuen.
[Fol. 118.]De-liuerly he dressed vp, er že day sprenged,
For žere watȝ lyȝt of a lau[m]pe, žat lemed in his chambre;
He calls for his chamberlain, and bids him bring him his armour.He called to his chamberlayn, žat cofly hym swared,
2012& bede hym bryng hym his bruny, & his blonk sadel;
Žat ožer ferkeȝ hym vp, & fecheȝ hym his wedeȝ,
& grayžeȝ me sir Gawayn vpon a grett wyse.
Fyrst he clad hym in his cložeȝ, že colde for to were;
2016& syžen his ožer harnays, žat holdely watȝ keped,
Bože his paunce, & his plateȝ, piked ful clene,
Men knock off the rust from his rich habergeon.Že ryngeȝ2 rokked of že roust, of his riche bruny;
& al watȝ fresch as vpon fyrst, & he watȝ fayn ženne
2020to žonk;
He hade vpon vche pece,
Wypped ful wel & wlonk;
The knight then calls for his steed.Že gayest in to Grece,
2024Že burne bede bryng his blonk.
1 nywe (?). 2 rynkeȝ (?).
Whyle že wlonkest wedes he warp on hym-seluen;
His cote, wyth be conysaunce of že clere werkeȝ,
Ennurned vpon veluet vertuuus1 stoneȝ,
2028Aboute beten, & bounden, enbrauded semeȝ,
& fayre furred with-inne wyth fayre pelures.
he forgot not the "lace," the lady's gift,Ȝet laft he not že lace, že ladieȝ gifte,
Žat for-gat not Gawayn, for gode of hym-seluen;
2032Bi he hade belted že bronde vpon his balȝe hauncheȝ,
but with it doubly girded his loins.Ženn dressed he his drurye double hym aboute;
Swyže swežled vmbe his swange swetely, žat knyȝt,
Že gordel of že grene silke, žat gay wel bisemed,
2036Vpon žat ryol red clože, žat ryche watȝ to schewe.
He wore it not for its rich ornaments,Bot wered not žis ilk wyȝe for wele žis gordel,
For pryde of že pendaunteȝ, žaȝ polyst žay were,
& žaȝ že glyterande golde glent vpon endeȝ,
"but to save himself when it behoved him to suffer." 2040Bot forto sauen hym-self, when suffer hym by-houed,
To byde bale with-oute dabate, of bronde hym to were,
ožer knyffe;
Bi žat že bolde mon boun,
2044Wynneȝ žeroute bilyue,
All the renowned assembly he thanks full oft.Alle že meyny of renoun,
He žonkkeȝ ofte ful ryue.
1 vertuous (?).
Thenne watȝ Gryngolet grayže, žat gret watȝ & huge,
2048& hade ben soiourned sauerly, & in a siker wyse,
full ready to prick on.Hym lyst prik for poynt, žat proude hors ženne;
Že wyȝe wynneȝ hym to, & wyteȝ on his lyre,
& sayde soberly hym-self, & by his soth swereȝ,
2052"Here is a meyny in žis mote, žat on menske ženkkeȝ,
Gawayne returns thanks for the honour and kindness shown to him by all.Že mon hem maynteines, ioy mot žay haue;
Že leue lady, on lyue luf hir bityde;
Ȝif žay for charyté cherysen a gest,
2056& halden honour in her honde, že hažel hem ȝelde,
Žat haldeȝ že heuen vpon hyȝe, & also yow alle!
& ȝif I myȝt lyf vpon londe lede any quyle,
I schuld rech yow sum rewarde redyly, if I myȝt."
He then steps into his saddle, 2060Ženn steppeȝ he in-to stirop, & strydeȝ alofte;
His schalk schewed hym his schelde, on schulder he hit laȝt,
Gordeȝ to Gryngolet, with his gilt heleȝ,
and "starts on the stone" without more delay.& he starteȝ on že ston, stod he no lenger,
2064to praunce;
His hažel on hors watȝ ženne,
Žat bere his spere & launce.
"This castle to Christ I commend; may he give it ever good chance!""Žis kastel to Kryst I kenne,
2068He gef hit ay god chaunce!"
The brygge watȝ brayde doun, & že brode ȝateȝ
Vnbarred, & born open, vpon bože halue;
The knight passes thereout,Že burne blessed hym bilyue, & že bredeȝ passed;
2072Prayses že porter, bifore že prynce kneled,
Gef hym God & goud day, žat Gawayn he saue;
and goes on his way accompanied by his guide.& went on his way, with his wyȝe one,
Žat schulde teche hym to tourne to žat tene place,
2076Žer že ruful race he schulde re-sayue.
Žay boȝen bi bonkkeȝ, žer boȝeȝ ar bare,
They climb by cliffs,Žay clomben bi clyffeȝ, žer clengeȝ že colde;
Že heuen watȝ vp halt, bot vgly žer vnder,
2080Mist muged on že mor, malt on že mounteȝ,
where each "hill had a hat and a mist-cloak,"Vch hille hade a hatte, a myst-hakel huge;
Brokeȝ byled, & breke, bi bonkkeȝ aboute,
Schyre schaterande on schoreȝ, žer žay doun schowued.
[Fol. 119.] 2084Welawylle watȝ že way, žer žay bi wod schulden,
until daylight.Til hit watȝ sone sesoun, žat že sunne ryses,
žat tyde;
They were then on a "hill full high."Žay were on a hille ful hyȝe,
2088Že quyte snaw lay bisyde;
The servant bade his master abide, saying,Že burne žat rod hym by
Bede his mayster abide.
"For I haf wonnen yow hider, wyȝe, at žis tyme,
2092& now nar ȝe not fer fro žat note place,
ye are not now far from the noted place.Žat ȝe han spied & spuryed so specially after;
Bot I schal say yow for sože, syžen I yow knowe,
& ȝe ar a lede vpon lyue, žat I wel louy,
2096Wolde ȝe worch bi my wytte, ȝe woržed že better.
Full perilous is it esteemed.Že place žat ȝe prece to, ful perelous is halden;
The lord of that 'waste' is stiff and stern.Žer woneȝ a wyȝe in žat waste, že worst vpon erže;
For he is stiffe, & sturne, & to strike louies,
2100& more he is žen any mon vpon myddelerde,
His body is bigger 'than the best four in Arthur's house.'& his body bigger žen že best fowre.
Žat ar in Aržureȝ hous, Hestor1 ožer ožer.
He cheueȝ žat chaunce at že chapel grene;
None passes by the Green Chapel, 'that he does not ding to death with dint of his hand.' 2104Žer passes non bi žat place, so proude in his armes,
Žat he ne dynneȝ hym to deže, with dynt of his honde;
For he is a mon methles, & mercy non vses,
For be it churl or chaplain, monk, mass-priest, 'or any man else,' he kills them all.For he hit chorle, ožer chaplayn, žat bi že chapel rydes,
2108Monk, ožer masse-prest, ožer any mon elles,
Hym žynk as queme hym to quelle, as quyk go hym seluen.
For-žy I say že as sože as ȝe in sadel sitte,
Com ȝe žere, ȝe be kylled, [I] may že knyȝt rede,
2112Trawe ȝe me žat trwely, žaȝ ȝe had twenty lyues
to spende;
He has lived there full long.He hatȝ wonyd here ful ȝore,
On bent much baret bende,
Against his dints sore ye may not defend you. 2116Aȝayn his dynteȝ sore,
Ȝe may not yow defende."
1 Hector (?).
"For-žy, goude sir Gawayn, let že gome one,
& gotȝ a-way sum ožer gate; vpon Goddeȝ halue;
Go by some other region, 2120Cayreȝ bi sum ožer kyth, žer Kryst mot yow spede;
& I schal hyȝ me hom aȝayn, & hete yow fyrre,
[Fol. 119b.]Žat I schal swere bi God, & alle his gode halȝeȝ,
As help me God & že halydam, & ožeȝ in-noghe,
2124Žat I schal lelly yow layne, & lance neuer tale,
Žat euer ȝe fondet to fle, for freke žat I wyst."
"Grant merci;" quod Gawayn, & gruchyng he sayde,
"Wel worth že wyȝe, žat woldeȝ my gode,
2128& žat lelly me layne, I leue wel žou woldeȝ!
Gawayne replies that to shun this danger would mark him as a "coward knight."Bot helde žou hit neuer so holde, & I here passed,
Founded for ferde for to fle, in fourme žat žou telleȝ,
I were a knyȝt kowarde, I myȝt not1 be excused.
To the Chapel, therefore, he will go, 2132Bot I wy1 to že chape1, for chaunce žat may falle,
& talk wyth žat ilk tulk že tale žat me lyste,
Worže hit wele, ožer wo, as že wyrde lykeȝ
hit hafe;
though the owner thereof were a stern knave. 2136Žaȝe he be a sturn knape,
To stiȝtel, &2 stad with staue,
"Full well can God devise his servants for to save."Ful wel con dryȝtyn schape,
His seruaunteȝ forto saue."
1 mot, in MS. 2 & &, in MS.
"Mary!" quod žat ožer mon, "now žou so much spelleȝ,
Žat žou wylt žyn awen nye nyme to žy-seluen,
& že lyst lese žy lyf, že lette I ne kepe;
take thy helmet on thy head, and thy spear in thy hand, and ride down this path by yon rock-side,Haf here ži helme on žy hede, ži spere in ži honde,
2144& ryde me doun žis ilk rake, bi ȝon rokke syde,
till thou come to the bottom of the valley;Til žou be broȝt to že božem of že brem valay;
look a little to the left,Ženne loke a littel on že launde, on ži lyfte honde,
and thou shalt see the Chapel itself and the man that guards it."& žou schal se in žat slade že self chapel,
2148& že borelych burne on bent, žat hit kepeȝ.
Now fareȝ wel on Godeȝ half, Gawayn že noble,
For alle že golde vpon grounde I nolde go with že,
Ne bere že felaȝschip žurȝ žis fryth on fote fyrre."
Having thus spoken the guide takes leave of the knight. 2152Bi žat že wyȝe in že wod wendeȝ his brydel,
Hit že hors with že heleȝ, as harde as he myȝt,
Lepeȝ hym ouer že launde, & leueȝ že knyȝt žere,
al one.
"By God's self," says Sir Gawayne, "I will neither weep nor groan. 2156"Bi Goddeȝ self," quod Gawayn,
"I wyl naužer grete ne grone,
To God's will I am full ready."To Goddeȝ wylle I am ful bayn,
& to hym I haf me tone."
Thenne gyrdeȝ he to Gryngolet, & gedereȝ že rake,
Schowueȝ in bi a schore, at a schaȝe syde,
rides through the dale, and looks about.Rideȝ žurȝ že roȝe bonk, ryȝt to že dale;
& ženne he wayted hym aboute, & wylde hit hym žoȝt,
He sees no sign of a resting-place, but only high and steep banks. 2164& seȝe no syngne of resette, bisydeȝ nowhere,
Bot hyȝe bonkkeȝ & brent, vpon bože halue,
& ruȝe knokled knarreȝ, with knorned stoneȝ;
Že skweȝ of že scowtes skayued1 hym žoȝt.
2168Ženne he houed, & wyth-hylde his hors at žat tyde,
& ofte chaunged his cher, že chapel to seche;
No chapel could he discern.He seȝ non suche in no syde, & selly hym žoȝt,
Sone a lyttel on a launde, a lawe as hit we[re];
At last he sees a hill by the side of a stream; 2172A balȝ berȝ, bi a bonke, že brymme by-syde,
Bi a forȝ of a flode, žat ferked žare;
Že borne blubred žer-inne, as hit boyled hade.
thither he goes,Že knyȝt kacheȝ his caple, & com to že lawe,
alights and fastens his horse to a branch of a tree. 2176Liȝteȝ doun luflyly, & at a lynde tacheȝ
Že rayne, & his riche, with a roȝe braunche;
He walks around the hill, debating with himself what it might be,Žen[n]e he boȝeȝ to že berȝe, aboute hit he walke,
D[e]batande with hym-self, quat hit be myȝt.
2180Hit hade a hole on že ende, & on ayžer syde,
& ouer-growen with gresse in glodes ay where,
& al watȝ holȝ in-with, nobot an olde caue,
and at last finds an old cave in the crag.Or a creuisse of an olde cragge, he couže hit noȝt deme
2184with spelle,
"We,2 lorde," quod že gentyle knyȝt,
"Whežer žis be že grene chapelle;
He prays that about midnight he may tell his matins.He myȝt aboute myd-nyȝt,
2188[Ž]e dele his matynnes telle!"
1 skayned (?). 2 wel (?).
"Now i-wysse," quod Wowayn, "wysty is here;
Žis oritore is vgly, with erbeȝ ouer-growen;
a fitting place for the man in green to 'deal here his devotions in devil fashion.'Wel bisemeȝ že wyȝe wruxled in grene
2192Dele here his deuocioun, on že deueleȝ wyse;
Now I fele hit is že fende, in my fyue wytteȝ,
Žat hatȝ stoken me žis steuen, to strye me here;
It is most cursed kirk that ever I entered."Žis is a chapel of meschaunce, žat chekke hit by-tyde,
2196Hit is že corsedest kyrk, žat euer i com inne!"
[Fol. 120b.]With heȝe helme on his hede, his launce in his honde,
Roaming about he hears a loud noise,He romeȝ vp to že rokke of žo roȝ woneȝ;
Žene herde he of žat hyȝe hil, in a harde roche,
from beyond the brook. 2200Biȝonde že broke, in a bonk, a wonder breme noyse,
It clattered like the grinding of a scythe on a grindstone.Quat! hit clatered in že clyff, as hit cleue schulde,
As one vpon a gryndelston hade grounden a syže;
It whirred like a mill-stream.What! hit wharred, & whette, as water at a mulne,
2204What! hit rusched, & ronge, rawže to here.
Ženne "bi Godde," quod Gawayn, "žat gere as1 I trowe,
Is ryched at že reuerence, me renk to mete,
bi rote;
2208Let God worche we loo,
"Though my life I forgo," says the knight, "no noise shall terrify me."Hit helppeȝ me not a mote,
My lif žaȝ I for-goo,
Drede dotȝ me no lote."
1 at, in MS.
Thenne že knyȝt con calle ful hyȝe,
"Who dwells here discourse with me to hold?""Who stiȝtleȝ in žis sted, me steuen to holde?
Now is the good Gawayne going arightFor now is gode Gawayn goande ryȝt here,
If any wyȝe oȝt wyl wynne hider fast,
2216Ožer now, ožer neuer, his nedeȝ to spede."
He hears a voice commanding him to abide where he is."Abyde," quod on on že bonke, abouen ouer his hede,
"& žou schal haf al in hast, žat I že hyȝt ones."
Ȝet he rusched on žat rurde, rapely a žrowe,
2220& wyth quettyng a-wharf, er he wolde lyȝt;
Soon there comes out of a hole, with a fell weapon,& syžen he keuereȝ bi a cragge, & comeȝ of a hole,
Whyrlande out of a wro, wyth a felle weppen,
a Danish axe, quite new,A deneȝ ax nwe dyȝt, že dynt with [t]o ȝelde
2224With a borelych bytte, bende by že halme,
Fyled in a fylor, fowre fote large,
Hit watȝ no lasse, bi žat lace žat lemed ful bryȝt.
the "knight in green," clothed as before.& že gome in že erene gered as fyrst,
2228Bože že lyre & že leggeȝ, lokkeȝ, & berde,
Saue žat fayre on his fote he foundeȝ on že erže,
Sette že stele to že stone, & stalked bysyde.
When he reaches the stream, he hops over and strides about.When he wan to že watter, žer he wade nolde,
2232He hypped ouer on hys ax, & orpedly strydeȝ,
Bremly brože on a bent, žat brode watȝ a-boute,
on snawe.
[Fol. 121.]Sir Gawayn že knyȝt con mete.
2236He ne lutte hym no žyng lowe,
The other tells him that he is now ready for conversationŽat ožer sayde, "now, sir swete,
Of steuen mon may že trowe."
"Gawayn," quod žat grene gome, "God že mot loke!
2240I-wysse žou art welcom,1 wyȝe, to my place,
"as a true knight 'thou hast timed thy travel'& žou hatȝ tymed ži trauayl as true2 mon schulde;
Thou knowest the covenant between us,& žou knoweȝ že couenaunteȝ kest vus by-twene,
At žis tyme twelmonyth žou toke žat že falled,
that on New Year's day I should return thy blow 2244& I schulde at žis nwe ȝere ȝeply že quyte.
Here we are alone,& we ar in žis valay, verayly oure one,
Here ar no renkes vs to rydde, rele as vus likeȝ;
Have off thy helmet and take thy pay at once."Haf žy3 helme of žy hede, & haf here žy pay;
2248Busk no more debate žen I že bede ženne,
"When žou wypped of my hede at a wap one."
"By God," quoth Sir Gawayne, "I shall not begrudge thee thy will.""Nay, bi God," quod Gawayn, "žat me gost lante,
I schal gruch že no grwe, for grem žat falleȝ;
2252Botstyȝtel že vpon on strok, & I schal stonde stylle,
& warp že no wernyng, to worch as že lykeȝ,
no whare."
Then he shows his bare neck,He lened with že nek, & lutte,
2256& schewed žat schyre al bare,
& lette as he noȝt dutte,
and appears undaunted.For drede he wolde not dare.
1 welcon, in MS. 2 truee in MS. 3 MS. žy žy.
Then že gome in že grene grayžed hym swyže,
2260Gedereȝ yp hys grymme tole, Gawayn to smyte;
With all his force he raises it aloft.With alle že bur in his body he ber hit on lofte,
Munt as maȝtyly, as marre hym he wolde;
Hade hit dryuen adoun, as dreȝ as he atled,
2264Žer hade ben ded of his dynt, žat doȝty watȝ euer.
Bot Gawayn on žat giserne glyfte hym bysyde,
As it came gliding down,As hit com glydande adoun, on glode hym to schende,
Sir Gawayne shrank a little with his shoulders.& schranke a lytel with že schulderes, for že scharp yrne.
2268Žat ožer schalk wyth a schunt že schene wythhaldeȝ,
The other reproved him, saying,& ženne repreued he že prynce with mony prowde wordeȝ:
"Thou art not Gawayne that is so good esteemed,"Žou art not Gawayn," quod že gome, "žat is so goud halden,
Žat neuer arȝed for no here, by hylle ne be vale,
[Fol. 121b.]& now žou fles for ferde, er žou fele harmeȝ;
Such cowardise of žat knyȝt cowže I neuer here.
I never flinched when thou struckest.Nawžer fyked I, ne flaȝe, freke, quen žou myntest,
Ne kest no kauelacion, in kyngeȝ hous Arthor,
My head flew to my foot, yet I never fled, 2276My hede flaȝ to my fote, & ȝet flaȝ I neuer;
& žou, er any harme hent, arȝeȝ in hert,
wherefore I ought to be called the better man."Wherfore že better burne me burde be called
žer-fore."
"I shunted once," says Gawayne, "but will no more. 2280Quod G:, "I schunt oneȝ,
& so wyl I no more,
Bot paȝ my hede falle on že stoneȝ,
I con not hit restore.
Bot busk, burne, bi ži fayth, & bryng me to že poynt,
Dele to me my destiné, & do hit out of honde,
For I schal stonde že a strok, & start no more,
Til žyn ax haue me hitte, haf here my trawže."
"Have at thee, then," says the other. 2288"Haf at že ženne," quod žat ožer, & heueȝ hit alofte,
& wayteȝ as wrožely, as he wode were;
With that he aims at him a blow.He mynteȝ at hym maȝtyly, bot not že mon ryueȝ,1
With-helde heterly h[i]s honde, er hit hurt myȝt.
Gawayne never flinches, but stands as still as a stone. 2292Gawayn grayžely hit bydeȝ, & glent with no membre,
Bot stode stylle as že ston, ožer a stubbe aužer,
Žat raželed is in roche grounde, with roteȝ a hundreth.
Žen muryly efte con he mele, že mon in že grene,
"Now," says the Green Knight, "I must hit thee, since thy heart is whole." 2296"So now žou hatȝ ži hert holle, hitte me bihou[e]s;
Halde že now že hyȝe hode, žat Aržur že raȝt,
& kepe žy kanel at žis kest, ȝif hit keuer may."
G: ful gryndelly with greme ženne sayde,
"Thrash on," says the other. 2300"Wy žresch on, žou žro mon, žou žreteȝ to longe,
I hope žat ži hert arȝe wyth žyn awen seluen."
"For sože," quod žat ožer freke, "so felly žou spekeȝ,
I wyl no lenger on lyte lette žin ernde,
2304riȝt nowe."
Then the Green Knight makes ready to strike.Ženne tas he2 hym stryže to stryke,
& frounses bože lyppe & browe,
No meruayle žaȝ hym myslyke,
2308Žat hoped of no rescowe.
1 ? ryneȝ = touches. 2 he he, in MS.
He lyftes lyȝtly his lome, & let hit doun fayre,
[Fol. 122.]With že barbe of že bitte bi že bare nek
Žaȝ he homered heterly, hurt hym no more,
2312Bot snyrt hym on žat on syde, žat seuered že hyde;
The sharp weapon pierced the flesh so that the blood flowed.Že scharp schrank to že flesche žurȝ že schyre grece,
Žat že schene blod over his schulderes schot to že erže.
When the knight saw the blood on the snow,& quen že burne seȝ že blode blenk on že snawe,
2316He sprit forth spenne fote more žen a spere lenže,
Hent heterly his helme, & on his hed cast,
Schot with his schuldereȝ his fayre schelde vnder,
he unsheathed his sword, and thus spake:Braydeȝ out a bryȝt sworde, & bremely he spekeȝ;
2320Neuer syn žat he watȝ burne borne of his moder,
Watȝ he neuer in žis worlde, wyȝe half so blyže:—
"Cease, man, of thy blow."Blynne, burne, of žy bur, bede me no mo;
I haf a stroke in žis sted with-oute stryf hent,
If thou givest me any more, readily shall I requite thee. 2324& if žow recheȝ me any mo, I redyly schal quyte,
& ȝelde ȝederly aȝayn, & žer to ȝe tryst,
& foo;
Our agreement stipulates only one stroke."Bot on stroke here me falleȝ,
2328Že couenaunt schop ryȝt so,
[Sikered]1 in Aržureȝ halleȝ,
& žer-fore, hende, now hoo!"
1 Illegible.
The hažel heldet hym fro, & on his ax rested,
2332Sette že schaft vpon schore, & to be scharp lened,
looked on Sir Gawayne, who appeared bold and fearless,& loked to že leude, žat on že launde ȝede,
How žat doȝty dredles deruely žer stondeȝ,
Armed ful aȝleȝ; in hert hit hym lykeȝ.
2336ženn he meleȝ muryly, wyth a much steuen,
and addressed him as follows: "Bold knight, be not so wroth,& wyth a r[a]ykande rurde he to že renk sayde,
"Bolde burne, on žis bent be not so gryndel;
No mon here vn-manerly že mys-boden habbe,
2340Ne kyd, bot as couenaunde, at kyngeȝ kort schaped;
I promised thee a stroke and thou hast it, be satisfied.I hyȝt že a strok, & žou hit hatȝ, halde že wel payed,
I relece že of že remnaunt, of ryȝtes alle ožer;
Ȝif1 I deliuer had bene, a boffet, paraunter,
I could have dealt worse with thee. 2344I couže wroželoker haf waret, [&] to že haf wroȝt anger.2
Fyrst I mansed že muryly, with a mynt one,
I menaced thee with one blow for the covenant& roue že wyth no rof, sore with ryȝt I že profered,
[Fol. 122b.]For že forwarde that we fest in že fyrst nyȝt,
2348& žou trystyly že trawže & trwly me haldeȝ,
Al že gayne žow me gef, as god mon shulde;
Another I aimed at thee because thou kissedst my wife.Žat ožer munt for že morne, mon, I že profered,
Žou kyssedes my clere wyf, že cosseȝ me raȝteȝ,
2352For bože two here I že bede bot two bare myntes,
boute scaže;
A true man should restore truly, and then he need fear no harm.Trwe mon trwe restore,
Ženne žar mon drede no waže;
Thou failedst at the third time, and therefore take thee that tap. (See l. 1861.) 2356At že žrid žou fayled žore,
& žer-for žat tappe ta že.
1 uf, in MS. 2 This word is doubtful.
For hit is my wede žat žou wereȝ, žat ilke wouen girdel,
Myn owen wyf hit že weued, I wot wel forsože;
I know thy kisses and my wife's wooing. 2360Now know I wel žy cosses, & žy costes als,
& že wowyng of my wyf, I wroȝt hit myseluen;
I sent her to try thee, and faultless I found thee.I sende hir to asay že, & sothly me žynkkeȝ,
On že fautlest freke, žat euer on fote ȝede;
2364As perle bi že quite pese is of prys more,
So is Gawayn, in god fayth, bi ožer gay knyȝteȝ.
But yet thou sinnedst a little,Bot here you lakked a lyttel, sir, & lewte yow wonted,
Bot žat watȝ for no wylyde werke, ne wowyng naužer,
for love of thy life." 2368Bot for ȝe lufed your lyf, že lasse I yow blame."
Žat ožer stif mon in study stod a gret whyle;
So agreued for greme he gryed with-inne,
Gawayne stands confounded.Alle že blode of his brest blende in his face,
2372Žat al he schrank for schome, žat že schalk talked.
Že forme worde vpon folde, žat že freke meled,—
"Cursed," he says, "be cowardice and covetousness both!""Corsed worth cowarddyse & couetyse bože!
In yow is vylany & vyse, žat vertue disstryeȝ."
Then he takes off the girdle and throws it to the knight. 2376Ženne he kaȝt to že knot, & že kest lawseȝ,
Brayde brožely že belt to že burne seluen:
"Lo! žer že falssyng, foule mot hit falle!
He curses his cowardice,For care of žy knokke cowardyse me taȝt
2380To a-corde me with couetyse, my kynde to for-sake,
Žat is larges & lewte, žat longeȝ to knyȝteȝ.
and confesses himself to have been guilty of untruth.Now am I fawty, & falce, & ferde haf ben euer;
Of trecherye & vn-trawže bože bityde sorȝe
2384& care!
[Fol. 123.]I bi-knowe yow, knyȝt, here stylle,
Al fawty is my fare,
Leteȝ me ouer-take your wylle,
2388& efle I schal be ware."
Thenne loȝe žat ožer leude, & luflyly sayde,
"I halde hit hardily1 hole, že harme žat I hade;
"Thou art confessed so clean,Žou art confessed so clene, be-knowen of žy mysses,
2392& hatȝ že penaunce apert, of že poynt of myn egge,
that I hold thee as pure as if thou hadst never been guilty.I halde že polysed of žat plyȝt, & pured as clene,
As žou hadeȝ neuer forfeted, syžen žou watȝ fyrst borne.
I give thee, sir, the gold-hemmed girdle,& I gif že, sir, že gurdel žat is golde hemmed;
2396For hit is grene as my goune, sir G:, ȝe maye
Ženk vpon žis ilke žrepe, žer žou forth žryngeȝ
Among prynces of prys, & žis a pure token
as a token of thy adventure at the Green Chapel.Of že chaunce of že grene chapel, at cheualrous knyȝteȝ;
Come again to my abode, and abide there for the remainder of the festival." 2400& ȝe schal in žis nwe ȝer aȝayn to my woneȝ,
& we schyn reuel že remnaunt of žis ryche fest,
ful bene."
Žer lažed hym fast že lorde,
2404& sayde, "with my wyf, I wene,
We schal yow wel acorde,
Žat watȝ your enmy kene."
1 hardilyly, in MS.
"Nay, for sože," quod že segge, & sesed hys helme,
2408& hatȝ hit of hendely, & že hažel žonkkeȝ,
"I have sojourned sadly, but bliss betide thee!"I haf soiorned sadly, sele yow bytyde,
& he ȝelde hit yow ȝare, žat ȝarkkeȝ al menskes!
Commend me to your comely wife and that other lady who have beguiled me.& comaundeȝ me to žat cortays, your comlych fere,
2412Bože žat on & žat ožer, myn honoured ladyeȝ.
Žat žus hor knyȝt wyth hor kest han koyntly bigyled.
But it is no marvel for a man to be brought to grief through a woman's wiles.Bot hit is no ferly, žaȝ a fole madde,
& žurȝ wyles of wymmen be wonen to sorȝe;
Adam, Solomon, Samson, and David were beguiled by women. 2416For so watȝ Adam in erde with one bygyled,
& Salamon with fele sere, & Samson eft soneȝ,
Dalyda dalt hym hys wyrde, & Dauyth žer-after
Watȝ blended with Barsabe, žat much bale žoled.
How could a man love them and believe them not? 2420Now žese were wrathed wyth her wyles, hit were a wynne huge,
To luf hom wel, & leue hem not, a leude žat couže,
[Fol. 123b.]For žes wer forne1 že freest žat folȝed alle že sele,
Ex-ellently of alle žyse ožer, vnder heuen-ryche,
2424žat mused;
& alle žay were bi-wyled,
With2 wymmen žat žay vsed,
Though I be now beguiled, methinks I should be excused.Žaȝ I be now bigyled,
2428Me žink me burde be excused."
1 forme (?) 2 with wyth, in MS.
"Bot your gordel," quod G: "God yow for-ȝelde!
Žat wyl I welde wyth good wylle, not for že wynne golde,
Ne že saynt, ne že sylk, ne že syde pendaundes,
2432For wele, ne for worchyp, ne for že wlonk werkkeȝ,
I will wear it in remembrance of my fault.Bot in syngne of my surfet I schal se hit ofte;
When I ride in renoun, remorde to myseluen
Že faut & že fayntyse of že flesche crabbed,
2436How tender hit is to entyse teches of fylže;
And when pride shall prick me,& žus, quen pryde schal me pryk, for prowes of armes,
a look to this lace shall abate it.Že loke to žis luf lace schal leže my hert.
Bot on I wolde yow pray, displeses yow neuer;
2440Syn ȝe be lorde of že ȝonde[r] londe, žer I haf lent inne,
Wyth yow wyth worschyp,—že wyȝe hit yow ȝelde
Žat vp-haldeȝ že heuen, & on hyȝ sitteȝ,—
But tell me your right name and I shall have done."How norne ȝe yowre ryȝt nome, & ženne no more?"
2444"Žat schal I telle že trwly," quod žat ožer ženne,
The Green Knight replies, "I am called Bernlak de Hautdesert, through might of Morgain la Fey, the pupil of Merlin."Bernlak de Hautdesert I hat in žis londe,
Žurȝ myȝt of Morgne la Faye, žat in my hous lenges,
&1 koyntyse of clergye, bi craftes wel lerned,
2448Že maystres of Merlyn, mony ho2 taken;
For ho hatȝ dalt drwry ful dere sum tyme,
With žat conable klerk, žat knowes alle your knyȝteȝ
at hame;
2452Morgne že goddes,
Žer-fore hit is hir name;
She can tame even the haughtiest.Weldeȝ non so hyȝe hawtesse,
Žat ho ne con make ful tame.
1 in (?). 2 ho hatȝ (?).
Ho wayned me vpon žis wyse to your wynne halle,
For to assay že surquidre, ȝif hit soth were,
Žat rennes of že grete renoun of že Rounde Table;
Ho wayned me žis wonder, your wytteȝ to reue,
[Fol. 124.]For to haf greued Gaynour, & gart hir to dyȝe.
With gopnyng1 of žat ilke gomen, žat gostlych speked,
With his hede in his honde, bifore že hyȝe table.
Žat is ho žat is at home, že auncian lady;
She is even thine aunt. 2464Ho is euen žyn aunt, Aržureȝ half suster,
Že duches doȝter of Tyntagelle, žat dere Vter after
Therefore come to her and make merry in my house."Hade Aržur vpon, žat ažel is nowže.
Žerfore I eže že, hažel, to com to žy naunt,
2468Make myry in my hous, my meny že louies,
& I wol že as wel, wyȝe, bi my faythe,
As any gome vnder God, for žy grete trauže."
Gawayne refuses to return with the Green Knight.& he nikked hym naye, he nolde bi no wayes;
2472Žay acolen & kyssen, [bikennen] ayžer ožer
To že prynce of paradise, & parten ryȝt žere,
on coolde;
On horse full fair he bends to Arthur's hall.Gawayn on blonk ful bene,
2476To že kyngeȝ burȝ buskeȝ bolde,
& že knyȝt in že enker grene,
Whider-warde so euer he wolde.
1 glopnyng (?).
Wylde wayeȝ in že worlde Wowen now rydeȝ,
2480On Gryngolet, žat že grace hade geten of his lyue;
Oft he harboured in house and oft thereout.Ofte he herbered in house, & ofte al žeroute,
& mony a-venture in vale, & venquyst ofte,
Žat I ne tyȝt, at žis tyme, in tale to remene.
The wound in his neck became whole. 2484Že hurt watȝ hole, žat he hade hent in his nek,
He still carried about him the belt,& že blykkande belt he bere žeraboute,
A belef as a bauderyk, bounden bi his syde,
Loken vnder his lyfte arme, že lace, with a knot,
in token of his fault. 2488In tokenyng he watȝ tane in tech of a faute;
Thus he comes to the Court of King Arthur.& žus he commes to že court, knyȝt al in sounde.
Great then was the joy of all.Žer wakned wele in žat wone, when wyst že grete,
Žat gode G: watȝ commen, gayn hit hym žoȝt;
The king and his knights ask him concerning his journey. 2492Že kyng kysseȝ že knyȝt, & že whene alce,
& syžen mony syker knyȝt, žat soȝt hym to haylce,
Gawayne tells them of his adventures,Of his fare žat hym frayned, & ferlyly he telles;
Biknowoȝ alle že costes of care žat he hade,—
2496Že chaunce of že chapel, že chere of že knyȝt,
[Fol. 124b.]Že luf of že ladi, že lace at že last.
Že nirt in že nek he naked hem schewed,
He showed them the cut in his neck.Žat he laȝt for his vnleute at že leudes hondes,
2500for blame;
He tened quen he schulde telle,
He groaned for grief and shame, and the blood rushed into his face.He groned for gref & grame;
Že blod in his face con melle,
2504When he hit schulde schewe, for schame.
"Lo! lorde," quod že leude, & že lace hondeled,
"Žis is že bende of žis blame I bere [in] my nek,
Žis is že laže & že losse, žat I laȝt haue,
a token of my cowardice and covetousness, 2508Of couardise & couetyse, žat I haf caȝt žare,
Žis is že token of vn-trawže, žat I am tan inne,
I must needs wear it as long as I live."& I mot nedeȝ hit were, wyle I may last;
For non may hyden his harme, bot vnhap ne may hit,
2512For žer hit oneȝ is tachched, twynne wil hit neuer."
The king comforts the knight, and all the court too.Že kyng comforteȝ že knyȝt, & alle že court als,
Laȝen loude žer-at, & luflyly acorden,
Žat lordes & ladis, žat longed to že Table,
Each knight of the brotherhood agrees to wear a bright green belt, 2516Vche burne of že brožer-hede a bauderyk schulde haue,
A bende, a belef hym aboute, of a bryȝt grene,
for Gawayne's sake,& žat, for sake of žat segge, in swete to were.
For žat watȝ acorded že renoun of že Rounde Table,
who ever more honoured it. 2520& he honoured žat hit hade, euer-more after,
As hit is breued in že best boke of romaunce.
Thus in Arthur's day this adventure befell.Žus in Arthurus day žis aunter bitidde,
Že Brutus bokees žer-of beres wyttenesse;
2524Syžen Brutus, že bolde burne, boȝed hider fyrst,
After že segge & že asaute watȝ sesed at Troye,
I-wysse;
Mony auntereȝ here bi-forne,
2528Haf fallen suche er žis:
He that bore the crown of thorns bring us to His bliss!Now žat bere že croun of žorne,
He bryng vus to his blysse! AMEN.
NOTES.
| Line 8 |
Ricchis turns, goes, The king ... Ricchis his reynys and the Renke metys: Girden to gedur with žere grete speires.—T.B. l. 1232. |
| 37 | Žis kyng lay at Camylot vpon kryst-masse. Camalot, in Malory's "Morte Arthure," is said to be the same as Winchester. Ritson supposes it to be Caer-went, in Monmouthshire, and afterwards confounded with Caer-wynt, or Winchester. But popular tradition here seems the best guide, which assigned the site of Camalot to the ruins of a castle on a hill, near the church of South Cadbury, in Somersetshire (Sir F. Madden). |
| 65 | Nowel nayted o-newe, neuened ful ofte. Christmas celebrated anew, mentioned full often. Sir F. Madden leaves the word nayted unexplained in his Glossary to "Syr Gawayne." |
| 124 | syluener = sylueren, i.e. silver dishes. |
| 139 | lyndes = lendes, loins. |
| 142 | in his muckel, in his greatness. |
| 184 | Watȝ euesed al umbe-torne—? was trimmed, all cut evenly around; umbe-torne may be an error for vmbe-corue = cut round. |
| 216 | in gracios werkes. Sir F. Madden reads gracons for gracios, and suggests Greek as the meaning of it. |
| 244-5 | As al were slypped vpon slepe so slaked hor loteȝ in hyȝe. As all were fallen asleep so ceased their words in haste (suddenly). Sir F. Madden reads slaked horloteȝ, instead of slaked hor loteȝ, which, according to his glossary, signifies drunken vagabonds. He evidently takes horloteȝ to be another (and a very uncommon) form of harloteȝ = harlots. But harlot, or vagabond, would be a very inappropriate term to apply to the noble Knights of the Round Table. Moreover, slaked never, I think, means drunken. The general sense of the verb slake is to let loose, lessen, cease. Cf. lines 411-2, where sloke, another form of slake, occurs with a similar meaning: — layt no fyrre; bot slokes. — seek no further, but stop (cease). Sir F. Madden suggests blows as the explanation of slokes. It is, however, a verb in the imperative mood. |
| 286 | Brayn. Mätzner suggests brayn-wod. |
| 296 | barlay = par loi. This word is exceedingly common in the T.
Book (see l. 3391). I bid you now, barlay, with besines at all Žat ye set you most soverainly my suster to gete.—T.B. l. 2780. |
| 394 | siker. Sir F. Madden reads swer. |
| 440 | bluk. Sir F. Madden suggests blunk (horse). I am inclined to keep to the reading of the MS., and explain bluk as = bulk = trunk. Cf. the use of the word Blok in "Early English Alliterative Poems," p. 100, l. 272. |
| 558 | derue doel, etc. = great grief. Sir F. Madden reads derne, i.e. secret, instead of derue (= derf). Cf. line 564. |
| 577 | knaged, fastened. The braunches were borly, sum of bright gold, With leuys full luffly, light of the same; With burions aboue bright to beholde; And fruit on yt fourmyt of fairest of shap, Of mony kynd that was knyt, knagged aboue.—T.B. l. 4973. |
| 629 |
& ay quere hit is endeleȝ, etc. And everywhere it is endless, etc. Sir F. Madden reads emdeleȝ, i.e. with equal sides. |
| 652 | for-be = for-bi = surpassing, beyond. |
| 681 | for Hadet read Halet = haled = exiled (?). See line 1049. |
| 806 | auinant = auenaunt, pleasantly. Sir F. Madden reads amnant. |
| 954 | of. Should we not read on (?). |
| 957 | Žat ožer wyth a gorger watȝ gered ouer že swyre. The gorger or wimple is stated first to have appeared in Edward the First's reign, and an example is found on the monument of Aveline, Countess of Lancaster, who died in 1269. From the poem, however, it would seem that the gorger was confined to elderly ladies (Sir F. Madden) |
| 968 |
More lykker-wys on to lyk, Watȝ žat scho had on lode. A more pleasant one to like, Was that (one) she had under her control. |
| 988 | tayt = lively, and hence pleasant, agreeable. |
| 1015 | in vayres, in purity. |
| 1020 | dut = dunt (?) = dint (?), referring to sword-sports. |
| 1022 | sayn[t] Ioneȝ day. This is the 27th of December, and the last of the feast. Sometimes the Christmas festivities were prolonged to New Year's Day (Sir F. Madden). |
| 1047 | derne dede = secret deed. I would prefer to read derue dede = great deed. Cf. lines 558, 564. |
| 1053 | I wot in worlde, etc. = I not (I know not) in worlde, etc. |
| 1054 |
I nolde, bot if I hit negh myȝt on nwȝeres morne, For alle že londe in-wyth Logres, etc. I would not [delay to set out], unless I might approach it on New Year's morn, for all the lands within England, etc. |
| 1074 | in spenne = in space = in the interval = meanwhile. See line 1503. |
| 1160 | slentyng of arwes. Sir F. Madden reads
sleutyng. "Of drawyn swordis sclentyng to and fra, The brycht mettale, and othir armouris seir, Quharon the sonnys blenkis betis cleir, Glitteris and schane, and vnder bemys brycht, Castis ane new twynklyng or a lemand lycht." (G. Douglas' Ęneid, Vol. i, p. 421.) |
| 1281 | let lyk = appeared pleased. |
| 1283 | Žaȝ I were burde bryȝtest, že burde in mynde hade,
etc. The sense requires us to read: Žaȝ ho were burde bryȝtest, že burne in mynde hade, etc. i.e., Though she were lady fairest, the knight in mind had, etc. |
| 1440 | Long sythen [seuered] for že sounder žat wiȝt for-olde Long since separated from the sounder or herd that fierce (one) for-aged (grew very old). "Now to speke of the boore, the fyrste year he is A pygge of the sounder callyd, as haue I blys; The secounde yere an hogge, and soo shall he be, And an hoggestere, whan he is of yeres thre; And when he is foure yere, a boor shall he be, From the sounder of the swyne thenne departyth he; A synguler is he soo, for alone he woll go." (Book of St. Alban's, ed. 1496, sig. d., i.) |
| 1476 | totes = looks, toots. Sho went up wightly by a walle syde. To the toppe of a toure and tot ouer the water.—T.B. l. 862. |
| 1623 | A verb [? lalede = cried] seems wanting after lorde. |
| 1702 | fnasted, breathed. These balfull bestes were, as the boke tellus, Full flaumond of fyre with fnastyng of logh.—T.B. l. 168. |
| 1710 | a strothe rande = a rugged path. Cf. the phrases tene greue, l. 1707; roȝe greue, l. 1898. |
| 1729 | bi lag = be-lagh(?) = below (?). |
| 1719 |
Thenne watȝ hit lif vpon list, etc. Should we not read: Thenne watȝ hit list vpon lif, etc. i.e., Then was there joy in life, etc. |
| 1780 | lyf = lef(?), beloved (one). |
| 1869 |
Ho hatȝ kyst že knyȝt so toȝt. She has kissed the knight so courteous. Sir F. Madden explains toȝt, promptly. Toȝt seems to be the same as the Northumbrian taght in the following extract from the "Morte Arthure": "There come in at the fyrste course, before the kyng seluene, Bare hevedys that ware bryghte, burnyste with sylver, Alle with taghte mene and towne in togers fulle ryche."—(p. 15.) The word towne (well-behaved) still exists in wan-ton, the original meaning of which was ill-mannered, ill-bred. |
| 1909 | bray houndeȝ = braž houndeȝ, i.e. fierce hounds. |
| 1995 | He hatȝ nere žat he soȝt = He watȝ nere žat he soȝt = He was near to that which he sought. |
| 2160 | gedereȝ že rake = takes the path or way. |
| 2167 |
Že skweȝ of že scowtes skayued hym žoȝt. The shadows of the hills appeared wild (desolate) to him. Sir F. Madden reads skayned, of which he gives no explanation. Skayued = skayfed, seems to be the N. Prov. English scafe, wild. Scotch schaivie, wild, mad. O.N. skeifr. Sw. skef, awry, distorted. |
| 2204 | ronge = clattered. |
| 2211 |
Drede dotȝ me no lote = No noise shall cause me to dread (fear). |
| 2357 |
& žer-for žat tappe ta že. And therefore take thee that tap. ta že = take thee. Sir F. Madden reads taže = taketh. See l. 413, where to že rhymes with sothe. We have no imperatives in th in this poem. |
| 2401 | We schyn reuel, etc. Sir F. Madden reads wasch yn reuel. But schyn = shall. See Glossary to "Alliterative Poems." |
| 2474 | on-coolde = on-colde = coldly = sorrowfully. |
| 2489 | in-sounde = soundly, well. Cf. in-blande = together; in-lyche, alike; inmyddeȝ, amidst. |