Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

By Gawain Poet

siþen þe sege and þe assaut watz sesed at troye

þe bor3 brittened and brent to brondez and askez

þe tulk þat þe trammes of tresoun þer wro3t

watz tried for his tricherie þe trewest on erþe

hit watz ennias þe athel and his highe kynde

þat siþen depreced prouinces and patrounes bicome

welne3e of al þe wele in þe west iles

fro riche romulus to rome ricchis hym swyþe

with gret bobbaunce þat bur3e he biges vpon fyrst

and neuenes hit his aune nome as hit now hat

ticius to tuskan and teldes bigynnes

langaberde in lumbardie lyftes vp homes

and fer ouer þe french flod felix brutus

on mony bonkkes ful brode bretayn he settez

wyth wynne

where werre and wrake and wonder

bi syþez hatz wont þerinne

and oft boþe blysse and blunder

ful skete hatz skyfted synne

ande quen þis bretayn watz bigged bi þis burn rych

bolde bredden þerinne baret þat lofden

in mony turned tyme tene þat wro3ten

mo ferlyes on þis folde han fallen here oft

þen in any oþer þat I wot syn þat ilk tyme

bot of alle þat here bult of bretaygne kynges

ay watz arthur þe hendest as I haf herde telle [fol. 91]

forþi an aunter in erde I attle to schawe

þat a selly in si3t summe men hit holden

and an outtrage awenture of arthurez wonderez

if 3e wyl lysten þis laye bot on littel quile

I schal telle hit as tit as I in toun herde

with tonge

as hit is stad and stoken

in stori stif and stronge

with lel letteres loken

in londe so hatz ben longe

þis kyng lay at camylot vpon kryst masse

with mony luflych lorde ledez of þe best

rekenly of þe rounde table alle þo rich breþer

with rych reuel ory3t and rechles merþes

þer tournayed tulkes by tymez ful mony

justed ful jolile þise gentyle kni3tes

syþen kayred to þe court caroles to make

for þer þe fest watz ilyche ful fiften dayes

with alle þe mete and þe mirþe þat men couþe avyse

such glaumande gle glorious to here

dere dyn vpon day daunsyng on ny3tes

al watz hap vpon he3e in hallez and chambrez

with lordez and ladies as leuest him þo3t

with all þe wele of þe worlde þay woned þer samen

þe most kyd kny3tez vnder krystes seluen

and þe louelokkest ladies þat euer lif haden

and he þe comlokest kyng þat þe court haldes

for al watz þis fayre folk in her first age

on sille

þe hapnest vnder heuen

kyng hy3est mon of wylle

hit werere now gret nye to neuen

so hardy a here on hille

wyle nw 3er watz so 3ep þat hit watz nwe cummen

þat day doubble on þe dece watz þe douth serued

fro þe kyng watz cummen with kny3tes into þe halle

þe chauntre of þe chapel cheued to an ende

loude crye watz þer kest of clerkez and oþer [fol. 92r]

nowel nayted onewe neuened ful ofte

and syþen riche forth runnen to reche hondeselle

3e3ed 3eres3iftes on hi3 3elde hem bi hond

debated busyly aboute þo giftes

ladies la3ed ful loude þo3 þay lost haden

and he þat wan watz not wrothe þat may 3e wel trawe

alle þis mirþe þay maden to þe mete tyme

when þay had waschen worþyly þay wenten to sete

þe best burne ay abof as hit best semed

whene guenore ful gay grayþed in þe myddes

dressed on þe dere des dubbed al aboute

smal sendal bisides a selure hir ouer

of tryed tolouse and tars tapites innoghe

þat were enbrawded and beten wyth þe best gemmes

þat my3t be preued of prys wyth penyes to bye

in daye

þe comlokest to discry

þer glent with y3en gray

a semloker þat euer he sy3e

soth mo3t no mon say

bot arthure wolde not ete til al were serued

he watz so joly of his joyfnes and sumquat childgered

his lif liked hym ly3t he louied þe lasse

auþer to lenge lye or to longe sitte

so bisied him his 3onge blod and his brayn wylde

and also an oþer maner meued him eke

þat he þur3 nobelay had nomen he wolde neuer ete

vpon such a dere day er hym deuised were

of sum auenturus þyng an vncouþe tale

of sum mayn meruayle þat he my3t trawe

of of alderes of armes of oþer auenturus

oþer sum segg hym biso3t of sum siker kny3t

to joyne wyth hym in iustyng in joparde to lay

lede lif for lyf leue vchon oþer

as fortune wolde fulsun hom þe fayrer to haue

þis watz kynges countenaunce where he in court were

at vch farand fest among his fre meny

in halle

þerfore of face so fere

he sti3tlez stif in stalle

ful 3ep in þat nw 3ere

much mirthe he mas with alle

þus þer stondes in stale þe stif kyng hisseluen

talkkande bifore þe hy3e table of trifles ful hende

þere gode gawan watz grayþed gwenore bisyde

and agrauayn a la dure mayn on þat oþer syde sittes

boþe þe kynges sistersunes and ful siker kni3tes

bischop bawdewyn abof biginez þe table

and ywan vryn son ette wit hymseluen

þise were di3t on þe des and derworþly serued

and siþen mony siker segge at þe sidbordez

þen þe first cors come with crakkyng of trumpes

wyth mony baner ful bry3t þat þerbi henged

nwe nakryn noyse with þe noble pipes

wylde werbles and wy3t wakned lote

þat mony hert ful hi3e hef at her towches

dayntes dryuen þerwyth of ful dere metes

foysoun of þe fresche and on so fele disches

þat pine to fynde þe place þe peple biforne

for to sette þe syluen' þat sere sewes halden

on clothe

iche lede as he loued hymselue

þer laght withouten loþe

ay two had disches twelue

good ber and bry3t wyn boþe

now wyl I of hor seruise say yow no more

for vch wy3e may wel wit no wont þat þer were

an oþer noyse ful newe ne3ed biliue

þat þe lude my3t haf leue liflode to cach

for vneþe watz þe noyce not a whyle sesed

and þe fyrst cource in þe court kyndely serued

þer hales in at þe halle dor an aghlich mayster

on þe most on þe molde on mesure hyghe

fro þe swyre to þe swange so sware and so þik

and his lyndes and his lymes so longe and so grete

half etayn in erde I hope þat he were

bot mon most I algate mynn hym to bene

and þat þe myriest in his muckel þat my3t ride

for of bak and of brest al were his bodi sturne

bot his wombe and his wast were worthily smale

and alle his fetures fol3ande in forme þat he hade

ful clene

for wonder of his hwe men hade

set in his semblaunt sene

he ferde as freke were fade

and oueral enker grene

ande al grayþed in grene þis gome and his wedes

a strayt cote ful stre3t þat stek on his sides

a mere mantile abof mensked with inne

with pelure pured apert þe pane ful clene

with blyþe blaunner ful bry3t and his hod boþe

þat watz la3t fro his lokkez and layde on his schulderes

heme wel haled hose of þat same grene

þat spenet on his sparlyr and clene spures vnder

of bry3t golde vpon silk bordes barred ful ryche

and scholes vnder schankes þere þe schalk rides

and alle his vesture uerayly watz clene verdure

boþe þe barres of his belt and oþer blyþe stones

þat were richely rayled in his aray clene

aboutte hymself and his sadel vpon silk werkez

þat were to tor for to telle of tryfles þe halue

þat were enbrauded abof wyth bryddes and fly3es

with gay gaudi of grene þe golde ay inmyddes

þe pendauntes of his payttrure pe proude cropure

his molaynes and alle þe metail anamayld was þenne

þe steropes þat he stod on stayned of þe same

and his arsounz al after and his aþel scurtes

þat euer glemered and glent al of grene stones

þe fole þat he ferkkes on fyn of þat ilke

sertayn

a grene hors gret and þikke

a stede ful stif to strayne

in brawden brydel quik

to þe gome he watz ful gayn

wel gay watz þis gome gered in grene

and þe here of his hed of his hors swete

fayre fannand fax vmbefoldes his schulderes

a much berd as as a busk ouer his brest henges

þat wyth his hi3lich here þat of his hed reches

watz euesed al vmbetorne abof his elbowes

þat half his armes þervnder were halched in þe wyse

of a kyngez capados þat closes his swyre

þe mane of þat mayn hors much to hit lyke

wel cresped and cemmed wyth knottes ful mony

folden in wyth fildore aboute þe fayre grene

ay a herle of þe here anoþer of golde

þe tayl and his toppyng twynnen of a sute

and bounden boþe wyth a bande of a bry3t grene

dubbed wyth ful dere stonez as þe dok lasted

syþen þrawen wyth a þwong a þwarle knot alofte

þer mony bellez ful bry3t of brende golde rungen

such a fole vpon folde ne freke þat hym rydes

watz neuer sene in þat sale wyth sy3t er þat tyme

with y3e

he loked as layt so ly3t

so sayd al þat hym sy3e

hit semed as no mon my3t

vnder his dynttez dry3e

wheþer hade he no helme ne hawbrgh nauþer

ne no pysan ne no plate þat pented to armes

ne no schafte ne no schelde to schwue ne to smyte

bot in his on honde he hade a holyn bobbe

þat is grattest in grene when greuez ar bare

and an ax in his oþer a hoge and vnmete

a spetos sparþe to expoun in spelle quoso my3t

þe hede of an eln3erde þe large lenkþe hade

þe grayn al of grene stele and of golde hewen

þe bit burnyst bry3t with a brod egge

as wel schapen to schere as scharp rasores

þe stele of a stif staf þe sturne hit bi grypte [fol. 94r]

þat watz wounden wyth yrn to þe wandez ende

and al bigrauen with grene in gracios werkes

a lace lapped aboute þat louked at þe hede

and so after þe halme halched ful ofte

wyth tryed tasselez þerto tacched innoghe

on botounz of þe bry3t grene brayden ful ryche

þis haþel heldez hym in and þe halle entres

driuande to þe he3e dece dut he no woþe

haylsed he neuer one bot he3e he ouer loked

þe fyrst word þat he warp wher is he sayd

þe gouernour of þis gyng gladly I wolde

se þat segg in sy3t and with hymself speke

raysoun

to kny3tez he kest his y3e

and reled hym vp and doun

he stemmed and con studie

quo walt þer most renoun

ther watz lokyng on lenþe þe lude to beholde

for vch mon had meruayle quat hit mene my3t

þat a haþel and a horse my3t such a hwe lach

as growe grene as þe gres and grener hit semed

þen grene aumayl on golde lowande bry3ter

al studied þat þer stod and stalked hym nerre

wyth al þe wonder of þe worlde what he worch schulde

for fele sellyez had þay sen bot such neuer are

forþi for fantoum and fayry3e þe folk þere hit demed

þerfore to answare watz ar3e mony aþel freke

and al stouned at his steuen and stonstil seten

in a swoghe sylence þur3 þe sale riche

as al were slypped vpon slepe so slaked hor lotez

in hy3e

I deme hit not al for doute

bot sum for cortaysye

bot let hym þat al schulde loute

cast vnto þat wy3e

þenn arþour bifore þe hi3 dece þat auenture byholdez

and rekenly hym reuerenced for rad was he neuer

and sayde wy3e welcum iwys to þis place

þe hede of þis ostel arthour I hat

li3t luflych adoun and lenge I þe praye

and quat so þy wylle is we schal wyt after

nay as help me quoþ þe haþel he þat on hy3e syttes

to wone any quyle in þis won hit watz not myn ernde

bot for þe los of þe lede is lyft vp so hy3e

and þy bur3 and þy burnes best ar holden

stifest vnder stel gere on stedes to ryde

þe wy3test and þe worþyest of þe worldes kynde

preue for to play wyth in oþer pure laykez

and here is kydde cortaysye as I haf herd carp

and þat hatz wayned me hider iwyis at þis tyme

3e may be seker bi þis braunch þat I bere here

þat I passe as in pes and no ply3t seche

for had I founded in fere in fe3tyng wyse

I haue a hauberghe at home and a helme boþe

a schelde and a scharp spere schinande bry3t

ande oþer weppenes to welde I wene wel als

bot for I wolde no were my wedez ar softer

bot if þou be so bold as alle burnez tellen

þou wyl grant me godly þe gomen þat I ask

bi ry3t

arthour con onsware

and sayd sir cortays kny3t

if þou craue batayl bare

here faylez þou not to fy3t

nay frayst I no fy3t in fayth I þe telle

hit arn aboute on þis bench bot berdlez chylder

if I were hasped in armes on a he3e stede

here is no mon me to mach for my3tez fo wayke

forþy I craue in þis court a crystemas gomen

for hit is 3ol and nwe 3er and here ar 3ep mony

if any so hardy in þis hous holdez hymseluen

be so bolde in his blod brayn in hys hede

þat dar stifly strike a strok for an oþer

I schal gif hym of my gyft þys giserne ryche

þis ax þat is heue innogh to hondele as hym lykes

and I schal bide þe fyrst bur as bare as I sitte

if any freke be so felle to fonde þat I telle

lepe ly3tly me to and lach þis weppen

I quit clayme hit for euer kepe hit as his auen

and I schal stonde hym a strok stif on þis flet

ellez þou wyl di3t me þe dom to dele hym an oþer

barlay

and 3et gif hym respite

a twelmonyth and a day

now hy3e and let se tite

dar any herinne o3t say

if he hem stowned vpon fyrst stiller were þanne

alle þe heredmen in halle þe hy3 and þe lo3e

þe renk on his rounce hym ruched in his sadel

and runischly his rede y3en he reled aboute

bende his bresed bro3ez blycande grene

wayued his berde for to wayte quo so wolde ryse

when non wolde kepe hym with carp he co3ed ful hy3e

ande rimed hym ful richly and ry3t hym to speke

what is þis arthures hous quoþ þe haþel þenne

þat al þe rous rennes of þur3 ryalmes so mony

where is now your sourquydrye and your conquestes

your gry dellayk and your greme and your grete wordes

now is þe reuel and þe renoun of þe rounde table

ouerwalt wyth a worde of on wy3es speche

for al dares for drede withoute dynt schewed

wyth þis he la3es so loude þat þe lorde greued

þe blod schot for scham into his schyre face

and lere

he wex as wroth as wynde

so did alle þat þer were

þe kyng as kene bi kynde

þen stod þat stif mon nere

ande sayde haþel by heuen þyn askyng is nys

and as þou foly hatz frayst fynde þe behoues

I know no gome þat is gast of þy grete wordes

gif me now þy geserne vpon godez halue

and I schal bayþen þy bone þat þou boden habbes [fol. 95]

ly3tly lepez he hym to and la3t at his honde

þen feersly þat oþer freke vpon fote ly3tis

now hatz arthure his axe and þe halme grypez

and sturnely sturez hit aboute þat stryke wyth hit þo3t

þe stif mon hym bifore stod vpon hy3t

herre þen ani in þe hous by þe hede and more

wyth sturne schere þer he stod he stroked his berde

and wyth a countenaunce dry3e he dro3 doun his cote

no more mate ne dismayd for hyns mayn dintez

þen any burne vpon bench hade bro3t hym to drynk

of wyne

gawan þat sate bi þe quene

to þe kyng he can enclyne

I beseche now with sa3ez sene

þis melly mot be myne

wolde 3e worþilych lorde quoþ gawan to þe kyng

bid me bo3e fro þis benche and stonde by yow þere

þat I wythoute vylanye my3t voyde þis table

and þat my legge lady lyked not ille

I wolde com to your counseyl bifore your cort ryche

for me þink hit not semly as hit is soþ knawen

þer such an askyng is heuened so hy3e in your sale

þa3 3e 3ourself be talenttyf to take hit to yourseluen

whil mony so bolde yow aboute vpon bench sytten

þat vnder heuen I hope non ha3erer of wylle

ne better bodyes on bent þer baret is rered

I am þe wakkest I wot and of wyt feblest

and lest lur of my lyf quo laytes þe soþe

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

no bounte bot your blod I in my bode knowe

and syþen þis note is so nys þat no3t hit yow falles

and I haue frayned hit at yow fyrst foldez hit to me

and if I carp not comlyly let alle þis cort rych

bout blame

ryche togeder con roun

and syþen þay redden alle same

to ryd þe kyng wyth croun

and gif gawan þe game

þen commaunded þe kyng þe kny3t for to ryse

and he ful radly vpros and ruchched hym fayre

kneled doun bifore þe kyng and cachez þat weppen

and he luflyly hit hym laft and lyfte vp his honde

and gef hym goddez blessyng and gladly hym biddes

þat his hert and his honde schulde hardi be boþe

kepe þe cosyn quoþ þe kyng þat þou on kyrf sette

and if þou redez hym ry3t redly I trowe

þat þou schal byden þe bur þat he schal bede after

gawan gotz to þe gome with giserne in honde

and he baldly hym bydez he bayst neuer þe helder

þen carppez to sir gawan þe kny3t in þe grene

refourme we oure forwardes er we fyrre passe

fyrst I eþe þe haþel how þat þou hattes

þat þou me telle truly as I tryst may

in god fayth quoþ þe goode kny3t gawan I hatte

þat bede þe þis buffet quat so bifallez after

and at þis tyme twelmonyth take at þe an oþer

wyth what weppen fo þou wylt and wyth no wy3 ellez

on lyue

þat oþer onswarez agayn

sir gawan so mot I þryue

as I am ferly fayn

þis dint þat þou schal dryue

bigog quoþ þe grene kny3t sir gawan me lykes

þat I schal fange at þy fust þat I haf frayst here

and þou hatz redily rehersed bi resoun ful trwe

clanly al þe couenaunt þat I þe kynge asked

saf þat þou schal siker me segge bi þi trawþe

þat þou schal seche me þiself where so þou hopes

I may be funde vpon folde and foch þe such wages

as þou deles me to day bifore þis douþe ryche

where schulde I wale þe quoþ gauan where is þy plate

I wot neuer where þou wonyes bi hym þat me wro3t

ne I know not þe kny3t by cort ne þi name

bot teche me truly þerto and telle me how þou hattes

and I schal ware alle my wyt to wynne me þeder

and þat I swere þe for soþe and by my seker traweþ

þat is innogh in nwe 3er hit nedes no more

quoþ þe gome in þe grene to gawan þe hende

3if I þe telle trwly quen I þe tape haue

and þou me smoþely hatz smyten smartly I þe teche

of my hous and my home and myn owen nome

þen may þou frayst my fare and forwardez holde

and if I spende no speche þenne spedez þou þe better

for þou may leng in þy londe and layt no fyrre

bot slokes

ta now þy grymme tole to þe

and let se how þou cnokez

gladly sir for soþe

quoþ gawan his ax he strokes

þe grene kny3t vpon grounde grayþely hym dresses

a littel lut with þe hede þe lere he discouerez

his longe louelych lokkez he layd ouer his croun

let þe naked nec to þe note schewe

gauan gripped to his ax and gederes hit on hy3t

þe kay fot on þe folde he before sette

let him doun ly3tly ly3t on þe naked

þat þe scharp of þe schalk schyndered þe bones

and schrank þur3 þe schyire grece and scade hit in twynne

þat þe bit of þe broun stel bot on þe grounde

þe fayre hede fro þe halce hit to þe erþe

þat fele hit foyned wyth her fete þere hit forth roled

þe blod brayd fro þe body þat blykked on þe grene

and nawþer faltered ne fel þe freke neuer þe helder

bot styþly he start forth vpon styf schonkes

and ruyschly he ra3t out þere as renkkez stoden

la3t to his lufly hed and lyft hit vp sone

and syþen bo3ez to his blonk þe brydel he cachchez

steppez into stelbawe and strydez alofte

and his hede by þe here in his honde haldez

and as sadly þe segge hym in his sadel sette

as non vnhap had hym ayled þa3 hedlez ho we

in stedde

he brayde his bluk aboute

þat vgly bodi þat bledde

moni on of hym had doute

bi þat his resounz were redde

for þe hede in his honde he haldez vp euen

toward þe derrest on þe dece he dressez þe face

and hit lyfte vp þe y3e lyddez and loked ful brode

and meled þus much with his muthe as 3e may now here

loke gawan þou be grayþe to go as þou hettez

and layte as lelly til þou me lude fynde

as þou hatz hette in þis halle herande þise kny3tes

to þe grene chapel þou chose I charge þe to fotte

such a dunt as þou hatz dalt disserued þou habbez

to be 3ederly 3olden on nw 3eres morn

þe kny3t of þe grene chapel men knowen me mony

forþi me for to fynde if þou fraystez faylez þou neuer

þerfore com oþer recreaunt be calde þe behoueus

with a runisch rout þe raynez he tornez

halled out at þe hal dor his hed in his hande

þat þe fyr of þe flynt fla3e fro fole houes

to quat kyth he becom knwe non þere

neuer more þen þay wyste from queþen he watz wonnen

what þenne

þe kyng and gawen þare

at þat grene þay la3e and grenne

3et breued watz hit ful bare

a meruayl among þo menne

þa3 arþer þe hende kyng at hert hade wonder

he let no semblaunt be sene bot sayde ful hy3e

to þe comlych quene wyth cortays speche

dere dame to day demay yow neuer

wel bycommes such craft vpon cristmasse

laykyng of enterludez to la3e and to syng

among þise kynde caroles of kny3tez and ladyez

neuer þe lece to my mete I may me wel dres

for I haf sen a selly I may not forsake

he glent vpon sir gawen and gaynly he sayde

now sir heng vp þyn ax þat hatz innogh hewen

and hit watz don abof þe dece on doser to henge

þer alle men for meruayl my3t on hit loke

and bi trwe tytel þerof to telle þe wonder

þenne þay bo3ed to a borde þise burnes togeder

þe kyng and þe gode kny3t and kene men hem serued

of alle dayntyez double as derrest my3t falle

wyth alle maner of mete and mynstralcie boþe

wyth wele walt þay þat day til worþed an ende

in londe

now þenk wel sir gawan

for woþe þat þou ne wonde

þis auenture for to frayn

þat þou hatz tan on honde

this hanselle hatz arthur of auenturus on fyrst

in 3onge 3er for he 3erned 3elpyng to here

tha3 hym wordez were wane when þay to sete wenten

now ar þay stoken of sturne werk staf ful her hond

gawan watz glad to begynne þose gomnez in halle

bot þa3 þe ende be heuy haf 3e no wonder

for þa3 men ben mery in mynde quen þay han mayn drynk

a 3ere 3ernes ful 3erne and 3eldez neuer lyke

þe forme to þe fynisment foldez ful selden

forþi þis 3ol ouer3ede and þe 3ere after

and vche sesoun serlepes sued after oþer

after crystenmasse com þe crabbed lentoun

þat fraystez flesch wyth þe fysche and fode more symple

bot þenne þe weder of þe worlde wyth wynter hit þrepez

colde clengez adoun cloudez vplyften

schyre schedez þe rayn in schowrez ful warme

fallez vpon fayre flat flowrez þere schewen

boþe groundez and þe greuez grene ar her wedez

bryddez busken to bylde and bremlych syngen

for solace of þe softe somer þat sues þerafter

bi bonk

and blossumez bolne to blowe

bi rawez rych and ronk

þen notez noble inno3e

ar herde in wod so wlonk

after þe sesoun of somer wyth þe soft wyndez

quen zeferus syflez hymself on sedez and erbez

wela wynne is þe wort þat waxes þeroute

when þe donkande dewe dropez of þe leuez

to bide a blysful blusch of þe bry3t sunne

bot þen hy3es heruest and hardenes hym sone

warnez hym for þe wynter to wax ful rype

he dryues wyth dro3t þe dust for to ryse

fro þe face of þe folde to fly3e ful hy3e

wroþe wynde of þe welkyn wrastelez with þe sunne

þe leuez lancen fro þe lynde and ly3ten on þe grounde

and al grayes þe gres þat grene watz ere

þenne al rypez and rotez þat ros vpon fyrst

and þus 3irnez þe 3ere in 3isterdayez mony

and wynter wyndez a3ayn as þe worlde askez

no sage

til me3elmas mone

watz cumen wyth wynter wage

þen þenkkez gawan ful sone

of his anious uyage

3et quyl alhalday with arþer he lenges

and he made a fare on þat fest for þe frekez sake

with much reuel and ryche of þe rounde table

kny3tez ful cortays and comlych ladies

al for luf of þat lede in longynge þay were

bot neuer þe lece ne þe later þay neuened bot merþe

mony ioylez for þat ientyle iapez þer maden

for aftter mete with mournyng he melez to his eme

and spekez of his passage and pertly he sayde

now lege lorde of my lyf leue I yow ask

3e knowe þe cost of þis cace kepe I no more

to telle yow tenez þerof neuer bot trifel

bot I am boun to þe bur barely to morne

to sech þe gome of þe grene as god wyl me wysse

þenne þe best of þe bur3 bo3ed togeder

aywan and errik and oþer ful mony

sir doddinanal de sauage þe duk of clarence

launcelot and lyonel and lucan þe gode

sir boos and sir byduer big men boþe

and mony oþer menskful with mador de la port

alle þis compayny of court com þe kyng nerre

for to counseyl þe kny3t with care at her hert

þere watz much derue doel driuen in þe sale

þat so worþe as wawan schulde wende on þat ernde

to dry3e a delful dynt and dele no more

wyth bronde

þe kny3t mad ay god chere

and sayde quat schuld I wonde

of destines derf and dere

what may mon do bot fonde

he dowellez þer al þat day and dressez on þe morn

askez erly hys armez and alle were þay bro3t

fyrst a tule tapit ty3t ouer þe flet

and miche watz þe gyld gere þat glent þeralofte

þe stif mon steppez þeron and þe stel hondelez

dubbed in a dublet of a dere tars

and syþen a crafty capados closed aloft

þat wyth a bry3t blaunner was bounden withinne

þenne set þay þe sabatounz vpon þe segge fotez

his legez lapped in stel with luflych greuez

with polaynez piched þerto policed ful clene

aboute his knez knaged wyth knotez of golde

queme quyssewes þen þat coyntlych closed

his thik þrawen þy3ez with þwonges to tachched

and syþen þe brawden bryne of bry3t stel ryngez

vmbeweued þat wy3 vpon wlonk stuffe

and wel bornyst brace vpon his boþe armes

with gode cowters and gay and glouez of plate

and alle þe godlych gere þat hym gayn schulde

þat tyde

wyth ryche cote armure

his gold sporez spend with pryde

gurde wyth a bront ful sure

with silk sayn vmbe his syde

when he watz hasped in armes his harnays watz ryche

þe lest lachet ouer loupe lemed of golde

so harnayst as he watz he herknez his masse

offred and honoured at þe he3e auter

syþen he comez to þe kyng and to his cort ferez

lachez lufly his leue at lordez and ladyez

and þay hym kyst and conueyed bikende hym to kryst

bi þat watz gryngolet grayth and gurde with a sadel

þat glemed ful gayly with mony golde frenges

ayquere naylet ful nwe for þat note ryched

þe brydel barred aboute with bry3t golde bounden

þe apparayl of þe payttrure and of þe proude skyrtez

þe cropore and þe couertor acorded wyth þe arsounez

and al watz rayled on red ryche golde naylez

þat al glytered and glent as glem of þe sunne

þenne hentes he þe helme and hastily hit kysses

þat watz stapled stifly and stoffed wythinne

hit watz hy3e on his hede hasped bihynde

wyth a ly3tly vrysoun ouer þe auentayle

enbrawden and bounden wyth þe best gemmez

on brode sylkyn borde and bryddez on semez

as papiayez paynted peruyng bitwene

tortors and trulofez entayled so þyk

as mony burde þeraboute had ben seuen wynter

in toune

þe cercle watz more o prys

þat vmbeclypped hys croun

of diamauntez a deuys

þat boþe were bry3t and broun

then þay schewed hym þe schelde þat was of schyr goulez

wyth þe pentangel depaynt of pure golde hwez

he braydez hit by þe bauderyk aboute þe hals kestes

þat bisemed þe segge semlyly fayre

and quy þe pentangel apendez to þat prynce noble

I am in tent yow to telle þof tary hyt me schulde

hit is a syngne þat salamon set sumquyle

in bytoknyng of trawþe bi tytle þat hit habbez

for hit is a figure þat haldez fyue poyntez

and vche lyne vmbelappez and loukez in oþer

and ayquere hit is emdelez and englych hit callen

oueral as I here þe endeles knot

forþy hit acordez to þis kny3t and to his cler armez

for ay faythful in fyue and sere fyue syþez

gawan watz for gode knawen and as golde pured

voyded of vche vylany wyth verertuez ennourned

in mote

forþy þe pentangel nwe

he ber in schelde and cote

as tulk of tale most trwe

and gentylest kny3t of lote

fyrst he watz funden fautlez in his fyue wyttez

and efte fayled neuer þe freke in his fyue fyngres

and alle his afyaunce vpon folde watz in þe fyue woundez

þat cryst ka3t on þe croys as þe crede tellez

and quere soeuer þys mon in melly watz stad

his þro þo3t watz in þat þur3 alle oþer þyngez

þat alle his forsnes he fong at þe fyue joyez

þat þe hende heuen quene had of hir chylde

at þis cause þe kny3t comlyche hade

in þe inore half of his schelde hir ymage depaynted

þat quen he blusched þerto his belde neuer payred

þe fyft fyue þat I finde þat þe frek vsed

watz fraunchyse and fela3schyp forbe al þyng

his clannes and his cortaysye croked were neuer

and pite þat passez alle poyntez þyse pure fyue

were harder happed on þat haþel þen on any oþer

now alle þese fyue syþez for soþe were fetled on þis kny3t

and vchone halched in oþer þat non ende hade

and fyched vpon fyue poyntez þat fayld neuer

ne samned neuer in no syde ne sundred nouþer

withouten ende at any noke I quere fynde

whereeuer þe gomen bygan or glod to an ende

þerfore on his schene schelde schapen watz þe knot

ryally wyth red golde vpon rede gowlez

þat is þe pure pentaungel wyth þe peple called

with lore

now grayþed is gawan gay

and la3t his launce ry3t þore

and gef hem alle goud day

he wende for euermore

he sperred þe sted with þe spurez and sprong on his way

so stif þat þe stonfyr stroke out þerafter

al þat sey þat semly syked in hert

and sayde soþly al same segges til oþer

carande for þat comly bi kryst hit is scaþe

þat þou leude schal be lost þat art of lyf noble

to fynde hys fere vpon folde in fayth is not eþe

warloker to haf wro3t had more wyt bene

and haf dy3t 3onder dere a duk to haue worþed

a lowande leder of ledez in londe hym wel semez

and so had better haf ben þen britned to no3t

hadet wyth an aluisch mon for angardez pryde

who knew euer any kyng such counsel to take

as kny3tez in cauelounz on crystmasse gomnez

wel much watz þe warme water þat waltered of y3en

when þat semly syre so3t fro þo wonez

þad daye

he made non abode

bot wy3tly went hys way

mony wylsum way he rode

þe bok as I herde say

now ridez þis renk þur3 þe ryalme of logres

sir gauan on godez halue þa3 hym no gomen þo3t

oft leudlez alone he lengez on ny3tez

þer he fonde no3t hym byfore þe fare þat he lyked

hade he no fere bot his fole bi frythez and dounez

ne no gome bot god bi gate wyth to karp

til þat he ne3ed ful noghe into þe norþe walez

alle þe iles of anglesay on lyft half he haldez

and farez ouer þe fordez by þe forlondez

ouer at þe holy hede til he hade eft bonk

in þe wyldrenesse of wyrale wonde þer bot lyte

þat auþer god oþer gome wyth goud hert louied

and ay he frayned as he ferde at frekez þat he met

if þay hade herde any karp of a kny3t grene

in any grounde þeraboute of þe grene clapel

and al nykked hym wyth nay þat neuer in her lyue

þay se3e neuer no segge þat watz of suche hwez

of grene

þe kny3t tok gates straunge

in mony a bonk vnbene

his cher ful oft con chaunge

þat chapel er he my3t sene

mony klyf he ouerclambe in contrayez straunge

fer floten fro his frendez fremedly he rydez

at vche warþe oþer water þer þe wy3e passed

he fonde a foo hym byfore bot ferly hit were

and þat so foule and so felle þat fe3t hym byhode

fo mony meruayl bi mount þer þe mon fyndez

hit were to tore for to telle of þe tenþe dole

sumwhyle wyth wormez he werrez and with wolues als

sumwhyle wyth wodwos þat woned in þe knarrez

boþe wyth bullez and berez and borez oþerquyle

and etaynez þat hym anelede of þe he3e felle

nade he ben du3ty and dry3e and dry3tyn had serued

douteles he hade ben ded and dreped ful ofte

for werre wrathed hym not so much þat wynter was wors

when þe colde cler water fro þe cloudez schadden

and fres er hit falle my3t to þe fale erþe

ner slayn wyth þe slete he sleped in his yrnes

mo ny3tez þen innoghe in naked rokkez

þer as claterande fro þe crest þe colde borne rennez

and henged he3e ouer his hede in hard ysse ikkles

þus in peryl and payne and plytes ful harde

bi contray cayrez þis kny3t tyl krystmasse euen

al one

þe kny3t wel þat tyde

to mary made his mone

þat ho hym red to ryde

and wysse hym to sum wone

bi a mounte on þe morne meryly he rydes

into a forest ful dep þat ferly watz wylde

hi3e hillez on vche a halue and holtwodez vnder

of hore okez ful hoge a hundreth togeder

þe hasel and þe ha3þorne were harled al samen

with ro3e raged mosse rayled aywhere

with mony bryddez vnblyþe vpon bare twyges

þat pitosly þer piped for pyne of þe colde

þe gome vpon gryngolet glydez hem vnder

þur3 mony misy and myre mon al hym one

carande for his costes lest he ne keuer schulde

to se þe seruy of þat syre þat on þat self ny3t

of a burde watz borne oure baret to quelle

and þerfore sykyng he sayde I beseche þe lorde

and mary þat is myldest moder so dere

of sum herber þer he3ly I my3t here masse

ande þy matynez to morne mekely I ask

and þerto prestly I pray my pater and aue

and crede

he rode in his prayere

and cryed for his mysdede

he sayned hym in syþes sere

and sayde cros kryst me spede

nade he sayned hymself segge bot þrye

er he watz war in þe wod of a won in a mote

abof a launde on a lawe loken vnder bo3ez

of mony borelych bole aboute bi þe diches

a castel þe comlokest þat euer kny3t a3te

pyched on a prayere a park al aboute

with a pyked palays pynned ful þik

þat vmbete3e mony tre mo þen two myle

þat holde on þat on syde þe haþel auysed

as hit schemered and schon þur3 þe schyre okez

þenne hatz he hendly of his helme and he3ly he þonkez

jesus and say gilyan þat gentyle ar boþe

þat cortaysly hade hym kydde and his cry herkened

now bone hostel coþe þe burne I beseche yow 3ette

þenne gederez he to gryngolet with þe gilt helez

and he ful chauncely hatz chosen to þe chef gate

þat bro3t bremly þe burne to þe bryge ende

in haste

þe bryge watz breme vpbrayde

þe 3atez wer stoken faste

þe wallez were wel arayed

hit dut no wyndez blaste

þe burne bode on bonk þat on blonk houed

of þe depe double dich þat drof to þe place

þe walle wod in þe water wonderly depe

ande eft a ful huge he3t hit haled vpon lofte

of harde hewen ston vp to þe tablez

enbaned vnder þe abataylment in þe best lawe

and syþen garytez ful gaye gered bitwene

wyth mony luflych loupe þat louked ful clene

a better barbican þat burne blusched vpon neuer

and innermore he behelde þat halle ful hy3e

towre telded bytwene trochet ful þik

fayre fylyolez þat fy3ed and ferlyly long

with coroun coprounes craftyly sle3e

chalk whyt chymnees þer ches he inno3e

vpon bastel rouez þat blenked ful quyte

so mony pynakle payntet watz poudred ayquere

among þe castel carnelez clambred so þik

þat pared out of papure purely hit semed

þe fre freke on þe fole hit fayr innghe þo3t

if he my3t keuer to com þe cloyster wythinne

to herber in þat hostel whyl halyday lested

auinant

he calde and sone þer com

a porter pure plesaunt

on þe wal his ernd he nome

and haylsed þe kny3t erraunt

gode sir quoþ gawan woldez þou go myn ernde

to þe he3 lorde of þis hous herber to craue

3e peter quoþ þe porter and purely I trowoe

þat 3e be wy3e welcum to won quyle yow lykez

þen 3ede þe wy3e a3ayn swyþe

and folke frely hym wyth to fonge þe kny3t

þay let doun þe grete dra3t and derely out 3eden

and kneled doun on her knes vpon þe colde erþe

to welcum þis ilk wy3 as worþy hom þo3t

þay 3olden hym þe brode 3ate 3arked vp wyde

and he hem raysed rekenly and rod ouer þe brygge

sere seggez hym sesed by sadel quel he ly3t

and syþen stabeled his stede stif men inno3e

kny3tez and swyerez comen doun þenne

for to bryng þis buurne wyth blys into halle

quen he hef vp his helme þer hi3ed innoghe

for to hent hit at his honde þe hende to seruen

his bronde and his blasoun boþe þay token

þen haylsed he ful hendly þo haþelez vchone

and mony proud mon þer presed þat prynce to honour

alle hasped in his he3 wede to halle þay hym wonnen

þer fayre fyre vpon flet fersly brenned

þenne þe lorde of þe lede loutez fro his chambre

for to mete wyth menske þe mon on þe flor

he sayde 3e are welcum to welde as yow lykez

þat here is al is yowre awen to haue at yowre wylle

and welde

graunt mercy quoþ gawayn

þer kryst hit yow for3elde

as frekez þat semed fayn

ayþer oþer in armez con felde

gawayn gly3t on þe gome þat godly hym gret

and þu3t hit a bolde burne þat þe bur3 a3te

a hoge haþel for þe nonez and of hyghe eldee

brode bry3t watz his berde and al beuer hwed

sturne stif on þe stryþþe on stalworth schonkez

felle face as þe fyre and fre of hys speche

and wel hym semed for soþe as þe segge þu3t

to lede a lortschyp in lee of leudez ful gode

þe lorde hym charred to a chambre and clesly cumaundez

to delyuer hym a leude hym lo3ly to serue

and þere were boun at his bode burnez inno3e

þat bro3t hym to a bry3t boure þer beddyng watz noble

of cortynes of clene sylk wyth cler golde hemmez

and couertorez ful curious with comlych panez

of bry3t blaunmer aboue enbrawded bisydez

rudelez rennande on ropez red golde ryngez

tapitez ty3t to þe wo3e of tuly and tars

and vnder fete on þe flet of fol3ande sute

þer he watz dispoyled wyth spechez of myerþe

þe burn of his bruny and of his bry3t wedez

ryche robes ful rad renkkez hem bro3ten

for to charge and to chaunge and chose of þe best

sone as he on hent and happed þerinne

þat sete on hyn semly wyth saylande skyrtez

þe ver by his uisage verayly hit semed

welne3 to vche haþel alle on hwes

lowande and lufly alle his lymmez vnder

þat a comloker kny3t neuer kryst made

hem þo3t

wheþen in worlde he were

hit semed as he my3t

be prynce withouten pere

in felde þer felle men fy3t

a cheyer byfore þe chemne þer charcole brenned

watz grayþed for sir gawan grayþely with cloþez

whyssynes vpon queldepoyntes þa koynt wer boþe

and þenne a mere mantyle watz on þat mon cast

of a broun bleeaunt enbrauded ful ryche

and fayre furred wythinne with fellez of þe best

alle of ermyn in erde his hode of þe same

and he sete in þat settel semlych ryche

and achaufed hym cefly and þenne his cher mended

sone watz telded vp a tapit on trestez ful fayre

clad wyth a clene cloþe þat cler quyt schewed

sanap and salure and syluerin sponez

þe wy3e wesche at his wylle and went to his mete

seggez hym serued semly inno3e

wyth sere sewes and sete sesounde of þe best

double felde as hit fallez and fele kyn fischez

summe baken in bred summe brad on þe gledez

summe soþen summe in sewe sauered with spyces

and ay sawes so sle3ez þat þe segge lyked

þe freke calde hit a fest ful frely and ofte

ful hendely quen alle þe haþeles rehayted hym at onez

as hende

þis penaunce now 3e take

and eft hit schal amende

þat mon much merþe con make

for wyn in his hed þat wende

þenne watz spyed and spured vpon spare wyse

bi preue poyntez of þat prynce put to hymseluen

þat he beknew cortaysly of þe court þat he were

þat aþel arþure þe hende haldez hym one

þat is þe ryche ryal kyng of þe rounde table

and hit watz Wawen hymself þat in þat won syttez

comen to þat krystmasse as case hym þen lymped

when þe lorde hade lerned þat he þe leude hade

loude la3ed he þerat so lef hit hym þo3t

and alle þe men in þat mote maden much joye

to apere in his presense prestly þat tyme

þat alle prys and prowes and pured þewes

apendes to hys persoun and praysed is euer

byfore alle men vpon molde his mensk is þe most

vch segge ful softly sayde to his fere

now schal we semlych se sle3tez of þewez

and þe teccheles termes of talkyng noble

wich spede is in speche vnspurd may we lerne

syn we haf fonged þat fyne fader of nurture

god hatz geuen vus his grace godly for soþe

þat such a gest as gawan grauntez vus to haue

when burnez blyþe of his burþe schal sitte

and synge

in menyng of manerez mere

þis burne now schal vus bryng

I hope þat may hym here

schal lerne of luf talkyng

bi þat þe diner watz done and þe dere vp

hit watz ne3 at þe niy3t ne3ed þe tyme

claplaynez to þe chapeles chosen þe gate

rungen ful rychely ry3t as þay schulden

to þe hersum euensong of þe hy3e tyde

þe lorde loutes þerto and þe lady als

into a comly closet coyntly ho entrez

gawan glydez ful gay and gos þeder sone

þe lorde laches hym by þe lappe and ledez hym to sytte

and couþly hym knowez and callez hym his nome

and sayde he watz þe welcomest wy3e of þe worlde

and he hym þonkked þroly and ayþer halched oþer

and seten soberly samen þe seruise quyle

þenne lyst þe lady to loke on þe kny3t

þenne com ho of hir closet with mony cler burdez

ho watz þe fayrest in felle of flesche and of lyre

and of compas and colour and costes of alle oþer

and wener þen wenore as þe wy3e þo3t

he ches þur3 þe chaunsel to cheryche þat hende

an oþer lady hir lad bi þe lyft honde

þat watz alder þen ho an auncian hit semed

and he3ly honowred with haþelez aboute

bot vnlyke on to loke þo ladyes were

for if þe 3onge watz 3ep 3ol3e watz þat oþer

riche red on þat on rayled ayquere

rugh ronkled chekez þat oþer on rolled

kerchofes of þat on wyth mony cler perlez

hir brest and hir bry3t þrote bare displayed

schon schyrer þen snawe þat scheder on hillez

þat oþer wyth a gorger watz gered ouer þe swyre

chymbled ouer hir blake chyn with mylk quyte vayles

hir frount folden in sylk enfoubled ayquere

toret and treleted with tryflez aboute

þat no3t watz bare of þat burde bot þe blake bro3es

þe tweyne y3en and þe nase þe naked lyppez

and þose were soure to se and sellyly blered

a mensk lady on molde mon may hir calle

for gode

hir body watz schort and þik

hir buttokez bay and brode

more lykkerwys on to lyk

watz þat scho hade on lode

when gawayn gly3t on þat gay þat graciously loked

wyth leue la3t of þe lorde he went hem a3aynes

þe alder he haylses heldande ful lowe

þe loueloker he lappez a lyttel in armez

he kysses hir comlyly and kny3tly he melez

þay kallen hym of aquoyntaunce and he hit quyk askez

to be her seruant sothly if hemself lyked

þay tan hym bytwene hem wyth talkyng hym leden

to chambre to chemne and chefly þay asken

spycez þat vnsparely men speded hom to bryng

and þe wynnelych wyne þerwith vche tyme

þe lorde luflych aloft lepez ful ofte

mynned merthe to be made vpon mony syþez

hent he3ly of his hode and on a spere henged

and wayned hom to wynne þe worchip þerof

þat most myrþe my3t meue þat crystenmas whyle

and I schal fonde bi my fayth to fylter wyth þe best

er me wont þe wedez with help of my frendez

þus wyth la3ande lotez þe lorde hit tayt makez

for to glade sir gawayn with gomnez in halle

þat ny3t

til þat hit watz tyme

þe kyng comaundet ly3t

sir gawen his leue con nyme

and to his bed hym di3t

on þe morne as vch mon mynez þat tyme

þat dry3tyn for oure destyne to de3e watz borne

wele waxez in vche a won in worlde for his sake

so did hit þere on þat day þur3 dayntes mony

boþe at mes and at mele messes ful quaynt

derf men vpon dece drest of þe best

þe olde auncian wyf he3est ho syttez

þe lorde lufly her by lent as I trowe

gawan and þe gay burde togeder þay seten

euen inmyddez as þe messe metely come

and syþen þur3 al þe sale as hem best semed

bi vche grome at his degre grayþely watz serued

þer watz mete þer watz myrþe þer watz much ioye

þat for to telle þerof hit me tene were

and to poynte hit 3et I pyned me parauenture

bot 3et I wot þat wawen and þe wale burde

such comfort of her compaynye ca3ten togeder

þur3 her dere dalyaunce of her derne wordez

wyth clene cortays carp closed fro fylþe

and hor play watz passande vche prynce gomen

in vayres

trumpez and nakerys

much pypyng þer repayres

vche mon tented hys

and þay two tented þayres

much dut watz þer dryuen þat day and þat oþer

and þe þryd as þro þronge in þerafter

þe ioye of sayn jonez day watz gentyle to here

and watz þe last of þe layk leudez þer þo3ten

þer wer gestes to go vpon þe gray morne

forþy wonderly þay woke and þe wyn dronken

daunsed ful dre3ly wyth dere carolez

at þe last when hit watz late þay lachen her leue

vchon to wende on his way þat watz wy3e stronge

gawan gef hym god day þe godmon hym lachchez

ledes hym to his awen chambre þe hymne bysyde

and þere he dra3ez hym on dry3e and derely hym þonkkez

of þe wynne worschip and he hym wayued hade

as to honour his hous on þat hy3e tyde

and enbelyse his bur3 with his bele chere

iwysse sir quyl I leue me worþez þe better

þat gawayn hatz ben my gest at goddez awen fest

grant nerci sir quoþ gawayn in god fayth hit is yowrez

al þe honour is your awen þe he3e kyng yow 3elde

and I am wy3e at your wylle to worch youre hest

as I am halden þerto in hy3e and in lo3e

bi ri3t

þe lorde fast can hym payne

to holde lenger þe kny3t

to hym answrez gawayn

bi non way þat he my3t

then frayned þe freke ful fayre at himseluen

quat derue dede had hym dryuen at þat dere tyme

so kenly fro þe kyngez kourt to kayre al his one

er þe halidayez holly were halet out of toun

for soþe sir quoþ þe segge 3e sayn bot þe trawþe

a he3e ernde and a hasty me hade fro þo wonez

for I am sumned myselfe to sech to a place

I wot in worlde whederwarde to wende hit to fynde

I nolde bot if I hit negh my3t on nw 3eres morne

for alle þe londe inwyth logres so me oure lorde help

forþy sir þis enquest I require yow here

þat 3e me telle with trawþe if euer 3e tale herde

of þe grene chapel quere hit on grounde stondez

and of þe kny3t þat hit kepes of colour of grene

þer watz stabled bi statut a steuen vus bytwene

to mete þat mon at þat mere 3if I my3t last

and of þat ilk nw 3ere bot neked now wontez

and I wolde loke on þat lede if god me let wolde

gladloker bi goddez sun þen any god welde

forþi iwysse bi 3owre wylle wende me bihoues

naf I now to busy bot bare þre dayez

and me als fayn to falle feye as fayly of myyn ernde

þenne la3ande quoþ þe lorde now leng þe byhoues

for I schal teche yow to þa terme bi þe tymez ende

þe grene chapayle vpon grounde greue yow no more

bot 3e schal be in yowre bed burne at þyn ese

quyle forth dayez and ferk on þe fyrst of þe 3ere

and cum to þat merk at mydmorn to make quat yow likez

in spenne

dowellez whyle new 3eres daye

and rys and raykez þenne

mon schal yow sette in waye

hit is not two myle henne

þenne watz gawan ful glad and gomenly he la3ed

now I þonk yow þryuandely þur3 alle oþer þynge

now acheued is my chaunce I schal at your wylle

dowelle and ellez do quat 3e demen

þenne sesed hym þe syre and set hym bysyde

let þe ladiez be fette to lyke hem þe better

þer watz seme solace by hemself stille

þe lorde let for luf lotez so myry

as wy3 þat wolde of his wyte ne wyst quat he my3t

þenne he carped to þe kny3t criande loude

3e han demed to do þe dede þat I bidde

wyl 3e halde þis hes here at þys onez

3e sir for soþe sayd þe segge trwe

whyl I byde in 3owre bor3e be bayn to 3owe hest

for 3e haf trauayled quoþ þe tulk towen fro ferre

and syþen waked me wyth 3e arn not wel waryst

nauþer of sostnaunce ne of slepe soþly I knowe

3e schal lenge in your lofte and ly3e in your ese

to morn quyle þe messequyle and to mete wende

when 3e wyl wyth my wyf þat wyth yow schal sitte

and comfort yow with compayny til I to cort torne

3e lende

and I schal erly ryse

on huntyng wyl I wende

gauayn grantez alle þyse

hym heldande as þe hende

3et firre quoþ þe freke a forwarde we make

quat soeuer I wynne in þe wod hit worþez to yourez

and quat chek so 3e acheue chaunge me þerforne

swete swap we so sware with trawþe

queþer leude so lymp lere oþer better

bi god quoþ gawayn þe gode I grant þertylle

and þat yow lyst for to layke lef hit me þynkes

who bryngez vus þis beuerage þis bargayn is maked

so sayde þe lorde of þat lede þay la3ed vchone

þay dronken and daylyeden and dalten vnty3tel

þise lordez and ladyez quyle þat hem lyked

and syþen with frenkysch fare and fele fayre lotez

þay stoden and stemed and stylly speken

kysten ful comlyly and ka3ten her leue

with mony leude ful ly3t and lemande torches

vche burne to his bed watz bro3t at þe laste

ful softe

to bed 3et er þay 3ede

recorded couenauntez ofte

þe olde lorde of þat leude

cowþe wel halde layk alofte

ful erly bifore þe day þe folk vprysen

gestes þat go wolde hor gromez þay calden

and þay busken vp bilyue blonkkez to sadel

tyffen he takles trussen her males

richen hem þe rychest to ryde alle arayde

lepen vp ly3tly lachen her brydeles

vche wy3e on his way þer hym wel lyked

þe leue lorde of þe londe watz not þe last

arayed for þe rydyng with renkkez ful mony

ete a sop hastyly when he hade herde masse

with bugle to bent felde he buskez bylyue

by þat þat any dayly3t lemed vpon erþe

he with his haþeles on hy3e horsses weren

þenne þise cacheres þat couþe cowpled hor houndez

vnclosed þe kenel dore and calde hem þeroute

blwe bygly in buglez þre bare mote

braches bayed þerfore and breme noyse maked

and þay chastysed and charred on chasyng þat went

a hundreth of hunteres as I haf herde telle

of þe best

to trystors vewters 3od

couples huntes of kest

þer ros for blastez gode

gret rurd in þat forest

at þe fyrst quethe of þe quest quaked þe wylde

der drof in þe dale doted for drede

hi3ed to þe hy3e bot heterly þay were

restayed with þe stablye þat stoutly ascryed

þay let þe herttez haf þe gate with þe hy3e hedes

þe breme bukkez also with hor brode paumez

for þe fre lorde hade defende in fermysoun tyme

þat þer schulde no mon meue to þe male dere

þe hindez were halden in with hay and war

þe does dryuen with gret dyn to þe depe sladez

þer my3t mon se as þay slypte slentyng of arwes

at vche wende vnder wande wapped a flone

þat bigly bote on þe broun with ful brode hedez

what þay brayen and bleden bi bonkkez þay de3en

and ay rachches in a res radly hem fol3es

hunterez wyth hy3e horne hasted hem after

wyth such a crakkande kry as klyffes haden brusten

what wylde so atwaped wy3es þat schotten

watz al toraced and rent at þe resayt

bi þay were tened at þe hy3e and taysed to þe wattrez

þe ledez were so lerned at þe lo3e trysteres

and þe grehoundez so grete þat geten hem bylyue

and hem tofylched as fast as frekez my3t loke

þer ry3t

þe lorde for blys abloy

ful oft con launce and ly3t

and drof þat day wyth joy

thus to þe derk ny3t

þus laykez þis lorde by lynde wodez euez

and gawayn þe god mon in gay bed lygez

lurkkez quyl þe dayly3t lemed on þe wowes

vnder couertour ful clere cortyned aboute

and as in slomeryng he slode sle3ly he herde

a littel dyn at his dor and derfly vpon

and he heuez vp his hed out of þe cloþes [fol. 107r]

a corner of þe cortyn he ca3t vp a lyttel

and waytez warly þiderwarde quat hit be my3t

hit watz þe ladi loflyest to beholde

þat dro3 þe dor after hir ful dernly and stylle

and bo3ed towarde &t

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Alliterative Verse / Avant-Garde

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight