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Lythe and listenythe the lif of a lord riche, The while that he lyvid was none hym liche, Nether in bowre ne in halle. In the tyme of Arthoure thys adventure betyd, And of the greatt adventure that he hymself dyd, That Kyng curteys and royalle. Of alle kynges Arture berythe the flowyr, And of alle knyghtod he bare away the honour, Wheresoevere he wentt. In his contrey was nothyng butt chyvalry And knyghtes were belovid by that doughty, For cowardes were everemore shent. Nowe wylle ye lyst a whyle to my talkyng, I shalle you telle of Arthowre the Kyng, Howe ones hym befelle. On huntyng he was in Ingleswod, With alle his bold knyghtes good - Nowe herken to my spelle! The Kyng was sett att his trestylle-tree With hys bowe to sle the wylde veneré And hys lordes were sett hym besyde. As the Kyng stode, then was he ware Where a greatt hartt was and a fayre, And forthe fast dyd he glyde. The hartt was in a braken ferne, And hard the houndes, and stode fulle derne: Alle that sawe the Kyng. "Hold you stylle, every man, And I wolle goo myself, yf I can, With crafte of stalkyng." The Kyng in hys hand toke a bowe And wodmanly he stowpyd lowe To stalk unto that dere. When that he cam the dere fulle nere, The dere lept forthe into a brere, And evere the Kyng went nere and nere. So Kyng Arthure went a whyle After the dere, I trowe, half a myle, And no man with hym went. And att the last to the dere he lett flye And smote hym sore and sewerly - Suche grace God hym sent. Doun the dere tumblyd so theron, And felle into a greatt brake of feron; The Kyng folowyd fulle fast. Anon the Kyng bothe ferce and felle Was with the dere and dyd hym serve welle, And after the grasse he taste. As the Kyng was with the dere alone, Streyghte ther cam to hym a quaynt grome, Armyd welle and sure, A knyght fulle strong and of greatt myghte. And grymly wordes to the Kyng he sayd: "Welle imet, Kyng Arthour! Thou hast me done wrong many a yere And wofully I shall quytte the here; I hold thy lyfe days nyghe done. Thou hast gevyn my landes in certayn With greatt wrong unto Sir Gawen. Whate sayest thou, Kyng alone?" "Syr Knyghte, whate is thy name with honour?" "Syr Kyng," he sayd, "Gromer Somer Joure, I telle the nowe with ryghte." "A, Sir Gromer Somer, bethynk the welle; To sle me here honour getyst thou no delle. Bethynk the thou artt a knyghte: Yf thou sle me nowe in thys case, Alle knyghtes wolle refuse the in every place; That shame shalle nevere the froo. Lett be thy wylle and folowe wytt And that is amys I shalle amend itt, And thou wolt, or that I goo." "Nay," sayd Sir Gromer Somer, "by Hevyn Kyng! So shalt thou nott skape, withoute lesyng; I have the nowe att avaylle. Yf I shold lett the thus goo with mokery, Anoder tyme thou wolt me defye; Of that I shalle nott faylle." "Now," sayd the Kyng, "so God me save, Save my lyfe, and whate thou most crave, I shalle now graunt itt the; Shame thou shalt have to sle me in veneré, Thou armyd and I clothyd butt in grene, perdé." "Alle thys shalle nott help the, sekyrly. For I wolle nother lond ne gold, truly, Butt yf thou graunt me att a certeyn day Suche as I shalle sett, and in thys same araye." "Yes," sayd the Kyng; "Lo, here my hand." "Ye, butt abyde, Kyng, and here me a stound. Fyrst thow shalt swere upon my sword broun To shewe me att thy comyng whate wemen love best in feld and town And thou shalt mete me here withouten send Evyn att this day twelfe monethes end; And thou shalt swere upon my swerd good That of thy knyghtes shalle none com with the, by the Rood, Nowther fremde ne freynd. "And yf thou bryng nott answere withoute faylle, Thyne hed thou shalt lose for thy travaylle - Thys shalle nowe be thyne othe. Whate sayst thou, Kyng? Lett se, have done!" "Syr, I graunt to thys! Now lett me gone. Thoughe itt be to me fulle lothe, I ensure the, as I am true kyng, To com agayn att thys twelfe monethes endyng And bryng the thyne answere." "Now go thy way, Kyng Arthure. Thy lyfe is in my hand, I am fulle sure; Of thy sorowe thow artt nott ware. "Abyde, Kyng Arthure, a lytell whyle: Loke nott today thou me begyle, And kepe alle thyng in close - For and I wyst, by Mary mylde, Thou woldyst betray me in the feld, Thy lyf fyrst sholdyst thou lose." "Nay," sayd Kyng Arthure, "that may nott be. Untrewe knyght shalt thou nevere fynde me - To dye yett were me lever. Farwelle, Sir Knyght, and evyll mett. I wolle com, and I be on lyve att the day sett, Thoughe I shold scape nevere." The Kyng his bugle gan blowe. That hard every knyght and itt gan knowe; Unto hym can they rake. Ther they fond the Kyng and the dere, With sembland sad and hevy chere, That had no lust to layk. "Go we home nowe to Carlylle; Thys huntyng lykys me nott welle," So sayd Kyng Arthure. Alle the lordes knewe by his countenaunce That the Kyng had mett with sume dysturbaunce. Unto Carlylle then the Kyng cam, Butt of his hevynesse knewe no man; Hys hartt was wonder hevy. In this hevynesse he dyd abyde That many of his knyghtes mervelyd that tyde, Tylle att the last Sir Gawen To the Kyng he sayd than: "Syr, me marvaylythe ryghte sore Whate thyng that thou sorowyst fore." Then answeryd the Kyng as tyghte: "I shall the telle, gentylle Gawen knyght. In the Forest as I was this daye, Ther I mett with a knyght in his araye, And serteyn wordes to me he gan sayn And chargyd me I shold hym nott bewrayne; Hys councelle must I kepe therfore, Or els I am forswore." "Nay, drede you nott, Lord! By Mary flower, I am nott that man that wold you dishonour Nother by evyn ne by moron." "Forsothe I was on huntyng in Ingleswod; Thowe knowest welle I slewe an hartt, by the Rode, Alle mysylf alon. Ther mett I with a knyght armyd sure; His name he told me was Sir Gromer Somer Joure: Therfor I make my mone. "Ther that knyght fast dyd me threte And wold have slayn me with greatt heatt, But I spak fayre agayn. Wepyns with me ther had I none; Alas! My worshypp therfor is nowe gone." "What therof?" sayd Gawen. "Whatt nedys more? I shalle nott lye: He wold have slayn me ther withoute mercy - And that me was fulle lothe. He made me to swere that att the twelfe monethes end That I shold mete hym ther in the same kynde; To that I plyghte my trowithe. "And also I shold telle hym att the same day Whate wemen desyren moste, in good faye; My lyf els shold I lese. This othe I made unto that knyghte, And that I shold nevere telle itt to no wight; Of thys I myghte nott chese. And also I shold com in none oder araye, Butt evyn as I was the same daye. And yf I faylyd of myne answere, I wott I shal be slayn ryghte there. Blame me nott thoughe I be a wofulle man; Alle thys is my drede and fere." "Ye, Sir, make good chere. Lett make your hors redy To ryde into straunge contrey; And evere wheras ye mete owther man or woman, in faye, Ask of theym whate thay therto saye, And I shalle also ryde anoder waye And enquere of every man and woman and gett whatt I may Of every man and womans answere; And in a boke I shalle theym wryte." "I graunt," sayd the Kyng as tyte; "Ytt is welle advysed, Gawen the good, Evyn by the Holy Rood." Sone were they bothe redy, Gawen and the Kyng, wytterly. The Kyng rode on way and Gawen anoder And evere enquyred of man, woman, and other, Whate wemen desyred moste dere. Somme sayd they lovyd to be welle arayd, Somme sayd they lovyd to be fayre prayed, Somme sayd they lovyd a lusty man That in theyr armys can clypp them and kysse them than. Somme sayd one, somme sayd other; And so had Gawen getyn many an answere. By that Gawen had geten whate he maye And come agayn by a certeyn daye. Syr Gawen had goten answerys so many That had made a boke greatt, wytterly. To the courte he cam agayn. By that was the Kyng comyn with hys boke, And eyther on others pamplett dyd loke. "Thys may nott faylle," sayd Gawen. "By God," sayd the Kyng, "I drede me sore; I cast me to seke a lytelle more In Yngleswod Forest. I have butt a monethe to my day sett; I may hapen on somme good tydynges to hitt - Thys thynkythe me nowe best." "Do as ye lyst," then Gawen sayd, "Whatesoevere ye do I hold me payd; Hytt is good to be spyrryng. Doute you nott, Lord, ye shalle welle spede; Sume of your sawes shalle help att nede, Els itt were ylle lykyng." Kyng Arthoure rode forthe on the other day Into Yngleswod as hys gate laye, And ther he mett with a Lady. She was as ungoodly a creature As evere man sawe, withoute mesure. Kyng Arthure mervaylyd securly. Her face was red, her nose snotyd withalle, Her mowithe wyde, her tethe yalowe overe alle, With bleryd eyen gretter then a balle. Her mowithe was nott to lak: Her tethe hyng overe her lyppes, Her chekys syde as wemens hippes. A lute she bare upon her bak; Her nek long and therto greatt; Her here cloteryd on an hepe; In the sholders she was a yard brode. Hangyng pappys to be an hors lode, And lyke a barelle she was made. And to reherse the fowlnesse of that Lady, Ther is no tung may telle, securly; Of lothynesse inowghe she had. She satt on a palfray was gay begon, With gold besett and many a precious stone. Ther was an unsemely syghte: So fowlle a creature withoute mesure To ryde so gayly, I you ensure, Ytt was no reason ne ryghte. She rode to Arthoure and thus she sayd: "God spede, Sir Kyng! I am welle payd That I have with the mett; Speke with me, I rede, or thou goo, For thy lyfe is in my hand, I warn the soo; That shalt thou fynde, and I itt nott lett." "Why, whatt wold ye, Lady, nowe with me?" "Syr, I wold fayn nowe speke with the And telle the tydynges good. For alle the answerys that thou canst yelpe, None of theym alle shalle the helpe. That shalt thou knowe, by the Rood. Thou wenyst I knowe nott thy councelle, Butt I warn the, I knowe itt every dealle. Yf I help the nott, thou art butt dead. Graunt me, Sir Kyng, butt one thyng, And for thy lyfe I make warrauntyng, Or elles thou shalt lose thy hed." "Whate mean you, Lady? Telle me tyghte, For of thy wordes I have great dispyte; To you I have no nede. Whate is your desyre, fayre Lady? Lett me wete shortly - Whate is your meanyng? And why my lyfe is in your hand? Telle me, and I shalle you warraunt Alle your oun askyng." "Forsothe," sayd the Lady, "I am no qued. Thou must graunt me a knyght to wed: His name is Sir Gawen. And suche covenaunt I wolle make the, Butt thorowe myne answere thy lyf savyd be, Elles lett my desyre be in vayne. And yf myne answere save thy lyf, Graunt me to be Gawens wyf. Advyse the nowe, Sir Kyng. For itt must be so, or thou artt butt dead; Chose nowe, for thou mayste sone lose thyne hed. Telle me nowe in hying." "Mary!" sayd the Kyng, "I maye nott graunt the To make warraunt Sir Gawen to wed the; Alle lyethe in hym alon. Butt and itt be so, I wolle do my labour In savyng of my lyfe to make itt secour; To Gawen wolle I make my mone." "Welle," sayd she, "nowe go home agayn And fayre wordes speke to Sir Gawen, For thy lyf I may save. Thoughe I be foulle, yett am I gaye; Thourghe me thy lyfe save he maye Or sewer thy dethe to have." "Alas!" he sayd; "Nowe woo is me That I shold cause Gawen to wed the, For he wol be lothe to saye naye. So foulle a Lady as ye ar nowe one Sawe I nevere in my lyfe on ground gone; I nott whate I do may." "No force, Sir Kyng, thoughe I be foulle; Choyse for a make hathe an owlle. Thou getest of me no more. When thou comyst agayn to thyne answere Ryghte in this place I shalle mete the here, Or elles I wott thou artt lore." "Now farewelle," sayd the Kyng, "Lady." "Ye, Sir," she sayd, "ther is a byrd men calle an owlle... And yett a Lady I am." "Whate is your name, I pray you, telle me?" "Syr Kyng, I highte Dame Ragnelle, truly, That nevere yett begylyd man." "Dame Ragnelle, now have good daye." "Syr Kyng, God spede the on thy way! Ryghte here I shalle the mete." Thus they departyd fayre and welle. The Kyng fulle sone com to Carlylle, And his hartt hevy and greatt. The fyrst man he mett was Sir Gawen, That unto the Kyng thus gan sayn, "Syr, howe have ye sped?" "Forsothe," sayd the Kyng, "nevere so ylle! Alas, I am in poynt myself to spylle, For nedely I most be ded." "Nay," sayd Gawen, "that may nott be! I had lever myself be dead, so mott I the. Thys is ille tydand." "Gawen, I mett today with the fowlyst Lady That evere I sawe, sertenly. She sayd to me my lyfe she wold save - Butt fyrst she wold the to husbond have. Wherfor I am wo begon - Thus in my hartt I make my mone." "Ys this alle?" then sayd Gawen; "I shalle wed her and wed her agayn, Thowghe she were a fend; Thowghe she were as foulle as Belsabub, Her shalle I wed, by the Rood, Or elles were nott I your frende. "For ye ar my Kyng with honour And have worshypt me in many a stowre; Therfor shalle I nott lett. To save your lyfe, Lorde, itt were my parte, Or were I false and a greatt coward; And my worshypp is the bett." "Iwys, Gawen, I mett her in Inglyswod. She told me her name, by the Rode: That itt was Dame Ragnelle. She told me butt I had of her answere, Elles alle my laboure is nevere the nere - Thus she gan me telle. "And butt yf her answere help me welle Elles let her have her desyre no dele - This was her covenaunt. And yf her answere help me, and none other, Then wold she have you: here is alle togeder That made she warraunt." "As for this," sayd Gawen, "itt shalle nott lett: I wolle wed her att whate tyme ye wolle sett. I pray you, make no care. For and she were the moste fowlyst wyghte That evere men myghte se with syghte, For your love I wolle nott spare." "Garamercy, Gawen," then sayd Kyng Arthor; "Of alle knyghtes thou berest the flowre That evere yett I fond. My worshypp and my lyf thou savyst forevere; Therfore my love shalle nott frome the dyssevyr, As I am Kyng in lond." Then within five or six days The Kyng must nedys goo his ways To bere his answere. The Kyng and Sir Gawen rode oute of toun - No man with them, butt they alone, Neder ferre ne nere. When the Kyng was within the Forest: "Syr Gawen, farewelle, I must go west; Thou shalt no furder goo." "My Lord, God spede you on your jorney. I wold I shold nowe ryde your way, For to departe I am ryghte wo." The Kyng had rydden butt a while, Lytelle more then the space of a myle, Or he mett Dame Ragnelle. "A, Sir Kyng! Ye arre nowe welcum here. I wott ye ryde to bere your answere; That wolle avaylle you no dele." "Nowe," sayd the Kyng, "sithe itt wolle none other be, Telle me your answere nowe, and my lyfe save me; Gawen shalle you wed. So he hathe promysed me my lyf to save, And your desyre nowe shalle ye have, Bothe in bowre and in bed. Therfor telle me nowe alle in hast - Whate wolle help now att last? Have done, I may nott tary." "Syr," quod Dame Ragnelle, "nowe shalt thou knowe Whate wemen desyren moste of highe and lowe; From this I wolle nott varaye: "Summe men sayn we desyre to be fayre; Also we desyre to have repayre Of diverse straunge men; Also we love to have lust in bed; And often we desyre to wed. Thus ye men nott ken Yett we desyre anoder maner thyng: To be holden nott old, butt fresshe and yong, With flatryng and glosyng and quaynt gyn - So ye men may us wemen evere wyn Of whate ye wolle crave. "Ye goo fulle nyse, I wolle nott lye; Butt there is one thyng is alle oure fantasye, And that nowe shalle ye knowe. We desyren of men above alle maner thyng To have the sovereynté, withoute lesyng, Of alle, bothe hyghe and lowe. For where we have sovereynté, alle is ourys, Thoughe a knyght be nevere so ferys, And evere the mastry wynne. Of the moste manlyest is oure desyre: To have the sovereynté of suche a syre, Suche is oure crafte and gynne. "Therfore wend, Sir Kyng, on thy way, And telle that knyght, as I the saye, That itt is as we desyren moste. He wol be wrothe and unsoughte And curse her fast that itt the taughte, For his laboure is lost. Go forthe, Sir Kyng, and hold promyse, For thy lyfe is sure nowe in alle wyse, That dare I welle undertake." The Kyng rode forthe a greatt shake, As fast as he myghte gate Thorowe myre, more, and fenne, Whereas the place was sygnyd and sett then. Evyn there with Sir Gromer he mett, And stern wordes to the Kyng he spak with that: "Com of, Sir Kyng, nowe lett se Of thyne answere, whate itt shal be, For I am redy grathyd." The Kyng pullyd oute bokes twayne: "Syr, ther is myne answer, I dare sayn; For somme wolle help att nede." Syr Gromer lokyd on theym everychon: "Nay, nay, Sir Kyng, thou artt butt a dead man; Therfor nowe shalt thou blede." "Abyde, Sir Gromer," sayd Kyng Arthoure, "I have one answere shalle make alle sure." "Lett se," then sayd Sir Gromer, "Or els, so God me help, as I the say, Thy dethe thou shalt have with large paye, I telle the nowe ensure." "Now," sayd the Kyng, "I se, as I gesse, In the is butt a lytelle gentilnesse, By God that ay is helpand. Here is oure answere, and that is alle That wemen desyren moste specialle, Bothe of fre and bond: "I saye no more, butt above al thyng Wemen desyre sovereynté, for that is theyr lykyng. And that is ther moste desyre, To have the rewlle of the manlyest men, And then ar they welle. Thus they me dyd ken To rule the, Gromer Syre." "And she that told the nowe, Sir Arthoure, I pray to God, I maye se her bren on a fyre; For that was my suster, Dame Ragnelle, That old scott, God geve her shame. Elles had I made the fulle tame; Nowe have I lost moche travaylle. "Go where thou wolt, Kyng Arthoure, For of me thou maiste be evere sure. Alas, that I evere se this day! Nowe, welle I wott, myne enimé thou wolt be. And att suche a pryk shall I nevere gett the; My song may be 'Welle-awaye!"' "No," sayd the Kyng, "that make I warraunt: Some harnys I wolle have to make me defendaunt, That make I God avowe! In suche a plyghte shalt thou nevere me fynde; And yf thou do, lett me bete and bynde, As is for thy best prouf." "Nowe have good day," sayd Sir Gromer. "Farewele," sayd Sir Arthoure; "so mott I the, I am glad I have so sped." Kyng Arthoure turnyd hys hors into the playn, And sone he mett with Dame Ragnelle agayn, In the same place and stede. "Syr Kyng, I am glad ye have sped welle. I told howe itt wold be, every delle; Nowe hold that ye have hyghte: Syn I have savyd your lyf, and none other, Gawen must me wed, Sir Arthoure, That is a fulle gentille knyght." "No, Lady; that I you hyghte I shalle nott faylle. So ye wol be rulyd by my councelle, Your wille then shalle ye have." "Nay, Sir Kyng, nowe wolle I nott soo; Openly I wol be weddyd, or I parte the froo Elles shame wolle ye have. Ryde before, and I wolle com after, Unto thy courte, Syr Kyng Arthoure. Of no man I wolle shame; Bethynk you howe I have savyd your lyf. Therfor with me nowe shalle ye nott stryfe, For and ye do, ye be to blame." The Kyng of her had greatt shame, Butt forth she rood, thoughe he were grevyd; Tylle they cam to Karlyle forth they mevyd. Into the courte she rode hym by; For no man wold she spare, securly - Itt likyd the Kyng fulle ylle. Alle the contraye had wonder greatt Fro whens she com, that foule unswete; They sawe nevere of so fowlle a thyng. Into the halle she went, in certen. "Arthoure, Kyng, lett fetche me Sir Gaweyn, Before the knyghtes, alle in hying, "That I may nowe be made sekyr. In welle and wo trowithe plyghte us togeder Before alle thy chyvalry. This is your graunt; lett se, have done. Sett forthe Sir Gawen, my love, anon, For lenger tarying kepe nott I." Then cam forthe Sir Gawen the knyght: "Syr, I am redy of that I you hyghte, Alle forwardes to fulfylle." "God have mercy!" sayd Dame Ragnelle then; "For thy sake I wold I were a fayre woman, For thou art of so good wylle." Ther Sir Gawen to her his trowthe plyghte In welle and in woo, as he was a true knyght; Then was Dame Ragnelle fayn. "Alas!" then sayd Dame Gaynour; So sayd alle the ladyes in her bower, And wept for Sir Gawen. "Alas!" then sayd bothe Kyng and knyght, That evere he shold wed suche a wyghte, She was so fowlle and horyble. She had two tethe on every syde As borys tuskes, I wolle nott hyde, Of lengthe a large handfulle. The one tusk went up and the other doun. A mowthe fulle wyde and fowlle igrown, With grey herys many on. Her lyppes laye lumpryd on her chyn; Nek forsothe on her was none iseen - She was a lothly on! She wold nott be weddyd in no maner Butt there were made a krye in all the shyre, Bothe in town and in borowe. Alle the ladyes nowe of the lond, She lett kry to com to hand To kepe that brydalle thorowe. So itt befylle after on a daye That maryed shold be that fowlle maye Unto Sir Gawen. The daye was comyn the daye shold be; Therof the ladyes had greatt pitey. "Alas!" then gan they sayn. The Queen prayd Dame Ragnelle sekerly - "To be maryed in the mornyng erly, As pryvaly as ye may." "Nay!" she sayd; "By Hevyn Kyng, That wolle I nevere, for no thyng, For oughte that ye can saye. "I wol be weddyd alle openly, For with the Kyng suche covenaunt made I. I putt you oute of dowte, I wolle nott to churche tylle Highe Masse tyme And in the open halle I wolle dyne, In myddys of alle the rowte." "I am greed," sayd Dame Gaynour; "Butt me wold thynk more honour And your worshypp moste." "Ye, as for that, Lady, God you save. This daye my worshypp wolle I have, I telle you withoute boste." She made her redy to churche to fare And alle the states that there ware, Syrs, withoute lesing. She was arayd in the richest maner, More fressher than Dame Gaynour; Her arayment was worthe thre thowsand mark Of good red nobles, styff and stark, So rychely she was begon. For alle her rayment, she bare the belle Of fowlnesse, that evere I hard telle - So fowlle a sowe sawe nevere man. For to make a shortt conclusion, When she was weddyd, they hyed theym home; To mete alle they went. This fowlle Lady bygan the highe dese; She was fulle foulle and nott curteys, So sayd they alle verament. When the servyce cam her before, She ete as moche as six that ther wore; That mervaylyd many a man. Her nayles were long ynchys thre, Therwith she breke her mete ungoodly; Therfore she ete alone. She ette thre capons, and also curlues thre, And greatt bake metes she ete up, perdé. Al men therof had mervaylle. Ther was no mete cam her before Butt she ete itt up, lesse and more, That praty, fowlle dameselle. Alle men then that evere her sawe Bad the deville her bonys gnawe, Bothe knyght and squyre. So she ete tylle mete was done, Tylle they drewe clothes and had wasshen, As is the gyse and maner. Meny men wold speke of diverse service; I trowe ye may wete inowghe ther was, Bothe of tame and wylde. In Kyng Arthours courte ther was no wontt That myghte be gotten with mannys hond, Noder in Forest ne in feld. Ther were mynstralles of diverse contrey. [The manuscript is here missing one leaf, containing about seventy lines; the narrative continues at the moment of Ragnelle's and Gawain's wedding night.] "A, Sir Gawen, syn I have you wed, Shewe me your cortesy in bed; With ryghte itt may nott be denyed. "Iwyse, Sir Gawen," that Lady sayd, "And I were fayre ye wold do anoder brayd, Butt of wedlok ye take no hed. Yett for Arthours sake kysse me att the leste; I pray you do this att my request. Lett se howe ye can spede." Sir Gawen sayd, "I wolle do more Then for to kysse, and God before!" He turnyd hym her untille. He sawe her the fayrest creature That evere he sawe, withoute mesure. She sayd, "Whatt is your wylle?" "A, Jhesu!" he sayd; "Whate ar ye?" "Sir, I am your wyf, securly. Why ar ye so unkynde?" "A, Lady, I am to blame. I cry you mercy, my fayre madame - Itt was nott in my mynde. A Lady ye ar fayre in my syghte, And today ye were the foulyst wyghte That evere I sawe with mine ie. Wele is me, my Lady, I have you thus" - And brasyd her in his armys and gan her kysse And made greatt joye, sycurly. "Syr," she sayd, "thus shalle ye me have: Chese of the one, so God me save, My beawty wolle nott hold - Wheder ye wolle have me fayre on nyghtes And as foulle on days to alle men sightes, Or els to have me fayre on days And on nyghtes on the fowlyst wyfe - The one ye must nedes have. Chese the one or the oder. Chese on, Sir Knyght, whiche you is levere, Your worshypp for to save." "Alas!" sayd Gawen; "The choyse is hard. To chese the best, itt is froward, Wheder choyse that I chese: To have you fayre on nyghtes and no more, That wold greve my hartt ryghte sore, And my worshypp shold I lese. And yf I desyre on days to have you fayre, Then on nyghtes I shold have a symple repayre. Now fayn wold I chose the best: I ne wott in this world whatt I shalle saye, Butt do as ye lyst nowe, my Lady gaye. The choyse I putt in your fyst: "Evyn as ye wolle, I putt itt in your hand. Lose me when ye lyst, for I am bond; I putt the choyse in you. Bothe body and goodes, hartt, and every dele, Ys alle your oun, for to by and selle - That make I God avowe!" "Garamercy, corteys Knyght," sayd the Lady; "Of alle erthly knyghtes blyssyd mott thou be, For now am I worshyppyd. Thou shalle have me fayre bothe day and nyghte And evere whyle I lyve as fayre and bryghte; Therfore be nott grevyd. "For I was shapen by nygramancy, With my stepdame, God have on her mercy, And by enchauntement; And shold have bene oderwyse understond, Evyn tylle the best of Englond Had wedyd me verament, And also he shold geve me the sovereynté Of alle his body and goodes, sycurly. Thus was I disformyd; And thou, Sir Knyght, curteys Gawen, Has gevyn me the sovereynté serteyn, That woll nott wrothe the erly ne late. "Kysse me, Sir Knyght, evyn now here; I pray the, be glad and make good chere, For well is me begon." Ther they made joye oute of mynde, So was itt reason and cours of kynde, They two theymself alone. She thankyd God and Mary mylde She was recovered of that that she was defoylyd; So dyd Sir Gawen. He made myrthe alle in her boure And thankyd of alle Oure Savyoure, I telle you, in certeyn. With joye and myrthe they wakyd tylle daye And than wold ryse that fayre maye. "Ye shalle nott," Sir Gawen sayd; "We wolle lye and slepe tylle pryme And then lett the Kyng calle us to dyne." "I am greed," then sayd the mayd. Thus itt passyd forth tylle middaye. "Syrs," quod the Kyng, "lett us go and asaye Yf Sir Gawen be on lyve. I am fulle ferd of Sir Gawen, Nowe lest the fende have hym slayn; Nowe wold I fayn preve. "Go we nowe," sayd Arthoure the Kyng. "We wolle go se theyr uprysyng, Howe welle that he hathe sped." They cam to the chambre, alle incerteyn. "Aryse," sayd the Kyng to Sir Gawen; "Why slepyst thou so long in bed?" "Mary," quod Gawen, "Sir Kyng, sicurly, I wold be glad, and ye wold lett me be, For I am fulle welle att eas. Abyde, ye shalle se the dore undone! I trowe that ye wolle say I am welle goon; I am fulle lothe to ryse." Syr Gawen rose, and in his hand he toke His fayr Lady, and to the dore he shoke, And opynyd the dore fulle fayre. She stod in her smok alle by that fyre; Her here was to her knees as red as gold wyre. "Lo, this is my repayre! Lo!" sayd Gawen Arthoure untille - "Syr, this is my wyfe, Dame Ragnelle, That savyd onys your lyfe." He told the Kyng and the Queen hem beforn Howe sodenly from her shap she dyd torne - "My Lord, nowe be your leve" - And whate was the cause she forshapen was Syr Gawen told the Kyng both more and lesse. "I thank God," sayd the Queen; "I wenyd, Sir Gawen, she wold the have myscaryed; Therfore in my hartt I was sore agrevyd. Butt the contrary is here seen!" Ther was game, revelle, and playe, And every man to other gan saye, "She is a fayre wyghte." Than the Kyng them alle gan telle How did help hym att nede Dame Ragnelle, "Or my dethe had bene dyghte." Ther the Kyng told the Queen, by the Rood, Howe he was bestad in Ingleswod With Sir Gromer Somer Joure, And whate othe the knyght made hym swere, "Or elles he had slayn me ryghte there Withoute mercy or mesure. This same Lady, Dame Ragnelle, From my dethe she dyd help me ryght welle, Alle for the love of Gawen." Then Gawen told the Kyng alle togeder Howe forshapen she was with her stepmoder Tylle a knyght had holpen her agayn. Ther she told the Kyng fayre and welle Howe Gawen gave her the sovereynté every delle, And whate choyse she gave to hym. "God thank hym of his curtesye; He savid me from chaunce and vilony That was fulle foulle and grym. Therfore, curteys Knyght and hend Gawen, Shalle I nevere wrathe the serteyn, That promyse nowe here I make. Whilles that I lyve I shal be obaysaunt; To God above I shalle itt warraunt, And nevere with you to debate." "Garamercy, Lady," then sayd Gawen; "With you I hold me fulle welle content And that I trust to fynde." He sayd, "My love shalle she have. Therafter nede she nevere more crave, For she hathe bene to me so kynde." The Queen sayd, and the ladyes alle, "She is the fayrest nowe in this halle, I swere by Seynt John! My love, Lady, ye shalle have evere For that ye savid my Lord Arthoure, As I am a gentilwoman." Syr Gawen gatt on her Gyngolyn That was a good knyght of strengthe and kynn And of the Table Round. Att every greatt fest that Lady shold be. Of fayrnesse she bare away the bewtye, Wher she yed on the ground. Gawen lovyd that Lady, Dame Ragnelle; In alle his lyfe he lovyd none so welle, I telle you withoute lesyng. As a coward he lay by her bothe day and nyghte. Nevere wold he haunt justyng aryghte; Theratt mervaylyd Arthoure the Kyng. She prayd the Kyng for his gentilnes, "To be good lord to Sir Gromer, iwysse, Of that to you he hathe offendyd." "Yes, Lady, that shalle I nowe for your sake, For I wott welle he may nott amendes make; He dyd to me fulle unhend." Nowe for to make you a short conclusyon, I cast me for to make an end fulle sone Of this gentylle Lady. She lyvyd with Sir Gawen butt yerys five; That grevid Gawen alle his lyfe, I telle you securly. In her lyfe she grevyd hym nevere; Therfor was nevere woman to hym lever. Thus leves my talkyng. She was the fayrest Lady of alle Englond, When she was on lyve, I understand; So sayd Arthoure the Kyng. Thus endythe the adventure of Kyng Arthoure, That oft in his days was grevyd sore, And of the weddyng of Gawen. Gawen was weddyd oft in his days; Butt so welle he nevere lovyd woman always, As I have hard men sayn. This adventure befelle in Ingleswod, As good Kyng Arthoure on huntyng yod; Thus have I hard men telle. Nowe God, as thou were in Bethleme born, Suffer nevere her soules be forlorne In the brynnyng fyre of helle! And, Jhesu, as thou were borne of a virgyn, Help hym oute of sorowe that this tale dyd devyne, And that nowe in alle hast, For he is besett with gaylours many That kepen hym fulle sewerly, With wyles wrong and wraste. Nowe God, as thou art veray Kyng Royalle, Help hym oute of daunger that made this tale For therin he hathe bene long. And of greatt pety help thy servaunt, For body and soull I yeld into thyne hand, For paynes he hathe strong. Here endythe the weddyng of Syr Gawen and Dame Ragnelle For helpyng of Kyng Arthoure. |
Harken; listen to; noble; (see note) like private room nor occurred And [you will hear] of bears the prize knighthood brave [warrior]; (see note) disgraced [if] you listen; performance [adventure] once Inglewood; (see note) story (spiel) hunting station slay; game waited; aware move fern thicket heard; still; (see note) motionless as a woodsman deer quite briar patch closer for a time I guess at; took a shot sorely; surely on that spot; (see note) thicket; fern very quickly fierce; eager butcher properly; (see note) afterwards; grease (fat); assayed; (see note) While strange man fiercely met year requite you lifetime nearly indeed (see note) by rights consider slay; not a bit leave you recklessness; reason whatever If you wish before escape, no lie at [my] advantage; (see note) after mocking [you] Another; challenge in combat; (see note) In [preventing] that whatever; (see note) in hunting green, by God surely want Unless; agree [to meet] me; (see note) specify; gear hear; moment bright women; (see note) summons twelve Cross stranger nor; (see note) head; effort oath Come on, do it agree; [be] gone distasteful assure (see note) plight; aware trick to yourself if I knew would even be preferable to me met through bad luck if I'm alive; appointed escape [alive] did heard; did know did; hasten countenance; distressed look Who; desire to play Carlisle pleases; (see note) [the cause] of his sadness heart; exceedingly So that; at that time then [it] puzzles me greatly immediately while in full armor certain; did say not give him away confidence forsworn fear; (see note) evening; morning In fact Cross heavily lament pressingly; threaten passion Except that; in turn Weapons honor What came of it can I say to me was most hateful twelve manner pledged my troth (good faith) faith otherwise; lose; (see note) man In this [matter]; choose other gear first day know Chide; if [the cause of] my doubt Have; prepared either; faith to that [question] inquire; learn book immediately considered Cross (see note) truly one others dearly accoutered beseeched hug one [thing] Finally returned for sure At the same time; had come pamphlet (see note) fear greatly resolve; seek hit [upon] seems to please satisfied enquiring Fear; fare sayings Otherwise; unlikely next path led uncouth beyond measure marveled transfixed snotted as well mouth; teeth yellow bleary; than oversmall hung; (see note) broad; hips hump; back equally broad hair clotted; heap breasts [large enough] recount surely ugliness enough palfrey [that] was richly draped adorned incongruous handsomely; assure neither proper nor satisfied advise before promise you; (see note) if; prevent what do you desire eagerly Despite; sing out Cross think; secret promise; bit all but; (see note) stand as guarantor quickly indignation Of (see note) know right away guarantee own wicked person (see note) Except that through Otherwise Consider are as good as may haste "Good heavens!" guarantee rests with him; (see note) if it may be [that outcome] secure lament gracious ensure; (see note) you are to go do not know No matter mate [is allowed even to] for your know; lost; (see note) (see note) am named Lady; (see note) deceived a man you meet soon came painful did say you fared ready; destroy of necessity rather; may I prosper bad news certainly desires you as lament (see note) fiend the devil Cross honored; battle hesitate role honor; more Indeed Cross unless; from Otherwise; nearer [success] did unless Otherwise; not at all no other [answer] guarantee of get in the way; (see note) whatever; will have no concern if; person stint Many thanks take the prize knew honor from you be severed While offer Neither far; near [he said] further quest wish very distressed Before perceive will; not at all not otherwise save for me in order to save chamber haste Be quick high and low rank deviate traffic With pleasure do not understand Also; another regarded as cajolery and special art whatever; will act very foolishly; (see note) fancy mastery, no lie fierce mastery a lord skill; art go you tell What angry; bitter stoutly; you keep [your] secure; ways well declare; (see note) at headlong speed; (see note) go moor; bog assigned Right right away Come on all prepared two books say one [of these] will have to help every one as good as bleed settle everything; (see note) see tell to my great pleasure surely think ever; helping especially unfree their pleasure control Thus they did teach me burn nag; (see note) Otherwise effort you wish may rest assured know plight alas [of] that; guarantee armor; ready for combat an oath have me beaten As living proof as I prosper fared spot part hold [to] what; promised; (see note) Since Who what; promised As long as will I not [have it] so Publicly; from Otherwise; will; (see note) Upon; [do] I wish strive if was ashamed grieved onward; rode alongside hold back surely pleased Everyone whence; unlovely indeed have summoned [for] me; (see note) haste have surety let us pledge [our] troth; (see note) knights pledge; come on, do it Bring longer; suffer for what; promised agreements (see note) troth glad Guenevere chamber person each; (see note) boar's; dissemble In; hand's breadth foully grown hairs; one lumpish one Except; proclamation borough did summon; to visit wedding feast; (see note) (see note) date had arrived [when] steadfastly privately; (see note) anything assure you midst; company agreed Only I am thinking about worship honor boast As did all those of noble rank no lie (see note) coin; hard done up Despite; took the prize For; heard sow As soon as; hastened dinner occupied first place on the dais courteous truly platters were there [At] that inches three broke her bread unmannerly she didn't wait for anyone curlews roasts; by God (see note) But she did not crafty Bade; bones cleared tables custom various courses trust; know enough [meats] lack [Of] what Neither since By Surely If; take another tack Unless; regard least; (see note) fare will [undertake to] do towards compare (see note) without doubt aloof (unnatural) (I was not thinking) (see note) person eye; (see note) embraced; did surely (see note) Choose Whether; (see note) wife [of all] of necessity one; preferable honor confounding Either lose; (see note) dismal relations happily don't know [it] pleases you; (see note) hand Just Release; bound part buy Many thanks courteous may honored properly grieved transformed; necromancy; (see note) By otherwise [as a hag] perceived Until; best [knight] truly mastery surely On such conditions Who; hurt I am well-off beyond imagining So far as it accorded with nature which had defiled her chamber for everything stayed awake; dawn arise; woman; (see note) mid-morning agreed find out; (see note) alive fearful for fiend gladly make sure unsure; (see note) surely if you would ease trust; well-off; (see note) completely averse hastened widely night dress right by hair; (see note) source of comfort unto once in their presence monstrousness; revert by transformed in all details thought; harmed did person; (see note) (see note) assured Cross beset oath fully transformed; by; (see note) helped part mischance; evil gracious hurt you surely obedient Great thanks will ever be the case Beyond that begot; Guinglain; (see note) ancestry the [prize for] beauty went (see note) no lie Submissively; stayed pursue jousting as usual (see note) indeed Insofar as know; offer restitution acted towards; uncourteously undertake five years offended dearer ends; performance dare say sorely harassed (see note) constantly heard went (see note) their; lost burning make up [do] that jailors; (see note) guard; securely tricks; powerful true; (see note) out of; pity |