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[BOOK III] The long dirk pasag of the uinter and the lycht Of Phebus comprochit with his mycht, The which, ascending in his altitud, Avodith Saturnn with his stormys rude. The soft dew one fra the hevyne doune valis Apone the erth, one hillis and on valis, And throw the sobir and the mwst hwmouris Up nurisit ar the erbis and in the flouris Natur the erth of many diverss hew Ovrfret and cled with the tendir new. 123 The birdis may them hiding in the gravis Wel frome the halk, that oft ther lyf berevis. And Scilla hie ascending in the ayre That every uight may heryng hir declar Of the sessone the passing lustynes. This was the tyme that Phebus gan hym dress Into the Rame and haith his courss bygown Or that the trewis and the yher uas rown, 124 Which was yset of Galiot and the King Of thar assemblé and of thar meting. Arthur haith a fiftene dais before Assemblit al his barnag and more That weryng wnder his subjeccioune Or lovith hyme or longith to his crown, And haith his jornay tone, withouten let, Onto the place the wich that was yset Whar he hath found befor hyme mony o knycht That cummyng war with al thar holl mycht Al enarmyt both with spere and scheld And ful of lugis plantith haith the feld, Hyme in the wer for to support and serf At al ther mycht, his thonk for to disserf. And Gawan, which was in the seking yhit Of the gud knycht, of hyme haith got no wit, Remembrith hyme apone the Kingis day And to his falowis one this wys can say: "To yhow is knowin the mater, in what wyss How that the King hath with his ennemys A certan day that now comprochit nere, And oneto ws war hevynes to here That he uar into perell or into dreid And we away and he of ws haith neid; For we but hyme no thing may eschef, And he but ws in honore well may lef. For, be he lost, we may nothing withstond Ourself; our honore we tyne and ek our lond. Tharfor I red we pas onto the King, Suppos our oth it hurt into sum thing, And in the feld with hyme for til endur Of lyf or deth and tak our adventur." Tharto thei ar consentit everilkon, And but dulay the have thar jorney tonne. 125 When that the King them saw, in his entent Was of thar com right wonder well content, For he preswmyt no thing that thei wold Have cummyne but one furth to ther seking hold. 126 And thus the King his ost assemblit has Agane the tyme, againe the day that uas Ystatut and ordanit for to bee, And everything hath set in the dogré. And Galiot, that haith no thing forghet The termys quhich that he befor had set, Assemblit has, apone his best maner, His folk and al his other thingis sere That to o weryour longith to provid And is ycome apone the tothir syde. Whar he befor was one than uas he two, 127 And al his uthir artilyery also He dowblith hath, that mervell was to senn. And by the revere lychtit one the grenn And stronghar thane ony wallit toune His ost ybout yclosit in randoune. Thus war thei cummyne apone ather syd Befor the tyme, themself for to provid. Or that the trewis was complet and rwn, Men mycht have sen one every sid begwn Many a fair and knychtly juperty Of lusty men and of yong chevalry Disyrus into armys for to pruf; Sum for wynyng, sum causith uas for luf, Sum into worschip to be exaltate, Sum causit was of wordis he and hate That lykit not ydill for to ben-- A hundereth pair at onis one the gren. Thir lusty folk thus can thar tyme dispend Whill that the trewis goith to the ende. The trewis past, the day is cummyne ononne; One every syd the can them to dispone; And thai that war most sacret and most dere To Galiot, at hyme the can enquere, "Who sal assemble one yhour syd tomornne? Tonycht the trewis to the end is worne." He ansuerit, "As yhit oneto this were I ame avysit I wil none armys bere Bot if it stond of more necessitee, Nor to the feld will pas bot for to see Yhone knycht, the which that berith sich o fame." Than clepit he the Conquest King be name And hyme commandit thirti thousand tak Againe the morne and for the feld hyme mak. 128 And Gawane haith, apone the tother syde Consulit his eme he schuld for them provid And that he schuld none armys to hyme tak Whill Galiot will for the feld hyme mak. "I grant," quod he, "wharfor yhe mone dispone Yhow to the feld with al my folk tomorne And thinkith in yhour manhed and curage For to recist yhone fowis gret owtrag." The nycht is gone; up goith the morow gray, The brycht sone so cherith al the day. The knychtis gone to armys than in hast. One goith the scheildis and the helmys last. Arthuris ost out ovr the furrde thai ryd. And thai agane, apone the tother syd, Assemblit ar apone o lusty greyne, Into o vaill, whar sone thar mycht be seyne Of knychtis togedder many o pair Into the feld assemblyng her and thair, And stedis which that haith thar master lorne; The knychtis war done to the erth doune borne. Sir Esquyris, which was o manly knycht Into hymeself, and hardy uas and wycht And intill armys gretly for to pryss, Yhit he was pure, he previt wel oftsyss; 129 And that tyme was he of the cumpanee Of Galiot, bot efterwart was hee With Arthur. And that day into the feild He come, al armyt boith with spere and scheld, With ferss desir, as he that had na dout, And is assemblit evyne apone a rowt. 130 His spere is gone; the knycht goith to the erd, And out onon he pullith haith o swerd. That day in armys previt he rycht well His strenth, his manhed: Arthuris folk thai fell. Than Galys Gwynans, with o manly hart, Which brother was of Ywane the Bastart, He cummyne is onone oneto the stour For conquering in armys of honour And cownterit with Esquyris hath so Than horss and man, al four, to erth thai go. And still o quhill lying at the ground With that o part of Arthuris folk thei found Till Gwyans and haith hyme sone reskewit. Aganis them til Esquyris thei sewyt Of Galiotis well thirti knychtis and mo. Gwyans goith done and uthir seven also, The wich war tone and Esquyris relevit. Than Ywane the Anterus, aggrevit, With kynnismen oneto the mellé socht. The hardy knychtis, that one thar worschip thocht, Cownterit them in myddis of the scheld Whar many o knycht was born donn in the feld. Bot thei wich ware one Galiotis part So wndertakand nor of so hardy hart Ne ware thei not as was in the contrare. Sir Galys Gwyans was resqwyt thare With his falowis, and Esqwyris don bore. Thar al the batellis cam, withouten more, On ather part, and is assemblit so Whar fyfty thousand war thei and no mo. In o plane besyd the gret rivere Thirty thousand one Galiotis half thei uare. Of Arthuris ten thousand and no mo Thei ware, and yhit thai contenit them so And in the feld so manly haith bornn That of thar fois haith the feld forswornn. The Conquest King, wich the perell knowith, Ful manly oneto the feld he drowith. The lord Sir Gawan, coverit with his scheld, He ruschit in myddis of the feld And haith them so into his com assayt That of his manhed ware thei al affrait. No langer mycht thei contrar hyme endur Bot fled and goith oneto discumfiture. And Galiot, wich haith the discumfit sen, Fulfillit ful of anger and of ten, Incontinent he send o new poware, Wharwith the feldis al ovrcoverit ware Of armyt stedis both in plait and maill, With knychtis wich war reddy to assaill. Sir Gawan, seing al the gret suppris Of fois cummyng into sich o wys, Togiddir al his cumpany he drew And confortable wordis to them schew. So at the cummyng of thar ennemys Thei them resauf in so manly wyss That many one felith deithis wound And wnder horss lyith sobing one the ground. This uther cummyth into gret desir, Fulfillit ful of matelent and ire, So freschly, with so gret o confluens, Thar strong assay hath don sich vyolens And at thar come Arthuris folk so led That thai war ay abaysit and adred. Bot Gawan, wich that, by this uorldis fame, Of manhed and of knychthed bur the name, Haith previt well be experiens; For only intil armys his defens Haith maid his falowis tak sich hardyment That manfully thei biding one the bent. Of his manhed war mervell to raherss. The knychtis throw the scheldis can he perss That many one thar dethis haith resavit. None armour frome his mychty hond them savit, Yhit ay for one ther ennemys wor thre. 131 Long mycht thei nocht endur in such dugree. The press, it wos so creuell and so strong In gret anoy and haith continewit longe That, magré them, thei nedis most abak, 132 The way oneto thar lugis for to tak. Sir Gawan thar sufferith gret myschef And wonderis in his knychthed can he pref. His falouschip haith mervell that hym saw; So haith his fois that of his suerd stud aw. King Arthur, that al this whill beheld The danger and the perell of the feld, Sir Ywan with o falowschip he sende, Them in that ned to help and to defend, Qwich fond them into danger and in were And enterit nere into thar tentis were. Sir Gawan fechtand was one fut at erde And no defend but only in his swerde Aganis them both with spere and scheld. Of Galowa the knycht goith to the erde. Thar was the batell furyous and woid Of armyt knychtis. To the grownde thai yhud. Sir Ywane, that was a noble knyght, He schew his strenth, he schew thar his gret mycht, In al his tyme that never of before Off armys nore of knychthed did he more. Sir Gawan thar reskewit he of fors, Magré his fois, and haith hyme set one horss That frome the first Conquest King he wann. Bot Sir Gawan so evill was wondit than And in the feld supprisit was so sore That he the werss tharof was evermore. Thar schew the lord Sir Ywan his curage, His manhed, and his noble vassolage. And Gawan, in his doing, wald nocht irk So al the day enduring to the dyrk Sal them, magré of thar desyre, constren On athar half fore to depart in twen. And when that Gawan of his horss uas tonn, The blud out of his noiss and mouth is gonn, And largly so passith every wounde, In swonyng thore he fell oneto the ground. Than of the puple petee was to here The lemytable clamour and the chere, And of the King the sorow and the care, That of his necis lyf was in disspare. "Far well," he sais, "my gladnes and my delyt, Apone knychthed far well myne appetit, Fare well of manhed al the gret curage, Yow flour of armys and of vassolage, Gif yow be lost." Thus til his tent hyme brocht With wofull hart and al the surrygenis socht Wich for to cum was reddy at his neid. Thai fond the lord was of his lyf in dreid, For wondit was he and ek wondit so And in his syd ware brokyne ribys two. Bot nocht forthi the King thai maid beleif That at that tyme he shuld the deith eschef. 133 Off Melyhalt the Ladyis knychtis were Into the feld and can thir tithingis here, And home to thar lady ar thai went Til hir to schewing efter thar entent 134 In every poynt how that the batell stud Of Galiot and of his multitud; And how Gawan hyme in the feld hath bornn, Throw quhoys swerd so many o knycht uas lornn, And of the knychtly wonderis that he wrocht; Syne how that he oneto his tent uas brocht. The lady hard, that lovit Gawan so She gan to wep; into hir hart uas wo. Thir tythyngis oneto Lancelot ar gonn, Wharof that he was wonder wobygone. And for the lady hastely he sent, And sche til hyme, at his command, is went. He salust hir and said, "Madem, is trew Thir tithingis I her report of new Of the assemblé and meting of the ost, And of Sir Gawan, wich that shuld be lost? If that be swth, adew the flour of armys! Now nevermore recoveryt be the harmys. In hyme was manhed, curtessy, and trouth, Besy travell in knychthed, ay but sleuth, 135 Humilyté, gentrice, and cwrag. In hyme thar was no maner of outrage. Allace, knycht, allace! What shal yow say? Yow may complen, yow may bewail the day As of his deith, and gladschip aucht to ses, Baith menstrasy and festing at the des; For of this lond he was the holl comfort In tyme of ned al knychthed to support. Allace, madem, and I durst say at yhe Al yhour behest not kepit haith to me, Wharof that I was in to full belef Aganne this day that I schuld have my lef And nocht as cowart thus schamfully to ly Excludit into cage frome chevalry, Whar othir knychtis anarmyt on thar stedis Hawntis ther yhouthhed into knychtly dedis." "Sir," quod sche, "I red yhow not displess, 136 Yhe may in tyme herefter cum at es; For the thrid day is ordanit and shal be Of the ostis a new assemblé, And I have gart ordan al the gere That longith to your body for to were, Boith horss and armour in the samyne wyss Of sable, evyne aftir yhour awn devyss. And yhe sal her remayne oneto the day; Syne may yhe pass, fore well yhe knaw the way." "I will obey, madem, to yhour entent." With that sche goith and to hir rest is went. One the morn arly up sche ross Without delay and to the knycht sche gois And twk hir lef and said that scho uald fare Onto the court withouten any mare. Than knelit he and thankit hir oftsys That sche so mych hath done hyme of gentriss 137 And hir byhecht ever, at his myght, To be hir awn trew and stedfast knycht. Sche thonkith hyme and syne sche goith her way Onto the King, withowten more delay, Whar that in honour with King and Qwen sche sall Rycht thonkfully resavit be withall. Eft to Sir Gawan thai hir led, and sche Ryght gladly hyme desyrit for to see. And sche hyme fond, and sche was glad tharfore, All uthirways than was hir told before. The knycht, the wich into hir keping uas, Sche had commandit to hir cussynece, Wich cherist hyme apone hir best manere And comfort hyme and maid hym rycht gud chere. 138 The days goith; so passith als the nycht. The thrid morow, as that the sone uas lycht, The knycht onon out of his bed aross. The maden sone oneto his chalmer goss And sacretly his armour one hyme spent. He tuk his lef and syne his way he went Ful prevaly, rycht to the samyne grenn One the revere, whar he befor had ben, Evyne as the day the first courss hath maad. 139 Alone rycht thar he hovit and abaade, Behalding to the bertes whar the Qwenn Befor at the assemblé he had senn Rycht so the sone schewith furth his lycht And to his armour went is every wycht. One athir half the justing is bygon And many o fair and knychtly courss is rown. The Blak Knycht yhit hovyns on his sted; Of al thar doing takith he no hed Bot ay apone the besynes of thocht In beholding his ey departit nocht. To quhom the Lady of Melyhalt beheld And knew hyme by his armour and his scheld, Qwhat that he was. And thus sche said one hycht, "Who is he yone? Who may he be, yhone knycht So still that hovith and sterith not his ren And seith the knychtis rynyng one the grenn?" 140 Than al beholdith and in princypale Sir Gawan beholdith most of all. Of Melyhalt the Lady to hyme maid Incontinent, his couche and gart be had 141 Before o wyndew thore, as he mycht se The knycht, the ost, and al the assemblé. He lukith furth and sone the knycht hath sen; And, but delay, he saith oneto the Qwen, "Madem, if yhe remembir, so it was The Red Knycht into the samyne place That vencust al the first assemblé, Whar that yone knycht hovis, hovit hee." "Yha," quod the Qwen, "rycht well remembir I; Qwhat is the causs at yhe inquere and quhy?" 142 "Madem, of this larg warld is he The knycht the wich I most desir to see His strenth, his manhed, his curag, and his mycht, Or do in armys that longith to o knycht." By thus, Arthur, with consell well avysit, Haith ordanit his batellis and devysit: 143 The first of them led Ydrus King, and he O worthy man uas nemmyt for to bee. The secund led Harvy the Reveyll, That in this world was knycht that had most feill For to provid that longith to the were, One agit knycht and well couth armys bere. The thrid feld deliverit in the hond Of Angus, King of Ylys of Scotlande, Wich cusing was one to King Arthur nere. One hardy knycht he was, withouten were. The ferd batell led Ywons the King, O manly knycht he was into al thing. And thus devysit ware his batellis sere In every feld fiftene thousand were. The fift batell the lord Sir Ywan lede, Whois manhed was in every cuntré dred. Sone he was oneto Wryne the Kyng, Forwart, stout, hardy, wyss, and yhing. Twenty thousand in his ost thai past, Wich ordanit was for to assemblé last. And Galiot apone the tothir syde Rycht wysly gan his batellis to devid. The first of them led Malenginys the King, None hardyar into this erth levyng. He never more out of his cuntré raid, Nor he with hyme one hundereth knychtis hade. The secund the First-Conquest King led, That for no perell of armys uas adred. The thrid o king clepit Walydeyne, He led, and was o manly knycht, but weyne. The ferd, King Clamedeus has, Wich that Lord of Far Ylys was. The fift batell, whar forty thousand were, King Brandymagus had to led and stere, O manly knycht and previt well oftsyss, And in his consell wonder scharp and wyss. Galiot non armys bur that day, Nor as o knycht he wald hymeself aray, But as o servand in o habariowne, O prekyne hat, and ek o gret trownsciownn Intil his hond and one o cursour set, The best that was in ony lond to get. Endlong the revar men mycht behold and see Of knychtis weryne mony one assemblé And the Blak Knycht still he couth abyde Without removyng, one the river syde, Bot to the bartes to behold and see Thar as his hart desyrit most to bee. And quhen the Lady of Melyhalt haith senn The knycht so stond, sche said oneto the Qwenn, "Madem, it is my consell at yhe send Oneto yone knycht, yourself for to commend, Beseiching hyme that he wald wndertak This day to do of armys for your sak." The Quen ansuerit as that hir lykit nocht, For othir thing was more into hir thocht: "For well yhe se the perell, how disjont The adventur now stondith one the point Boith of my lord, his honore, and his lond, And of his men, in danger how thai stond; Bot yhe and ek thir uthere ladice may, If that yhow lykith, to the knycht gar say The mesag. Is none that wil yhow let, For I tharof sal nocht me entermet." Onto the Quen scho saith, "Her I, If so it pless thir uthir ladice by, Am for to send oneto the knycht content." And al the ladice can tharto assent, Beseching hir the mesag to devyss, As sche that was most prudent and most wyss. Sche grantit and o madenn haith thai tone, Discret, apone this mesag for till gone. And Sir Gawan a sqwyar bad also, With two speris oneto the knycht to go. The lady than, withouten more dulay, Haith chargit hir apone this wyss to say, "Schaw to the knycht, the ladice everilkone Ben in the court, excep the Quen allon, Til hyme them haith recommandit oftsyss, Beseching hyme of knychthed and gentriss (Or if it hapyne evermore that he shall Cum quhar thai may, owther an or all, In ony thing avail hyme or support, Or do hyme ony plesans or comfort), He wold vichsaif for love of them this day In armys sum manhed to assay. And say, Sir Gawan hyme the speris sent. Now go; this is the fek of our entent." The damysell, sche hath hir palfray tone, The sqwyar with the speris with hir gonn. The nerest way thai pass oneto the knycht, Whar sche repete hir mesag haith ful rycht. And quhen he hard and planly wnderstude How that the Quen not in the mesag yude, He spak no word, bot he was not content. Bot of Sir Gawan, glaid in his entent, He askit quhar he was and of his fair. And thai to hyme the maner can duclair. Than the sqwyar he prayth that he wold Pass to the feld, the speris for to hold. He saw the knychtis semblyng her and thare, The stedis rynyng with the sadillis bare. His spuris goith into the stedis syde, That was ful swyft and lykit not to byd. And he that was hardy, ferss, and stout, Furth by o syd assemblyng on a rout Whar that one hundereth knychtis was and mo. And with the first has recounterit so That frome the deth not helpith hym his scheld: Boith horss and man is lying in the feld. The spere is gone and al in pecis brak; And he the trunscyoune in his hand hath tak That two or thre he haith the sadillis reft Whill in his hond schortly nothing is left. Syne, to the squyar, of the feld is gonn. Fro hyme o spere into his hond haith ton And to the feld returnyt he agayne. The first he met, he goith one the plan, And ek the next, and syne the thrid also. Nor in his hond, nore in his strak was ho. His ennemys that ueryng in affray Befor his strok and makith roum alway. And in sich wyss ay in the feld he urocht, Whill that his speris gon uar al to nocht. Wharof Sir Gawan berith uitnesing Throw al this world that thar uas non levyng, In so schort tyme so mych of armys wrocht. His speris gone, out of the feld he socht And passit is oneto the revere syde, Rycht thore as he was wont for to abyde And so beholdyne in the samyne plann As to the feld hyme lykit nocht agann. 144 Sir Gawan saw and saith onto the Quen, "Madem, yhone knycht disponit not, I weynn, To help ws more, fore he so is avysit. As I presume, he thinkith hyme dispisit Of the mesag that we gart to hyme mak. Yhowreself yhe have so specialy outtak, He thinkith evill contempnit for to bee, Considering how that the necessitee Most prinspaly to yhowr supporting lyis. Tharfor my consell is, yhow to devyss And ek yhowreself in yhowr trespas accuss And ask hyme mercy and yhour gilt excuss. For well it oucht o prince or o king Til honore and til cheriss in al thing O worthi man that is in knychthed previt. For throw the body of o man eschevit Mony o wondir, mony one adventure That mervell war til any creature. And als ofttyme is boith hard and sen, Quhar fourty thousand haith discumfit ben Uith five thousand and only be o knycht. For throw his strenth, his uorschip and his mycht, His falowschip sich comfort of hym tais That thai ne dreid the danger of thar fays. And thus, madem, I wot withouten were, If that yhone knycht this day will persyvere With his manhed for helping of the King, We sal have causs to dred into no thing. Our folk of hyme thai sal sich comfort tak And so adred thar ennemys sal mak That sur I am, onys or the nycht, Of forss yhone folk sal tak one them the flycht. 145 Wharffor, madem, that yhe have gilt to mend, My consell is oneto yhon knycht ye send." "Sir," quod sche, "quhat plessith yhow to do Yhe may devyss and I consent tharto." Than was the Lady of Melyhalt content And to Sir Gawan into contynent Sche clepit the maid, wich that passit ar, And he hir bad the mesag thus duclar. "Say the knycht the Quen hir recommendith 146 And sal correk in quhat that sche offendith At his awn will, howso hyme list devyss 147 And hyme exortith in most humyll wyss, As ever he will, whar that sche can or may Or powar haith hir charg be ony way, And for his worschip and his hie manhede And for hir luf to helpen in that ned The Kingis honore, his land fore to preserf, That he hir thonk forever may deserf." And four squyaris chargit he also With thre horss and speris ten to go Furth to the knycht, hyme prayng for his sak At his raquest thame in his ned to tak. The maden furth with the sqwyaris is went Oneto the knycht and schawith ther entent. The mesag hard and ek the present senn, He answerit and askith of the Qwen. "Sir," quod sche, "sche into yhone bartiis lyis, Whar that this day yhour dedis sal devyss, Yhowr manhed, yhour worschip and affere, How yhe contenn and how yhe armys bere, The Quen hirself and many o lady to Sal jugis be and uitnes how yhe do." Than he, whois hart stant in o new aray, Saith, "Damyceyll, onto my lady say However that hir lykith that it bee, Als far as wit or powar is in me, I am hir knycht; I sal at hir command Do at I may, withouten more demand. And to Sir Gawan, for his gret gentriss, Me recommend and thonk a thousand syss. With that, o sper he takith in his hond And so into his sterapis can he stond, That to Sir Gawan semyth that the knycht Encresyng gon o larg fut one hycht. And to the ladice saith he, and the Qwen, "Yhon is the knycht that ever I have sen In al my tyme most knychtly of affere And in hymeself gon farest armys bere." The knycht that haith remembrit in his thocht The Qwenys chargis and how sche hym besocht, Curag can encresing to his hart. His curser lap and gan onon to start; And he the sqwaris haith reqwyrit so That thai with hyme oneto the feld wald go. Than goith he one, withowten mor abaid, And ovr the revar to the feld he raid. Don goith his spere onone into the rest, And in he goith withouten mor arest Tharas he saw most perell and most dred In al the feld and most of held had ned, Whar semblyt was the First-Conquest King With mony o knycht that was in his leding. The first he met, doune goith boith horss and man; The sper was holl, and to the next he rann That helpit hyme his hawbrek nor his scheld, Bot throuch and throuch haith persit in the feld. Sir Kay, the wich haith this encontyr sen, His horss he strekith ovr the larg gren And Syr Sygramors ek the Desyrand, With Sir Gresown cummyth at thar honde, Son of the duk and alsua Sir Ywan The Bastart, and Sir Brandellis onan, And Gaherss, wich that brothir was To Gawan. Thir sex in a rass Deliverly com prekand ovr the feldis With speris straucht and coverit with thar scheldis, Sum for love, sum honor to purchess And aftir them one hundereth knychtis was, In samyne will, thar manhed to assay. On his five falowis clepit than Sir Kay And saith them, "Siris, thar has yhonder ben A courss that nevermore farar was sen Maid be o knycht, and we ar cummyn ilkon Only ws one worschip to dispone. And never we in al our dais mycht Have bet axampil than iffith ws yone knycht Of well doing. And her I hecht for me Ner hyme al day, if that I may, to bee And folow hyme at al mycht I sall, Bot deth or uthir adventur me fall. 148 With that, thir sex, al in one assent, With fresch curag into the feld is went. The Blak Knychtis spere in pecis gonne, Frome o sqwyar onne uthir haith he tonne, And to the feld onone he goith ful rycht. Thir sex with hyme ay holdith at thar mycht. 149 And than bygan his wonderis in the feld. Thar was no helme, no hawbryk, nore no scheld, Nor yhit no knycht so hardy, ferss nore stout, No yhit no maner armour mycht hald owt His strenth, nore was of powar to withstond. So mych of armys dyde he with his honde That every wight ferleit of his deid And al his fois stondith ful of dreid. So besely he can his tyme dispend That of the speris wich Sir Gawan send, Holl of them all thar was not levit onne; Throw wich but mercy to the deyth is gon Ful many o knycht and many o weriour That couth susten ful hardely o stour. 150 And of his horss supprisit ded ar two, One of his awn, of Gawanis one also; And he one fut was fechtand one the gren, When that Sir Kay haith with his falowis senn. The sqwyar with his horss than to hym brocht. Magré his fois, he to his courseir socht Deliverly, as of o mychty hart, Without steropis into his sadill start, That every wycht beholding mervell has Of his strenth and deliver besynes. Sir Kay, seing his horss, and how that thai War cled into Sir Gawanis aray, Askith at the squyar if he knewith What that he was, this knycht. And he hym schewith He wist nothing quhat that he was, nore hee Befor that day hyme never saw with ee. Than askith he how and one quhat wyss On Gawanis horss makith hyme sich service. The sqwar saith, "Forsuth Y wot no more; My lord ws bad, I not the causs quharfore." The Blak Knycht, horsit, to the feld can sew Als fresch as he was in the morow new. The sex falowis folowit hyme ilkone And al in front onto the feld ar gonn. Rycht freschly one thar ennemys thai foght And many o fair poynt of armys uroght. Than hapnyt to King Malangins ost By Ydras King discumfit was and lost And fled and to the Conquest King ar gonne; Thar boith the batellis assemblit into one. King Malengynis into his hart was wo, For of hymeself no better knycht mycht go. Thar forty thousand war thai for fiftene. Than mycht the feld rycht perellus be sen Of armyt knychtis gaping one the ground. Sum deith and sum with mony a grevous wond; For Arthuris knychtis that manly war and gud, Suppos that uthir was o multitude, Resavit tham well at the speris end. Bot one such wyss thai may not lang defend. The Blak Knycht saw the danger of the feld And al his doingis knowith quho beheld And ek remembrith into his entent Of the mesag that sche haith to hyme sent. Than curag, strenth encresing with manhed, Ful lyk o knycht oneto the feld he raid, Thinking to do his ladice love to have, Or than his deth befor hir to resave. Thar he begynyth in his ferss curag Of armys, as o lyoune in his rag. Than mervell was his doing to behold. Thar was no knycht so strong nor yhit so bold That in the feld befor his suerd he met Nor he so hard his strok apone hyme set That ded or wondit to the erth he socht, For thar was not bot wonderis that he wrocht. And magré of his fois everilkone, Into the feld ofttymys hyme alonn Throuch and throuch he passith to and fro. For in the ward it was the maner tho That non o knycht shuld be the brydill tak Hyme to orest nore cum behynd his bak Nor mo than on at onys one o knycht Shuld strik, for that tyme worschip stud so rycht. Yhit was the feld rycht perellus and strong Till Arthuris folk set thai contenyt longe. Bot in sich wyss this Blak Knycht can conten That thai, the wich that hath his manhed senn, Sich hardyment haith takyne in his ded, Them thocht thai had no maner causs of dred Als long as he mycht owthir ryd or go, At every ned he them recomfort so. Sir Kay haith with his falowis al the day Folowit hyme al that he can or may, And wondir well thai have in armys previt And with thar manhed oft thar folk relevit. Bot well thai faucht in diverss placis sere, With multitud ther folk confusit were 151 That long in sich wyss mycht thai nocht contenn. Sir Kay, that hath Sir Gawans squyaris sen, He clepit hyme and haith hyme prayt so That to Sir Harvy the Revell wil he go And say to hyme, "Ws think hyme evil avysit, 152 For her throuch hyme he sufferit be supprisit The best knycht that ever armys bur; And if it so befell of adventur, In his defalt, that he be ded or lamyt, This warld sal have hyme utraly defamyt. And her ar of the Round Table also A falouschip that sall in well and wo Abid with hyme and furth for to endur Of lyf or deth, this day, thar adventur. And if so fal discumfyt at thai bee, The King may say that wonder evill haith he Contenit hyme and kepit his honore, Thus for to tyne of chevalry the flour." The sqwar hard and furth his way raid; In termys schort he al his mesag said. Sir Harvy saith, "Y wytness God that I Never in my days comytit tratory; And if I now begyne into myne eld, In evill tyme fyrst com I to this feld. Bot, if God will, I sal me son discharg. Say to Sir Kay I sal not ber the charg; He sal no mater have me to rapref. I sal amend this mys if that I lef." The sqwyar went and tellit to Sir Kay. And Sir Harvy, in al the hast he may, Assemblyt hath his ostis and ononn In gret desyre on to the feld is gon Befor his folk and haldith furth his way. Don goith his sper, and evyne before Sir Kay So hard o knycht he strykith in his ten That horss and he lay boith apone the gren. Sir Gawan saw the counter that he maad And leuch for al the sarues that he had. That day Sir Harvy prevyt in the feld Of armys more than longith to his eld; For he was more than fyfty yher of ag, Set he was ferss and yong in his curag. And fro that he assemblyt his bataill Doune goith the folk of Galotis al haill. For to withstond thai war of no poware And yhit of folk ten thousand mo thei uare. Kyng Walydone, that sauch on such o wyss His falowis dangerit with thar ennemys, With al his folk, being fress and new, Goith to the feld onon, them to resskew. Thar was the feld rycht perellus aganne; Of Arthuris folk ful many on uar slan. Bot Angus, quhich that lykith not to bid And saw the perell one the tothir sid, His sted he strok and with his ost is gon Whar was most ned; and thar the feld has ton. Kyng Clamedyus makith non abaid, Bot with his ost oneto the sid he raid. And Ywons King, that haith his cummyn sen, Encounterit hyme in myddis of the grenn. The aucht batellis assemblyt one this wiss; On ather half the clamore and the cryiss Was lametable and petws for til her Of knychtis wich in diverss placis sere Wondit war and fallyng to and fro; Yhit Galyotis folk war twenty thousand mo. The Blak Knycht than onto hymeself he said, "Remembir the how yhow haith ben araid, Ay sen the hour that yow was makid knycht, With love agane quhois powar and whois mycht Yow haith no strenth; yow may it not endur, Nor yhit non uthir erthly creatur. And bot two thingis ar the to amend, 153 Thi ladice mercy or thi lyvys end. And well yhow wot that onto hir presens, Til hir estat nor til hir excellens, Thi febilness nevermore is able For to attan, sche is so honorable. And sen no way yow may so hie extend, My verray consell is that yow pretend This dayÄÄsen yow becummyne art hir knycht Of hir comand and fechtit in hir sycht-- And well yow schaw, sen yow may do no mor, 154 That of resone sche sal the thank tharfore, Of every poynt of cowardy yow scham And intil armys purchess the sum nam." 155 With that of love into o new desir His spere he straucht and swift as any vyre 156 With al his forss the nerest feld he soght, His ful strenth in armys thar he uroght, Into the feld rusching to and fro. Doune goith the man, doune goith the horss also; Sum throw the scheld is persit to the hart, Sum throw the hedÄÄhe may it not astart. His bludy suerd he dreuch, that carvit so Fro sum the hed and sum the arm in two; Sum in the feld fellit is in swonn; Throw sum his suerd goith to the sadill doune. His fois waren abasit of his dedis, His mortell strok so gretly for to dred is. Whar thai hyme saw, within a lytall space For dreid of ded, thai levyng hyme the place, That many o strok ful oft he haith forlornn. The spedy horss away the knycht hath bornn. Into his wyrking nevermore he sest, Nor non abaid he makith nor arest. His falowis so in his knychthed assuryd, Thai ar recomfort, thar manhed is recoveryt, And one thar fois ful fersly thai soght. Thar goith the lyf of many o knycht to nocht. 157 So was the batell wonderful to tell, Of knychtis to se the multitud that fell That pety was til ony knycht to senn The knychtis lying gaping on the gren. The Blak Knycht ay continewit so fast Whill many one discumfit at the last Are fled and planly of the feld thei pas. And Galyot haith wondyr, for he was Of mor powar, and askit at them qwhy As cowartis thai fled sa schamfully. Than saith o knycht, sor wondit in the brayne, "Who lykith, he may retwrn agayne Frome qwhens we come, mervalis for to see That in his tyme never sich sauch hee." "Marvell," quod he, "that dar I boldly say Thay may be callit and quhat thai ar, I pray." 158 "Schir, in the feld forsuth thar is o knycht That only throw his body and his mycht Vencussith all that thar may non susten His strokis, thai ar so fureows and ken. He farith as o lyone or o beyre, Wod in his rag, for sich is his affere. Nor he the knycht into the armys red Wich at the first assemblé in this sted Vencussith all and had the holl renown, He may to this be no comparysoune; Fore never he sesith sen the day uas gonn Bot evermore continewit into one." Quod Galiot, "In nome of God and we Al, be tyme, the suthfastness sal see." Than he in armys that he had is gon And to the feld with hyme agane hath ton Al the flearis and found yne sich aray His folk that ner discumfyt al war thay. Bot quhen thai saw cummyne ovr the plan Thar lord, thai tuk sich hardement agann That thar essenyeis lowd thai gon to cry. He chargit tham to go, that ware hyme by, Straucht to the feld with al thar holl forss; And thai, the wich that sparit not the horss, All redy war to fillyng his command And freschly went withowten more demand. Throw qwich thar folk recoveryt haith thar place, For al the feld preswmyt that thar was O new ost, one such o wyss thai soght, Whar Arthuris folk had passith al to nocht. 159 Ne war that thai the better war ilkonne 160 And at thai can them utraly disponne Rathar to dee than flee, in thar entent, And of the Blak Knycht haith sich hardyment, For at al perell, al harmys and myschef, In tyme of ned he can tham al ralef. Thar was the batell dangerus and strong; Gret was the pres, bath perellus and throng. The Blak Knycht is born onto the ground; His horss hyme falyth, that fellith dethis wound. The six falowis that falowit hyme al day, Sich was the press that to the erth go thay. And thar in myd among his ennemys He was about enclosit one sich wyss That quhare he was non of his falowis knew Nor mycht nocht cum to help hyme nore reskew. And thus among his ennemys allon His nakid suerd out of his hond haith ton; And thar he previt his vertew and his strenth, For thar was none within the suerdis lenth That came bot he goith to confusioune. Thar was no helme, thar was no habirioune That may resist his suerd, he smytith so. One every syd he helpith to and fro That al about the compas thai mycht ken The ded horss lyith uirslyng with the men. Thai hyme assalyeing both with scheld and spere: And he agane, as at the stok the bere Snybbith the hardy houndis that ar ken, So farith he; for never mycht be sen His suerd to rest that in the gret rout He rowmyth all the compas hyme about. And Galiot, beholding his manhed, Within hisself wonderith of his ded How that the body only of o knycht Haith sich o strenth, haith sich affere and mycht. Than said he thus, "I wald not that throw me Or for my causs that such o knycht suld dee, To conquer all this world that is so larg." His horss than can he with his spuris charg A gret trunsioune into his hond hath ton And in the thikest of the press is gonn And al his folk chargit he to sess. At his command thai levyng al the press; And quhen he had departit all the rout He said, "Sir knycht, havith now no dout." Wich answerit, "I have no causs to dred." "Yis," quod he, "sa ever God me sped, Bot apone fut quhill ye ar fechtand here And yhow defendith apone sich manere So hardely and ek so lyk o knycht I sal myself with al my holl mycht Be yhour defens and uarand fra al harmys. Bot had yhe left of worschip intil armys, What I have don I wold apone no wyss. Bot sen yhe ar of knychthed so to prys Yhe salt no maner causs have for to dred. And set yhour horss be falit at this ned, Displess yhow not, forquhy ye sal not want Als many as yhow lykith for to hawnt. 161 And I myself, I sal yhowr sqwyar bee, And, if God will, never more sal wee Depart." With that anon he can to lycht Doune frome his horss and gaf hyme to the knycht. The lord he thonkit and the horss hath ton, And als so fresch oneto the feld is gon As at no strokis he that day had ben. His falowis glad one horss that hath hym sen, To Galiot one uthir horss thai broght; And he goith one and frome the feld he socht And to the plan quhar that his ostis were. And Brandymagus chargit he to stere Efter hyme within a lytill space, And ten thousand he takyne with hym hass. Towart the feld onon he can to rid And chargit them befor the ost to byd. Wp goith the trumpetis and the claryownis, Hornys, bugillis blawing furth thar sownis, That al the cuntré resownit hath about. Than Arthuris folk uar in dispar and dout That hard the noys and saw the multitud Of fresch folk: thai cam as thai war wod. Bot he that was withowten any dred, In sabill cled, and saw the gret ned Assemblyt al his falowis and arayd. And thus to them in manly termes said: "What that ye ar I knaw not yhour estat; Bot of manhed and worschip, well I wat, Out throuch this warld yhe aw to be commendit, This day ye have so knychtly yhow defendit. And now yhe see how that, aganis the nycht, Yhour ennemys pretendit, with thar myght Of multitud and with thar new ost And with thar buglis and thar wyndis bost Freschly cummyng into sich aray, To ifyne yhow one owtray or affray. And now almost cummyne is the nycht, Quharfor yhour strenth, yhour curag and yhour mycht Yhe occupye into so manly wyss That the worschip of knychthed and empryss That yhe have wonyng and the gret renown Be not ylost, be not ylaid doune. For one hour the sufferyng of distress, Gret harm it war yhe tyne the hie encress Of uorschip servit al this day before. And to yhow al my consell is, tharfore, With manly curag but radour yhe pretend To met tham scharply at the speris end So that thei feil the cold speris poynt Outthrow thar scheldis in thar hartis poynt So sal thai fynd we ar nothing affrayt, Wharthrouch we sall the well less be assayt. 162 If that we met them scharply in the berd, 163 The formest sal mak al the laif afferd." And with o voyss thai cry al, "Sir knycht Apone yhour manhed and yhour gret mycht We sal abid for no man shall eschef Frome yhow this day, his manhed for to pref." And to his ost the lord Sir Ywane said, "Yhe comfort yow, yhe be nothing affrayd. Ws ned no more to dreding of suppriss: We se the strenth of al our ennemys." Thus he said, for he wend thai uar no mo, Bot Sir Gawan knew well it uas not so; For al the ostis mycht he se al day And the gret host he saw quhar that it lay. And Galiot, he can his folk exort, Beseching them to be of good comfort And sich enconter . . . |
(see note) approaches (see note) Banishes; fierce; (see note) falls; (see note) vales gentle; moist herbs hide in the groves hawk; robs air; (see note) person may hear her surpassing joy advanced; (see note) Ram [i.e., Aries]; orbit set by For; meeting [in combat] peers were; lordship are subject to; authority undertaken; delay had come; entire force armed tents war; serve With; thanks; deserve who was still in search knowledge companions approaches sorrow to hear in without him; achieve without us; live lose recommend; go Although; in some measure chance every one mind wondrously (see note) In preparation for Decreed put in order not at all forgotten in the best way he can various for a warrior it is necessary the other implements of war doubled; see camped in a field with speed prepare Before; truce; elapsed encounter spirited; young knights in arms to prove themselves profit; love honor; exalted loud and impassioned at once; field These spirited; pass Until; truce quickly they began; position intimate; trusted they inquired tomorrow in this war resolved if there is a greater need reputation called; by Counseled his uncle not take up arms Until; (see note) must plan; (see note) [to go] to the field that enemy's; offense the gray morning comes in haste helmets fastened ford they in response pleasant field In a vale; seen clashing lost; (see note) were; thrown brave; (see note) In; valiant in arms of great esteem no fear ground immediately proved (see note) Who; (see note) at once; battle clashed to the ground a while; on Until; they come rescued In response to; they followed down; seven others taken; rescued vexed; (see note) into the battle went of their honor Struck thrown down on Galiot's side bold were; in the opposition rescued thrown down battalions; more ado either more; (see note) were conducted themselves behaved (see note) came in his attack engaged were against him defeat who; defeat seen wrath Immediately; force armor and chain mail attack oppressive force in such a way reassuring; declared attack encounter many a one feels death's sobbing Filled; ill-will charge struck down; (see note) confused and frightened was the epitome proved himself well by boldness fight on the field recount through; pierce received press of battle; was tents misfortune demonstrate stood in awe battlefield sent; (see note) in danger and in peril nearly fighting on foot on the ground defense (see note) Galway fierce went revealed knightly deeds rescued; by force In spite of terribly oppressed; grievously revealed prowess in battle be lax until the dark On both sides; in two; (see note) from; taken nose copiously; goes from a swoon there pity; hear sorrowful cries; display grief nephew's Farewell For; farewell; inclination manliness prowess If surgeons in jeopardy wounded to such a degree and heard these tidings have they gone detail fought whose; lost wrought heard who in her heart; (see note) These tidings wondrously sorrowful request greeted true farewell rectified faithfulness gentility offense joy ought to cease minstrelsy; dais; (see note) entire dare say that you promise In preparation for in prison armed; horses Spend their youth in to comfort had prepared all the gear is necessary; wage war same manner black; instructions until wish early; rose took her leave; she would go more ado many times promised; as far as he could received; (see note) Afterwards found otherwise commended; female relative Who loved also morning; as soon as chamber fastened took his leave secretly; same field river remained and waited parapet just as person On both sides; jousting run; (see note) waits heed in the preoccupation (i.e., he stares) Who; aloud yonder; that remains; rein went; (see note) there so that without same Who vanquished abides, he abided Yes what a knight should do advised (see note) named (see note) knowledge pertains to war knew how to bear arms battlefield he assigned to (see note) relative; near without doubt fourth battalion; (see note) in every way arrayed; various forces (see note) feared Son; Uriens Bold; young went fight forces (see note) in; living rode Unless afraid called; (see note) without a doubt fourth; (see note) Who (see note) lead and command; (see note) battle-tested; often clever bore equip servant; coat of mail (see note); club In; war horse to be had Along the river fighting many a skirmish knew how to wait; (see note) departing parapet Where seen that do deeds of arms; sake it did not please her in a difficult position on the brink these other ladies cause to be said hinder interfere she these other ladies nearby ladies maiden; selected to go bade lances instructed her Declare; every one only commended many times because of; courtesy either one or all [of them] assist bring him any pleasure vouchsafe valor to undertake tenor taken most direct way; go heard participated glad in his spirit about his condition declare Go fighting horses running; empty to stand still fierce; bold fighting in a troop clashed in pieces broke truncheon deprived of Until from taken onto the ground striking was there a halt were terrified make way constantly bears witness none living did such deeds of arms made his way has gone where he usually remained looking plans; suspect; (see note) has decided thinks himself despised had delivered to him excluded cruelly slighted concerns support for you declare of your fault befits proven achieved it were to heard and seen defeated by one through companions; takes foes know without a doubt fear at some time before since arrange (see note) called; who went before bade; declare correct humble manner exhorts; humble manner preserve thanks commanded begging them [the lances] reveals heard; gift seen (see note) shall observe deportment conduct yourself too judges in a new condition Damsel that [which]; demur courtesy commend; times stirrups Grew a full foot in height ladies bearing bore arms the best commands; beseeched increased charger reared; race forward delay river; rode (see note) delay peril; risk (see note) assembled [for battle] under his command [neither] his mail encounter seen urges on (see note) close by them; (see note) also at once (see note) These six in a charge Quickly; riding extended win With the same wish; prove called yonder passage at arms; fairer; seen Made by; each one plan [on winning] example; gives vow Near to the best of my ability these six; in agreement taken immediately; directly fierce; bold nor was strong enough person wondered at his deeds fear diligently sent Unbroken; left without mercy struck dead on foot; fighting companions seen horse made his way Quickly leapt person nimble effort dressed in Asks of declares knew not at all who eye in what manner does him such squire; in truth; know bade us; know not sallied forth morning six companions; each one (see note) (see note) defeated forces joined sorrowful were they as opposed to (see note to l. 1090) dead Although Received long hold out who mind increase rode act in order; lady's then; receive fierce lion; violent anger That he did not dead; made his way every one In goes (see note) by halt one at a time honor fierce although; endured bore himself boldness; taken It seemed to them either ride or walk aided companions knows how or is able to proven themselves assisted fought; various endure seen; (see note) called; entreated allowed; oppressed bore arms by chance Because of his absence [hyme=Harvy]; disgraced hereafter endure their fate it befalls; defeated that borne himself and guarded lose squire heard; rode In a few words treachery in my old age came acquit accusation legal issue; charge against fault; live as fast as he can at once went forth on his way Down; right before anger encounter laughed; (see note) proved himself is expected of; age years Although; fierce force completely might more were they saw; (see note) endangered by fresh rescue many a one was slain remain inactive other taken delay; (see note) rode arrival seen; (see note) eight cries lamentable; pitiable to hear various Wounded afflicted Ever since against whose lady's; life's know rank attain aim true; attempt since you have become fight; sight So that reasonably; you cowardice; be ashamed pierced escape drew; cut swoon afraid of deadly time fear of death; leave wasted In his activity; ceased delay; pause trusted reassured; restored fiercely; attacked pity; for any; see (see note to l. 1090) defeated; (see note) from the field; go larger force; of cowards seriously wounded whence saw in truth Vanquishes; abide sharp bear Mad; conduct in battle; place all the glory ceases since continued steadfastly name in time; truth taken those who fled; (see note) nearly defeated coming courage battle-cries Straight; entire fulfill question that; utterly decided die; heart encouragement Because; trouble rescue fierce battle; crowded fails; feels companions; followed in the midst of (see note) rescue alone with his hand; taken sword's length without being killed helmet; coat of mail strikes all around they might see struggling attack in response; (see note) Checks; fierce seen throng clears all the circumference deeds one ability because of me on my account; die spurs urge on club; hand; taken commanded; cease leave all the battle separated; forces fear Who so; God help me on foot; fighting protector from neglected honor in in no way since; of such worth although; has failed because; lack Separate; dismounted thanked; taken fresh As if in no combat gets on; went direct himself short time he rode ordered; wait (see note) resounded fear heard the noise mad black dressed marshalled rank courage and honor; know ought just before the night intended (see note) in such array give; offense; fright chivalric enterprise won if you should lose honor earned without fear; attempt stab frightened first; remainder afraid one voice stand fast; flee prove unexpected attack thought where exhort such a battle |