Part 5

[A] Mony klyf he ouer-clambe in contraye3 straunge, Fer floten fro his frende3 fremedly he ryde3; [B] At vche warþe oþer water þer þe wy3e passed, 716 He fonde a foo hym byfore, bot ferly hit were, & þat so foule & so felle, þat fe3t hym by-hode; [C] So mony meruayl hi mount þer þe mon fynde3, Hit were to tore for to telle of þe tenþe dole. 720 [D] Sumwhyle wyth worme3 he werre3, & with wolues als, Sumwhyle wyth wodwos, þat woned in þe knarre3, [E] Boþe wyth bulle3 & bere3, & bore3 oþer-quyle, & etayne3, þat hym a-nelede, of þe he3e felle; 724 [F] Nade he ben du3ty & dry3e, & dry3tyn had serued, Douteles he hade ben ded, & dreped ful ofte. [G] For werre wrathed hym not so much, þat wynter was wors, When þe colde cler water fro þe cloude3 schadden, 728 & fres er hit falle my3t to þe fale erþe; Ner slayn wyth þe slete he sleped in his yrnes, Mo ny3te3 þen in-noghe in naked rokke3, Þer as claterande fro þe crest þe colde borne renne3, 732 & henged he3e ouer his hede in hard ÿsse-ikkles. [H] Þus in peryl, & payne, & plytes ful harde, Bi contray carye3 þis kny3t, tyl kryst-masse euen, al one; 736 Þe kny3t wel þat tyde, [I] To Mary made his mone. Þat ho hym red to ryde, & wysse hym to sum wone. [Fol. 101.]

[Sidenote A: Many a cliff he climbed over;] [Sidenote B: many a ford and stream he crossed, and everywhere he found a foe.] [Sidenote C: It were too tedious to tell the tenth part of his adventures] [Sidenote D: with serpents, wolves, and wild men;] [Sidenote E: with bulls, bears, and boars.] [Sidenote F: Had he not been both brave and good, doubtless he had been dead.] [Sidenote G: The sharp winter was far worse than any war that ever troubled him.] [Sidenote H: Thus in peril he travels till Christmas-eve.] [Sidenote I: To the Virgin Mary he prays to guide him to some abode.]

XI.

740 [A] Bi a mounte on þe morne meryly he rydes, Into a forest ful dep, þat ferly wat3 wylde, Hi3e hille3 on vche a halue, & holt wode3 vnder, [B] Of hore oke3 fill hoge a hundreth to-geder; 744 Þe hasel & þe ha3-þorne were harled al samen, With ro3e raged mosse rayled ay-where, [C] With mony brydde3 vnblyþe vpon bare twyges, Þat pitosly þer piped for pyne of þe colde. 748 Þe gome vpon Gryngolet glyde3 hem vnder, [D] Þur3 mony misy & myre, mon al hym one, Carande for his costes, lest he ne keuer schulde, To se þe seruy[1] of þat syre, þat on þat self ny3t 752 Of a burde wat3 borne, oure baret to quelle; [E] & þerfore sykyng he sayde, "I be-seche þe, lorde, & Mary, þat is myldest moder so dere. Of sum herber, þer he3ly I my3t here masse. 756 Ande þy matyne3 to-morne, mekely I ask, & þer-to prestly I pray my pater & aue, & crede." He rode in his prayere, 760 & cryed for his mysdede, [F] He sayned hym in syþes sere, & sayde "cros Kryst me spede!"

[Sidenote A: On the morn Sir Gawayne finds himself in a deep forest,] [Sidenote B: where were old oaks many a hundred.] [Sidenote C: Many sad birds upon bare twigs piped piteously for the cold.] [Sidenote D: Through many a mire he goes, that he may celebrate the birth of Christ.] [Sidenote E: He beseeches the Virgin Mary to direct him to some lodging where he may hear mass.] [Sidenote F: Blessing himself, he says, "Cross of Christ, speed me!"] [Footnote 1: seruyce (?).]

XII.

[A] Nade he sayned hym-self, segge, bot þrye, 764 Er he wat3 war in þe wod of a won in a mote. [B] Abof a launde, on a lawe, loken vnder bo3e3, Of mony borelych bole, aboute bi þe diches; [C] A castel þe comlokest þat euer kny3t a3te, 768 Pyched on a prayere, a park al aboute, With a pyked palays, pyned ful þik, Þat vmbe-te3e mony tre mo þen two myle. Þat holde on þat on syde þe haþel auysed, 772 [D] As hit schemered & schon þur3 þe schyre oke3; Þenne hat3 he hendly of his helme, & he3ly he þonke3 Iesus & say[nt] Gilyan, þat gentyle ar boþe, Þat cortaysly hade hym kydde, & his cry herkened. [Fol. 101b.] 776 "Now bone hostel," coþe þe burne, "I be-seche yow 3ette!" Þenne gedere3 he to Gryngolet with þe gilt hele3, [E] & he ful chauncely hat3 chosen to þe chef gate, Þat bro3t bremly þe burne to þe bryge ende, 780 in haste; [F] Þe bryge wat3 breme vp-brayde, Þe 3ate3 wer stoken faste, Þe walle3 were wel arayed, 784 Hit dut no wynde3 blaste.

[Sidenote A: Scarcely had he blessed himself thrice] [Sidenote B: when he saw a dwelling in the wood, set on a hill,] [Sidenote C: the comeliest castle that knight ever owned.] [Sidenote D: It shone as the sun through the bright oaks.] [Sidenote E: Sir Gawayne goes to the chief gate,] [Sidenote F: and finds the draw-bridge raised, and the gates shut fast.]

XIII.

[A] 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, 788 [B] Ande eft a ful huge he3t hit haled vpon lofte, Of harde hewen ston vp to þe table3, [C] Enbaned vnder þe abataylment, in þe best lawe; & syþen garyte3 ful gaye gered bi-twene, 792 Wyth mony luflych loupe, þat louked ful clene; A better barbican þat burne blusched vpon neuer; & innermore he be-helde þat halle ful hy3e, [D] Towre telded bytwene trochet ful þik, 796 Fayre fylyole3 þat fy3ed, & ferlyly long, [E] With coruon coprounes, craftyly sle3e; Chalk whyt chymnees þer ches he in-no3e, Vpon bastel roue3, þat blenked ful quyte; 800 So mony pynakle payntet wat3 poudred ay quere, Among þe castel carnele3, clambred so þik, Þat pared out of papure purely hit semed. [F] Þe fre freke on þe fole hit fayr in-n[o]ghe þo3t, 804 If he my3t keuer to com þe cloyster wyth-inne, To herber in þat hostel, whyl halyday lested auinant; [G] He calde, & sone þer com 808 A porter pure plesaunt, On þe wal his ernd he nome, & haylsed þe kny3t erraunt.

[Sidenote A: The knight abides on the bank,] [Sidenote B: and observes the "huge height,"] [Sidenote C: with its battlements and watch towers.] [Sidenote D: Bright and long were its round towers,] [Sidenote E: with their well-made capitals.] [Sidenote F: He thinks it fair enough if he might only come within the cloister.] [Sidenote G: He calls, and soon there comes a porter to know the knight's errand.]

XIV.

[A] "Gode sir," quod Gawan, "wolde3 þou go myn ernde, 812 To þe he3 lorde of þis hous, herber to craue?" "3e, Peter," quod þe porter, "& purely I trowe,[1] [Fol. 102.] [B] Þat 3e be, wy3e, welcum to won quyle yow lyke3." Þen 3ede þat wy3e a3ayn awyþe, 816 & folke frely hym wyth, to fonge þe kny3t; [C] Þay let doun þe grete dra3t, & derely out 3eden, & kneled doun on her knes vpon þe colde erþe, To welcum þis ilk wy3, as worþy hom þo3t; 820 [D] Þay 3olden hym þe brode 3ate, 3arked vp wyde, & he hem raysed rekenly, & rod ouer þe brygge; Sere segge3 hym sesed by sadel, quel[2] he ly3t, [E] & syþen stabeled his stede stif men in-no3e. 824 [F] Kny3te3 & swyere3 comen doun þenne, For to bryng þis burne[3] wyth blys in-to halle; [G] Quen he hef vp his helme, þer hi3ed in-noghe For to hent hit at his honde, þe hende to seruen, 828 His bronde & his blasoun boþe þay token. Þen haylsed he ful hendly þo haþele3 vch one, & mony proud mon þer presed, þat prynce to honour; Alle hasped in his he3 wede to halle þay hym wonnen, 832 Þer fayre fyre vpon flet fersly brenned. [H] Þenne þe lorde of þe lede loute3 fro his chambre, For to mete wyth menske þe mon on þe flor; He sayde, "3e ar welcum to welde as yow lyke3, 836 Þat here is, al is yowre awen, to haue at yowre wylle & welde." "Graunt mercy," quod Gawayn, "Þer Kryst hit yow for-3elde," 840 [I] As freke3 þat semed fayn, Ayþer oþer in arme3 con felde.

[Sidenote A: "Good sir," says Gawayne, "ask the high lord of this house to grant me a lodging."] [Sidenote B: "You are welcome to dwell here as long as you like," replied the porter.] [Sidenote C: The draw-bridge is let down,] [Sidenote D: and the gate is opened wide to receive him.] [Sidenote E: His horse is well stabled.] [Sidenote F: Knights and squires bring Gawayne into the hall.] [Sidenote G: Many a one hastens to take his helmet and sword.] [Sidenote H: The lord of the country bids him welcome,] [Sidenote I: and they embrace each other.] [Footnote 1: trowoe, MS.] [Footnote 2: quyle (?) or quen (?).] [Footnote 3: buurne, MS.]

XV.

[A] Gawayn gly3t on þe gome þat godly hym gret, [B] & þu3t hit a bolde burne þat þe bur3 a3te, 844 A hoge haþel for þe none3, & of hyghe elde;[1] [C] Brode bry3t wat3 his berde, & al beuer hwed, Sturne stif on þe stryþþe on stal-worth schonke3, [D] Felle face as þe fyre, & fre of hys speche; 848 & wel hym semed for soþe, as þe segge þu3t, To lede a lortschyp in lee of leude3 ful gode. [E] Þe lorde hym charred to a chambre, & chefly cumaunde3[2] [Fol.] To delyuer hym a leude, hym lo3ly to serue; [102b.] 852 & þere were boun at his bode burne3 in-no3e, [F] Þat bro3t hym to a bry3t boure, þer beddyng wat3 noble, Of cortynes of clene sylk, wyth cler golde hemme3, [G] & couertore3 ful curious, with comlych pane3, 856 Of bry3t blaunnier a-boue enbrawded bisyde3, Rudele3 rennande on rope3, red golde rynge3, [H] Tapyte3 ty3t to þe wo3e, of tuly & tars, & vnder fete, on þe flet, of fol3ande sute. 860 [I] Þer he wat3 dispoyled, wyth speche3 of myerþe, Þe burn of his bruny, & of his bry3t wede3; [J] Ryche robes ful rad renkke3 hem[3] bro3ten, For to charge, & to chaunge, & chose of þe best. 864 Sone as he on hent, & happed þer-inne, Þat sete on hym[4] semly, wyth saylande skyrte3, [K] Þe ver by his uisage verayly hit semed Wel ne3 to vche haþel alle on hwes, 868 Lowande & lufly, alle his lymme3 vnder, [L] Þat a comloker kny3t neuer Kryst made, hem þo3t; Wheþen in worlde he were, 872 Hit semed as he my3t Be prynce with-outen pere, In felde þer felle men fy3t.

[Sidenote A: Gawayne looks on his host;] [Sidenote B: a big bold one he seemed.] [Sidenote C: Beaver-hued was his broad beard,] [Sidenote D: and his face as "fell as the fire."] [Sidenote E: The lord leads Gawayne to a chamber, and assigns him a page to wait upon him.] [Sidenote F: In this bright bower was noble bedding;] [Sidenote G: the curtains were of pure silk with golden hems;] [Sidenote H: Tarsic tapestries covered the walls and the floor.] [Sidenote I: Here the knight doffed his armour,] [Sidenote J: and put on rich robes,] [Sidenote K: which well became him.] [Sidenote L: A more comely knight Christ never made.] [Footnote 1: eldee, MS.] [Footnote 2: clesly, MS.] [Footnote 3: hym (?).] [Footnote 4: MS. hyn.]

XVI.

[A] A cheyer by-fore þe chemné, þer charcole brenned, 876 Wat3 grayþed for sir Gawan, grayþely with cloþe3, Whyssynes vpon queldepoyntes, þa[t] koynt wer boþe; [B] & þenne a mere mantyle wat3 on þat mon cast, Of a broun bleeaunt, enbrauded ful ryche, 880 & fayre furred wyth-inne with felle3 of þe best, Alle of ermyn in erde, his hode of þe same; & he sete in þat settel semlych ryche, & achaufed hym chefly,[1] & þenne his cher mended. 884 [C] Sone wat3 telded vp a tapit, on treste3 ful fayre, [D] Clad wyth a clene cloþe, þat cler quyt schewed, Sanap, & salure, & syluer-in spone3; Þe wy3e wesche at his wylle, & went to his mete [Fol. 103.] 888 Segge3 hym serued semly in-no3e, [E] Wyth sere sewes & sete,[2] sesounde of þe best, Double felde, as hit falle3, & fele kyn fische3; [F] Summe baken in bred, summe brad on þe glede3, 892 [G] Summe soþen, summe in sewe, sauered with spyces, & ay sawes[3] so sle3e3, þat þe segge lyked. Þe freke calde hit a fest ful frely & ofte, [H] Ful hendely, quen alle þe haþeles re-hayted hym at one3 896 as hende; "Þis penaunce now 3e take, & eft hit schal amende;" [I] Þat mon much merþe con make. 900 For wyn in his hed þat wende.

[Sidenote A: A chair is placed for Sir Gawayne before the fireplace.] [Sidenote B: A mantle of fine linen, richly embroidered, is thrown over him.] [Sidenote C: A table is soon raised,] [Sidenote D: and the knight, having washed, proceeded to meat.] [Sidenote E: He is served with numerous dishes;] [Sidenote F: with fish baked and broiled,] [Sidenote G: or boiled and seasoned with spices.] [Sidenote H: He calls it a full noble feast,] [Sidenote I: and much mirth he makes, for the wine is in his head.] [Footnote 1: MS. cefly.] [Footnote 2: swete (?).] [Footnote 3: sewes (?).]

XVII.

[A] Þenne wat3 spyed & spured vpon spare wyse. Bi preue poynte3 of þat prynce, put to hym-seluen, Þat he be-knew cortaysly of þe court þat he were, 904 [B] Þat aþel Arthure þe hende halde3 hym one, Þat is þe ryche ryal kyng of þe rounde table; & hit wat3 Wawen hym-self þat in þat won sytte3, Comen to þat krystmasse, as case hym þen lymped. 908 [C] When þe lorde hade lerned þat he þe leude hade, Loude la3ed he þerat, so lef hit hym þo3t, [D] & alle þe men in þat mote maden much joye, To apere in his presense prestly þat tyme, 912 Þat alle prys, & prowes, & pured þewes Apendes to hys persoun, & praysed is euer, By-fore alle men vpon molde, his mensk is þe most. [E] Vch segge ful softly sayde to his fere, 916 [F] "Now schal we semlych se sle3te3 of þewe3, & þe teccheles termes of talkyng noble, Wich spede is in speche, vnspurd may we lerne, [G] Syn we haf fonged þat fyne fader of nurture; 920 God hat3 geuen vus his grace godly for soþe, Þat such a gest as Gawan graunte3 vus to haue, When burne3 blyþe of his burþe schal sitte & synge. 924 In menyng of manere3 mere, Þis burne now schal vus bryng, [Fol. 103b.] [H] I hope þat may hym here, Schal lerne of luf-talkyng."

[Sidenote A: Sir Gawayne, in answer to questions put to him,] [Sidenote B: tells the prince that he is of Arthur's court.] [Sidenote C: When this was made known,] [Sidenote D: great was the joy in the hall.] [Sidenote E: Each one said softly to his mate,] [Sidenote F: "Now we shall see courteous manners and hear noble speech,] [Sidenote G: for we have amongst us the 'father of nurture.'] [Sidenote H: He that may him hear shall learn of love-talking."]

XVIII.

928 [A] Bi þat þe diner wat3 done, & þe dere vp, Hit wat3 ne3 at þe niy3t ne3ed þe tyme; Chaplayne3[1] to þe chapeles chosen þe gate, Rungen ful rychely, ry3t as þay schulden, 932 [B] To þe hersum euensong of þe hy3e tyde. Þe lorde loutes þerto, & þe lady als, In-to a comly closet coyntly ho entre3; Gawan glyde3 ful gay, & gos þeder sone; 936 Þe lorde laches hym by þe lappe, & lede3 hym to sytte, & couþly hym knowe3, & calle3 hym his nome, & sayde he wat3 þe welcomest wy3e of þe worlde; [C] & he hym þonkked þroly, & ayþer halched oþer. 940 & seten soberly samen þe seruise-quyle; Þenne lyst þe lady to loke on þe kny3t. [D] Þenne com ho of hir closet, with mony cler burde3, Ho wat3 þe fayrest in felle, of flesche & of lyre, 944 & of compas, & colour, & costes of alle oþer, [E] & wener þen Wenore, as þe wy3e þo3t. He ches þur3 þe chaunsel, to cheryche þat hende; [F] An oþer lady hir lad bi þe lyft honde, 948 Þat wat3 alder þen ho, an auncian hit semed, & he3ly honowred with haþele3 aboute. [G] Bot yn-lyke on to loke þo ladyes were, [H] For if þe 3onge wat3 3ep, 3ol3e wat3 þat oþer; 952 Riche red on þat on rayled ay quere, [I] Rugh ronkled cheke3 þat oþer on rolled; Kerchofes of þat on wyth mony cler perle3 [J] Hir brest & hir bry3t þrote bare displayed, 956 Schon schyrer þen snawe, þat scheder[2] on hille3; Þat oþer wyth a gorger wat3 gered ouer þe swyre, Chymbled ouer hir blake chyn with mylk-quyte vayles, [K] Hir frount folden in sylk, enfoubled ay quere, 960 Toret & treieted with tryfle3 aboute, [L] Þat no3t wat3 bare of þat burde bot þe blake bro3es. [Fol. 104.] Þe tweyne y3en, & þe nase, þe naked lyppe3, & þose were soure to se, & sellyly blered; 964 A mensk lady on molde mon may hir calle, for gode; [M] Hir body wat3 schort & þik. [N] Hir buttoke3 bay & brode, 968 More lykker-wys on to lyk, Wat3 þat scho hade on lode.

[Sidenote A: After dinner the company go to the chapel,] [Sidenote B: to hear the evensong of the great season.] [Sidenote C: The lord of the castle and Sir Gawayne sit together during service.] [Sidenote D: His wife, accompanied by her maids, leaves her seat.] [Sidenote E: She appeared even fairer than Guenever.] [Sidenote F: An older lady (an ancient one she seemed) led her by the hand.] [Sidenote G: Very unlike were these two.] [Sidenote H: if the young one was fair the other was yellow,] [Sidenote I: and had rough and wrinkled cheeks.] [Sidenote J: The younger had breast and throat "bare displayed."] [Sidenote K: The ancient one exposed only her "black brows," her two eyes,] [Sidenote L: nose, and naked lips, all sour and bleared.] [Sidenote M: Her body was short and thick;] [Sidenote N: her buttocks broad and round.] [Footnote 1: MS. [claplayne3.]] [Footnote 2: schedes (?).]

XIX.

[A] When Gawayn gly3t on þat gay, þat graciously loked, Wyth leue la3t of þe lorde he went hem a3aynes; 972 [B] Þe alder he haylses, heldande ful lowe, Þe loueloker he lappe3 a lyttel in arme3, [C] He kysses hir comlyly, & kny3tly he mele3; Þay kallen hym of a quoyntaunce, & he hit quyk aske3 976 [D] To be her seruaunt sothly, if hem-self lyked. Þay tan hym bytwene hem, wyth talkyng hym leden [E] To chambre, to chemné, & chefly þay asken [F] Spyce3, þat vn-sparely men speded hom to bryng, 980 & þe wynne-lych wyne þer-with vche tyme. Þe lorde luflych aloft lepe3 ful ofte, Mynned merthe to be made vpon mony syþe3. [G] Hent he3ly of his hode, & on a spere henged, 984 & wayned hom to wynne þe worchip þer-of, [H] Þat most myrþe my3t mene[1] þat crystenmas whyle; "& i schal fonde, bi my fayth, to fylter wyth þe best, Er me wont þe wede3, with help of my frende3." 988 Þus wyth la3ande lote3 þe lorde hit tayt[2] make3, [I] For to glade sir Gawayn with gomne3 in halle þat ny3t; Til þat hit wat3 tyme, 992 Þe kyng comaundet ly3t, [J] Sir Gawen his leue con nyme, & to his bed hym di3t.

[Sidenote A: With permission of the lord,] [Sidenote B: Sir Gawayne salutes the elder,] [Sidenote C: but the younger he kisses,] [Sidenote D: and begs to be her servant.] [Sidenote E: To chamber all go,] [Sidenote F: where spices and wine are served.] [Sidenote G: The lord takes off his hood and places it on a spear.] [Sidenote H: He who makes most mirth is to win it.] [Sidenote I: Night approaches, and then] [Sidenote J: Sir Gawayne takes his leave and retires to rest.] [Footnote 1: meue (?).] [Footnote 2: layt (?).]

XX.

[A] On þe morne, as vch mon myne3 þat tyme, 996 [B] [Þ]at dry3tyn for oure destyné to de3e wat3 borne, Wele waxe3 in vche a won in worlde, for his sake; [C] So did hit þere on þat day, þur3 dayntes mony; Boþe at mes & at mele, messes ful quaynt [Fol. 104b.] 1000 Derf men vpon dece drest of þe best. [D] Þe olde auncian wyf he3est ho sytte3; Þe lorde lufly her by lent, as I trowe; [E] Gawan & þe gay burde to-geder þay seten, 1004 Euen in-mydde3, as þe messe metely come; & syþen þur3 al þe sale, as hem best semed, [F] Bi vche grome at his degre grayþely wat3 serued. Þer wat3 mete, þer wat3 myrþe, þer wat3 much ioye, 1008 Þat for to telle þerof hit me tene were, & to poynte hit 3et I pyned me parauenture; [G] Bot 3et I wot þat Wawen & þe wale burde Such comfort of her compaynye ca3ten to-geder, 1012 Þur3 her dere dalyaunce of her derne worde3, Wyth clene cortays carp, closed fro fylþe; & hor play wat3 passande vche prynce gomen, in vayres; 1016 [H] Trumpe3 & nakerys, Much pypyng þer repayres, Vche mon tented hys, & þay two tented þayres.

[Sidenote A: On Christmas morn,] [Sidenote B: joy reigns in every dwelling in the world.] [Sidenote C: So did it in the castle where our knight abode.] [Sidenote D: The lord and "the old ancient wife" sit together.] [Sidenote E: Gawayne sits by the wife of his host.] [Sidenote F: It were too tedious to tell of the meat, the mirth, and the joy that abounded everywhere.] [Sidenote G: Gawayne and his beautiful companion derive much comfort from each other's conversation.] [Sidenote H: Trumpets and nakers give forth their sounds.]

XXI.

1020 [A] Much dut wat3 þer dryuen þat day & þat oþer, & þe þryd as þro þronge in þerafter; [B] Þe ioye of sayn Ione3 day wat3 gentyle to here, & wat3 þe last of þe layk, leude3 þer þo3ten. 1024 Þer wer gestes to go vpon þe gray morne, For-þy wonderly þay woke, & þe wyn dronken, Daunsed ful dre3ly wyth dere carole3; [C] At þe last, when hit wat3 late, þay lachen her leue, 1028 Vchon to wende on his way, þat wat3 wy3e stronge. Gawan gef hym god-day, þe god mon hym lachche3, Ledes hym to his awen chambre, þ[e] chymné bysyde, [D] & þere he dra3e3 hym on-dry3e, & derely hym þonkke3, 1032 Of þe wynne worschip &[1] he hym wayned hade, As to honour his hous on þat hy3e tyde, & enbelyse his bur3 with his bele chere. "I-wysse sir, quyl I leue, me worþe3 þe better, 1036 Þat Gawayn hat3 ben my gest, at Godde3 awen fest." [Fol. 105.] "Grant merci[2] sir," quod Gawayn, "in god fayth hit is yowre3, Al þe honour is your awen, þe he3e kyng yow 3elde; & I am wy3e at your wylle, to worch youre hest, 1040 As I am halden þer-to, in hy3e & in lo3e, bi ri3t." [E] Þe lorde fast can hym payne, To holde lenger þe kny3t, 1044 To hym answre3 Gawayn, Bi non way þat he my3t.

[Sidenote A: Great was the joy for three days.] [Sidenote B: St. John's-day was the last of the Christmas festival.] [Sidenote C: On the morrow many of the guests took their departure from the castle.] [Sidenote D: Sir Gawayne is thanked by his host for the honour and pleasure of his visit.] [Sidenote E: He endeavours to keep the knight at his court.] [Footnote 1: þat (?).] [Footnote 2: nerci, in MS.]

XXII.