II.

Then the soft winds of summer, 516

After þe sesoun of somer wyth þe soft wyndeȝ,

Quen ȝeferus syfleȝ hym-self on sedeȝ & erbeȝ,

Wela-wynne is þe wort þat woxes þer-oute.

When þe donkande dewe dropeȝ of þe leueȝ,

To bide a blysful blusch of þe bryȝt sunne.

Bot þen hyȝes heruest, & hardenes hym sone.

Warneȝ hym for þe wynter to wax ful rype;

He dryues wyth droȝt þe dust for to ryse.

Fro þe face of þe folde to flyȝe ful hyȝe;

Wroþe wynde of þe welkyn wrasteleȝ with þe sunne,

Þe leueȝ lancen fro þe lynde, & lyȝten on þe grounde,

& al grayes þe gres, þat grene watȝ ere;

Þenne al rypeȝ & roteȝ þat ros vpon fyrst,

& þus ȝirneȝ þe ȝere in ȝisterdayeȝ mony,

& wynter wyndeȝ aȝayn, as þe worlde askeȝ

no sage.

Til meȝel-mas mone,

Watȝ cumen wyth wynter wage;

Þen þenkkeȝ Gawan ful sone,

Of his anious uyage.