V.
"In god fayth," quod Gawayn, "gayn hit me þynkkeȝ,
Þaȝ I be not now he þat ȝe of speken;
To reche to such reuerence as ȝe reherce here
I am wyȝe vn-worþy, I wot wel my-seluen;
Bi God, I were glad, & yow god þoȝt,
At saȝe oþer at seruyce þat I sette myȝt
To þe plesaunce of your prys, hit were a pure ioye."
"In god fayth, sir Gawayn," quod þe gay lady,
"Þe prys & þe prowes þat pleseȝ al oþer,
If I hit lakked, oþer set at lyȝt, hit were littel daynté;
Bot hit ar ladyes in-noȝe, þat leuer wer nowþe
Haf þe hende in hor holde, as I þe habbe here,
To daly witt derely your daynté wordeȝ,
Keuer hem comfort, & colen her careȝ,
Þen much of þe garysourn oþer golde þat1 þay hauen;
Bot I louue2 þat ilk lorde þat þe lyfte haldeȝ,
I haf hit holly in my honde þat al desyres,
þurȝe grace."
Scho made hym so gret chere,
Þat watȝ so fayr of face,
Þe knyȝt with speches skere,
A[n]swared to vche a cace.
1 MS. þat þat. 2 louie or loune (?).